Dungeon King: A Lady Knight Offered by My Goblins

Chapter 324 322-Alvin

King proclaimed with clarity, "Master, welcome to Orderly City 32."

Ethan gazed at the imposing city walls before him, utterly astounded.

This city rose into the clouds like a colossal fortress.

He could see no joints on the wall; it appeared to be a single monolithic structure.

The walls bore the marks of ancient history, as if narrating the rise and fall of this great city.

Ethan couldn't help but express his profound wonder, "What kind of power must it take to construct such walls?"

King, standing beside him, explained in a low voice, "Master, this is a material known as Azure Mystone. Common as it might seem, each block has been tempered by Divine Fire, requiring no mortar to bond seamlessly. Only time can etch its mark upon them."

"Divine Fire?" Ethan's eyebrows twitched, "Does the Deityforsaken Land possess many such fires?"

King nodded, "Certainly, master. Our ancestors speculated that perhaps the God of Fire once battled here, leaving behind numerous earthly fires which are, in fact, Divine Fire."

"Truly remarkable," Ethan mused inwardly, "Even Divine Fire is utilized for construction in the Deityforsaken Land."

Ethan continued to survey the city, appreciating the grandeur of City 32.

His eyes settled on the watchtowers atop the walls, where countless arrow towers and shields testified to the city's strength and impregnability.

Below the walls ran a wide moat, the water gleaming like a silver ribbon, encircling the entire city, forming an indomitable barrier.

This was almost too professional; City 32 seemed like a military base.

"Is every Orderly City like this?" Ethan inquired.

"Yes, master. Each city is cut from the same mold, perhaps the greatest differences lie within the city itself."

"And the purpose of these watchtowers and the moat?"

Ethan clearly remembered that the Orderly Cities were constructed in response to the topsy-turvy days and nights, the world's descent into oddity, weren't they?

"Since the emergence of the first deity, the world has become chaotic and strange. Demonic beasts, demi-god beasts, have also become perilous, occasionally forming beast tides that assault the Orderly Cities. These defenses are necessary against such onslaughts."

Listening to King's explanation, Ethan felt a bit relieved.

He had thought that the Orderly Cities might be warring with each other.

A bridge spanned the protective moat, and King led Ethan into the city.

Surprisingly, they encountered no resistance; entry was startlingly simple.

Ethan curiously observed the crowd milling about.

Most seemed to be original inhabitants of the Deityforsaken Land, their appearances wildly varied.

There were all races represented, half-orcs, humans with goblin-like features, even gnomish elves...

Ethan felt that it wasn't Deityforsaken Land that was chaotic, but rather the interior of the Orderly City.

The interbreeding among various races made the inhabitants walking through the Orderly City look extraordinarily exaggerated.

Ethan's mouth twitched slightly as he whispered:

"Are all Orderly Cities like this? Is interbreeding among races common?"

King's body trembled, casting a wary glance around, speaking in an even lower tone:

"Master, one must never speak such words in an Orderly City. They are extremely sensitive about their bloodlines; if they heard you, it would spell disaster."

Ethan's lips parted, as if to say more, but then he closed his mouth.

Upon entering the city, Ethan felt that the interior didn't differ much from Flame City or even Dark Lord City.

What was missing was the hustle and bustle of people; the number of street vendors was significantly less, the streets themselves were desolate, and there were few shops to speak of.

Observing the barren scenery around him, Ethan commented softly,

"No wonder those who have lingered in the Deityforsaken Land yearn to return to their original worlds. This place seems a bit too dull."

King readily agreed with a sycophantic nod, "Of course, master. Aside from offering protection, Orderly City is practically useless. We're still in a barter state here, with no currency in circulation."

Now that they were within the Orderly City, Ethan didn't wish to delay any longer, considering Daphne's increasingly perilous condition.

"King, does City 32 have a Soul Healer?"

After a moment of contemplation, King shook his head, "No, such a profession sounds very profound. It's unlikely for such individuals to exist in the Deityforsaken Land."

Ethan furrowed his brow, trying to phrase his query differently, "If not a Soul Healer, then perhaps a warrior with a particularly strong soul?"

