[B3]Chapter 176: Deathwhisper Gateway

Theo picked up the envelope, turning it over in his hands. His fingers traced its edges before he activated his [Leywin’s Gaze].

[Phantom Guild Dispatch]

[Confidential: Intel on Northern Woods]

The contents were exactly what he needed—critical intelligence on the Northern Woods. After Elowen had briefed him about the mission, Theo had sent a message to Rowan to commission the Phantom Guild to gather all the necessary intel. Although it required paying ten times more gold than usual, the Guild had delivered the report on time, utilizing all of its resources to complete the task swiftly.

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[Phantom Guild's Intelligence Report]

1) Recent Sightings in the Northern Woods:

   Princess Liliana and her companions have been frequently spotted in the Northern Woods. Their presence has stirred much curiosity and speculation among locals.

2) Activity of White-Robed Figures:

   Unidentified individuals in white robes have been seen in a forest near the Northern Woods. Their actions and intentions remain unclear.

3) Discovery of a Hidden Passage:

  An underground hidden passage was uncovered during the construction of a defensive structure. This finding was not disclosed to the public.

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Theo's brows furrowed as he read the contents of the report. "A hidden passage? That's news to me. And these white-robed figures—what are they scheming? There's definitely something brewing in the Northern Woods."

After three hours, Theo reappeared in the room at the Embassy Enclave. Noticing the absence of others downstairs, he made his way toward the farm where a hundred acres had been allocated.

Upon reaching the plot, he discovered a desolate scene: The plot was empty; no farmers or even Linwe were in sight, and nothing had been done to prepare the land for sowing. The field was strewn with the remnants of harvested sugarcane, the ground littered with dry, brittle stalks and leaves.

He sighed deeply before summoning the Helltiller's Spade from his farm. As it materialized, it hovered in the air, awaiting its master’s command. With a nod from Theo, the Helltiller’s Spade began to dig and prepare the patch of land.

Despite the vastness of the plot, the tool worked with astonishing speed, turning over the earth and readying it for planting. Soon, the Sower's Abyssal Pouch joined in, its maw opening wide to scatter the seeds that Theo had sourced from Kingsgate. The list he had given to Brianna contained various seeds suited to this soil and environment.

Following suit, the Abyssal Bloodstone Watering Can took its place in the sequence, sprinkling water from the abyssal pond onto the freshly tilled land. The entire process unfolded like a well-choreographed dance—no one was present to witness this miraculous sight as the tools operated as if on autopilot. Theo simply issued commands, and the hundred-acre plot was quickly dug up, seeded, and watered without him lifting a finger.

Theo watched intently as the array of farming tools performed their tasks. This was the first time he faced the challenge of farming outside on a plot nearly three times larger than the one he owned. Here, without the aid of enchanted soil or abyssal energy, the natural growth processes would dictate the pace.

After an hour, all the tools had completed their tasks. Theo swept his gaze around to survey the newly planted lands. They looked ordinary, much like the fields he remembered from Earth, unlike his demonic farm where plants thrived on enchanted soil.

"In my farm, they would sprout very fast," he murmured to himself, his gaze lingering on the newly sown fields. "But here, without the abyssal energy, let's see how long it takes for them to grow."

As Theo returned to the Embassy Enclave, the emptiness of the place did little to affect his mood. Ella served him dinner without a word.

The next morning, finding the Embassy Enclave still devoid of his teammates, Theo recalled the recent report from the Phantom Guild about a hidden passage. Despite being kept in the dark about this secret, his curiosity propelled him to investigate on his own.

“Ella, do you know where Senior Gildor is?” he inquired of the maid.

She shook her head, maintaining her usual reserve. “I don’t ask them about these matters, Sir.”

Resigned to the fact that he was on his own, Theo prepared to leave. The town wasn't large, and he felt confident in his ability to locate them without any assistance.

Exiting the Embassy Enclave, he first looked northward—toward the borders with Netherscape and Lighthaven. To the west lay Thornwood Forest, and to the east stretched the mountainous range of the Silvania Empire.

Then, shifting his focus, he turned southward. Muttering to himself, he resolved, 'They are building the defensive structure to safeguard against the other regions of Feralon. This is where I should start my search.'

Choosing the less crowded side streets over the main thoroughfares, Theo made his way south. His distinctive hair color drew occasional glances from the Canorians, but Theo remained unfazed by the attention.

