Three thousand meters in the air.
That's where Naoki and Gray were now.
The moment they arrived in this Singularity, the roaring sound of the wind filled their ears.
Instinctively, Gray wrapped her arms around Naoki's neck and asked with a hint of exasperation, "In the air again? Big brother, you always show up like this."
"This time, it really wasn't on purpose. Who knew the Singularity's repelling force would be so strong? I could only force my way in through a weak point." Naoki explained.
This Singularity was different from the previous ones. When he tried to enter, it felt like something was blocking him. The difficulty of entry was exceptionally high, and the only relatively weak point was this spot in the air. Even so, he had to exert all his strength to break through.
This alone made it vastly different from other Singularities.
As Naoki's gaze inadvertently swept across the sky, an even bigger issue caught his attention.
The sky in this Singularity was unnaturally clear.
It wasn't that the sky itself was abnormal. In fact, it was quite normal—no clouds, brilliantly clear—but that normalcy, at this moment, was abnormal.
This was the era of the Incineration of Humanity. Logically, one should be able to see that massive ring of light in any Singularity. But now, Naoki couldn't see it in the sky.
"It's really like Merlin said—so many problems…"
Shifting his gaze downward, Naoki looked below.
At over three thousand meters in the air, Naoki could clearly see the scenery within a wide radius. The first thing he noticed was the castle Roman had mentioned, situated at the center of the Singularity.
It was a white castle. Its appearance resembled a giant dragon perched atop a mountain. The arrangement of its structures, when viewed from above, also formed the shape of a colossal dragon spreading its wings. Surrounding it were multiple layers of castle walls. From their structure, they were undoubtedly the dragon's wings.
"Truly a magnificent structure."
"A… kingdom?"
Kingdom.
Hearing Gray's description, Naoki smiled. "A very fitting description, Gray. Roman said there's heavy military guarding outside the castle walls. Thinking about it that way, it feels even more like a kingdom. I wonder which king resides within."
(The guards are the Knights of the Round Table… no way.)
Naoki had some guesses in his mind.
At that moment, from the peak of the pristine white castle below, a golden-white beam of light suddenly flared up. As if it had locked onto them, the beam shot toward them with incredible speed!
A sniper?!
Without thinking, Naoki hugged Gray tightly and shifted horizontally a considerable distance.
*BOOOMMMMMM!*
After missing its target, the beam pierced through a thick layer of clouds, creating a massive hole in the sky!
Though the distance was still somewhat far, seeing this, Naoki couldn't help but furrow his brows. "A hundred-meter diameter? Truly an extraordinary large-scale Magecraft. Even Aoko and I couldn't pull that off."
This was at three thousand meters in the air. To attack this height with a range exceeding a hundred meters, even without knowing its power, Naoki's instincts told him that if he tried to block it under normal circumstances, he might not fare well.
"Interesting. Looks like they've prepared a grand welcome gift for us—hold on tight, Gray. Let's return the favor."
"Huh? Big brother, what do you mean?"
"I mean, we're going straight for their headquarters!"
Holding Gray horizontally, Naoki dove at full speed toward the source of the beam.
Gray was already used to her brother's antics. She immediately placed her hand on her waist, ready to grab Add at any moment.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time.
Inside the castle's throne room.
Observing the real-time image projected in the air, an elegant figure clad in a white robe looked toward the person on the throne.
"My lord, the shot missed. The enemy is heading toward us at full speed."
"Yes, I know."
The figure on the throne raised a hand and touched their chest.
"By the way, Merlin, do you know why my heart is beating so fast?"
"Could I be ill?"
"The symptoms started just a few seconds ago."
A heart suddenly racing a few seconds ago?
The woman called Merlin smiled. "That must be my lord feeling excited. Because you're about to meet an old friend."
"An old friend?"
The King in the shadows looked at Naoki appearing in the magical projection—was this man who looked somewhat like them an old friend?
But there were no such memories in their mind. Though there was indeed an inexplicable sense of familiarity, they couldn't recall any memories of this man. Not only that, but when they tried to remember this part, their head ached faintly.
"Feeling confused, my lord?" Merlin asked. "If so, then don't think about this person for now. Just treat him as a stranger—or an enemy. I believe they feel the same. After all, their purpose in coming here is to destroy the White Dragon City where we reside."
"Just like the rebels who have suddenly appeared recently."
"Is that so?"
As the pain subsided, the King in the shadows lowered their hand. "Very well, I'll do as you say—issue the order: no one is to approach within a three-kilometer radius of the Dragon's Heart. The Round Table is on high alert."
"Understood!"
After receiving the order, Merlin translated the King's command into magical language and transmitted it to every corner of the castle through magic.
And not long after, just about ten seconds later—
*CRAAASHHHH!*
A loud explosion suddenly echoed directly above the throne room!
This was followed by a series of shattering sounds! The entire throne room trembled noticeably, and in the next moment—
*BAM!*
A figure crashed through the ceiling, landing straight onto the throne room floor!
Slowly rising from the dust, after setting Gray down and brushing off the surrounding debris, Naoki turned his gaze to Merlin and the person seated on the throne.
"Alright, safe landing."
"Now, let's see who the rude person is who welcomes newcomers with a light cannon… Who are you?"