Suspended City.
Brilliant high towers pierced straight into the heavens, their overflowing radiance surging like streaks of colorful silk ribbons. No matter how severe the internal strife within the Tower Kingdom became, this Suspended City remained as peaceful and leisurely as ever, displaying unreserved decadence for all to see.
A deputy, having hurried up from below the city, weaved through the mingling guests.
Looking at the portly merchants, their arms draped around the shoulders of their female companions, he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
This kind of life, how many people yearned for it.
Alas—
It would never belong to them.
Gathering his thoughts, the deputy glanced once more at the women fawning over the merchants and then quietly withdrew his gaze.
Ascending the stairs constructed from gold bricks, the deputy arrived before a chamber door.
"Halt!"
The personnel standing guard outside raised their hands and stopped the deputy who had hurried up from below the city.
"Sir, I am from the lower city. I have urgent matters to find our captain," the deputy said with a serious expression, accompanied by a hint of a smile.
"You've come at the wrong time."
The guards outside the door grunted and shook their heads.
"Young Master is having a grand time inside. No one can disturb him at this hour. You can come back later. You won't be able to see Young Master now."
"There is truly an urgent matter in the lower city."
The deputy called out earnestly, cursing inwardly.
What kind of people were these! The captain of the lower city, who should be on duty below every day, was indulging in debauchery in the Suspended City, completely ignoring matters below.
It was usually fine; he and the mid-captain could handle it.
Now, the situation below the Suspended City was in chaos, and they were still enjoying themselves up here.
Being born into the right family was truly a technical skill.
Without any talent, they could enjoy such a good life just by virtue of having a good father. It truly made one furious to compare people.
Although he cursed in his heart, the deputy dared not show it in front of these lackeys.
"Gentlemen, please, I implore you to relay a message," the deputy rubbed his hands together, his expression grave. "The lower city has suddenly been attacked by necromancers and demons. Our guards below are no match for them. The mid-captain has already been captured by the necromancers and we need the captain to come and take charge."
"Necromancers, demons?"
The expressions of the guards at the door changed slightly. After exchanging glances, a man with a square-shaped face, who appeared rather steady, stepped forward.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Absolutely!" the deputy said solemnly. "How dare I lie about such a matter? If the situation below the city were not beyond our handling, I would not waste this opportunity, which occurs only once a month, to come to the Suspended City. Gentlemen, the lower city is in extreme peril. If we delay further, I cannot guarantee that the necromancers and demons will not slaughter the entire city."
"They are just lowly commoners in the lower city. Whether they live or die is unimportant," one of the guards sneered.
In the eyes of those in the Suspended City, the people below were the lowest of the low, their lives as cheap as grass. Whether they were massacred or not had no bearing on the people in the Suspended City.
They cared not for the lives of the commoners below.
This undisguised contempt registered in the deputy's ears.
He was from the lower city.
Although it was not the first time he had heard such a designation, or rather, since the people of the lower city could remember, they knew—
They were commoners!
Yet, hearing the people of the Suspended City speak so, even dismissing the idea of a massacre with indifference, a surge of anger involuntarily rose in his heart. His fists tightened uncontrollably beneath his sleeves. Looking at the disdainful guards, he wished he could punch them in the face.
Beat them severely!
Even so, he could do nothing.
No matter how angry he was, he knew deep down that if he were to throw that punch.
His life would end there and then.
Bravery without sense was meaningless.
He had a family behind him, and his brothers were waiting for him to rescue them.
He had to endure.
"Sir, although the people below are commoners, they are, after all, living by our Royal City," the deputy said with a fawning smile, rubbing his hands. "Our comfortable life in the Suspended City relies on the labor of those commoners below, who provide resources for the enjoyment of us lords in the Suspended City. If those laborers below are indeed massacred by the necromancers and demons, where will the resources for the Suspended City come from? If His Majesty learns that the lower city has been slaughtered, he will likely be furious."
The expressions of the guards changed slightly, and the deputy seized the opportunity.
"The security of the lower city is managed by our captain. With such a major incident, His Majesty will inevitably hold our captain accountable. The captain's esteemed status may not result in severe punishment, but do you think the captain will blame us then?"
Instantly, the guards' expressions shifted.
Indeed.
If they were to be blamed later, even ten thousand heads would not be enough to atone for their mistakes, even if they were from the Suspended City.
Even among those from the upper city, there were distinctions.
"The problem is, Young Master does not permit anyone to disturb him when he is enjoying himself." The guards, unsettled by the deputy's words, furrowed their brows.
With their own lives now at stake, they finally realized the gravity of the situation.
But—
They dared not anger that young master.
"Yes," the other guards murmured, their faces filled with anxiety. "Last time, someone made a noise outside and disturbed Young Master, and he was beaten to death on the spot."
"Who would dare to shout?"
The guards' eyes were filled with fear as they looked at each other and hesitated.
Seeing the guards bickering amongst themselves, the deputy knew that none of them dared to disturb the young master. After a moment of thought, he clenched his fist.
"I'll do it. Is that okay?"
"Please!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the guards parted the way and stepped aside.
Watching the guards retreat, the deputy's eyes held a mixture of contempt and disdain. He strode to the chamber door and knocked.
Bang, bang, bang!
"Captain, the lower city is in distress. Please return quickly!" the deputy shouted as he knocked on the door. When that didn't work, he shouted again, "Captain, the lower city is in extreme distress. Please return quickly."
Bang, bang, bang!
Bang, bang, bang!
Bang, bang, bang!
The deputy continued to knock on the chamber door, and with each rap, the hearts of the guards on either side trembled.
Several minutes later—
The sound of faint footsteps came from within the chamber. Shortly after, the door was pushed open, revealing a young man in disheveled clothing, his silk pants belt not even properly tied.
"Who is it, making such a racket? Are you looking to die!"
"Captain, the lower city is in distress," the deputy said, cupping his hands. The young man directly grabbed his collar. "What does the lower city's distress have to do with me? Didn't I tell you all to handle everything below? Didn't you hear me? You've come here to cause trouble for me. Are you tired of living?"
"The lower city is under attack by demons and necromancers..."
"Who, demons, necromancers?"
The young man holding the deputy's collar froze. He murmured a few words, then his eyes widened in surprise.
"The demons are attacking the city?!"