Chapter 1309: Demi-human Kingdom
Michael found himself on the other side of the illusionary wall. It looked magical. Like a whole, new alien world still untouched by the hands of humanity.
Somehow, there was a sun and a sky in this cavern. Michael didn’t know how it was possible. After all, this wasn’t a Pocket Dimension. It was part of the underground caverns of the continent, which was now only unearthed because of the chasm.
He narrowed his eyes, looking up at the bright source of light above.
"That’s... another 9th level spell."
The more he knew about the demi-human kingdom, the more he was surprised. Everyone knew them as this primitive civilization who could only use wooden and stone tools.
However, these high-level and complex magic spells were anything but primitive. It was innovative! Heck, even Seberus, a Mystic Master, was impressed with the spell.
"Amazing. I didn’t know the aspect of flame could be used like that... oh and how brilliant. They used the Laws of Apriah to create such bright illumination..."
Seberus began to deconstruct the magic spell, seeing it for the beauty that it truly was.
"I’d like to meet whoever is responsible for these magic spells."
"Me too," Michael replied.
They continued to march onwards. All around them, overgrown shrubbery and vegetation made them feel as if they were treading towards an unknown and undiscovered jungle. Except, there was no greenery here. Only strange, bioluminescent moss-like plants.
"BU TO TO!"
"RAH TA TA!"
Now that they were in the demi-human kingdom itself, he could hear the two Orc Chieftains loud and clear.
"Report," he told them.
"We have attached ourselves to the soldiers of the demi-humans. We are currently unable to meet you at this time."
"There is a human here, Supreme Leader. One of those cold bastards that don’t have a heart beat. He’s patrolling with the soldiers and preventing us from moving out of stealth."
Michael grimaced. Ersatz. It seemed that this insidious organization had gotten ahead of him. They had gotten their hands on the demi-humans and influenced them.
"How many of them are there?"
"Only five, boss. But they’re all beyond our current cultivations," replied Narito.
Nascent Spirit cultivators. Probably similar to the one who tried to kill his soldiers.
"Boss, we did hear that their leader is going to meet with the monarch of the demi-humans," said Sasuki. "Should we risk it and follow them to hear what they’re talking about?"
Michael rejected the idea. No need risking his two strongest Orcs. Their army just needs to get there before any kind of agreement was struck between Ersatz and the demi-humans.
"I’ve got your locations. We’ll rendezvous after our journey there."
He looked towards his army and directed them forwards. They didn’t even try to slow them. They kept their pace fast and without any intention of ever going for stealth.
After all, it was impossible to hide an army as large as this.
So, Eren knew that the demi-humans would eventually catch a glimpse of them and prepare accordingly. So, it was better for them to get as close to their kingdom as possible before they were alerted.
"Let’s get marching—"
His words were suddenly interrupted by a sudden voice in his head. It was ChatJK6, alerting him of something.
[Intercepting signals.]
[A message from one named Panther has texted another phone by the name of Lynx.]
[Is... this how you text each other?]
[I believe so. It’s hard to believe the humans were able to come up with such technology, when they’re so stupid and dumb.]
[Hahahaha XD]
Michael couldn’t believe it. He had just stumbled upon a flirty text between two lovers!
And best of all, they were demi-humans! The signal was coming from the demi-human kingdom!
There’s phones here?
Finally, he remembered. About a few weeks ago, the Shadow Orcs did report to him that there were some neighboring allies of Reborn who were attacked by thieves and robbers who took phones meant for the citizens of Reborn.
Now, thieves weren’t really all that rare in that region. Reborn’s reputation had gathered quite a lot of opportunistic hooligans who wished to get rich by taking from others.
However, usually, they only took automobiles. They usually sold the best.
Those thieves took only phones. And weirder still, they weren’t human. They were demi-humans! That’s the reason why they were able to steal them in the first place. Demi-humans were usually allies of Reborn, so their guard was off when the robbery took place.
Now, Michael had put the two and two together.
Those phones arrived here!
...
...
...
Meanwhile, inside the demi-human kingdom, a single Red Mankey looked at his phone with longing and adoration.
These phones were usually confiscated by the monarch, but he was able to sneak one out for himself.
At first, he thought these phones were idiotic. Useless as a rusted blade.
But then, he stumbled upon the social media app by accident. He was about to throw the phone, when he saw the pictures on the screen.
How beautiful those sceneries were. Large, towering jungles made out of metal and stone hung high in the air. Lights, colorful and bright, made unique decorations in each and every home.
He’d seen human cities. But this looked different. And the humans there didn’t look... bad.
They didn’t discriminate against demi-humans like him. In fact, he frequently saw pictures and posts with humans and demi-humans holding hands together or taking each other in a friendly embrace.
Could such a world really exist? Were the horizons of the overworld really this vast?
The Red Mankey wanted to know. He wanted to venture out of the Chasm and live out there. He wanted to experience the things that he’d only seen in pictures. Those ice cream crepes looked delicious. Did it taste like moss?
Unfortunately, his dreams remained simply that. A dream.
They were forbidden from going out of their kingdom. Their ancestors had taken refuge in this underground haven because they were cast out from human society.
They were not welcome.