I Can Devour Monsters' SSS Talents

Wooden pillars extended from floor to ceiling, and strands of Mana floated between them.

At the end of the hall, a middle-aged man was sitting on a simple chair.

Contrary to Lian’s expectations, there was no massive throne or exaggerated decorations around him. The man had dark bronze skin.

His hair was gray, but the tips of it glowed with a faint red light.

The veins on his face formed a pattern resembling branches rising from his neck to his temples; a shape like a natural crown.

He wore formal robes of black and red. A simple sword was placed beside the chair.

The weapon’s appearance was ordinary, but Predator’s Instincts gave Lian a faint warning. Both the man and that sword were much more dangerous than they appeared.

[Cindari]

[Level: 30]

’Level 30, huh? I guess it’s not bad.’ This was not the highest level he had seen in this forest, but overall, while it might be considered dangerous for others, for him and his group, a level 30 was not a threat.

Kael stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

”Rootwarden.”

Maelor raised his hand.

”Rise, Captain.”

Then he moved his gaze to the four humans. His eyes were amber, but unlike Kael, they did not have an aggressive intensity.

”Welcome to Vhalaris.” His voice was calm and controlled.

”I am Maelor Veyn. The Rootwarden of this city and the guardian of Emberroot’s western paths.” He pointed at the four chairs in front of him.

”Sit down. You have traveled a long way.”

A few servants brought bowls of cool water and simple food. This treatment was very different from the border encounter.

Maelor had neither chained them nor interrogated them like prisoners.

But Lian was not fooled by his apparent calmness.

All the details of the room, the placement of the soldiers, and the distance to Maelor’s weapon were arranged in a way that kept control of the hall always in his hands.

The four sat down.

Kael remained by the entrance.

”Captain Varun’s report says you crossed the Cindervein Passage.”

”That’s right.” Lian answered.

”A passage that has been considered closed from our side for years.”

”From your side, perhaps.”

”So it is still passable, as dangerous as it is.” A very small smile appeared on Maelor’s face.

Lian said nothing. The passage was certainly dangerous for normal awakened ones, but its danger level was not even close to the Giants’ Graveyard.

Maelor placed his hands on the chair’s arms.

”Let’s start from the beginning.”

His gaze moved over all four of them.

”You are not the first humans we have seen. We are somewhat familiar with your race, but the ones we saw all awakened in this same forest. But you are different.”

”What is your goal in entering Emberroot?”

”Finding our group members, gathering information, and finding a way out.”

”And why did you cross Glassthorn? You could have found information there too.”

”We obtained information about the civilization here and thought we might find more answers here.” Lian answered.

Maelor looked at him for a few seconds. He probably knew the answer was not complete, but he did not try to force out all the details.

”We have not had news from that forest for a long time. Did you find anything in Glassthorn that could be a threat to Emberroot?”

”Many monsters.” Lian said without pausing. He could tell the other was trying to get information about the other forest through them.

”I didn’t only mean monsters.”

”Nothing that would intend to act against your civilization, no.”

Maelor asked a few more questions about the path, the number of travel days, and the creatures seen.

Lian gave precise but limited answers.

He said nothing about the Mirror Vault. He also did not speak about the Primordial Root, The Black Silence, or the truth of Orrakas.

Seraphina remained silent about her inheritance.

This was not information to share with outsiders.

”We have no problem with you being guests, but there are rules here. Do you intend to follow Vhalaris’s laws?” Maelor asked in the end.

”As long as your laws are not used against us, naturally, we will be good guests.” Lian said.

Kael frowned from the side of the door, but Maelor only nodded.

”That is an honest answer.” He leaned forward slightly.

”As long as you are in Vhalaris, conflict with citizens, entering military areas, attacking city forces, and leaving the gates without registration will be considered crimes.”

”Will you take our weapons?”

”No.”

”A city where armed people live cannot ask its guests to be defenseless.” He then added.

”But using weapons inside the city limits without acceptable reason will have consequences.” He pointed at Kael.

”Issue Guest Sigils for all four.”

The commander bowed his head, and Maelor continued.

”This mark proves you are not prisoners and have temporary residence permission. It also records your entry and exit.”

”You mean you’ll monitor us.” Lian said.

”Yes.”

Maelor answered without trying to hide the truth.

”You are from an unknown race, you have crossed a closed border, and your power seems greater than other members of your race. If I don’t monitor you, I would not be worthy of my position.”

Lian did not dislike his direct answer. At least Maelor did not intend to hide the monitoring with respectful words.

”As long as you follow the rules, you are allowed to stay in the city. Vhalaris gives shelter to travelers who are not a threat.”

Seraphina relaxed slightly. Seris also lowered her guard a little. They felt this man was not a bad person.

”You said other people like us have been found, right?” Lian changed the subject after nodding.

