This was the exact reason why the Well of Eternal Imprisonment had never been suspected of being a medium-scale dungeon.
Based on the observed patterns of dungeon appearances in this world, another dungeon of the same size would never appear near a medium-scale dungeon.
Even if they did, such occurrences were extremely rare.
Therefore, the probability of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment being a medium-scale dungeon was incredibly low.
Of course, there was a possibility that the Well of Eternal Imprisonment was a large-scale dungeon.
However, the probability of that was zero.
The entire Lanxi Kingdom possessed only one large-scale dungeon.
Large-scale dungeons had not appeared in this world for hundreds of years.
"All the construction materials for Gray City are graystone quarried from the Gray Mist Valley."
"That is the reason why Gray City is entirely gray."
"The gray mist that permeates Gray City is also due to this building material."
"Graystone emits gray mist during the early morning and evening."
Feiwan nodded, thinking it necessary to bring some materials back for the Master to see if they would be of any use.
"Halt, sir. We need to check your identification for the carriage to enter the city."
At the thick city walls, the carriage was stopped at the gate.
Fete quickly took out his alchemist's certificate, fearing he might be too slow.
As soon as the certificate was presented, the guard blocking the way let out a cry of surprise, hurriedly saluting and respectfully holding the certificate with both hands to return it.
"Respected Mr. Fete, welcome to Gray City!"
"On behalf of all the guards of Gray City, I welcome your arrival. If there are any issues, please report them to us immediately."
Fete was momentarily stunned.
Then it clicked. Oh right, I am an alchemist, a noble alchemist. Why was I acting so submissive?
...He had grown so used to being submissive that it felt a bit awkward to suddenly be treated as a social superior.
He cleared his throat.
Adjusting his dignity as an alchemist, Fete climbed back onto the driver's seat and drove into the city.
As they crossed the drawbridge over the moat, the horses' hooves struck the wooden planks with a crisp sound.
Under the salutes of the guards, they passed through the massive city gate.
The sounds of bustle blew past the carriage with the wind.
It draped a layer of mundane life over the travel-worn carriage.
The ground, paved with stone bricks, kicked up a faint gray dust.
Hooves trotted lightly, and wheels turned softly.
"We have arrived, Lady Feiwan."
With Fete's soft call, a fantastical scroll unfurled before them.
Houses were lined up, and gray mist flowed gently.
Looking into the distance, one could see a magnificent castle towering in the center of the gray mist ahead.
With the sound of flapping wings, two gryphons rose from the city walls and flew toward the center of the castle, toward that grand gray castle.
A gryphon feather slowly drifted down from the sky.
Feiwan stood on her tiptoes, reaching her arm out of the carriage window to catch the falling feather.
"Oh, it is a gryphon!"
"It is shedding a bit."
Feiwan held the feather and waved it in the air.
"There are quite a few gryphons in the mountains in the south of the Lanxi Kingdom."
"But they are quite rare in the Northern Territory. The flying mounts usually kept by the lords of the Northern Territory are giant eagles. Those two gryphons should be the mounts of City Lord Therandil's personal guard."
Fete respectfully explained to Feiwan.
The carriage wheels continued to roll forward as rows of houses blurred past.
Feiwan saw playful human children chasing each other across her field of vision.
She saw women in heavy makeup leaning by windows, waving at the pedestrians passing below.
She also saw people in alleys pouring waste water directly into the sewers.
"The security and environmental management of the outer city are a bit poor, but the inner city is much better."
Fete continued his respectful explanation to Feiwan.
The inner city and outer city of Gray City were separated by a slightly lower city wall.
The people of Gray City called it the Old City Wall.
The area of the outer city was a later expansion, while the Old City Wall was the original boundary of Gray City.
As the population grew and Gray City became more crowded, the Lord redesigned the land use.
The poor and those of low status were pushed outside the walls, and an outer city wall was constructed.
The population of the inner city was significantly reduced, and the quality of living became higher, with special attention given to both security and environmental maintenance.
As an alchemist, Fete naturally had the right to enter the inner city.
It was not difficult for him to become a respectable resident of Gray City's inner city.
One only needed to buy a property in the inner city, pay property taxes regularly, and provide proof of a qualified annual income.
Of course, if one's status was noble enough, they could also enter and leave the inner city freely.
This applied to extraordinary beings, nobles, wealthy merchants, and celebrities.
"We are almost there, Lady Feiwan."
Feiwan did not pay attention to Fete.
The moment they entered the inner city, Feiwan felt a sense of danger.
This feeling... was similar to Tongmu's power.
Something, or perhaps some magical artifact, was monitoring the entire inner city.
No, it was likely just sensory coverage.
Tongmu was the first Guardian created by the Master, and its gaze could radiate throughout the entire dungeon and everything around it.
That was a powerful and terrifying ability.
This current sensation was inferior to Tongmu's.
It was likely a similar ability that could only sense mana reactions within a certain area.
Feiwan looked up at the towering castle on the hilltop.
The magical artifact covering the entire inner city should be located there.
A masterpiece grade magical artifact.
In addition to that, Feiwan sensed three massive mana signatures.
The owners of these three mana signatures seemed to have no intention of hiding them, displaying them openly.
Any mage above the third rank entering the inner city should be able to sense this massive aura of mana.
As expected, this city was not ordinary.
The Grey family, the Adventurer Association, and the Prince—the energies of these three factions were all concentrated on this city.
Even though the majority of their forces had already been deployed into the dungeon, a considerable amount of power remained in Gray City.
She had to prepare a backup plan to deal with any crisis that might occur at any time.
Feiwan wanted to complete the mission excellently and earn the Master's favor.
But before that, she had to be sufficiently cautious and absolutely could not let the Master suffer any loss.
...
Meanwhile, inside the Gray Castle of Gray City.
In the high tower at the top of the fortress, an old mage who had been constantly monitoring the Gray Mist Bell opened his eyes.
"The bell wavered, but it did not ring."
"To be able to hide mana to such an extent... which old friend from the Northern Territory has arrived?"
On the other side of the Gray Mist Bell, a graceful young woman with a greatsword on her back leaned against the window and glanced back at the old mage.
"How many times has it been now, Tobin? I think you are getting old. Not only can you not control your bladder, but your head is going as well."
The old mage named Tobin looked at the female swordsman.
"Whether I can control my bladder or not, do you want to come and try for yourself? You were the one who often begged for mercy when you were young, Olorine."
Olorine gave a disdainful smile.
"Back then, you cheated with magic. Who could withstand it when you used magic like that? Besides, I have always been young."
Ignoring Olorine's attempts to act young, Tobin withdrew his gaze and reached out to stroke the large bell before him.
"I will not make a mistake. The news has already been leaked, which is why so many people have been drawn here."
"For now, I can only hope the Alchemist Association can help divert their attention."
"The Undying Wardrobe must not be lost."
After Tobin finished speaking, Olorine brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and asked casually.
"You said it was leaked."
"Who else knows about this?"
Tobin gazed at Olorine, his eyes sharp.
"Me, you."
"And the City Lord."
In the tower at the highest point of Gray Castle, overlooking the entire city, silence fell instantly.
Even the sound of the wind seemed to vanish.
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