Without hesitation, King responded decisively,

"That would be none other than the city lord himself, one of the strongest individuals in Orderly City, a 10th-rank warrior. His soul is undoubtedly of the same caliber."

"Then take us to the Lord's Manor," Ethan instructed.

"Right away, master."

Traversing the streets, King led Ethan to the front of the Lord's Manor.

The Lord's Manor was impressive, everything about it exuding a sense of extraordinariness.

Auras of divinity hovered over the Lord's Manor, and it seemed even the Rune of Law conformed to the Manor's presence.

"The Lord's Manor seems a bit different!" Ethan remarked, his eyes blinking rapidly.

King nodded slightly, speaking like an encyclopedia, "The Lord's Manor is engraved with a divinity-condensed Rule Matrix, which aids the city lord in collecting divinity and even helps him comprehend it. There's a saying that practicing inside the Lord's Manor for one day is equivalent to five days of training outside."

"This is why the city lord is the most formidable entity in each city. The divinity-condensed Rule Matrix plays a significant role."

Rule Matrix. 

Ethan's eyelids twitched slightly.

He had witnessed the Power of Law, with the Unerring Rule of the Elf King now part of his Blasphemous Spear.

But a matrix created by the power of law? That was something he couldn't even begin to fathom.

No wonder the Lord's Manor was so closely aligned with so many Rune of Law; they were all part of the matrix.

"Go ahead and announce our arrival. Just say we wish to see the city lord," Ethan mused, instructing Ethan.

Without hesitation, King approached the guards and announced loudly,

"Greetings, I need to see the city lord."

The guards looked at King, then exchanged glances, asking uncertainly,

"What do you need to see the city lord for?"

King, quick-witted, replied without missing a beat,

"I have come across some important information that I need to discuss with the city lord."

"Alright then," one of the guards said, letting King pass, "The city lord is in the study reading."

As King led Ethan into the Lord's Manor, Ethan's surprise deepened.

To think they could enter the Lord's Manor so easily -- what then was its purpose?

Unexpectedly, King confidently made his way to the study in the Lord's Manor, knocking on the door:

"Lord Alvin, King seeks an audience with you."

Ethan, following behind King, watched this incredible scene unfold before his eyes.

King had led them effortlessly into the city and now into the Lord's Manor.

Could it be that King held a high status, or had some special relationship with the city lord?

Or perhaps this city lord was exceptionally approachable, lacking the usual airs and authority.

If Ethan hadn't felt the firmness of his soul brand on King, he might have suspected some deceit in this entire encounter.

The city lord's voice, deep and resonant, emanated from within the room:

"Come in, King."

Entering the study of the Lord's Manor, the room was traditional, lined with shelves filled with various scrolls and stone tablets.

There was also a simple desk, where the city lord, with a gentle countenance, was perusing a scroll.

King bowed deeply to the city lord:

"Lord Alvin, how have you been lately?"

Surprisingly, the city lord was a rare human figure, broad-faced and benevolent. 

He paid no mind to King at first, instead turning his attention to Ethan and Lana Mokos, and finally to Daphne in Ethan's arms.

"From the outside world?" Lord Alvin stood up and asked calmly.

Ethan was on high alert, muscles tensed, ready to draw his spear at any sudden movement from the city lord.

He could feel the immense pressure emanating from the city lord.

Every action of the city lord seemed to carry inexplicable Rune of Law, causing ripples in the surrounding void.

Such a figure, in the outside world, could probably be considered a Demi-god.

Yet here in Deityforsaken Land, he was merely a 10th-rank, with an even more mysterious 11th-rank above him.

Ethan tried to relax, not concealing anything as he spoke:

"Indeed, I am Ethan. And how should I address you, city lord?"

"Just call me Alvin," the city lord replied, not labeling Ethan as an 'Invader' like King had upon seeing him.

The more amiable Alvin appeared, the more vigilant Ethan became inside.

He remembered Lana Mokos' words clearly and kept them in mind.

The Deity Keepers of Deityforsaken Land, as he was informed, generally looked down on outsiders, treating them as invaders.

"Don't be nervous," Alvin shrugged, "I mean no harm."

"But..." Ethan glanced at Lana Mokos, "according to my information, Deity Keepers seem to be somewhat paranoid."