From the outside, Helgan’s Keep looked like it was surrounded by a single layer of wall, but that wasn’t the case.

  After passing through the first gate with Silas, Ulrich was faced with another, smaller gate. Though, this gate was more intricately designed, carved, and ornate—possessing a rather ancient aura that invokes a sense of awe and admiration.

  Luckily, the second gate did not require an inspection, only the initial one, thus saving him the extra headache.

  As he passed through the ornate gates, a large hall opened before him. Hearing a metallic rustle from above, Ulrich raised his head and saw windows with gilded glass. No doubt, the hall must be filled with golden light during the brightest of days.

  Unfortunately, it is currently nightfall; thus, he’d missed the opportunity to witness that glorious sight.

  In that moment, several shadows moved swiftly above the ceiling, flying from window to window, veiling them with thick sheets of animal hide. The crude wooden ladders they used creaked and screamed, as though each step pierced into its soul.

  Covering the windows at night? Is it like the surface world, where people avoid going out at sea during nightfall?

  In the real world, Sea beasts are blessed to a frightening degree, and that wasn’t just it. If strength were the only thing that they gained, people wouldn’t be so fearful of Sea Beasts. Rather, it was the strange rage and madness that possessed the Sea Beasts which made them terrifying.

  A normal beast can be stopped by torturing it with pain; however, a mad beast will not be stopped by pain or suffering. The only thing that reflects in their eyes is one desire: endless hunger and gluttony.

  Just as this thought appeared in his mind, a loud noise blew his back. Turning around, he saw the giant stone gate crashing down, reminding him of the Repository gate in the Ministry’s sanctuary.

  After which, the sounds of metal chains reverberated throughout the spacious bailey. With that, the drawbridge was pulled by an iron hay trolley, revealing the deep water beneath.

  At night, there’s no entry or exit through the front gate.

  In that same instant, the ornate gate behind him hummed with deafening creaks and cracks. Its movement alone kicked up a storm of dust and debris, causing him to take several steps forward.

  With two gates closed, no entry or exit is possible. Once the gate is closed, it will not open for any given reason, even if someone's life is at stake.

  If someone wanted to leave, they would have to do so by climbing the inner and outer walls, then jump outside personally. And if someone wished to enter, they would have to climb the outer wall.

  Suddenly, Ulrich felt like he was back in Belham, a city island sealed by the deep sea, and here, sealed from the outside world.

  Trying to calm himself, he looked around and noticed a lavish wooden desk that looked completely out of place.

  It reminded him of the Belham Library reception desk, though this one was a bit less refined. Honestly, looking at the state of the shadow realm, he doubted that they built it here.

  This thing must have been scavenged from one of the countless ruins nearby, that, or someone actually performed a complete ritual, then brought the whole thing from the surface world.

  Just that thought alone eased his anxiety and made him chuckle at the ridiculous imagery that appeared in his mind. Recalling Rosaline’s advice, Ulrich smiled.

  As a Weaver, I must preserve my clarity and be not afraid… And only then can I maintain my sanity.

  Thinking so, he pressed down on his black cap and walked to the reception desk.

  There was a young lady sitting at the desk, her expression was that of boredom and drowsiness, as though she hadn’t caught any sleep lately. The dark spot under her eye only made her appearance worse, and seeing Ulrich’s approach, she raised her head.

  “Hi.” Her voice was plain and lifeless. “What do you need?”

  Ma’am, you should get some sleep. The skeletons I encountered had more vigor and liveliness than you!

  Fortunately, she spoke Celtic, a rather common language, saving Ulrich the headache of dealing with a language barrier. Now that he thought about it, Silas also spoke Celtic. He knew that it was common in the surface world, but was that the case as well in the Shadow Realm?

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Ulrich wore a plain smile as he said, “I’d like to rent a room in the Residential Quarters of the Keep.”

  Her eyes were glued to his appearance, moving up and down. Clearly, his apparel attracted her scrutiny, and in those lifeless eyes, he could see traces of confusion, bafflement, as well as astonishment.

