Chapter 368: City of Minotaurs

Name:Leveling up the World Author:
Chapter 368: City of Minotaurs

The winds much fiercer above the clouds, though, thankfully, the snow was gone. The vine whale had used its vines to make a shelter for Dallion and his familiars. Between that and Luxs flames, Dallion was completely shielded from the elements. However, the concerns remained. In order to get the crown, Dallion was going to have to convince the strongest guardian in the realm to let him take it.

You wont be able to convince him, Vihrogon said. The armadil shield had shifted to his dryad form and wasnt happy about it. The crown has a much greater significance than the gems. He wont just give it away.

You didnt think so last time, Dallion said. Gems for two of the hidden skills that could be used by anyone. Isnt that as big as it gets?

Theres more to the world than skills. The dryad sighed. Back when I was young and still in the real world, I was nothing special. Well, thats not exactly true. I was awakened, which was a rarity, but I didnt have any real ambitions. Life was nothing but one big party for me and everyone I know. A few thought I could become a Moon Cleric, though most didnt bother. It was one of those things, they said: a society that had reached its peak was bound to decline for a while before it could move on again.

Vihrogon looked to the side. As he did, the vines shifted to form an opening from which the sky could be seen.

Then, the winds of change appeared. In a few years, they engulfed the entire empire. I too was swept in and joined a notion that I had seen as ludicrous before. Do you know what the twi-crown represents? the dryad asked.

Dallion shook his head.

Absolute power. The legend goes that long before, when the dryads were still weak in the aftermath of the previous great war. Pretty much we were the last big power standing in a time of massive power vacuum. The only reason was that we werent considered a threat, unlike the other races. Same with the humans, incidentally. Our military skill was quite lacking. That was why the first crown was createda gift from a master craftsman, and an otherworld if the stories were to be believed. Its point was to grant one of our rulers the skills to lead us, and the world, forward in the troubling years ahead. Since then, it became a symbol of royalty and achievement. For one to have a twi-crown meant that the person was chosen as a dread leader capable of determining their fate.

There was a pause.

I never wanted the twi-crown, the dryad continued. Even when I believed in dryad run future, I knew I was not the one to lead it.

So, you followed it?

I followed it. The dryad nodded then turned around, staring Dallion straight in the eye. Just as I followed the person wearing it.

Theres no one left to follow here. You heard the third guardianthis place has been empty for centuries, at least.

The twi-crown was meant for a dryad. The guardian will do anything in its power to keep it from falling into anyone elses hands.

What about the help I did in this realm? Wont that count for anything?

He might not attack you when he learns youre searching for the crown. However, in no circumstances will he let you have it.

What about you? Dallion asked.

That was the next big unknown. If the shield had been set to follow the one who wore the crown once, he might do so again. This was a different crown in a different realm, but the principle remained the same. If the crown was so important, it was left to ensure that the person who claimed it had the skills and authority to lead the banished against the Star in an attempt to restore the dryad race. Even after being banished, Vihrogon probably felt the same way. The question was which was stronger: his loyalty as a guardian or his loyalty to his former race.

Ill protect you, thats my task now, the dryad replied. But thats as far as I go. If you fight him, youll have to do it yourself. Youll need to prove youre worth following.

It took close to an hour for the whale to pass over the main mountain of the world. Once it did, the weather started to change somewhat. The cold was still there, along with the snow, but the winds werent as vicious by far. By the time they went over the valley, would could almost call it a perfect winter day. That was, until the minion crashed through the layer of illusion. Air cracked like glass, breaking up into fragments only to reassemble again once the creature had flown through. Warm currents swept through. It was as if the whale had left a blizzard to enter a volcano, and there was smoke black smoke that formed cloudsbut swarms of crackling insects as far as the eye could see.

I thought we got rid of them? Dallion said. What happened?

Because that provided the best protection the realm has. If someone can get the twi-crown from here, they deserve to keep it.

Nox, do you sense any cracklings about?

The crackling yawned, indicating that everything was fine. In itself that was a relief. It meant that Dallion didnt have to fear in the immediate future. Or wasnt there? Surrounding him were fields and forests; and while that was a clear indication that the area wasnt corrupted, it also meant that it probably had its share of animals, including predators. Given how realms worked, they were more likely going to be far fiercer than anything hed faced at the beginning.

Dallion drew his harpsisword. The first few chords were of curiosity. The next for calm and fear. After all, the best way to win a battle was not to start it in the first place. The curiosity was meant to make creatures approach so Dallion got a good sense of what hed be facing, while the other emotions made them leave without engaging.

Nothing but hares and sparrows came into sight. That was quite promising, suggesting that there were no larger creatures in the area. At the same time, it seemed rather unusual.

Any chance you remember anything of this realm? Dallion asked. This area, specifically?

Not much.

Not even what sort of creatures are nearby?

Its not creatures you have to worry about. Its the guardian. It has the power to keep animals away from you. There has to be a reason. And there arent too many of those.

The two most likely reasons for the guardian to keep Dallion safe were to talk to him or to challenge him. With Dallion being an empath now, both were just as valid.

Which way to the city? Dallion asked.

There, Vihrogon pointed at the forest. Should take a few hours at most. Keep your eyes open, though.

Always do. Everyone, dont do anything unless were in real danger. He went towards the forest.

The walk turned out to be much shorter than expected. Not only didnt Dallion come across anything scarier than a beehive, but he also barely had entered the forest when a clearing became visible. The moment he reached it, Dallion was able to see the city walls. As with the other city, they too were made entirely of wood. The difference was that unlike all previous cities, this seemed inhabited, and not by scavenger groups passing through. Even from this distance Dallion could hear the rhubarb of people talking, feel the smells of burning food and cooked food, see the emotions of hundreds of entities beyond the walls.

I thought the dryads had died out, Dallion noted.

They have.

Then what are these? Minotaurs?

Within moments, he found that to be the case. However, these minotaurs were very different from the ones hed seen before. They were wearing far more sophisticated clothes and weapons. One could easily mistake them for the citys inhabitants. Now, all of a sudden, the lack of animals in the nearby area made a lot more sense. Simultaneously, new questions were raised.

Why has the guardian let them live here? Dallion asked.

Cities are like glassesnever pleasing when theyre empty. It seems that someone wanted to have some company.

Clearly. Well, lets hope theres room for one more.