A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 993 - Chapter 993 Chapter 685 An Incredible Place

Chapter 993: Chapter 685: An Incredible Place Chapter 993: Chapter 685: An Incredible Place The news that the Lost Ground was officially open spread quickly around the neighboring territories.

Many had already been interested in this mysterious territory, especially after viewing reports from other survey teams. Consequently, numerous forces dispatched their envoys to the Lost Ground, attempting to forge connections with this emerging power known as the Tribunal.

However… they couldn’t even enter the gates of the Lost Ground.

The entirety of the Lost Ground was encircled as if by the walls put up by construction companies during building projects, completely barring entry to outsiders and proclaiming that inside, construction was ongoing, and once complete, it would be opened officially.

It must be said, this response left many forces completely bewildered; after all, according to the common practices on the Faelun Continent, the development of a territory would require massive resources and trade, and they had hoped to secure a piece of the action early. Instead, they found the territory had shut its doors to play its own game… And based on observations by these envoys, there was no sign of substantial materials being transported into the Lost Grounds; so what exactly were they doing in there?

No one knew because tall barricades completely enveloped the Lost Ground, thoroughly obscuring everyone’s view. Of course, some less scrupulous organizations tried using magic or deploying scouts to investigate, but of course… they found nothing.

The only thing they could see was a distant silhouette of a massive group of metal cathedrals within the Lost Ground.

And now, this territory finally removed its veil of mystery, revealing its true form.

“Hey, are we really going to that godforsaken place?”

Sitting in a carriage, Brook looked uneasily at his companion. They had been residents of Deepwater City, where they ran a small shop. But later, someone set their sights on them, forcing them to leave Deepwater City to live elsewhere, and Brook’s boss decided to head to the Lost Ground.

“Of course, Brook, you idiot,”

whistled Killian as he drove the carriage.

“Did you know? It’s an untapped territory, which means we could find plenty of work there! People always need to eat, sleep, wear clothes, use tools! Our commerce guild will surely thrive there!”

“I don’t think so.”

However, compared to Killian’s spirited manner, Brook looked troubled.

“Those big merchants have surely taken all the good spots by now; maybe our fate will just be to set up a stall by the street.”

“Oh, shut up, it hasn’t come to that yet,”

said Killian, glaring fiercely at his brother upon hearing his typical gloomy response.

“We can definitely make a comeback here, and when we do, we’ll become wealthy! Tycoons!”

“Or maybe corpses rotting in a ditch, beggars by the roadside…”

“…….”

Unable to respond, Killian took his gaze away, looking forward again.

“Alright, no matter what you say, we’re almost there… oh my… The gods above!”

When Killian looked ahead again as the carriage turned the last bend, he was nearly startled by a gigantic metallic gate, several dozens of meters tall, directly in his view.

Though Killian had seen many things in Deepwater City, he could swear he had never witnessed such a spectacular sight. Right now, a huge metal gate, as tall as a castle, stood in the center of the valley that served as the entrance to the Lost Ground. At this moment, the gate was closed, but the smaller side doors on either side of the gate were open, welcoming guests from the outside. Long lines of people were preparing to enter the territory.

“This is just too excessive…”

Seeing this, Killian swallowed hard. Usually, territories only built gates and walls around their main city, but this force called the Tribunal had actually encircled the entire territory–such a huge amount of materials that must have required! Especially that door; it must not be made of gold but of bronze, but… a bronze gate? Where could they possibly get so much bronze?

Well, as Duanmu Huai would say, how could one strengthen a nation without smelting bronze… Well, that’s getting off track.

It must be said, the gate itself could be a luxurious and grand sight on its own. The closer Killian got, the more he felt a chill. The thick metal gate was carved with a huge golden skull symbol surrounded by a ring of golden gears and behind it symbols of the Double-Headed Eagle and War Hammer. On both sides of the gate, equally massive warriors clad in gigantic armor, holding longswords, and with wings on their backs, stood guard, coldly staring down the unexpected visitors.

To be honest, just seeing the gate and the sculptures on either side was enough to give one a terrible sense of oppression, proving that this territory was not a welcoming place.

But what confused Killian even more was the name “Arkham” written on the gate. Was that the name of the city or the name of the territory itself?

“We should leave this place,”

Brook nearly wailed.

“This is not the place for us, may the gods protect us, this is simply the type of Hell where only devils would tread! Look, there are so many people ahead, covered in gold and silver, definitely rich merchants, and compared to them, we’re just two insignificant pawns, brother, there’s still time, let’s turn the carriage around, go to a nearby village, do some small business there, and then live out our lives in peace…”

“Shut up, you fool!”

