Gravity Mage with Level-Up System Chapter 1883: Part 1: Pebble City
Previously on Gravity Mage with Level-Up System...
Border
The horse carriage rolled away from the border, its owner guiding it towards the nearest city, known as Pebble City.
Inside, the passengers engaged in hushed conversations, their discussion revolving around their mission and the unexplained absence of tribespeople during their journey.
From within the Gregor Mansion, every word reached my ears. The Granite Crest Mountain Range was a colossal expanse; it wasn't beyond possibility that multiple groups resided at its base.
Yet, these individuals hadn’t encountered any other groups. What was truly happening? Could the wizard group that targeted Elder Barry’s tribe have also afflicted other tribal communities?
A myriad of questions swirled in my mind. However, I held no desire to interfere. My goal was to utilize the teleportation facility situated in the capital.
This facility could be accessed even without fulfilling the promise made to old man Barry.
As a Magic Lord, he possessed the power to protect his descendants without my intervention. Nevertheless, the old man had compelled me into this task.
I found the entire situation rather disagreeable. Had it not been for him, I would have remained oblivious to the existence of the teleportation facility. Therefore, I resolved to uncover the perpetrator responsible for the dark magic cast upon the young girl.
Upon reaching the closest city, my next step would be to devise a method for reaching the capital. I took a moment to compose myself and continued to eavesdrop on their ongoing conversation.
...
Outside
The magic horses soared through the sky, propelling the carriages at remarkable speeds. Without any manual guidance from their owners, the steeds navigated their own course.
Possessing a keen intelligence and familiarity with their usual routes, they were certain to arrive at the city swiftly.
...
Pebble City
The peculiar monstrous horse carriage finally reached the city an hour later. The cityscape was awash in verdant hues, the entire area teeming with lush, thriving vegetation.
Towering trees dotted the landscape, leaving no patch of barren land; instead, exquisite gardens flourished in every available space.
Each street was adorned with a diverse array of vibrantly colored flowers.
It became apparent that the city was nestled deep within the heart of a sprawling forest. While within the confines of the Gregor Mansion, I had been denied a view of the city, I had nevertheless absorbed the conversations of others.
Given the nation's proximity to the mountain range, the natural beauty of this locale was surely breathtaking.
A palpable sense of rich mana permeated the very atmosphere. The carriage owner brought the vehicle to a halt at the designated platform.
A number of other carriages were already parked there. Despite the advent of modern aerial transport, traveling by carriage remained a cherished, time-honored tradition.
Those who held firmly to tradition predominantly resided within this very Pebble City. As the carriage settled to a stop, the passengers began to disembark, one after another.
They were acquainted with the carriage owner, a local resident of this area. Observing his customers depart, the owner then turned his attention to the monstrous horses, commencing the task of providing them with sustenance.
Having tended to his charges, the owner then sought out his companions.
They were engaged in conversation beneath the shade of a large tree. He started walking towards their gathering.
From my position inside the Gregor Mansion, I sensed the owner's departure. I materialized outside, now standing within the carriage.
Subsequently, I activated the system's probe function and confirmed the owner's absence from the immediate vicinity. Thus, I alighted from the carriage and began making my way towards the main thoroughfare.
Grand emporiums lined both sides of the street. More striking, however, was my attention drawn to the stunning gardens adorning the facades of these establishments.
For a fleeting moment, I stood transfixed, taken by surprise. I halted my steps, surveying my surroundings. All that met my gaze was an unbroken expanse of greenery.
The flow of pedestrians along the street was notably sparse, indicating that the city was not densely populated; ample open space was readily available.
They had meticulously cultivated gardens in every available vacant spot.
A radiant smile bloomed across my face. My spirits lifted considerably, feeling much improved from before. My immediate inclination was to locate a dining establishment for a refreshing drink.
I proceeded along the pedestrian walkway. Eventually, I arrived at a cafeteria situated near the path's terminus. My gaze settled upon the shopfront.
I noticed the cafeteria boasted an open-air rooftop seating area. Patrons were present, prompting me to enter the establishment without further hesitation.
Ascending the stairs, I reached the rooftop. There, I observed tables and chairs, with only a select few occupied. Spotting an unoccupied table in a secluded corner, I made my way towards it.
A gentle, cool breeze caressed my face. This indeed seemed like an ideal spot for relaxation. I settled into a chair and awaited the arrival of service staff.
In the interim, I discreetly observed the patrons and attuned my ears to their conversations. Thanks to the capabilities of my system, I could comprehend their native tongue effortlessly.
Furthermore, I possessed the ability to converse with a native accent, ensuring no suspicion would fall upon me as an outsider.
"Hey, the capital city is absolutely buzzing right now. The wizarding families are deep in preparations for the upcoming competition."
"I have no idea which family will ultimately claim the prize."
"It's quite unfortunate, as not everyone is granted entry to the capital. Only those who receive an invitation are permitted to attend."
"I'm certain the eventual winner will achieve immense popularity across the neighboring countries. They'll likely receive a plethora of lucrative offers."
A group of individuals, presumably friends, were engrossed in this very discussion.
Meanwhile, I continued to absorb the conversations of those around me. My eyebrows arched in genuine surprise.
I had certainly not anticipated such an intriguing event unfolding in the capital. What sort of tournament could it possibly be?
I maintained my focus, attentively listening to their dialogue.
"Who is considered the front runner in this competition?" inquired a middle-aged woman.
"It must be Young Master Raymond. He wields a rather dark form of magic. No one has a solution for this dark mana," a middle-aged man stated. "Dark mana is formidable because it's challenging to purge once one becomes polluted by it," the woman responded. "Numerous individuals have perished due to that kind of magic. Some describe it as a poison. It can hasten or slow your demise depending on the specific spell used," the man elaborated, shedding light on the subject. Gasp! The group of friends collectively gasped in astonishment. The topic of dark mana was clearly uncomfortable for them. "In other regions, he would likely be branded a villain. However, here, Young Master Raymond is treated like a celebrity," the man observed. "He has vanquished countless adversaries at the border. His dark magic has earned him renown, ensuring no one dares to suspect him of villainy," the woman replied. The group of friends continued to casually exchange information, oblivious to the eavesdropper absorbing their every word. Meanwhile, my curiosity piqued, particularly concerning the individual who commands dark magic. He could very well be my intended target.