Around seven in the evening, Kaiser left his quarters. He went down the main staircase of the manor and walked through the silent hallway where only a few lanterns cast steady light. At the back door, Isaak was already waiting, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He didn't look rushed, but his eyes made it clear he tolerated no delay.
"Follow me to the basement," he said simply.
"Yeah…"
Kaiser nodded and followed, hands in his pockets. He knew every floor of the Paragon manor, but he had never set foot in the basement. The air grew cooler as they descended.
'I was expecting some ordinary warehouse or an archive room… The Paragons aren't that simple, huh!?' he thought while yawning.
At the end of the corridor stood a heavy steel door. Isaak punched a code into a panel embedded in the wall. Kaiser watched every movement closely, memorizing the numbers. A click sounded, then the door slid aside.
The room beyond was almost completely shrouded in darkness. The only light came from a circular structure in the center, made of smooth gray material. It looked like a massive frame supported by several pillars. The air carried a slight charge from tiny energy particles.
Isaak pulled two masks from his inner pocket. They were black with silver patterns.
"These masks are essential. They protect our identity and also alter our voices. Even if someone knows you, they won't recognize you," he explained.
Kaiser took one.
"This was what Father used when he visited Neon…" Isaak shared an anecdote as Kaiser put his on.
"The mask feels cold to the touch, but its smooth surface shows it's probably expensive craftsmanship."
"As you guessed, it's quite costly indeed."
Isaak crouched beside the structure and placed several perfectly cut mana stones. Their inner glow indicated top quality. He inserted them into a designated slot. A deep rumble sounded, then the structure activated.
The center of the circle filled with a shifting surface. The portal slowly lit up, revealing an unstable passage whose colors constantly changed.
"Our destination is very far away. This portal gets us there in seconds."
Then he stepped through first.
Kaiser took a deep breath.
"Here we go…"
The sensation of passing through was brutal, like crossing several layers of pressure.
Kaiser emerged onto a metal platform, nausea hitting him hard. He instinctively clutched his stomach.
"*Cough* Shit… I feel like throwing up…"
Isaak looked at him with a faint mocking smile.
"You get used to it. The first time is always the worst."
"You say that like I'm gonna get used to it *cough* It's awful *cough*"
"Stop whining… You just crossed thousands of kilometers in an instant. What did you expect?"
Kaiser looked up and fell silent. Beneath a black sky stood an immense city. The two moons bathed the landscape in cold light that softened the harsh atmosphere. He could hear a faint breeze and distant sounds showing the city was alive.
He then examined the platform. Around them, about ten identical portals were arranged. All were inactive, but their imposing structures confirmed their value.
Kaiser immediately thought of two things.
'The first was that you probably can't reach this city without going through these portals. The second was that the Paragons are far richer than the author ever imagined in the novel. Each portal costs a fortune to power, and there are ten of them.'
"Don't look so shocked, Kaiser," said Isaak as he descended the steps, wearing a slight smile.
"You must make five thousand gold pieces per semester… at minimum," Kaiser replied, still stunned.
Isaak shook his head. "You're underestimating our business, little brother."
They reached the bottom of the platform. A thin man wearing a neatly pressed suit and round glasses approached quickly. He bowed slightly to Isaak.
"Greetings, Boss."
"Kaiser, this is Larson, my most reliable subordinate."
He then turned to his man. "And you, Larson, no need to remind you to behave properly with my little brother."
"Understood, Boss." He adjusted his glasses, then added in a neutral voice: "Welcome to Neon, Kaiser D. Paragon."
Kaiser felt Isaak's gaze on him. He simply nodded.
"Let's go. I'll give you the tour," declared Isaak.
Larson signaled to a servant waiting beside a small steam-powered vehicle. The bodywork was polished and the engine purred softly. Isaak and Kaiser climbed into the back, and the vehicle started moving.
The paved road vibrated slightly under the wheels. Neon had lanterns placed at every street corner, creating regular squares of light that guided passersby. Along the sides, several imposing buildings rose, balancing elegance and sturdiness. Their sober facades were built to last, and their windows reflected the moonlight.
In the city center, Kaiser noticed light but constant traffic. Everyone wore a mask. Here, preserving one's identity wasn't optional. It was the rule.
Isaak gazed at the city through the window. "I've always loved this nighttime atmosphere. Neon is a criminal city, but it runs better than many official ones. Nobles come here for discreet dealings. They'd rather hide their faces than risk a scandal. No need for guards; everyone knows the rules."
Kaiser also watched the many mercenaries hauling goods toward the buildings. Some wore light armor, others openly displayed weapons.
'That's why you got fucked over. The regulars here won't cause trouble, but what about that hot-blooded dog Kris Donoghan!?' He kept his thoughts to himself.
"Is it night all the time here?"
"Yes. Neon is built to stay in a permanent shadow zone."
"Where exactly are we?"
Isaak shrugged. "Who knows? Neon is a floating artificial island. I suppose we're somewhere near the elven continent's coast, but no one knows the exact location."
"And external attacks? No risk?"
"Impossible. A force field surrounds the island and makes it invisible from the outside. No magic can detect it."
The car slowed and stopped in front of a massive building. The facade was tall, made of perfectly fitted dark stone. Large double metal doors were guarded by two masked men.
"Not even rank-D warriors? The duchy's inquisition is gonna fuck us so hard, damn it!" he muttered to himself.
Isaak gave a slight smile. "Good. Now let's go see what we do here."