  “Strange. Clothes.” She murmured, then lowered her head, her hand reaching for a sheet of paper.

  Taking shortcuts when speaking? Why are the people I’ve met so strange…

  Just as that thought appeared, she raised her hand forward to beckon him, “Payment.”

  Immediately, Ulrich's body jolted, though he maintained a gentleman-like smile and wondered, “Is umbra shard the only acceptable form of payment?”

  Hearing this, she paused, her eyes narrowing at his appearance, then whispered, “Materials. Acceptable.”

  Hearing this, he let out a sigh of relief. Subconsciously, he thought of a certain irritating priest who accompanied him from Margrave to Helgan’s Keep.

  Despite the priest’s obsession with praising the sun and the endless preaching of his lord, he was rather carefree and laid-back. Reminded of their encounter, Ulrich can’t help but hold an amusing thought:

  Did that priest foresee that he would need money in Helgan’s Keep, knowing it was his first descent? Thus, allowing him to collect a portion of the loot even though Ulrich did not contribute much?

  Just thinking about it grew a smile on his face, though he quickly dropped it as he reached into his rucksack, pulling out a red crystal, then placed it on the counter.

  This red crystal was embedded within a Scarlet Wolf, one of the more dangerous creatures they’d encountered along their journey. Ulrich wasn’t sure of its worth, but seeing as it was quite a difficult encounter, it must be worth something, right?

  “Scarlet Crystal. 16 Shard.”

  16 Shard? Umbra shard? This one little red crystal? Subconsciously, he wanted to pull the other three crystals out of his rucksack, but held himself back.

  Currently, he was standing in front of the spacious hall, and his action would certainly attract a few unwanted stares. As a matter of fact, the moment he pulled out this crystal, he could tell from his ‘senses’ that some had already looked over.

  Feeling all their gazes, Ulrich recalled an ancient proverb from earth—Gold and jade can fill a house, but they also attract thieves!

  “How much is one night?”

  She tilted her head and answered, “Two.”

  Your words are getting shorter and shorter… He didn’t voice it aloud and wondered, “Can I use this crystal as payment and get the change in shards?”

  She thought about it for a moment, then nodded, “Possible.”

  With that said, she took the red crystal and stuffed it under the counter, then took out a pile of umbra shards, placing them on the counter.

  Quickly, Ulrich took the shards and put them in his rucksack.

  Meanwhile, she picked up a pen and attempted to write down his name for the record, but realized that she didn’t know his name.

  “Name.”

  Ulrich didn’t answer immediately and gave it a thought.

  Meanwhile, the young lady tilted her head further, not understanding why this young man was taking so long to say his name. She thought that he didn’t understand her and repeated:

  “What is your name?”

  I understand you the first time… And you can speak full sentences!

  At this moment, Ulrich took in a deep breath and said, “Johan Schrodinger.”

  That old priest… I didn’t give him my name.

  During their journey to Helgan’s Keep, that persistent priest pressed for his name time and time again, only to be denied by Ulrich. If he meets with Silas again, then Ulrich will assume this new identity.

  “Okay.”

  The pen tip soared across the paper, creating scribble noises which filled their silence. But, it didn’t last long before she placed the pen down and handed him a metal medallion.

  “Pass. Return tomorrow.”

  He took the medallion and looked around.

  “Sorry, where is the exchange hall?”

  “Your right. Straight. Turn first right.”

  With that said, he took off his black cap and bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude. However, he didn’t know her name, and curiosity got the best of him as he asked, “Thank you, may I know your name?”

  She looked at his strange attitude while giving it some thought, then whispered, “Fia.”

  Fia. What an interesting name. He thought, tilting his hat slightly, “I hope you have a good night, Ms. Fia.”

  Her eyes flickered, so subtly that even Ulrich didn’t notice it. As he left, a soft whisper lingered in the air that formed two words:

  “You too.”