After a twenty-minute walk, he arrived at the town’s gate, which led to a bustling construction site. Huge boulders formed a makeshift wall, cleverly separating the site from the town’s perimeter. Atop each boulder, wooden structures were laden with various ranged weapons.

Surveying the site, Theo spotted Gildor and Liliana near a cave’s entrance on the eastern side, surrounded by Canorian guards. They appeared deeply engaged in discussion, gesturing towards the cave.

Intent on joining them, Theo approached, but as he neared, the Canorian guards abruptly drew their swords and pointed them in his direction.

“This is a forbidden area,” one of the tall Canorian guards warned him in a stern tone, blocking his path.

Ignoring the guard, Theo called out loudly, "Senior Gildor!"

Both Gildor and Liliana turned at the sound of his voice, pausing their conversation. Theo, halted by the Canorian guards, knew that without proper recognition from Gildor or the princess, he wouldn't be allowed to pass.

Just as expected, Gildor looked surprised to see Theo there but quickly regained his composure and commanded, "Let him come; he is with the princess."

The Canorian guards sheathed their swords and bowed their heads slightly to Gildor before clearing the path for Theo.

Approaching the old man and Liliana, Theo noticed the latter's cold gaze as he closed the distance.

“Is there anything I can help with, Senior?” Theo asked politely.

Gildor responded, “We have discovered an underground hidden passage. Inside, there is a mysterious object accompanied by ancient texts. Lady Emma, Agnes, and others are currently at the town's library trying to decipher these texts. If you wish to help, you could lend them a hand.”

Theo's eyebrows rose at the revelation, his curiosity piqued about the mysterious object they had uncovered.

"May I see it?" he inquired.

Gildor glanced at Liliana with hesitation, then turned his gaze back to Theo. "We need to maintain secrecy regarding this object until we understand its origin and purpose. It's better if fewer people see it."

Theo was taken aback by the refusal. "Without seeing the item, you expect me to help interpret the ancient texts?" he sighed.

"You may see it," a soft yet authoritative voice interjected.

Theo turned to find Liliana's deep eyes fixed on him, which clearly displayed her authority in this matter, despite Gildor's initial reluctance.

Gildor looked baffled by her decision, but Liliana had already begun walking towards the cave, and Theo followed her lead.

Inside, the smell of damp earth tickled his nostrils. He entered a dark space devoid of light. However, his [Leywin’s Gaze] allowed him to see a staircase descending further into the darkness.

Just then, a golden light erupted, banishing the darkness. Theo's gaze fell on Liliana’s hands, glowing with a soft golden hue.

'It’s funny how she’s using her Holy magic as a flashlight,' he thought, amused by the practical use of such a sacred power.

As they descended the rocky stairs, a narrow, tunnel-like path emerged before them.

“It’s just a two-minute walk from here…” Gildor’s voice echoed from behind as he joined them.

Theo nodded at Gildor, allowing him to take the lead while he focused on observing the surroundings. It seemed better to let the old man guide them while he took in the details of the place.

The stony ceiling, about ten feet high, reflected the soft golden light cast by Liliana. The ground was rugged, similar in texture to the ceiling above. The width of the tunnel was barely a meter across.

After taking around hundred steps, Liliana withdrew her golden light as the narrow path opened into a broader chamber.

In the center of the chamber lay a circle, marked on the ground with intricate symbols, and at its heart, a glowing green orb cast a soft light throughout the space.

“That’s the item…” Gildor murmured, his voice low as he stepped into the chamber.

However, Theo’s attention was drawn not to the green orb but to a swirling vortex on the western wall.

“This portal?” Theo mumbled.

"Those symbols beneath the portal are ancient texts," Gildor explained, pointing to the faint engravings on the ground.

Even Theo, surprised by the presence of the portal, had initially missed the text.

However, as he activated his [Leywin’s Gaze], the details of the portal appeared in his vision.

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[Deathwhisper Gateway]

[~ It stands as a forbidding portal, shrouded in ominous shadows that seem to swallow light whole. Legends whisper that this realm is fraught with peril, a land where the air is filled with the cries of the tormented. Few who step through its sinister arches find their way back, as the realm ensnares its victims, chaining them in an eternal labyrinth of despair and darkness.]

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