Chapter 703: Maybe they're just too innocent?
Kyle stepped through the city gate alongside the twins, only to be welcomed by a throng of people and a lively scene unfolding before him. The air was alive with the sounds of soft
chatter, laughter, and the distant clatter of horse-drawn carriages making their way through the streets.
On either side of him, rows of stalls stretched out, each adorned with vibrant fabrics and fresh produce.
Vendors eagerly called out to passersby, enticing them with the delightful aroma of spices and baked goods.
Bia's eyes lit up at the sight of the food, but before the phoenix could dart toward the nearest stall, Kyle quickly grabbed her.
Mason and Logan glanced at Bia, who started biting the human's hands. However, the man didn't let her go and asked them to lead him to a nearby hotel. With nods, the duo quickened
their pace.
On the way, Kyle noticed many demi-humans around him. To his surprise, even though their numbers were fewer, he also spotted some elves and members of the dragon race on the streets.
Bia grumbled in his hands. He sighed as he caught sight of the phoenix eyes locked onto the food stalls around them, studying them with intensity. He caressed her head.
'Stay calm. Can't you tell that, unlike the guards who seem indifferent, everyone around us is secretly checking us out?'
Hearing his words, Bia finally managed to tear her gaze away from the food.
-'Huh? Really? I didn't notice. But I don't think we need to worry. I can clearly sense the crowd around us is quite weak. You just need to lift a finger, and they would fall. So, can't you get me some food?'
Kyle hummed and his gaze met that of a few passersby, all of whom were startled under his stare and quickly looked away.
'I will get you food later. Regardless, I scanned the entire planet with my senses when we arrived here. From what I sensed, there are only two cities, and surprisingly, I can't detect even a hint of darkness.'
After following the twins for a while, he finally arrived in front of a building. Logan glanced at him and cleared his throat.
"This is the best place around. It's a bit pricey, but don't worry, we will cover the expenses... if you want us to."
He glanced at his brother, who swiftly began checking his mind space to see how much money they had. Typically, they didn't carry much since they always spent all their money on precious treasures that appeared in the city to boost their strength. But it's not like they could ask the human to pay, particularly because the little bird with the man could end them in mere seconds!
Kyle glanced at the duo, and before Mason could pull anything from his mind space, he tossed a storage ring to them.
The twins blinked in surprise, but he simply asked them to go get him a nice room. As they entered the hotel to find a room for him, Kyle mumbled under his breath.
"They both lack common sense. I thought once we were inside the city, they would run away because I wouldn't be able to harm them under the gaze of so many."
Bia agreed with his words as they trailed behind the duo who entered the hotel.
-"Maybe they're just too innocent? Not tainted by this impure world!"
Her words were cut off the moment Kyle stepped into the hotel; because instead of the hotel lobby, they were transported into an entirely different dimension.
Kyle's eyebrow twitched violently as he raised his head to glance ahead. The space he had just arrived in was enclosed by grey walls, and the twins were hiding behind two old demi- humans who stared at him and Bia with solemn expressions.
"Innocent, huh?"
He chuckled as he cast a glance at the twins, who hastily avoided his gaze and retreated even further.
"You better take back your words because they no longer suit them."
Kyle surveyed the grey space around him, feeling somewhat intrigued, before turning his attention to the two old demi-humans dressed in large robes. Bia climbed onto his shoulder and asked him to wrap this up quickly because she wanted to eat.
One of the old demi-humans, with slit brown pupils, exerted his pressure on Kyle and Bia, his brows furrowed. His aged voice resonated throughout the space.
"Who are you, human?"
Kyle didn't even flinch under the pressure. He grabbed a chair from his mind space and sat down with a tired expression.
"First, tell me this: when did the twins contact you two and inform you about me? They were under my watch the entire time, and I'm certain I didn't see them using any communication divice or artifacts."
The two old men were immediately alerted because the one who had exerted pressure on Kyle was at the transcendent rank.
They silently exchanged solemn glances. From the beginning, even though they could sense the phoenix strength, they had been unable to tell the human strength.
At first, the duo suspected that he was using an artifact to mask his power, but now, witnessing his calm demeanor, they realized he was far from weak.
The old demi-human who had spoken earlier locked his eyes on Kyle. He hadn't lowered his guard, but he couldn't afford to make an enemy of a powerful individual who even had a transcendent-rank beast and risk endangering the city.
"You look incredibly young-no, you are young, especially since your skin shows no signs of aging... but how is it that you are so strong? Fortunately, I can't detect any dark energy emanating from you."
He glanced at the other old man standing beside him, who nodded before pointing at the twins behind him.
"To address your question about how the twins reached out to us, the truth is they didn't. We detected your beast's presence the instant it arrived on this planet, and the twins just happened to lead you into the city, so we came to investigate you."
He retrieved a purple crystal from his mind space and let it float in front of him. It was an artifact designed to trap anyone within a powerful array who used any type of energy in the separate space they occupied.
After ensuring the artifact was functioning properly, he introduced himself and the old demi- human beside him.
"My name is Zask, and this is Galdor. We are two of the four elders who safeguard this city. I believe that is sufficient. Now, I would like to know who you are and what has brought you to
our planet."
Kyle stood up. Now that they weren't attacking him, there was no need for him to resort to violence either. He nodded at the two old demi-humans.
"I didn't mean any harm. I arrived here accidentally after a battle. I plan to stay for a few days until I recover from the injuries I sustained, and then I will leave."
Zhask thought for a moment and communicated with Galdor telepathically to determine if they should allow the human to stay in the city. After their discussion, Zhask turned to the
human.
"If you are merely here as a guest, then you may stay for as long as you wish. However, we would appreciate your assurance that neither you nor your beast will cause any harm to this
city."
Kyle agreed. It's not like he would harm anyone here unless absolutely necessary. He had arrived accidentally and planned to leave after a while.
But he was genuinely curious about the planet, especially since it was safe from the dark side. Observing the lively atmosphere earlier made it clear that the citizens hadn't faced any danger
up to this point either.
He noticed Zhask's gaze on him, and confusion flickered in his eyes. What more could he say? He had already assured them he wouldn't hurt anyone.
"I would appreciate it if you two could send me out of this space. I want to change into fresh clothes and rest, as I am tired from the battle I had recently."
Galdor cleared his throat at his words.
"It's not that we don't want to. We are just waiting for you to introduce yourself."
Kyle let out a sigh. Right, he hadn't introduced himself yet.
"My name is Kyle. This here..."
He pointed at Bia.
"... is my bonded beast."
Zhask and Galdor exchanged glances after hearing his name. Why did it feel like they had heard this name before? Then their eyes widened slightly, and they turned to Kyle, exclaiming
simultaneously.
"Are you the nature's favorite!?"
Kyle raised his brow. They knew about the title he had used in the Gladiator Arena? But he had thought that since there was no dark energy on this planet, it was hidden from the outside world, and he had accidentally entered this place. So how do they know that the title nature's favorite belonged to him just by knowing his name?
"Yes, nature's favorite is a title I used a while back, but how do you both know me?"