Kingdom Building: Civilization Starts with Divinity-Chapter 81: Pocket Dimension!

"Alright, we’re here; what did you do this time, Nera?" Alchemy questioned.

"I didn’t do anything! You can’t accuse me of everything you know." Nera pouted, sighing after.

"I don’t know about that." Alchemy chuckled.

"So what happened?"

Nera turned to face the direction of the Horn Tooths’.

"It’s a little hard to explain. Can we start heading there while we talk?

"Lead the way."

Alchemy was beyond confused.

"We believe we’ve found a pocket dimension of some kind."

The young insect’s words caused both Alchemy and Gravana to stop dead in their tracks.

""What?"" The two said simultaneously.

That was all that could escape their mouths at first. Nera nodded in agreement.

"It’s close, too. To the point where it’s in the consecrated land."

"Then how wasn’t it discovered until now? Even if it’s at the edge, I thought the Thorns had mapped out the entire area."

"We did, too. But it must’ve had some sort of illusion skill over it. The Frostmarks discovered it while transporting the Horn Tooth corpses back. I guess that it was set to break when a creature with intelligence got close enough."

’Is that really the case?’ Alchemy hummed inwardly.

Illusions weren’t a rare ability. To hide something in plain sight was definitely related to Illusion magic instead of hallucinogens that Divine Species use or the Mental manipulation of the Demonic Species.

"How much Mana would such a thing use up? It would have to be replenished occasionally if it were an artifact. Teacher, would you happen to know anything about this?" Alchemy asked.

She didn’t expect much, but on the off chance that Gravana knew something.

"You think it’s a magic tool of some kind?" He inferred, to which Nera nodded.

"Automatically recharging such a thing is impossible if we use common sense, but spatial magic is inherently above such a thing. Maybe they’re using spatial movement to keep replacing magic stones?" Gravana guessed.

Thinking about it, Nera shook her head.

"No. That’s too resource-intensive. If it is really an artifact, it’s more likely whoever used it supercharged a high-ranking Mana Shard and simply let it run. But that leaves the question of who would have such capabilities and a reason to hide something in such a random area."

"A high-ranking Lich." Alchemy threw out the possibility.

Now it was Nera’s turn to stop dead in her tracks.

"I mean, it doesn’t make sense that the Magic Device would be designed to reveal its contents if something got too close, but that also could’ve been a malfunction of some sort." She continued.

It was sound logic. A lich would have reason to hide their Phylactery, their literal heart, in a place where nobody would check.

Nobody strong enough to destroy the thing, at least. A low-level forest made a lot of sense. Alchemy had some personal issues with the intelligence of the Lich, as she could think of a dozen better spots to hide it...

But, as close as she was to one, metaphorically or physically, she wasn’t a lich, so she couldn’t harass the fellow too much.

"This is also under the assumption that this is an artifact’s doing. I’ve looked around, but I haven’t found anything that looks like a device. Plus, we’ve already discussed how weird this forest is, so it could be another natural magical phenomenon that we don’t understand." Nera surmised.

Their pace slowed as both Alchemy and Nera grew deep into thought. The prior now understood why Nera was excited. Hell, every word that girl spoke was laced with an amount of energy that she was doing her absolute best to hide and be serious.

Further, it’d be a lie if Alchemy said she wasn’t a little curious about how it worked. However, the slowed pace got Gravana’s attention more than the topic at hand.

"Shapeshifter, all your knowledge comes from my Disciple, right?" Gravana questioned.

Suddenly, Nera snapped out of her thoughts and glared at Gravana.

"Yes? What’s it to you?"

"I’m just curious about where my Disciple had gotten all this information on magic. The way that old monkey made it seem, you were born in this land rather than coming from a place like the Divine Realm. And no matter how I look at it, you don’t have a good grasp of how to use your divine power, is it? I simply cannot understand why you have such a deep understanding of the makings of power you can’t use while you struggle with one you can."

Alchemy turned to face Gravana, her eyes staring deep into his.

For a moment, Alchemy’s eyes seemed like an endless abyss, one that tried to devour everything that Gravana was.

’Why is this stupid wolf so smart? I thought I wouldn’t have to worry about my identity being dissected with Rio being gone...’

"You dare question Mother Goddess?!"

"I do. What are you gonna do about it, little Shapeshifter? You want me to break all 4 of your arms this time?"

"You! I’ll sho-" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Nera, Stop." Alchemy sighed.

Narrowing her eyes at Gravana, Nera backed off.

"You really shouldn’t try probing into the why or how of a mutant’s existence. It’s a fool’s errand. I told you, didn’t I? I simply didn’t exist until I did. How did you become a biped despite being from the same tribe as the Gale Wolves? Why can you utilize wind outside of your body when the other Gale Wolves can’t?" Alchemy spoke.

"Rio’s summary of me has always been a little wrong. While I was a newborn Divinity about a week ago, I’ve already nearly completed my Divinity. Once that happens... Perhaps I’ll know what you seek because I’d also like answers."

Gravana turned away from Alchemy as he got that feeling again. It was the same as the other day when they were at the Ore Dwellers residence.

’What a dangerous little girl...’ Gravana chuckled inwardly.

His instincts, honed from years of combat, were all screaming at him. Telling, urging him not to get involved with Alchemy. How could he possibly not, though? She’s far too interesting!

"Very well. I won’t pretend I know how the mind of you divine folk work."

Once again, Alchemy’s ultimate technique of spewing random bullshit wins again.