After Fíliya added her second reason and repeatedly pleaded with Solitär to let her go inside and talk with Macht. Solitär finally gave up on stopping Fíliya.
She could see that Fíliya was extraordinarily persistent about this. Even if she knocked her unconscious and took her back to the abandoned shipyard, Fíliya would undoubtedly still try to find this Macht.
Now, Solitär truly understood what a vexing thing it was to have a troublesome "little sister."
So, Solitär released Fíliya and walked up to the barrier. She raised her head, looking directly into Macht's eyes, which, though cold, were clearly lit with interest.
She held Macht's gaze for several dozen seconds, then mouthed something to him before slowly turning around.
As for what she warned Macht about, only Macht himself would know.
In any case, after receiving Solitär's permission, Fíliya finally stepped into the Great Barrier of the Golden Land.
...
"Hmm, it seems there's nothing special inside the barrier."
After walking into the barrier, Fíliya stretched casually, then looked at the male demon before her, who was a bit too tall for her liking—a full two heads taller than she was.
"This is the first time I have seen a human that Solitär cares so much for. You must be an interesting individual. Might you tell me your name?"
Whoa, the leader of the Seven Sages of Destruction is quite polite. I wonder if a certain big-horned straggler could learn a thing or two? Fíliya thought to herself.
Macht's extremely respectful wording took Fíliya by surprise; after all, most of the Demon Race she had met were exceedingly arrogant.
"Ahem..."
So Fíliya cleared her throat, intending to put on a serious demeanor.
"Fíliya."
She stated her name, even considering mimicking a noblewoman's curtsy. But then she realized that performing such a gesture in her plain mage robes would be a rather clumsy imitation.
Yes, elegance and the like really don't suit me.
"Miss Fíliya, you are a truly brave woman. If you don't mind, would you allow me to host you? Trapped here for many years, it has been a long time since I've had a proper conversation with a human, especially one as interesting as yourself."
As Macht spoke, he gave Fíliya a gentlemanly bow.
"Of course I don't mind. That's why I came. I'm also interested in many things about you. Let's go."
Fíliya said casually, then glanced back to give Solitär a reassuring look before heading into the gilded city with Macht.
Along the way, Fíliya saw countless human bodies turned to gold.
These golden figures were still frozen in their final actions before being transformed: some were talking with others, some were choosing goods, some watering flowers, or simply walking down the street. Everything was so lifelike.
Wait... no, describing them as "lifelike" is still too strange. These people were alive; their state was just eternally frozen in that single moment.
As she approached a particularly prominent landmark in the golden city, Fíliya slowly came to a halt.
"Is something wrong, Lady Fíliya? Do you have a question?"
Seeing Fíliya stop, Macht very cooperatively stood still as well.
"This place... it's the lord's manor, isn't it? Though the decorations are magnificent and grand, the grounds seem a bit too small... well, for a city's lord."
Fíliya commented slowly.
"Indeed. Weise is not a large city, after all. And the lord of Weise was a noble with great ideals who despised corruption. When other noble factions planned to use my abilities to endlessly create gold for profit, it was the lord who first objected."
Macht said in a calm tone.
"Is that so? The real reason for the objection was that the gold you create cannot be worked, right? What does that have to do with ideals? Gold that cannot be processed is useless, no matter how much of it there is."
Fíliya pointed this out bluntly.
"You are correct."
Macht simply gave an affirmative nod to Fíliya's rebuttal, saying nothing more.
And so, the two of them entered the lord's residence.
After traversing a corridor that was quite literally "resplendent in gold and jade," Fíliya was led by Macht into a drawing room, where she took a seat.
Casually glancing at her surroundings, Fíliya finally spoke.
"Hmm? You called me a rare guest, yet you've led me to such a shabby side room?"
Fíliya was trying to provoke an emotional response from the male demon before her.
"This was my provisional judgment. Based on brief observation, I concluded that you, Lady Fíliya, are the type who prefers smaller spaces. Of course, if my judgment was mistaken, we can move to a larger room to talk now."
As Macht spoke, he stood and gave Fíliya another respectful bow, which conversely made Fíliya feel a little embarrassed.
She quickly waved her hands.
"No, your judgment was excellent. I do prefer talking in small rooms."
"Then that is for the best. Please wait a moment."
Macht said, then turned and left the room.
Before long, he returned with some tea and snacks.
After placing the tea and snacks on the table in front of Fíliya, he silently retreated to one side, just like a perfect attendant.
Fíliya looked at the items placed before her, suddenly feeling quite curious, and asked.
"I didn't expect there to be anything here besides gold. Where did all this come from?"
"They were sent by the human mages guarding this place. Every so often, human mages will deposit supplies inside the barrier. I have always found this strange. Although the human mages have confined me within the barrier, they also seem to be intentionally sustaining my life."
While answering Fíliya, Macht also let his thoughts drift into his memories.
He still remembered the supreme master he had once faced.
It was an elf he was utterly powerless against, one who could not only easily counter his Gold Transformation Magic (Di Agolze), but could also perfectly defend against his sneak attacks.
"That's only natural. What the Magic Association wants is to revive the people inside Weise whom you turned to gold. If they were to kill you, the secrets of Gold Transformation Magic would be lost forever, making it impossible to analyze and reverse. That's why they must keep you alive."
Fíliya said casually, then picked up the cup of tea before her and took a small sip.
"This is nowhere near as good as the tea Solitär makes..."
she thought.
___
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