Killian angrily interrupted his brother’s complaints.

“I’ve had enough of your stupid complaints! If you want to leave, get off the carriage now, go wherever you want! And those aren’t merchants, hey, they are the Sacred Knights of Tyler, and that’s Tom, Rosanda… Suren… My goodness, what in the world is going on?”

Killian’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at the envoy group preparing to enter the territory not far away. They were all followers of the deity, and almost all of them were among the most famous and beloved Divine Messengers on the Faelun Continent. However, why were they gathering here today, coming to the Lost Ground?

Killian knew that generally, followers of the deity did not interact with new territories in this manner. They certainly would visit the Lord to ask for permission to preach and establish churches. But this situation was clearly different. Seeing all these Divine Messengers gathered together gave the impression that they were here to attend some sort of meeting…

But what kind of meeting would have so many Divine Messengers in attendance?

Thinking about this, Killian shuddered and quickly averted his gaze.

He was just a straightforward businessman; he did not want to get involved in any troublesome matters.

Just then, the queue Killian was in slowly moved forward, and he soon reached the entrance of the side gate.

“Who are you? What is your purpose in coming to the Lost Ground?”

A terrifying figure, even taller than Killian and clad in Black Armor, stood in front of him, his eyes emitting a crimson glow as he coldly asked. Hearing his voice, Killian shivered and quickly stood up.

“Report… no, respected… um… respected sir, we are Killian and Brook, brothers from Deepwater City. We are businessmen, looking to operate our business in the Lost Ground…”

“…”

Killian had not finished speaking when he was intimidated into silence by the stern look from the Night Guard.

However, at that moment, a commotion suddenly erupted from the queue next door.

“What a joke, why won’t you let me in!”

Hearing this, Killian was taken aback and turned to look, only to see a fully armed Lizardman, looking like an adventurer, angrily shouting at another Night Guard.

“The Tribunal only allows Humans and Subhumans to enter; no Alien Species are allowed.”

In the face of the Lizardman’s roar, the Night Guard coldly responded, but this made the Lizardman even more infuriated.

“Don’t joke with me! Are you treating me like those despicable creatures like Goblins and Jackalmen? You…”

But before the Lizardman could finish, Killian saw the Night Guard suddenly raise a strange device resembling a chainsaw aimed at the other, and with a “bang”, the Lizardman’s head burst open, scattering on the ground. Its headless body swayed and then fell heavily to the floor.

“…”

Seeing this scene left everyone present stunned, and just then, a girl dressed as a Priest stepped forward, angrily glaring at the Night Guard.

“Why did you do that? He just wanted to take a look inside. Even if you didn’t let him in, there was no need to kill him, was there?”

“For the Tribunal, all Aliens are targets that must be eliminated.”

The Night Guard indifferently replied, but just then, suddenly, a noble-looking young man who appeared to be the scion of a wealthy family scoffed and came forward.

“Oh? According to what you’re saying, if they belong to an Alien Species, the Tribunal will then eliminate them?”

“That’s right.”

“Very good, interesting…”

Hearing the Night Guard’s words, the man nodded and then his robe unexpectedly billowed out without any wind. The next moment, a Giant Green Dragon suddenly appeared in front of everyone!

“So be it, then let’s see what kind of ability your Tribunal actu…!!”

“Bang!!”

“Exterminate the Alien!!!”

The Green Dragon lifted its head high, but before it could finish speaking, it was met with a roar from the surrounding Night Guards, who immediately raised their weapons and attacked the dragon. Accompanied by a thunderous slamming noise, the crowd was shocked to see bursts of blood explode from the dragon’s body. Under this ferocious assault, the Green Dragon could not even finish its boastful remark before it howled in pain and fell heavily to the ground. The next moment, the patrolling Night Guards above suddenly raised their Chainsaw Guns, leaping down, and their roaring chainsaws plunged straight into the dragon’s body!

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh–!!”

The Green Dragon let out a horrific scream, which scared the surrounding people into running in all directions. Seeing the dragon desperately rolling on the ground, though it was futile, within moments, one of the Night Guards brutally severed the dragon’s head, turning it into a corpse.

“…”

Killian had collapsed to the ground by this point, and his brother Brook had long since fainted.

Watching the Green Dragon’s corpse being dragged away by the Night Guard like a dead dog, Killian swallowed silently.

This time, he might have really come to a formidable place…