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Chapter 759: Gateway to Hell

Viserys felt a mysterious calling, riding his dragon towards a location northwest of Novos, about a hundred miles away, and descended from the sky.

This place was near the Roarlas Bay, still surrounded by the Novos mountain range.

It was a mountainous hollow, densely covered with trees, rarely visited by people. As the massive black dragon passed through, wild animals scattered in panic, as if it were the apocalypse. Then, Bellerion descended from the sky.

"Here."

However, Viserys, looking at the scenery in front of him, furrowed his brows slightly.

Although this place was within the Novos mountain range, it was quite distant from the Novos city-state. However, Viserys could feel the calling from this place even from a distance. As he rode his dragon closer, he could see it clearly.

The reason was simple.

This was a massive sinkhole, a deep abyss that resembled the entrance to the underworld. Looking down from the sky, especially facing the abyss directly, gave an eerie feeling, as if the abyss was staring back at him. However, when Viserys landed and stood at the edge, he noticed numerous caves beneath the sinkhole.

This awe-inspiring natural landscape was no unknown phenomenon. It was undoubtedly the largest sinkhole Viserys had ever seen, even larger than the glimpse he caught of the fourteen Fireblade remnants in the Valyrian ruins.

Due to his photographic memory, after reading numerous books, Viserys only needed a moment to recall what this place was.

"It's 'Long Legs' Lomas."

"This guy has traveled to countless places in his lifetime."

Viserys remembered.

"Lomas traveled the world and wrote two famous books, one called 'Miracles' and the other 'Artificial Miracles.'"

These two books were so famous that they became enlightening readings for many Westerosi noble children, shaping their first impressions of the vast world.

"The gods created seven miracles, but humans created nine."

This was Lomas' most famous saying.

The seven miracles created by the gods were natural landscapes, while the nine created by humans were architectural wonders.

"Novos's sinkhole is one of the seven miracles created by the gods."

"People say this is the entrance to the underworld."

Viserys recalled Lomas' books fondly, especially the last description: 'The people around the sinkhole believe it is the entrance to the underworld.'

These early memories sparked Viserys' curiosity. However, with the passing of time and the increasing complexities of life, he had forgotten about these details.

Unexpectedly, he was now drawn to the surroundings of this sinkhole.

"As expected."

"This place, like the caves suppressed by the Old Gods beyond the Wall, is another bottomless pit."

The locals were not wrong. Some of the bizarre and fantastical mythical stories in this world were not just rumors; some were true.

For example, the people living around Novos claimed that this place was the gateway to the underworld. After careful observation, Viserys confirmed it.

This place was indeed a gateway to an unknown realm. Viserys was unsure if it was the underworld or something else. Still, he was certain that it shared a mysterious connection with the dark mist within him, the bottomless pits beyond the Wall, and the Valyrian ruins.

After Victarion was transported to King's Landing, Melisandre, the red priestess, came to Viserys that night and provided a detailed explanation of 'Darkness and Destruction.'

According to the Red Faith, based on a dualistic worldview, the Lord of Light, R'hllor, was the god of light, heat, and life. His eternal enemy, the Great Other, was the god of darkness, cold, and death.

Their endless struggle determined the fate of humanity.

The battle between the Lord of Light and the Great Other was a war erupting within this world. However, beyond that, there was another powerful force constantly infiltrating.

They were referred to as 'Destruction.'

In the Red Temple in Volantis, there was a wall with the inscription 'Darkness and Destruction,' signifying the two major crises threatening the entire world.

The power of the Great Other brought death, while the will of Destruction aimed to annihilate the entire world, even eradicating the Great Other.

According to the revelations brought by R'hllor, except for R'hllor, all other deities were likely corrupted by the will of Destruction. For example, the Great Other and the Old Gods of the North were probably already contaminated. Only R'hllor remained clear.

Therefore, all Red Faith followers firmly believed in the existence of only one true god in this world. Still, this secret was known only to the high-ranking members of the Red Faith.

Melisandre, coming from Asshai, the true city of magic, where sorcerers, wizards, alchemists, moon singers, red priests, dark sorcerers, necromancers, cloud mages, fire sorcerers, blood witches, torturers, judges, poison masters, priestesses, shadowbinders, faceless men, shapeshifters, and worshippers of the 'Black Goat,' 'Pale Child of the Moon,' and 'Night Lion' were all welcomed.

There were no taboos here. They could freely practice their spells, without restrictions or criticism. As long as they wished, they could conduct obscene rituals, copulate with demons, and discuss things that could not be openly talked about.

Melisandre emerged from there, naturally knowing many things unknown to outsiders. Thus, High Priest Benerro regarded Melisandre as a thorn in his side.

However, he only sent Moqorro to Westeros to pick the fruit, and it was not as easy as he thought.

"But Darkness and Destruction seem to be about to revive together."

Viserys, feeling a restlessness in his heart, stood at the edge of the sinkhole. His silver-golden long hair fluttered in the wind, then he clenched his fist.

 

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