Maelor nodded.

”That’s correct.”

”How many?”

”At least several dozen.”

Lian kept his gaze on his face.

”Maybe more. Some northern and eastern routes have not yet sent full reports. Some groups have also left the city without registration and not returned.”

”Can we see them?” Seraphina intervened and asked.

”Why not?” Maelor said without objection, and then gave his gaze to Kael.

”Take them to the Ashfall Ward.”

Captain Varun bowed his head.

”It will be done.”

The meeting ended.

Four Guest Sigils were issued for them on the way out.

The marks were small pieces of black Heartwood with a red line shaped like a root on them. When Lian touched it, his name and race appeared on the surface.

The mark did not attach to the body nor display any other information.

But Lian suspected their positions within the city limits would be traceable.

Kael led them out of the Rootspire.

This time, their path was toward the lower and older part of the city. The further they went, the more worn the buildings became.

The channels were narrower, some platforms had temporary repairs, and a few bridges were reinforced with fresh planks.

”Ashfall Ward was evacuated years ago after the collapse of one of the main channels.”

”Why did you put the humans there?” Seraphina asked.

”Because it was empty.”

”What a kind reason.” Liana said.

”And because controlling armed groups of an unknown race in the city center was not a wise decision.” Kael continued without reacting.

Lian looked around. The reasoning was logical.

If dozens of armed humans had suddenly appeared in Vhalaris, placing them in a separate district would both protect the Cindari’s security and prevent constant conflict.

After crossing an old bridge, Ashfall Ward was revealed.

The area had been abandoned in the past.

This was still evident from the broken walls, burned roots, and buildings whose roofs were partly destroyed.

But humans had changed the district in a short time. Broken windows were covered with wood and metal plates.

New doors were installed on the buildings. The entrance street was reinforced with defensive barriers, filled bags, and metal plates.

Guards were standing on several rooftops.

One of the larger buildings had been turned into a medical center. A white cloth with a red symbol was on its entrance, and a few wounded people could be seen inside.

Another building was a warehouse.

Monster parts, weapons, and food packages were being moved inside it.

In the central square, several maps were installed on large boards.

People had gathered around them, marking hunting routes, dangerous points, and monster sighting locations.

Almost all the humans were wearing armor.

Even those sitting on chairs or eating kept their weapons within reach.

People moved in groups of four to ten.

A group had just returned from hunting, dragging the corpse of a horned creature on a wooden cart.

Another group was dividing potions and equipment.

A few people were standing in front of the mission building, discussing the next day’s path.

Ashfall Ward looked more like a temporary military base without a single commander than a residential area.

”The Outsiders reside in this section.”

Kael gave a brief look at the area’s defensive barriers.

”Some leave the city to hunt. Some trade, and some only wait to find their companions.”

”And those who didn’t follow the rules? They are no longer here.”

The commander’s tone did not specify whether they had been exiled or killed.

Lian asked no more questions.

Kael stopped at the entrance of the area.

”You can stay here. Someone will be sent tomorrow for full registration of your information.”

”One?” Liana asked.

”It will remain in the Beastward until you return. As I promised, it will be kept in good condition.”

Then he left the area with two accompanying soldiers.

The arrival of four new humans immediately attracted the attention of those near the entrance.

A young man with a spear on his shoulder was the first to step forward.

”Just arrived?”

”Where did you appear?” Another woman asked upon seeing their damaged armor.

A few more people came closer.

”How many were with you?”

”Did anyone from the Central European Academy see you?”

”Which route did you come from?”

The questions came from several directions.

When Lian said they had come from Glassthorn, murmurs intensified.

”Glassthorn?”

”That glass forest?”

”Wasn’t its border closed?”

More people came toward them.

Lian gave short answers, but at the same time, he was examining faces.

He didn’t see any of the main group members among the initial crowd.

Seraphina also moved her gaze among the people.

Liana appeared calm, but her eyes continuously searched for faces.

Every girl or person with a similar height and posture to Selina caught her attention for a moment.

Seris paid less attention to the people and more to the district’s structure.

Escape routes, important buildings, those who held the most power, and the groups that others unconsciously kept their distance from.

”What are your names?” the spearman asked.

Lian had not yet had time to fully answer when a voice was heard from among the street.

”Seraphina? Lian?”

Seraphina suddenly froze. The voice was familiar. Lian recognized it too.

All four turned toward the source of the sound at the same time. The crowd parted slightly.

A young man came out from between two armored groups. His armor was different from the last time they had seen him.

Parts of the old plates were burned and blackened. The shoulder and chest sections were repaired with black metal and Emberroot materials, and red veins moved on them.

A fresh scratch extended from his eyebrow to above his cheek. His face was more serious than before.

But none of them needed time to recognize him.

Rindo.

They had found the student council president...