Jason released the mana that he needed to open the final Dimensional Tear, and the group finally passed through the Tear and arrived at the Stone Catacombs. The region that they appeared in was like something straight out of a Dark Souls game. Jason felt a dry wind blow over his face once he walked through the Dimensional Tear, and he looked around him to see that he was standing on some sort of circular platform that had been built at the top of a thick pillar. The platform was surrounded by ten pillars built around a circular landing area, and the pillars held up a majestic stone ceiling that had a hole in the middle, which let in some light from the sun above. Jason looked down, and he saw that they were standing in the middle of a Rune structure. Jason was able to quickly analyse the rune since it had a similarity to a rune he had seen Azrael making before, and he quickly realised that it was a Magic Neutralizing rune. But there was something weird about the structure of the rune, and Jason only needed another moment to see that the rune had been inverted. So, rather than this being a Magic Neutralizing rune, it was more like a Rune that allowed the use of magic in an area. A Magic Amplification Rune.
’But why would they need something like this here? Does that mean that no one can use magic outside of this Rune?’
’I believe that this rune was created as a shield against dimensional travel, my king. It is likely that this world does not allow the use of high-level magic; therefore, it will be impossible for any dimensional traveller to open a dimensional tear anywhere here. But by creating this rune, they made it so that travellers can only open Dimensional Tears towards this location.’
Azrael spoke up from Jason’s Alternate Dimension, and Jason hummed in understanding as he looked to the left. The platform that they were inside was very high in the sky, so outside was filled with nothing but blue sky and white clouds that floated gently past the pavilion. But far off in the distance, there was another larger structure that looked like a castle standing on a mountain, and Jason figured that this was where they were going to be holding the actual hearing. Jason looked down at the rune one more time, and Jason wondered if this rune was what the Machina used to block people from entering their world. If it could be replicated, then it might not be so bad to create something like this for Earth. Jason already had a magic shield over his house and his mother’s house with a Magic Neutralizing Rune that prevented people from opening Dimensional Tears into the area, but the shield couldn’t be scaled to a planetary level. If Jason figured out what the Machina did to their world, then he might be able to replicate it to protect Earth.
’I’ll analyse the runes more when we’re done with the hearing. It should be possible to replicate it since it’s already being used.’
Jason said this to himself with a strong conviction before he finally looked up as various figures began walking out from within the pillars. The figures were all dressed in long white gowns that almost made them look like priests or priestesses. The gowns covered their body completely, so Jason couldn’t figure out their race or gender, and they all had a symbol of a sword with a golden hilt woven into their chests. The figures had hoods over their heads that prevented anyone from seeing their face, and even with his advanced vision, the only thing Jason could see inside those hoods was darkness. Jason was certain that those hoods were magical artefacts.
"Those are the Faceless Keepers of the catacombs. They are independent volunteers who dedicate their lives to serving the seats of the council and caring for the Stone Catacombs. Since they denounced their old worlds and identity, they are never allowed to take off those cloaks as a sign of eternal neutrality."
Agiel spoke up from behind Jason when she noticed the looks of confusion on the faces of most of the group, and Jason didn’t bother responding as he watched the Faceless Keepers coming towards them calmly. One of the Keepers walked in front of the others, and they stopped a few feet away from the group and spoke calmly.
"Welcome, Representatives of Earth. Welcome, Representatives of Radagan. We have been expecting your arrival. You have entered into the Stone Catacombs, the centre of our Primordial Domain, and a peaceful region dedicated to serving the seats of the council. We have made preparations for you to rest before the hearing begins, but first, a warning. We believe that all representatives are aware of the laws governing this region and all its inhabitants. We do not condone or permit any form of violence that is intended to cause bodily, spiritual, mental, or general harm to another inhabitant, and in the event that you go against these laws, you will be sanctioned and tried for your actions. If you are found guilty of a significantly damaging crime, then you will be executed, and your world will suffer for your actions. We implore you all to adhere to these rules and remember that you are here as representatives of your respective worlds. Please endeavour to act in a way that will bring honour and good grace to your people all the days of their lives."
The Faceless Keepers all bowed together once the head Keeper was done talking and even though Jason couldn’t sense a shred of mana or pressure from any of them, he could tell that this wasn’t just a random threat to try and make people behave. The Faceless Keeper had just been stating the facts, and there was no doubt that every word would be carried out to the letter if anyone ended up on the wrong side of the law today! Surprisingly, Jason didn’t get any prompts from the system asking him to learn the language the Faceless Keeper had been speaking, and from what Jason could see on the faces of all the others with him, they could also understand what they were saying.
’Is it some sort of language magic? Maybe we can all understand them in our own language?’
[The user is correct. The Stone Catacomb has been integrated with a magical formula that allows all races to understand all languages spoken as though they were hearing them in their own tongue. This magic is a much more advanced form of the magical formula used in the creation of the Whisperstone, and it was done to ensure that every race would remain comfortable within the neutral world.]
Jason hummed at the piece of information, and he couldn’t help but wonder who was responsible for creating the magic that was used to power this! It was a very useful magic! But Jason wasn’t surprised since he knew that there was enough unorthodox magic out there for something like this to be very possible. Jason faced the Keepers once again, and once the Head Keeper was certain that everyone accepted their words, they turned and gestured for the group to walk.
"Please, follow the Keepers. They shall guide you to the Stone Catacombs. Remember that you are present here with prestigious members of the Primordial Council of Nine and One who have brought their own entourage and aides with them. Please ensure that the proper respect is shown to all those that you encounter. It has been a pleasure to meet you all, and we, the Keepers of the Catacombs, look forward to serving you."
The Faceless Keepers all bowed again, and the group took that as their cue to begin moving towards the pillar in front of them. The pillar looked like a regular stone pillar, but Jason had seen the Faceless Keepers walking out of it, and when he put his hand forward, the pillar rippled like water as his hand sank into it. Jason huffed internally, and he simply walked forward into the pillar with the rest of the group following after him.