Chapter 159.Reaching the Saelther Canyon
Chapter 159.Reaching the Saelther Canyon
The sound of flowing river water was as clear as the water itself. Jake's carriage had just crossed this tributary and the territory of Karsuda province.
Now, they were in Ardin. From here, they just had to follow the Great River of Inaros which branched from the tributary they just crossed.
According to Ruxa, ten days worth of journey was still remaining.
''Master, there are many villages near the river. The nearest human city from here is Lustin, but we don't need to go through that,'' she informed, sitting on his lap.
''Hmm, we have already spent a lot of time. No need to go around. Also, I heard that Saelther Canyon is pretty near the capital city of this province…''
''Yes, Port Cheshire is built just past the canyon.''
''I see, we'll have to visit that place,'' Jake answered and fell into a deep thought.
He had already learned about the Fel Snake Tribe and Mistress Nyssa from Ruxa. They apparently lived on the 56th Floor. That meant he would have to fight his way through the 55 floors to get there.
Apparently, Nyssa wasn't the master of Tartus Dungeon. This came to Jake as a surprise when he first heard it. But it only made him want to go there more.
Actually, he wanted to visit Tartus for a few different reasons other than meeting Nyssa who'd arrogantly killed his imp. Jake wanted to find out the identity of the mysterious dungeon master whom even Ruxa was unaware of.
'I wonder which demon or demoness it is, or it could even be a naturally corrupted human…'
Since transmigrating to this world, Jake hadn't gone to any other dungeon or met with other Dungeon Masters. According to his memories, dungeons were extensions of Hell in the Origin World.
They would randomly appear in evil places, or during special circumstances like if a demon is exiled.
During the birth of a dungeon, its core forms first which would sink into the ground with a violent wave of evil mana. That would create a crude layout of 7 or 9 floors.
Once the chaotic mana stablisies, it converges toward the Dungeon Core again, giving birth to the Dungeon Fairy. Lena was also born like this. She is no older than seven months.
''Master, look!'' Erin nudged Jake at this moment.
He looked through the window at the direction she was pointing and saw a dormant volcano. This was Mount Huan. There were two destroyed towns past it.
''I remember going that way with western merchants…'' Ruxa said, remembering the time she first met Jake. That had been quite terrifying.
Whoosh!
The carriage speedily rolled on the banks of Inaros, going north west. Its wheels cracked some dried up orange leaves that fell from the trees beside. There were less leaves on them now, signaling that it was already autumn.
A few days later, the carriage crossed the river through a bridge and kept going north west.
There, Jake and his women passed two towns and various villages. He spread chaos there as well, naturally. Jake also learned about the situation of Ardin province from the landlords here.
Like a resourceful assistant, Perry noted the names of influential nobles and the fiefs they managed.
They also learned the Church of Light's influence in this province was the highest. This was because Ardin bordered the Holy Theocracy, a nation controlled by the church. Though every pastor or priest would say that God himself was in control.
In any case, Jake had to be more mindful of his actions here. Although he doubted there was anyone within the Ardin Diocese capable enough to defeat him.
A week passed and the carriage finally reached Saelther Canyon.
There was a small town here named Waun. Adventurers and explorers restocked their supplies here. It was also the place from where resources extracted from Tartus Dungeon was supplied to all places.
There was no entry fee or guard checking to enter Waun. It was a free town, anyone could come and go. The person's safety had to be maintained by themselves.
However, if something large happened, high-ranking adventurers present here would band together to solve it.
Just after entering, many people were shocked by the centaurs. All eyes locked in on their bizarre appearance. Inside the carriage, 06 kept looking through both windows. She was fascinated by so many adventurers in one place.
''You're staying here,'' Jake said.
''What?''
''Of course you are. We are going to enter a dungeon. Can you fight a goblin?'' Erin rolled her eyes and grabbed Jake's arm.
''But wait… where the fuck will I stay?''
''Master, I know a place owned by a Naga. We know each other, she can stay there,'' Ruxa said. Seeing Jake starting to think, Ruxa added to assure him, ''Nesanthe is a 3rd Circle Naga.''
After a while, the carriage left Waun town and headed toward the canyon's bottom.
Saelther canyon was relatively small and the way down was steep. However, human mages had reformed a part of the land for people to reach the canyon's bottom.
Normally, no one would bring a carriage here, but Jake was never one to follow the norm.
Kicking up dust, Bella and Ella pulled their master's luxury carriage and neared the banks of the entrenched river at the base. It was Waun, the name of this small river which flowed through Saelther, and the name given to the town above.
''I can sense it…'' Jake looked in the eastern direction as the carriage reached the bottom. There was a large hole in the right escarpment.
Although it wasn't as large as his dungeon's, the thick mana coming out of it was authentic. That had to be the entrance of Tartus Dungeon.
Jake focused his gaze and saw a stone bridge cutting through the river. People were crossing Waun through it and entering the dungeon.
Jake told Bella and Ella to head that way. However, there were many large rocks on the way which made it difficult for carriages to pass.
''Stop. Everyone alight,'' Jake passed the order and kicked the door open.
''Let's go there by foot.''