Chapter 497 - 468: Entering Silver Radiance City

Chapter 497: Chapter 468: Entering Silver Radiance City

Roland took a deep breath. He raised a hand to interrupt his companions’ exclamations of awe at Silver Radiance City and got straight to the point.

"Duraga, please land the ship near that battlefield outside the city."

"Battlefield?"

The Gray Dwarf leader glanced at the Splendid City-State below, smacking his lips as if he hadn’t had his fill of the view. Then, he scanned the surroundings in confusion.

When his eyes landed on the battlefield, he muttered, a little perplexed.

"Hey Rudolph, you’ve got some sharp eyes, just like those legendary Giant Dragons..."

But his words didn’t affect Duraga’s piloting. The Shell Ship turned and headed toward the outskirts of Silver Radiance City.

Roland, however, paid no mind to the Gray Dwarf leader’s words. His eyes narrowed slightly as his thoughts churned.

’Since trying to get away from Silver Radiance City will only restart the time loop, and the loop’s starting point is clearly related to that strange Storm, then they should still have freedom of action before the Storm arrives.’

’At least on their first arrival at Silver Radiance City, none of their actions before the Storm hit had triggered any anomalies.’

As he pondered, the Shell Ship landed smoothly on the scorched earth.

Roland immediately extended his Perception Power, carefully probing every inch of the surrounding space.

Only after confirming there were no abnormal Energy fluctuations did he breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

’Looks like my theory was correct.’

After an almost imperceptible nod, Roland turned to face his companions.

"Everyone, listen up..."

He then concisely explained the truth about the time loop.

A look of disbelief first appeared on Duraga’s rugged face, then he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Rudolph, did you hit your head while we were sailing through the Star Realm?"

He clapped the Minstrel beside him on the back.

"Hey, Galvis, do you believe this nonsense?"

But to his surprise, Galvis was stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"In ancient legends, there are indeed records of time mazes. The cursed are forced to repeat the same day forever until a way to break the Curse is found..."

"Oh, come on!"

Duraga rolled his eyes.

"This so-called ancient legend... you didn’t just make that up, did you?"

Just then, the Elf Maiden took a gentle step forward, her gaze firm and clear.

"If Roland said it, then it must be true."

Avril pointed a slender finger at the sole of her boot.

"This whole time, even when the Shell Ship exited the Star Realm, I never once stepped off the vessel. But the soles of my boots are stained with traces of dirt and sand, just like..."

The Elf Maiden lifted her chin slightly, gesturing toward the distant battlefield.

"...the soil and sand over there. It’s exactly the same."

"But in my memory, this is my first time here."

"Ha!"

Duraga waved his hand dismissively.

"You probably picked it up from somewhere else before!"

"From a logical perspective, it’s not impossible."

Looking at Duraga’s incredulous expression, Bronson pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Silver Radiance City exhibits a level of technology far beyond our understanding. Manipulating time might be within their capabilities."

Duraga looked at his companions, who had all sided against him, opened his mouth, and finally spoke with resignation.

"Alright, alright, since you all say so... Rudolph, it’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just... never mind."

The Gray Dwarf leader spread his hands.

"So we’re trapped, repeating the same day?"

"So... what do we do now?"

Roland looked around at his companions. Though confused, they had chosen to believe him, and a warmth spread through his chest.

’At least in this bizarre time prison, he wasn’t alone.’

The thought passed, and he said in a deep voice,

"Our priority is to find a way to break this loop, or at least figure out its source."

No one disagreed.

In the time that followed, they tried every method they could think of.

Duraga was the first to suggest flying the Shell Ship away at full speed in the opposite direction.

Yet no matter which direction they flew, they would always, without warning, find themselves back at their starting point above Silver Radiance City, as if an invisible leather tether was constantly yanking them back.

Bronson tried to find weak points in the Space-Time structure using his Magic Net Detector, only to find the signals appearing and disappearing randomly, as if deliberately mocking him. He couldn’t find any pattern at all.

"It’s like trying to catch mercury..." the scholar said, wearily taking off his glasses. "Every time I think I’ve grasped something crucial, it slips through my fingers."

Avril, relying on her keen Perception of Natural Energy, discovered several abnormal Spatial Folds at the edge of the battlefield.

She tried to resonate with them using an ancient Elf Spell, but the moment the Casting was complete, she was pushed away by a gentle yet irresistible force.

"It’s like Casting a Spell at a reflection in a mirror," she said, shaking her head in confusion. "All the Energy was reflected right back, completely untouched."

Galvis combed through all the ancient poems about Time Magic, trying to find the legendary counter-Spell.

He chanted three different so-called "Songs of Time Breaking" at the sky. The only results were attracting a few curious birds and earning Duraga’s merciless ridicule.

