True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 100 - Epheotus

Rimuru POV

The sight before me defied mortal architecture. Rising from the mountain itself, the Indrath castle stood as a testament to power that transcended human understanding. No mason's tools had shaped these walls; the entire structure seemed to have grown from the mountain's heart, its surfaces adorned with sophisticated runes and precious minerals that pulsed with barely contained energy. The castle reached so high that its upper spires pierced the clouds, making it visible from vast distances.

What truly captured my attention wasn't just the castle's size, but the raw magic that seemed to seep from every surface. The runes weren't mere decorations - they were part of a vast magical system that made the entire structure feel alive. Each design told a story, each mineral formation channeled power in ways I could barely comprehend.

We stood atop one of two mountain peaks that broke through a sea of clouds below. Between them stretched a bridge that defied logic - a translucent pathway that shimmered with colors I had no names for. The mountain around us was covered in trees that resembled cherry blossoms, their pink petals dancing in winds that seemed to follow patterns rather than nature's whims.

"Welcome to Epheotus, or more specifically, the Indrath Clan's castle." Windsom's voice carried an underlying tension that hadn't been present during our journey. He stepped onto the bridge, his feet making no sound against the precious minerals that formed its surface. When he glanced back at me, his expression was unreadable. "Come."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. The air here felt different - thicker with mana, yet somehow clearer than anything I'd experienced in Dicathen. My first step onto the bridge sent tiny ripples of light through its surface, like stepping on water without breaking its tension. The material beneath my feet was both solid and ethereal, reminiscent of stained glass but with an inner light that shifted and flowed.

"The home of Sylvia's family?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. Walking beside Windsom, I couldn't help but notice how his usual composed demeanor had gained an edge of nervousness.

"Yes." His curt reply only confirmed my suspicions about his unease.

The castle's entrance doors loomed ahead, their size making even Windsom look diminutive. They weren't just large - they were scaled for beings who could take dragon form, carved with patterns that seemed to move when viewed from different angles. The magic woven into them was so dense it made my skin tingle.

Inside, the castle's grandeur continued to unfold. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead, their arches flowing naturally from the mountain's structure. The walls told stories in their intricate carvings - tales of battles, of creation, of power beyond mortal understanding. Despite its massive scale, the castle maintained an eerie silence, our footsteps echoing through corridors that could have housed armies.

"This way. Lord Indrath is waiting for you." Windsom's fingers kept adjusting his collar, a nervous tick that seemed distinctly out of character for the usually unflappable asura.

At the end of our path stood two guards flanking another set of impressive doors. As we approached, their features became clear in the strange, sourceless light that filled the corridor. The female guard had short green hair that framed a face that managed to be both friendly and alert. Despite her leather armor's practical design, it couldn't completely hide her feminine curves. Her male counterpart presented a fiercer image, with eyes that missed nothing and a jagged scar across his cheek that spoke of battles survived. Both carried only short daggers, but their controlled auras suggested the weapons were mere formalities.

"Elder Windsom. I see you brought the other human boy," the female guard's grin carried an edge of curiosity. Her casual tone seemed at odds with the formal setting.