"The Search for Eternal Night"

Mithra approached the damaged mechanical pillar.

[Inactive Xyrin Energy Point: An energy point designed to channel Xyrin energy to the earth, essentially a stake used to suppress the source of Eternal Night. This stake was broken and is no longer functional.]

[—Even though Eternal Night cannot return, that world hasn't vanished.]

"Excuse me, who are you?"

As Mithra was lost in thought, a young woman with a scholarly air approached.

"Ah, I'm an investigator looking into the damage to this energy point," Mithra said smoothly.

The woman nodded quickly. "I see. My apologies. I thought you were an apprentice here with your professor."

"It's alright. What's your name?"

"Jīn Xiǎoyáng."

"From the Enchanting Land?" Mithra raised an eyebrow.

"No, no. My ancestors migrated here from the Mysterious Kingdom long ago," Jīn Xiǎoyáng waved dismissively.

"The Mysterious Kingdom? Isn't that a legend?" Mithra feigned ignorance.

"Actually, I don't know either. Others say our family is making things up. Our family history was passed down, but I can't prove anything," Jīn Xiǎoyáng said, embarrassed.

Too bad. But Mithra wasn't concerned. "Are you craftsmen?"

"Yes. We're craftsmen who research and create miraculous devices. But I'm still far from mastering it..."

"Xiǎoyáng!" An elderly, thin man called out.

"Grandpa!"

"Call me Professor in this kind of situation! And stop wandering around. Even if you don't understand, you should still learn! And don't talk to strangers!" the old man said impatiently.

Jīn Xiǎoyáng quickly apologized and went to stand behind the old man, whispering an apology to Mithra.

Mithra approached and said, "Good day, sir. I'm an investigator dispatched by Sun City."

The old man's eyebrows were furrowed. "An investigator? Hmph! Remember to investigate thoroughly! Sun City calls Xyrin the source of its power, but it's all for show! Their technology is outdated. They can't even maintain the energy points properly, letting outsiders infiltrate and damage them! It's ridiculous!"

The old man's words were punctuated by spatters of saliva. Mithra stepped back to avoid getting Matsuri's clothes dirty.

Despite being covered in blood before, Mithra still valued cleanliness.

"You're right," she replied sincerely, her voice unchanged, conveying the attitude of "I know I'm wrong, but I won't change."

She wasn't from Sun City.

And judging by his words, this old man didn't seem to be from Sun City either.

The old man shook his head.

Mithra said, "Could you tell me about the status of this Xyrin energy point?"

The old man, while still grumpy, answered, "Some pipes and miracle mechanisms are damaged. Fortunately, the core miracle channeling component is intact. The pipes are easy enough to fix, but the miracle mechanisms are more complex. Creating new mechanisms to work with the old channeling components isn't easy."

Mithra had zoned out.

The old man glanced at her. "It's useless. You're an outsider. There's nothing for you to investigate here. Just catch those culprits! I'd love to give them a good scolding!"

He returned to the group.

Jīn Xiǎoyáng lingered behind. "My grandfather—I mean, my professor...he's strict. I apologize."

"It's fine," Mithra said, unaffected by the scolding.

"The miracle channeling component is the core of the miraculous device, connecting the user's sense power and activating the miracle. The miracle mechanism is a series of components that perform the specific actions after the miracle is activated," Jīn Xiǎoyáng whispered, explaining further.

Mithra, gathering her thoughts, said, "Since the Xyrin energy point's channeling component connects to the Xyrin above, this part is extremely difficult to repair. The other components that distribute the energy are more mechanical and can be repaired, right? Can you fix them?"

Jīn Xiǎoyáng nodded. "We can."

"How well do you understand Xyrin?" Mithra pressed further.

"My ancestors participated in the Xyrin Project in Rising Sun City, so we're experts in this field. Of course, I'm still learning, but my grandfather is amazing!" Jīn Xiǎoyáng said proudly.

Rising Sun City, the current capital of the Xyrin Empire.

Home to the second Artificial Sun, created during the Wandering God era, symbolizing the Empire's rebirth.

Mithra nodded.

So Jīn Xiǎoyáng's grandfather was probably an authority on this subject.

This many people wouldn't have gathered here overnight, especially since a single damaged energy point wouldn't justify mobilizing this many resources. And the distance between Rising Sun City and Sun City was significant, and they couldn't teleport.

These craftsmen must have been summoned before the incident.

Sun City was probably planning something.

Jīn Xiǎoyáng was called away by her grandfather. Mithra didn't disturb the group and wandered around.

Eternal Night wouldn't return, but that world still existed. The Xyrin power in Sun City was suppressing something terrifying.

Mithra was searching for clues.

[Event —— "Searching for Eternal Night"]

[Curiosity can be a virtue, or a poison. I hear you wish to pursue that lost world?]

[Anderet's Gift: The method to enter the "Realm of Eternal Night."]

[Price: You must find your own way out.]

[Accept?]

Anderet, you've actually appeared.

When Mithra saw the name appear in the text, a question arose in her mind.

The "awakening gifts" and the "Hunting the Wandering God" three-option gifts, while clearly from her patrons, only offered descriptions without specifying the giver.

Only gifts triggered by ordinary senses specified the source.

Although Night Eyes was rumored to be a gift from "Darkness" Anderet, Mithra hadn't confirmed it.

But now, Anderet had revealed itself.

It seemed certain.

Thinking this, she realized that the information from Night Eyes must have come from Anderet, possibly even personally encoded by Anderet.

The thought was rather exciting.

Regardless, Mithra decided to convince herself first.

Lost in thought, Mithra saw the text flicker across her face before returning to normal, bringing her back to her senses. "Accept."

Her patrons had extended an invitation; how could she refuse?