The Fallen City of Steam

【Observer's Glossary entry activating...】

【You keenly sensed danger and promptly cast a defensive spell, surviving a perilous attack】

【You began searching for the witch's trail, scouring Allenson City for a long time, eventually finding her in the ruins of a courtyard】

【The anomalies in Allenson City far exceeded your expectations】

【Goblins, centaurs, kobolds, magical beasts, dragonkin, pure-blooded demons... These races, which should have been driven to the edges of the world and kept far from human cities, were inexplicably appearing within Allenson City】

【You even saw the orc army, which should have been held back at the border by the Church of the Gods】

【You made a swift decision to leave Allenson City】

Individual power has its limits.

Even though Xu Xi possessed extraordinary talent, with ten times the mana of his peers and contracts with numerous elemental spirits, he was, at his core, only a Grand Mage.

Not a Grand Magus, nor a Saint Mage.

And certainly not a demigod wielding divine power.

He lacked the ability to contend with a large-scale army.

Thus, faced with the tide of invading races in Allenson, Xu Xi acted decisively, swiftly taking Krisha and fleeing.

7th-tier spell · Chain Thunderstorm.

7th-tier spell · Azure Tempest.

7th-tier spell · Radiant Blade Cascade.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!... Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Amid the burning ruins of the courtyard, Xu Xi looked up at the blood-red, overcast sky and the swarming, grotesque races. He struck his staff on the ground, and the elements roared.

In a breath, devastating high-tier spells surged forward.

Lightning and storms intertwined, creating a dance of light that effortlessly annihilated countless enemies and cleared a path forward.

Even the obstacles in the sky were purged and slain.

"The power of 7th-tier spells is indeed far superior to 5th-tier ones."

Xu Xi nodded slightly, satisfied with his newfound strength after advancing to Grand Mage.

He glanced at the remains of the slain enemies but did not linger. Instead, he cast another powerful wind spell, enveloping himself and Krisha in elemental wind.

Without hesitation, he shot into the sky.

Along the way, flying monsters screeched and attacked.

But they were torn apart by the storm of magical power.

Stronger monsters took notice, but the swift gale was too fast. Before they could encircle them, Xu Xi and Krisha had already escaped the bounds of Allenson City.

Unbelievably fast.

...

【You cast 3rd-tier spell · Windward Shield】

【You cast 5th-tier spell · Wind's Swiftness】

【You cast 5th-tier spell · Earth's Protection】

【You cast 5th-tier spell · Water's Torrent】

【You cast 5th-tier spell · Fire's Charge】

【You cast 7th-tier spell · Holy Light's Blessing】

【You brandished your staff, releasing the surging mana within you. Your Windward Shield was unprecedentedly enhanced and amplified】

【Your Windward Shield was incredibly fast, allowing you to escape Allenson with Krisha before a true encirclement could form】

【You and the witch successfully retreated】

The wind that greeted them was no longer the scorching, destructive wind but a refreshing, cool breeze from the normal world.

Xu Xi controlled the wind elements as he flew, glancing back at Allenson City.

In the distance, the city was shrouded in a blurry haze of fire.

A deep crimson glow enveloped the Steam City, slowly eroding and devouring it, bit by bit reducing its prosperity to nothingness.

The towering steam tower at the city center collapsed amidst the flames, glowing red-hot and scattering ashes into the air.

The city where he had lived for ten years had fallen.

It fell ridiculously.

It fell inexplicably.

"What on earth... happened?" Xu Xi murmured, his eyes flickering.

Truth be told, Xu Xi had no clue about the fall of Allenson City.

"From the intelligence I've gathered before, the noble factions of Allenson have always been dedicated to the city's development. Clearly, they treated it as their foundation and invested heavily in it."

"From a personal interest standpoint, they should have been unwilling to abandon Allenson."

"Even if they knew about the invasion of other races, they wouldn't have resisted so little."

"Unless—"

Xu Xi paused, deep in thought: "Something happened that forced them to abandon Allenson City, leaving them no choice but to flee alone."

What could it be?

Xu Xi was curious.

With the help of the Observer's Glossary, he faintly sensed the truth hidden beneath the surface.

Thus, Xu Xi decided not to head to the next city immediately.

He would stay nearby, continuing to observe the changes in Allenson City, to see what would happen after the races destroyed it.

"Earlier, I had Krisha stock up on supplies. The spatial ring has enough food and daily necessities, so even if we camp in the wild, there's nothing to worry about."

With this in mind, Xu Xi flew at high speed with Krisha until they reached a small hill and stopped.

This place was far from Allenson City, but they could still observe some of the aftermath.

He chose this location to mitigate risks.

Even if something unexpected happened in Allenson later, Xu Xi could use the distance to his advantage and escape with Krisha in time.

"Krisha, we'll be staying here for a while."

"Understood, Mentor."

The girl responded obediently.

After Xu Xi's earlier treatment, her injuries had completely healed, and she regained control of her body.

She stepped onto the hilltop, her feet flattening the grass. Her empty, lifeless eyes scanned the area, quickly settling on a flat spot.

She pushed her palms forward, releasing mana.

The howling wind elements trimmed the grass clean.

The exposed dry ground was perfect for resting.

As for Xu Xi, he set up numerous warning spells nearby and then flew into the air to scout, ensuring the area was safe.

"..."

The girl silently watched the figure in the sky.

She watched him fly away, then return.

Only when Xu Xi landed again did the girl with ash-silver hair look away, seemingly reassured, and refocused on her task.

【You sensed that the fall of the city hid an unspeakable secret】

【You decided to postpone your plan to move to a new city】

【You found a nearby location and stayed with the witch, ready to witness the aftermath of Allenson City】

【Was it a conspiracy among humans?】

【Was it a conflict between the Churches of the Gods?】

【Or was it the sudden rise of the other races, forcing humanity to retreat?】

【Many questions filled your mind. Leaving the city where you had lived for ten years left you slightly unsettled, but fortunately, the familiar witch was by your side】

【She watched you, just as you watched her】