The gates of Asphyxia came into view near sunset.
Kai slowed the hovercraft.
The city rose ahead of him in layers of stone, steel, and glowing mana lines.
For a moment—
He simply stared.
It looked...
Stable.
Different from the chaos of the GFR battle.
Different from the smoke and collapse he had left behind.
Alive.
The guard tower at the gate noticed the approaching hovercraft immediately.
One guard squinted.
Then blinked.
Then squinted harder.
"...What the hell is that?"
Another guard grabbed the railing.
"It’s floating."
"Yes, I can see that."
"It’s coming straight at us."
The first guard straightened.
"Raise the barrier—"
Kai reached into his coat.
Pulled out Alice’s plaque.
Held it up.
The moment the guard saw it—
His face went pale.
"..."
"..."
He leaned over the wall.
Then shouted,
"OPEN THE GATE!"
The other guard whirled around.
"What?! Why?!"
"That plaque belongs to the Queen!"
The second guard stared.
Then saw the plaque.
Then saw Kai.
Then saw the very strange hovercraft.
And immediately began waving both hands.
"OPEN THE GATE! NOW!"
The heavy doors groaned open.
Kai exhaled.
"...That still works."
The guards were already stepping back as if the hovercraft itself might bite them.
One muttered,
"...Why does the Queen keep giving her plaque to insane people?"
Kai pretended not to hear that.
---
The moment he entered the city—
Kai noticed the difference immediately.