Cosmic Ruler-Chapter 793: Mix V

"This place is called Lareth," the figure continued.

The image of the city grew larger on the wall. The young beings could now see more details.

Large gates stood open. People were moving in and out of the city in long lines. Some carried bags and tools. Others pushed small carts filled with food and blankets.

Many of them looked tired.

The youngest spoke quietly. "They are leaving their homes."

"Yes," the figure said.

The image shifted again.

Inside the city, several groups of people stood in the streets arguing. Some pointed toward the farms outside the walls. Others shouted about the river.

The oldest watched carefully.

"It looks like everyone is blaming someone else."

"That is correct," the figure replied.

The blue sphere floated slowly between the young beings.

"Long ago, Lareth was known for cooperation. Many people from different regions came here to share knowledge, trade resources, and build together."

Another image appeared.

It showed the same city in the past.

The streets were full of markets and travelers. Farmers carried food into the city gates. Water flowed strongly through a stone channel beside the walls.

But the image slowly faded and returned to the present.

Now the river looked smaller. The farms outside the city had dry fields.

The strongest being spoke.

"The land is not producing enough food."

"Yes," the figure said.

"And the river is weaker," the oldest added.

The figure nodded.

"When resources become scarce, fear spreads quickly."

The youngest crossed their arms.

"So people stop trusting each other."

"Exactly."

The image showed several leaders meeting in a large hall. They were speaking loudly, pointing at maps and documents. No one seemed calm.

"They cannot agree on what to do," the youngest said.

"That is the problem," the figure answered.

The blue sphere moved closer to the city image.

"This conflict has not yet become a full war. But it is moving toward that direction."

The youngest looked worried.

"And we have to stop it?"

"Not exactly," the figure replied.

All the young beings looked confused.

"You cannot force peace," the figure explained. "Peace created by force does not last."

The oldest nodded slowly.

"So we must help them understand the real problem."

"Yes."

The image zoomed closer to the farms outside the city. Several farmers were arguing near a dried field.

"Some blame the farmers," the figure said.

The image shifted to merchants inside the city.

"Some blame the traders."

Another image showed guards near the city gates.

"And some blame outsiders."

The youngest sighed.

"But the real problem is the land and the water."

The figure nodded again.

"You see the surface and the cause. That is a good beginning."

The blue sphere began glowing brighter.

"This next stage will not be like the previous trials."

The strongest being asked, "How will it be different?"

"You will not stand outside the problem," the figure said. "You will live inside it."

The chamber floor began to glow faintly.

"You will enter the city of Lareth."

"You will walk among its people."

"You will listen to their fears and their hopes."

The youngest asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

"What if they refuse to listen to us?"

The figure answered calmly.

"Then you must learn why they refuse."

The oldest looked at the city image again.

"There are many groups there," they said. "Farmers, traders, guards, leaders, families."

"Yes," the figure replied.

"And each group believes they are protecting what matters most to them."

The youngest looked thoughtful.

"So if we only help one group... the others might become angry."

"That is possible," the figure said.

The blue sphere slowly moved toward the center of the chamber.

"This trial will test patience more than courage."

The youngest gave a small smile.

"I think patience might actually be harder."

A few of the others nodded.

The figure raised one hand, and the city image expanded until it filled the entire wall.

"You will begin at the edge of the valley."

"From there, the path will be yours to choose."

The youngest asked another question.

"How long will the trial last?"

The figure answered simply.

"As long as it needs to."

The chamber began filling with light again.

The walls slowly faded, and the image of the city became more and more real.

The young beings felt the familiar feeling of movement again.

The youngest took a deep breath.

"I hope we are ready."

The oldest placed a hand on their shoulder.

"We will learn as we go."

The blue light grew brighter.

Then the chamber disappeared completely.

A moment later, the young beings were standing on a grassy hill.

A cool wind moved through the valley.

Below them stood the city of Lareth.

Even from far away they could see damaged buildings and long lines of people leaving through the gates.

Smoke drifted slowly into the sky.

The youngest looked down at the city.

"So this is where the next lesson begins."

The oldest nodded.

"Yes."

They started walking down the hill together.

The path of Hara was continuing.

And this time, the challenge was not monsters or disasters.

It was people.

The group walked slowly down the hill toward the city.

As they moved closer, they began to notice more details.

The road leading to the city gate was crowded. Families walked in long lines carrying bundles of clothes and food. Some pulled small wooden carts. Others carried children on their backs.

Many people looked tired and worried.

The youngest watched them quietly.

"They really are leaving," they said.

"Yes," the oldest replied. "When people lose hope in a place, they try to find safety somewhere else."

A man pushing a cart stopped near the group for a moment to rest. His cart held sacks of grain and a few cooking pots.

The youngest stepped closer.

"Are you leaving the city?" they asked.

The man looked at them with tired eyes.

"Of course we are," he said. "There’s nothing left there."

"What happened?" the youngest asked.

The man shook his head.

"Too many problems. The farms are failing, the river is weak, and the city leaders keep arguing instead of fixing anything."

He looked back toward the city.

"People are starting to fight over food. That is never a good sign."

The strongest member of the group spoke.

"Is everyone leaving?"

The man shrugged.

"Not everyone. Some people still believe the city can recover. Others don’t want to abandon their homes."

He pulled his cart forward again.

"Good luck if you’re going inside," he added before walking away.

The group continued down the road.

Soon they reached the large gates of Lareth.

The gates were open, but several guards stood nearby watching everyone who passed through. Their armor looked worn, and their faces showed clear signs of stress.