The caravan was travelling along ornate, narrow roads. They were high up in the mountains now. To their right was a cliff that rose even higher, and to their left was a steep chasm. This was the first time Kai had ever been this high up.
Now he was sitting in the wagon and looking at the scenery. They were so high up that it looked like they could soon touch the clouds. As Kai looked up, he could see the top of the mountain hiding in them.
- What was Kai? You've never been to the mountains? - Brick asked with a smile.
- Yes... I've certainly seen them, but never had the chance to climb them. They are really mesmerising. - Kai replied enthusiastically.
The mountain they were now travelling on was the last frontier before the City of Shadow. As soon as they crossed over to its back side, they would start descending straight to their destination. Kai was already excited.
Listening to Kai's words, Brick began to laugh.
- Why are you laughing? Do you enjoy bullying the younger ones? You have strange hobbies... - Kai said teasingly.
- I'm laughing because you're about to see something incredible... Hehehe. - Intriguingly, Brick replied.
- And what is it? - Kai asked with interest.
- Wait a minute, I don't want to spoil your mood. You'll see soon! - Brick said with a smile.
"And what is so amazing to see here?" - Kai thought and continued to look ahead.
It was now morning and the sun was hidden behind the peak. At the moment, the sun was on the opposite side, closer to the direction of the Shadow City. After all, the main city of the Shadow Sect was in the east.
As Kai looked into the distance, he saw the road going sideways, rounding the walls of the mountain. From around the corner, rays of sunlight began to appear. It was obvious that a little more and they would come to the part of the mountain where the sun shone. Many were glad, as it would bring them a nice feeling of warmth.
As soon as Kai's wagon approached this section, they began to turn the corner.
A bright light!
At this moment, Kai covered his eyes with his hand as they were weaned from too bright light. Now he was blinded for a second! But as soon as he opened his eyes, his jaw dropped open....
- Holy shit... What is that? - Shocked, Kai asked.
- Hahaha! I told you so! It's the first time everyone has such a reaction! - Brick said laughing, "Meet the City of Shadows! - He proudly announced.
- All of this... Fuck me..." Kai said dumbfounded, opening his eyes.
They were very high above the ground, which gave them a very posh and expansive view of their surroundings. Until they turned the corner, coming out on the eastern side of the mountain, they had only seen the forests and cliffs at the foot.
But now...
An incredible landscape opened up before Kai's eyes! It was complemented by the beautiful and bright rising sun... The sight was mesmerising.
Kai felt like he could see a whole country beneath his feet, and beyond it the vast blue waters! Kai had never seen such a huge city, much less such a vast area of water. When he looked into the distance, all he could see were dozens of kilometres of buildings, and beyond them the shoreline. And beyond that, just solid water! It stretched for hundreds of kilometres, all the way to the horizon!
The Shadow City itself seemed so vast that it could contain an entire country... It was even inappropriate to call it a city.
The structure of the city was also quite unique. It seemed that the centre of the city was on the very bank by the water. There stood a huge white building that was many times taller than any buildings in the city. This seemed surprising, since from Kai's perspective, all the buildings in the city were tiny... One could only understand the structure of the city by the wide roads and avenues.
Looking at the Shadow City, Kai saw how it was divided into three districts, which were divided in semi-ring-like circles. The smallest was the central area, where the large white building was located. Even so, it was several times larger than the Border Beast City. This zone was enclosed by a large wall that ran in a semicircle, starting at the coast and ending at the shore.
It appeared that the City of Shadow was protected by the boundless waters on one side and the walls and city buildings on the other.
Then there were two more zones that were walled off on a similar principle. Except they were much more extensive... Each subsequent one was larger than the previous one.
Also, from the white building were five huge straight roads that crossed all three zones. They went in different directions, giving access to the city centre from anywhere. These roads were so wide that they could be seen from this high mountain.
- All roads lead to the Shadow Palace! Hehe. - With a laugh, Brick said.
- Shadow Palace? Is that that huge, white building? - Kai asked dumbfounded.
- Yes. That's where all the main people of the Shadow Sect are, including the Grand Elders and the Patriarch! And that inner area near it is the forbidden zone I was talking about. It's where all the members of the Shadow Sect are trained and developed. Only they are allowed to enter it! - Said Brick while expressing deep respect with his words.
- Damn it... It's hard to call it a city... - Kai came out.
- I agree! Shadow City is literally like a whole separate country. It gathers resources from all four empires... But make no mistake. Shadow City can completely feed itself! - Brick explained.
- Even so... - Kai said thoughtfully.
- Yes! The outer ring is full of hunting grounds, farms and cattle ranches! A lot of labourers live there, which will provide the needs of the whole city! - Said Brick.
- Outer ring? - Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.
- The inhabitants of the City of Shadow have their own conventional names. It's not official, it's just what everyone is used to saying. I think you know what I'm talking about. There is the outer ring, the inner ring, and the forbidden zone, or if you prefer, the Shadow Sect. - Said Brick.
- Now I get it. What's in the inner ring? - Kai asked.
- It's simple. It is a richer region. All the trade, restaurants and so on are concentrated there. Also, all the elite and rich people prefer to live there. Well, of course, you have to have the means to do so..." said Brick. - The outer ring isn't as bad as you might think either. Shadow City is very rich... Even the villagers and labourers feel good. Especially compared to other regions... - Brick said thoughtfully.
Kai understood what he meant. Since the entire Shadow City was under the full control of the Shadow Sect, and resources from all four empires flowed here, life here was much better. Kai himself was from the backwoods and knew very well what life was like there. If someone like Lord Flick wanted to, he could slaughter entire settlements. There, people fought over food, just trying to survive.
Compared to such conditions, the life of the villagers of Shadow City seemed like a paradise. Although, they also worked very hard and could not afford excesses, but still... Their lot was much better.
- It's amazing... How people could build something so huge... - Kai said to himself.
- I agree with you lad. Even though I've seen it countless times, I'm still amazed... - Brick said thoughtfully, and continued, - It'll be about a day before we reach the City of Shadow. It seems like it's literally right next to us, but that's a lie. Heh-heh. - Laughing, he gave out.
Listening to this, Kai continued to stare at the scenery in front of him... He was just mesmerised by it.
"This is just unbelievable... Such a vast city... I wonder what kind of power the Shadow Sect has? And the Patriarch?" - As if in a trance, Kai thought.
- By the way! Where are you going? - Interrupting Kai's thoughts, Brick asked.
- Ah... I'm going to the Shadow Sect, so I'll try to sneak into the forbidden zone. Hehehe. - Kai said jokingly.
- I see... Well, we're taking the goods to the outer ring, so you can ride with us. Although it doesn't seem like a long journey from here... But in reality, it might take a few days. Hehe. - Laughing, Brick explained.
At this moment, Brick wasn't exaggerating. Shadow City was huge... Even travelling around it could take a very long time. It was better to continue travelling with them.
- Okay, Brick. Thanks again for your help! - Kai said with a grateful smile.