The next day, a void shuttle carrying important members of the Darkwood family departed for the Emperor Heaven Pce.


    The royal family of the Magus Kingdom resided on Luma, one of thergest 3-stars in the Emperor Haven star realm.


    Emperor Haven epassed hundreds of 1, 2, and 3-stars, many of which served as teleportation hubs for travellers seeking ess to the Emperor Heaven Pce.


    Due to its vast size, Emperor Haven required hours of travel, even via void shuttles, to reach the Emperor Heaven Pce, nestled deep within its expanse.


    Consequently, numerous portals were established on the outermosts of Emperor Haven, directly connecting to Luma, where the royal family dwelt.


    Additionally, these portals link to variouss throughout the Magus Kingdom under the royal family''s jurisdiction. They facilitated travel and trade across the kingdom, creating an interconnectedwork akin to a chain of pathways spanning the world.


    As a result, these portal-bearings became bustling hubs where people from all corners of the world convened to trade their goods and valuables.


    And the void shuttle carrying Orion and his family was in route to one of theses, which housed a portal directly connecting to Emperor Haven.


    ---


    Sometimester, they arrived at the outer atmosphere of the.


    Orion could see from the screen on the inside of the void shuttle that the they were about tond appearedpletely brown and yellowish in colour.


    Most importantly, the thing that attracted his attention was the constant hoard of void shuttles of various sizesing in and out of the.


    "This is called Dunes and is under the control of the royal family."


    Barion was introduced to the they were about tond on.


    "So, the portal leading to the Emperor Heaven Pce is on the that this''s portal will lead to?" Orion asked his father.


    Barrion nodded at his son''s question.


    Hearing his father agree, Orion wondered why the teleportation was soplicated and why it was not teleported directly to the Emperor Heaven Pce.


    ''Security reasons?''


    It was far-fetched to think that someone would attack the Emperor Heaven Pce in their mind.


    Orion shook his head and turned to look at his big sister, who was silently sitting with her eyes closed.


    ''I guess her fear of flying still hasn''t gone away.''


    He thought.


    "We arending in a minute."


    His father''s voice reached his ears at that moment, causing Orion to look at the screen once again when he saw that they werending in an area full of void shuttles.


    ***


    As Orion stepped out of the void shuttle, the world greeted him with a monochromatic palette of browns and yellows.


    The sky above was a muted, dusty hue, blending seamlessly with thendscape below. The streets stretched out before him, paved with rough, earthy tones that reflected the subdued sunlight filtering through a thin, hazy atmosphere.


    Buildings rose like ancient monoliths, their facades textured in shades ranging from deep ochre to sandy beige, each structure seeming to meld into the next in a harmonious monotony. Even the windows, though reflecting a faint glint of metallic sheen, appeared tinted in sepia tones.


    The people bustling about wore garments that matched the surroundings: robes and tunics of varying shades of brown, some ented with touches of faded gold or amber.


    Orion was surprised to see the intricate patterns etched into the walls of the buildings. As he approached closer, he noticed that what appeared from a distance as simple monolithic structures were, in fact, adorned with delicate carvings depicting scenes of ancient battles, celestial alignments, and mythical creatures.


    Among the people passing by, Orion observed individuals with subtle markings on their faces and hands, patterns that seemed to echo the designs on the buildings.


    "They are Zenithans from this, and the patterns on their bodies represent their beliefs in their god. It is believed that if the pattern on any Zenithan were to vanish, that person would be considered abandoned by both the Zenithans and their god," Emily exined when she noticed Orion''s curious expression.


    Orion nodded, recalling that this was the second time he had seen a Zenithan.


    "Let''s go. We are moving straight to the portal," Barion announced, taking the lead.


    Orion and the other Darkwood family members followed quietly. Barion was apanied by five elders, each holding very high positions within the family.


    After navigating through the city streets for several minutes, they finally approached the portal. The area was even more crowded than the bustling city they had just traversed.


    At the centre was an altar, atop which stood the portal. It was arge circr portal, shimmering in bright blue light. Observing its size, Orion estimated it was at least as big as a basketball court, if notrger.


    All around the altar were shops and stalls of various sizes, with many people going in and out of these shops, making this ce one of the many trade locations in Dunes.


    On Dunes, there were numerous portals that were spread throughout the entire and as a result, each location inhibiting a portal became a trade hub for the people of the Magus Kingdom who wereing and going out of this.


    "Look, who that is? That''s Orion Darkwood!"


    At that moment, one of the people in the area noticed Orion.


    "Yeah, I see him too."


    "Do you think the rumours are true?"


    "About him controlling the clones to kill other members of the seven magi families so that the Darkwood Family could flourish?"


    "Yeah, and he is also now the number one rank on the elite ranking, making him the strongest genius of the entire Magus Kingdom."


    "I doubt that ranking. In fact, everything about Orion is very suspicious."


    And soon everyone near the portal recognised him and started murmuring among themselves. Their topics rted to Orion in one way or another.


    Orion could hear them very clearly, and that''s why he frowned when they talked about the rumours.


    ''It seems the Silverme family has made their move.''


    Orion frowned and at that moment, a mocking voice called out to his family.


    "Well, well, well, look who decided to show up!"


    Turning around, Orion saw a group led by a middle-aged man with silver hair cascading down to his shoulders.


    "Barion, no matter how hard you try, you cannot protect a guilty person," the man mocked,ughing as he observed Orion''s group.


    Orion immediately stepped forward and pretended to look around.


    "Who is the owner of this dog? Come out and take it away. It''s barking in the middle of the street."


    Barion and the elders nearly choked at his words, but soonughed and joined in.


    "Judging by their clothes, they seem to be the dogs of the Silverme family," Barion sneered.


    "Someone, take these dogs away," one of the elders chimed in, adding to the mockery.


    Meanwhile, the members of the Silverme family were fuming with anger.


    "Brat, do you dare to say that again?" The middle-aged man red at Orion, his face flushed with rage.


    Orion''s expression shifted as if he hade to a realization.


    "Ah, it''s a talking dog, but it can''t hear us. How sad. Let me tell you again then—good dogs, don''t block the paths."


    This time, almost everyone in the surroundings burst intoughter, unable to contain their mirth at the spectacle unfolding before them.