His Royal Highness, the Elf Prince, gave a gracious nod.
Covinus had ensured their safe passage to the canyon. The prince found himself quite impressed by Covinus's demeanor and capabilities, sparking a desire to forge a friendship with him.
Otherwise, he thought, he might simply gather his people and leave without further ado.
"The Kasros Canyon," the prince began, his voice tinged with the weight of ancient lore, "was carved into the earth hundreds of years ago by a mythical swordsman. Legend has it he taken down a lord of hell with a single stroke of his blade."
"A mythical swordsman and a lord of hell?" Covinus echoed, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"Yes, indeed," the prince continued, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Their titanic clash not only reshaped the landscape but also cursed it. The entire expanse of Tara Hills was transformed into hills by their monumental battle."
"For centuries, no grass has grown here; the land remains barren, tainted by the blood of the hell lord," the prince explained, his expression somber yet fascinated by the tale.
Covinus felt a chill run down his spine.
"It's said that the Tara Hills stretch as vast as the southern wastelands. To think that two powerful beings could render such a large area desolate..."
"Myths, it seems, are the footprints of gods upon our world," the prince mused.
Tyton and the others stood in stunned silence, absorbing the epic scale of the history they were being told.
"The canyon walls of Kasros rise nearly two thousand meters high. Yet, what lies within is even more astounding, an immense underground city," the prince revealed, his voice filled with pride.
"It's called Caliari, the commercial hub for the central and eastern regions of the continent. Merchants from across these lands converge here," he detailed, his eyes sparkling with the grandeur of the city.
"Enough to house hundreds of thousands?" Covinus interjected, visibly taken aback. Though his grandfather had told tales of the Kasros Canyon, he hadn't fathomed its true scale.
"Indeed," the prince nodded, "but you must see it yourself to truly understand. There is more I could say, but some sights must be witnessed firsthand."
He paused briefly, then added, "However, be warned, Caliari, though a bustling market city, is a crucible of varied and vigorous life. The canyon may teem with both scrupulous and unscrupulous characters, yet order prevails, enforced by a code that all must adhere to. As long as the canyon harbors both saints and sinners, this rule keeps the balance."
"When you set foot in the canyon, remember this critical rule: do nothing that might disrupt the peace here," the Elf Prince, now known to everyone as Kate after his introduction, instructed solemnly.
"This rule binds everyone, from the humblest merchant to the mightiest legends who walk these lands," Kate emphasized. "Should disputes arise, they must be settled in the Colosseum's arena. Private conflicts are strictly forbidden, and violation of this rule leads to one outcome, regardless of your stance or power, the canyon guards will enforce the law without hesitation."
Covinus briefly entertained the notion that these might be some form of electronic credit card but quickly dismissed the thought as too fanciful for the setting.
With cards in hand, Covinus's group passed the entrance check smoothly. As soon as they entered the canyon, Covinus was struck by the awe-inspiring sight, the sky above seemed to cleave apart while the canyon floor revealed an expansive cityscape. From his vantage point, he couldn't make out individual buildings, only the sprawling, meticulously planned streets.
"It's like an immense city wedged within a canyon," Covinus marveled.
As they walked along the bustling, broad streets, they felt like pebbles thrown into the ocean. The shops lining each side buzzed with activity, and the streets were thronged with a diverse crowd, not just beastmen like wolves and boars, but also kobolds, fox-human hybrids, and even tiger-like creatures, all mingling in the vibrant chaos of the canyon city.
As they navigated the bustling streets of the canyon city, Covinus noted several beings resembling humans, yet standing merely 1.5 meters tall with robust physiques. It took him a moment, but he soon realized they were likely dwarves.
Jostling along with the flow of the crowd, Covinus and his party marveled at their surroundings, feeling like villagers stepping into a metropolis for the first time.
"Let's try this place," Covinus decided as they stood in front of a building that resembled an inn or tavern. The large size of their group caught the attention of passersby, adding to the spectacle.
After a lengthy walk, their priorities were clear: find something to eat and then secure lodging.
Their presence in front of the establishment did not go unnoticed, and soon the well-dressed proprietor approached them with a warm smile. "Good sirs, would you like to join us for a meal?" he inquired.
"Human?" Covinus couldn't hide his surprise upon realizing the proprietor was human, his first encounter with one. The man bore the distinctive features often seen in Westerners.
"Do you have room for us to dine?" Covinus asked, trying to maintain composure despite his surprise.
"Absolutely, please, come inside!" the proprietor gestured eagerly, sensing the potential for good business with such a large group.
Once inside, they found the restaurant spacious yet surprisingly uncrowded. Covinus received a menu crafted from animal hide and perused the options. The fare was predominantly carnivorous, featuring an array of exotic meats:
Barbecued first-level monsters like Bouncing Rabbit, Gale Rabbit, and Flame Pheasant...
Second-level delicacies included Lone Horned Lizard, Red Porcupine, and Flowered Green Snake...
The menu boasted even rarer dishes such as Soaring Antelope, Fiery Red Porcupine, Chasing Wind Horse, and Flame-tailed Ox from the three-mile monster category...
The pièce de résistance was the barbecued seventh-level magical beast, the Earth Flame Demon Lion, priced at a staggering 10,000 gold coins per serving.
Covinus was both awed and slightly alarmed. "To think that creatures of such formidable power are served as meals here... The outside world truly is a perilous place," he mused aloud, appreciating the safety and unique offerings of the canyon city.