Chapter 499 - 469: Welcome to Silver Radiance City

Chapter 499: Chapter 469: Welcome to Silver Radiance City

Duraga slammed a fist on the control console, the Gray Dwarf’s stubborn temper flaring.

"Rudolph, we came all this way together!"

Avril stood directly in front of the cabin door, the Elf’s slender frame looking unusually resolute.

"If you insist on going alone, then I’ll follow right behind you... whether you agree or not."

Even the ever-rational Bronson had uncharacteristically set down his notebook.

"From an academic standpoint, splitting up to explore an unknown environment is both inefficient and dangerous. Besides... we’re companions, Roland."

Galvis said nothing, merely tightening the strings of his Lute in silence, his actions speaking for him.

In the end, Roland had to compromise.

He knew better than anyone that his stubborn partners would never let him face danger alone.

This loyalty, bordering on recklessness, was both a source of warmth and a heavy responsibility.

As thoughts churned, the cabin fell silent for a moment. Only the shifting light and shadows from outside flickered across their faces.

Duraga finally gave a slow nod and let out a heavy breath.

"You’re right, Rudolph. I was too hasty."

The Force Field on the hovering seats rippled faintly. The train continued to glide smoothly along its track as the massive walls of Silver Radiance City grew rapidly in their view.

Those walls, inlaid with Crystal and metal, soared into the clouds. Faint patterns of light flowed across their surface, like the skin of a living creature.

As they drew closer, the details of the walls became even clearer.

Every single stone block was fitted together seamlessly. After a thousand years, they showed no signs of weathering or damage, a perfection that was unsettling.

Next, the train reached the thick fog encircling the city.

The fog surged like a living thing, parting to either side the moment it touched the front of the train, only to quickly close again behind the last car.

The cabin suddenly went dark. The light from outside was completely blocked, leaving only the faint, eerie blue glow emanating from the Crystal pillars inside.

Roland abruptly held his breath.

For in this dense sea of fog, he had detected some kind of indescribable presence.

It wasn’t the movement of the fog itself.

Extremely close to the right side of the train, an immense, massive Shadow was slowly writhing in the depths of the fog.

Its outline was indistinct, yet he could feel an almost tangible pressure, as if an entire mountain range were waking up.

Patterns like Scale Armor flickered faintly across the Shadow’s surface. Each slight squirm caused the surrounding fog to churn like a tidal wave.

Just as he tried to focus his Spirit to investigate further, the train broke through the wall of fog.

Light flooded the cabin once more.

The scene outside the window changed in an instant.

Clean, wide streets stretched into the distance. The buildings on either side were elegant and uniform in style, their domes of Crystal and silvery-white metal shimmering with a soft luster in the sunlight.

Pedestrians strolled along the streets, well-dressed and serene, the faint sound of children’s laughter in the air.

The entire city operated in perfect order, as if the apocalypse had never happened. It was a peaceful scene straight out of the most beautiful fairy tale.

The train began to slow, gliding into a semi-open platform.

The platform was built from milky-white stone, its pillars carved with intricate astrological patterns.

When the train came to a complete stop and the doors slid open noiselessly, a warm breeze carrying a mix of floral, baked, and faint metallic scents washed over them.

The platform was empty, save for the faint, lively sounds drifting from the distant streets.

Yemiga’s figure reappeared at the edge of the platform like a Ghost, as if he had been standing there waiting all along.

He gave a slight bow, his dark yellow eyes gleaming with a strange light under the platform’s illumination.

"Everyone, we have arrived at Silver Radiance City. Welcome."

He raised a long, slender finger, pointing to a particularly tall tower in the distance.

The structure resembled a Crystal spike embedded in the heart of the city-state, its tip glowing with a soft, silvery-white halo.

"I work at the Morning Star Archive. If you have any questions or require assistance, you can find me there at any time."

With that, he gave another elegant nod, turned, and stepped into the open train car.

With a low hum, the train slid silently away from the platform, accelerated rapidly, and vanished at the end of the track in the blink of an eye, as if it had never been there at all.

"Alright, folks."

Roland clapped his hands, trying to dispel the heavy atmosphere lingering in the air.

"Let’s relax a little. We’ll walk around and have a look."

The group walked off the platform, and the scene before them opened up.

The platform connected to a wide-open plaza, which in turn led to a bustling street.

This was clearly a lively market.

Stalls were neatly arranged on both sides, overflowing with a dazzling array of goods.

There were unbelievably fresh fruits and vegetables, handicrafts that shimmered with a faint light, and food stalls wafting tempting aromas.

The people were neatly dressed and smiling. The sounds of haggling, friendly greetings, and children’s laughter wove together into a vibrant clamor.

Sunlight streamed down through the Crystal dome, coating everything in a warm glow.

However, this "normal" scene, too perfect to be true, only made the alarm bells in Roland’s and his companions’ minds ring louder.

Just then, a particularly loud and energetic shout cut through the market’s din, like a stone tossed into a still lake.

"Extra! Extra! *Silver Radiance Morning News*! Latest edition! Come and get it, only two Copper Radiance Coins a copy!"

A neatly dressed paperboy with rosy cheeks, holding a stack of newspapers, skillfully weaved through the crowd, shouting repeatedly.

Just as Roland was about to raise his hand to call the boy over, the three words "Copper Radiance Coin" made him pause.

This was clearly the local currency of Silver Radiance City, which they, of course, did not possess.

His eyes quickly scanned a transaction between the paperboy and a customer.

It was a round coin with a faint coppery sheen, its edge etched with a delicate star-trail pattern.

He subconsciously fumbled with the pouch of coins at his waist.

He had intended to trade some high-value common items for it, but his fingers froze the moment they touched the pouch.

’The texture is wrong.’

He quickly untied the pouch. When his fingertips pinched one of the "coins" inside, even he was stunned.

It was no longer the simple, ancient Gold Coin common on the previous continent. Instead, it was a coin identical in size and shape to the Copper Radiance Coin, but it flowed with a soft golden luster.

It was slightly thicker than a Copper Radiance Coin and had a minuscule, transparent Crystal embedded in its center. Inside the Crystal, Star Dust seemed to be slowly swirling.

"Heh."

Roland pinched the Golden Radiance Coin between his fingers, showing it to his companions and speaking in a teasing tone.

"It seems our host who ’invited’ us here is quite thoughtful. They’ve even exchanged our currency for us."

Then he raised his voice and called out to the paperboy, who was about to run off.

"Kid, a paper, please."

The paperboy heard him, turned, and trotted over.

When his eyes fell on the Golden Radiance Coin in Roland’s hand, a look of utter disbelief flashed across his rosy cheeks, and his eyes went wide.

He handed over a newspaper with both hands, his voice turning cautious.

"S-Sir... a Golden Radiance Coin... that’s too large a denomination. You’ll have to wait a moment, I need time to get you change..."

"No need to rush."

Roland waved his hand gently and took the newspaper, which still smelled faintly of fresh ink.

The moment he unfolded the paper, a line of large text on the masthead leaped into view.

*Silver Radiance Morning News*

[Crystal Calendar, Year 490, Seventh Day of the Frost Moon]

[Seventh Observation Station Officially Completed, New Power Core Enters Testing Phase]

[The Seventh Observation Station, which took twelve years to build, passed its final inspection yesterday. The station will be fully responsible for the optimization and weaponization research of a brand-new series of Power Cores.]

[According to Chief Craftsman Master Valken, the Energy conversion efficiency of the new-generation core is expected to increase by forty percent. The ’Celestial Patrol’ armed airships and ’Fortress’-class defensive emplacements equipped with this core have entered final adjustments...]