In this instance, Nathalie''s mouth went agape as she marveled from the different towering layers of the rocky cliff found within the place where she stood.


    There were holes amongst the natural rock walls, carved like doors and windows that shone with such brilliance, and it was far from quiet with numerous people seen and moved back and forth on the road they took.


    ''I''m like entering an ant colony or something!''


    It was such a bustling place despite being so late at night already.


    Moreover, there were signs of lush vegetation seen, turning into patches of green in the middle of the clay and loamy soils smeared across the place— from the walls, hanged and planted, down to the sidewalks.


    It was like a miracle oasis.


    ''This is no different from a city! A prosperous city amidst the grand canyon!'' Nathalie then ended up nibbling her lower lip. ''This isn''t the ''Desolate Ravine'' that I wrote as a description.''


    Like the name bestowed upon the place, even amidst the serene and distant canyons found a special location for people like them, the followers of ''Order of Pandora.'' However, the city she was in was supposedly non-existent, and if it did happen, it shouldn''t have progressed this fast.


    A foreboding chill crept through her heart from the awe-inspiring yet frightening display in front of her eyes.


    Looking behind, she noticed the gaze of Keith, who was also astonished, and the same went for Jonathan and the twins as though they also had no idea about this.


    "You''re surprised, how do you like it?" He then flashed his smile, giving a sheen on his set of white teeth.


    ''He sure does love to tease me.''


    After which, he suddenly took off the baggy robe he put on and revealed the armor waistcoats on him. Quite open and sultry, showing off his glistening, pecs and ripped abs for her eyes to gawk at, and the arms with intricate alloy bands that hugged his muscles.


    Then, of what she discerned as servants, went close to him, and gave him the bejeweled clothing headdress perched atop, and whatever he had to change in him.


    However, Nathalie only took a glimpse of his reaction than went back overlooking the city.


    ''He does love to show off.'' On second thought, she threw it away as this was what she wanted as far as she remembered what she wrote then.


    Her short trance got interrupted when another man, in the same robed outfit earlier came, whispering at him after a deep bow.


    When his face turned bright, he then snapped his fingers, uttering at his subordinates with him, "They are our ''esteemed guests'' so drag them to the Inner Palace."


    ''Not with esteemed guests treated like this.''


    Nathalie had to go along with this, and bear with it for a while now that they came this far.


    All of them glanced at each other, looking so dubious; but then, the clinking chains resounded as they had no choice but to follow his orders.


    While she had to admit that they were far better treated than they were earlier, and she couldn''t help but raise her vigilance as it smelled fishy, and not in a good way.


    Once again, they had to trek, and this time, deeper levels of the canyon. Her nose caught the aroma of the fragrant flowers that went adrift with the wind.


    No signs of wilderness…


    No signs of desolation…


    Every single part she nitpicked got her too impressed, with their elevated lifestyle and the rich culture they had.


    Her mind revved up, turning to different possibilities she thought of then. ''How much did they advance? How far did they get help and the deep connection they got from Ustreador?''


    A little more and she was getting into her head, casting doubt of herself if she still had the cards with her to advantage. Even to the point that surrendering themselves was the worst decision she ever made.


    After which, they now reached a rather large chunk of plain lands; from her foot, she noticed the ground got carved to a flat despite the mountain ranges.


    Several yards ahead of them found a large palace that beamed out such pristine brilliance from what seemed like bedazzling mosaic walls. Perched atop it are rounded architectural roofs and stark arches on the pathway.


    ''So beautiful…''


    She then braced herself, now shuffling on the tile floorings from the front porch.


    Her eyes snapped at the few guards, who wore feathered turbans on them, with mixed open vest armor plate and cloth donned on them.


    ''Even if they are formidable… This is too much for a lion''s den.''


    Once they entered the inner alley, she then opened the link to Ashtra, pondering, ''Ashtra, can you gauge their strength?''


    "You decided to talk to me now? Why don''t you flirt at that man beside you?"


    ''Excuse me?''


    "You''re damned excused."


    ''I''m serious. I swear if you don''t answer me correctly one more time—''


    "They''re all strong…" he trailed off his voice for a while, making her heart race a little while. "But not enough to take me down, even if they all have to attack me at once."


    While it was a sigh of relief on her part, she twitched the corner of her lips to a disdain. ''So confident; you''re everything I needed,'' she added with her words dripped with satire.


    "So, should I start a ruckus—?"


    ''No! No, no, no, no, no!'' With that, she staggered from her steps, then went back smoothly as she cleared her throat when she got their attention. ''Fool! I''m assessing the situation. Don''t you dare.''


    "Just say the word. Like you, I''m observing, this is a promising place. I''ve never seen anything like this."


    After which, she cut off the connection and pondered that it even got Ashtra intrigued.


    One thing she ever thought of was to shift the narrative to her advantage in the future, at least. Through few steps towards the way led to the great hall of the palace.


    She needed to know from there and then obtain the answers she needed.


    It wasn''t as bright as she thought it would be as soon as they entered. But it was a paradise inside— with inner ponds and aesthetics displayed for them to scour throughout the infrastructure.


    From the intricate designs and linings of the ceiling, the colorful fractals of stained glass windows, down to the polished quartz flooring, everything was on point.


    ''Unbelievable…'' Nathalie thought, meeting Jonathan in contact with the same thoughts.


    They got interrupted when the charming voice of a lady echoed.


    "So, our esteemed guests have arrived."