Outer periphery Floating Islands, underground enigmatic sites,
Has everyone collapsed?
Lis felt puzzled; what did this mean?
Many people lived on the Floating City, apart from those Legendary Arcanists at the very top, downwards from the Gold Level, Silver Level, and even Bronze Level, to ordinary people, how could all of them have collapsed?
Lis pondered in his heart.
By 'collapse,' did it refer to the total physical disintegration of these people, or a mental collapse?
Most importantly, was their 'collapse' the reason why no trace was left behind in the Floating City?
If it was a mental collapse, that still couldn't explain why every single person in the Floating City had vanished.
If it was physical collapse, then unless they turned into ashes all of a sudden, it would be impossible to leave no trace behind.
The key issue was, according to the young girl Azela's statement, the reason for these people's sudden collapse seemed to be the same.
How was that accomplished?
No matter how much Lis pondered, apart from using a horrific area-of-effect spell like "Meteor Burst," it seemed only a mass plague-like method could kill that many Extraordinary Professionals at the same time.
But this is a Floating City, right?
Not to mention anything else, to suggest that those Legendary Strongmen who once controlled this Floating City would be destroyed for such a reason.
Lis thought of the Neserel Magic Empire, which, for some reason, suddenly vanished in the dust of history.
In the once Gaia World, Mages nearly controlled the entire world.
The several Magic Empires established by Mages were extremely powerful, far surpassing the kingdoms of the Fanor Continent nowadays.
To be called an empire, at least one of the six continents of the Gaia World had to be under their control.
Thus, that was the time when the magical power of the Gaia World was at its most flourishing; many novel spells and magic items were created, influencing the whole development of the Gaia World.
At that time, even the Church of the Gods didn't have as much influence on the Gaia World as those few Magic Empires.
But for some reason, during a certain period, all of the Magic Empires rapidly declined and quickly perished, vanishing in the Gaia Main World.
To this day, many relics of those Magic Empires remain scattered across the Gaia Main World.
In fact, Azela Floating City is also considered one of the remains originating from the Neserel Magic Empire.
From this, one can see the former glory of those Magic Empires!
But most importantly, Lis didn't know the reasons why those Magic Empires perished and disappeared.
Even Mr. Stephens never talked about these matters, as if those Magic Empires just suddenly disappeared.
And now, the anomaly within Azela Floating City might very well hold the reason behind the disappearance of those Magic Empires.
"Why do you say all of them 'collapsed'?"
Lis looked at the gracefully standing young girl and continued to inquire.
"My memory module is damaged, and I don't remember the past very clearly, but I still know this."
"But... this involves the secrets of Azela Floating City. According to [Azela Floating City's Final Clause], Article Eleven, I do not have the right to inform you about these matters."
The figure of Azela, suspended in mid-air, tapped her foot lightly and looked at Lis with an expressionless face.
"You can't tell me anything?"
Azela nodded gently, her white hair slightly falling over.
Lis looked at the earnest girl speaking before him and finally noticed the difference between the Azela he was facing and the Black Cat.
Although both were autonomous Magical Intelligent Life forms, it was clear that Black Cat's thinking was more like a normal human's; it acted more based on its own thoughts.
While the girl Azela also possessed autonomy, it was obvious that her creator had set many rules and restrictions for her, limiting her decision-making within a certain range.
"Then what can you tell me?"
Lis looked at Azela with some curiosity, unsure of the Magical Intelligent Life's thoughts.
"Given your current situation, there is very little I can tell you and even less assistance I can provide."
The girl shook her head and answered indifferently.
Lis noticed the implied meaning in the girl's words and tentatively asked:
"Do you mean that, without those so-called restrictions, you wouldn't stop me from taking control of this Floating City?"
In response to Lis's question, the girl nodded lightly:
"Yes, Azela Floating City has been dormant for too long now. Even though Miserla's Core is still operational, it cannot be maintained forever; one day it will collapse."
"Most importantly, according to [Azela Floating City's Final Clause], Article One, in the most critical situation of Azela Floating City, and when all the Legendary-level authorities are not within the city, the Floating City will not refuse a new Controller."
"This is also why I have appeared here."
"Why, because you think I am qualified to take control of this Floating City?"
Lis asked immediately, somewhat surprised by the information.
"Um, even though I have lost control over the Azela Great Library, the information from the Library can still be stored in the core of the Floating City through a one-way channel."
"As a special place in the Floating City, the Azela Great Library conducts talent tests on everyone who borrows a Magic Book, which allows one to broadly determine the category of their talent."