"Galvis, are you sure those songs aren’t for hypnosis?"

Even Squirrel Qiao and Pikachu Tress joined the effort.

The two little creatures searched everywhere, guided by their animal instincts, but ultimately returned to Roland’s shoulder, dejected.

"All the scents are just going in circles," Qiao said, hugging his tail in frustration. "It’s like a maze with no exit."

When the setting sun once again began to sink with unnatural speed, painting the horizon with a familiar orange afterglow, everyone fell silent.

They stood on the deck of the Shell Ship, watching the approach of a dusk they’d seen countless times, and they all understood.

Another loop was about to begin.

"It seems a simple escape won’t work."

Roland stared at the gradually appearing lights of Silver Radiance City in the distance, his gaze sharpening.

He realized conventional methods were pointless. He had to take more drastic action.

"I’m going to go meet that Reception Envoy."

After giving some instructions to his companions, he went alone to the tracks at the edge of the battlefield.

When the familiar train glided silently into the station and Yemiga stepped elegantly out of the car, Roland went straight up to him.

"This time loop... was it your doing?"

A flicker of genuine confusion crossed Yemiga’s narrow, yellow eyes.

"Time loop? Respected visitor, I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Roland carefully observed Yemiga’s every subtle expression and bit of body language.

’He’s not lying...’

’At least, in this moment, he really doesn’t seem to know anything about the loop.’

’But... it could also be an act.’

While making these speculations, Roland didn’t give up. In the next few loops, he tried to indirectly probe Yemiga for information.

But he got nothing.

Just as Yemiga gave another slight bow, preparing to deliver the welcome speech Roland knew all too well, a silver light flashed.

Like lightning, Bright Moon tore through the air and precisely pierced the chest of the Reception Envoy before him.

The sensation of a blade cutting through flesh and blood was chillingly real.

However, before Roland could even see the look on Yemiga’s face,

Darkness fell.

That familiar, strange sensation of passing through a membrane washed over him again, dragging his consciousness into the Void.

When he regained his senses, Duraga’s gruff voice was ringing in his ears.

"Everyone! We’re here!"

Roland slowly clenched his fists.

’Looks like... there’s only one option left.’

Staring down at the magnificent and bizarre city-state below, he clapped his hands lightly, interrupting his companions’ monotonous praise for Silver Radiance City.

"Everyone."

Roland’s voice was calm.

"Reach into the pouches at your waists. You’ll find the notes you wrote for yourselves."

"Galvis, you don’t have to look. I know you tucked your notes into the compartment of your Lute."

They did as he said. As each person took out their notes and began to read, the confusion on their faces was gradually replaced by gravity.

The words they had written with their own hands, recording dozens of failed attempts and observations from the loops, served as the most conclusive proof of this time prison.

Avril took a deep breath and looked at Roland.

"What should we do now?"

"There’s only one way."

Roland’s gaze fell upon Silver Radiance City below.

"We have to go in."

Just then, the melodious and solemn sound of a Lute arose.

Galvis strummed the strings and sang.

"When all roads are closed, when all attempts are in vain, true heroes will step with firm feet into the unknown Abyss, oh! Praise be to..."

His song was no longer as flamboyant as before. Instead, it carried a tempered strength that quietly soothed everyone’s anxiety.

Honed by dozens of loops, the group didn’t hesitate for a second.

Duraga immediately piloted the Shell Ship to land at the familiar edge of the battlefield.

The group quickly crossed the scorched earth and waited quietly by the tracks.

Before long, a familiar hum grew louder as it approached from the distance.

The streamlined train glided silently into the station, its doors opening quietly as always.

Yemiga stepped out slowly and gave a slight bow.

"Friends from afar, welcome to Silver Radiance City."

"I am the Reception Envoy, Yemiga. Are you all prepared to enter the city?"

Roland exchanged a knowing glance with his companions. While carefully scrutinizing every trace of expression on Yemiga’s face, he answered calmly.

"Please lead the way."

"You’re too kind."

Yemiga stepped aside to clear the path, an imperceptible glint flashing in his eyes.

"Welcome to Silver Radiance City."

Seeing the group step into the car, Yemiga stood outside the door, the corners of his mouth curving into a meaningful smile.

The car door slowly closed, separating the inside and outside into two different worlds.

Through the last sliver of an opening, his dark yellow pupils focused on Roland’s resolute face.

’This little one is really a handful... but...’

His narrow eyes flickered with confusion.

’Why does he have such a keen Perception of Space-Time? Oh well...’

Yemiga shook his head and snapped his fingers.

The next moment, the train began to move toward Silver Radiance City.

’Stay here, visitor from the Otherworld.’

’This world... can’t take any more trouble, especially not from... an existence that has strayed from the path of fate.’