Chapter 283: The City of Dune

Solomon walked inside and glanced around. The interior looked like a massive, sprawling city carved directly into the mountain. He found an open doorway not far from the main entrance and decided to go in.

’What else could happen other than encountering a monster?’ he thought to himself.

The inside of the building was incredibly clean and pristine, as if it had been meticulously maintained for centuries. Fire torches crackled warmly in iron sconces, thick wax candles flickered on polished wooden tables, and heavy silk curtains framed the large windows.

Solomon could even smell the faint, soothing scent of burning incense.

"What kind of place is this?" Solomon muttered, keeping his hand on his greatsword. "Is this what they call a mirage?"

"Welcome, traveler," a calm voice echoed from the hallway.

Solomon spun around immediately, dropping into a defensive stance. He saw a tanned woman with dark, striking eyes and a sharp bob-cut hairstyle. She wore light, flowing fabrics perfectly suited for the harsh desert climate.

She bowed respectfully to Solomon. "Welcome to the sanctuary. Would you like to eat or drink something?"

Solomon blinked in confusion. He felt absolutely zero hostility radiating from the girl. She seemed completely emotionless, her posture relaxed and subservient.

He had dozens of questions to ask, but his stomach growled loudly, interrupting his thoughts. He decided to prioritize food and water first.

"I have not eaten anything the entire day," Solomon admitted, loosening his grip on his sword. "I am hungry and very thirsty."

The girl nodded. "Please, follow me."

Solomon followed her through the pristine corridors until they ended up in a grand dining hall. The room was well-lit by massive candle chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling.

The girl gestured toward a long wooden table. "Please sit. Is there any specific dish you would like to have?"

"I can eat whatever you have," Solomon replied, pulling a heavy chair back.

The girl nodded and walked away toward the kitchen.

Solomon glanced around the dining hall, his eyes scanning the intricate architecture before looking down at the table. He grabbed a ceramic plate and rubbed his thumb across the surface. It was completely spotless, lacking even a single speck of dust.

A large bowl overflowing with fresh, exotic fruits sat in the center of the table, alongside several clay pitchers filled with chilled water. He quickly poured himself a glass and drank three full cups back-to-back to finally sate his burning thirst.

A sudden bead of sweat rolled down his neck. ’Is this some kind of psychological dungeon test?’ Solomon wondered, staring at the empty water glass. ’Will I fail the clear condition if I eat the food? Am I giving into temptations?’

He pondered the risks for exactly one second before chuckling. He shrugged his shoulders and reached for a grape from the fruit bowl. ’What does it actually matter if I pass or fail the test, as long as I get to eat and drink right now? I will just beat the shit out of whatever happens afterward.’

A few minutes later, the girl returned. She carried a massive tray loaded with multiple steaming dishes, balancing the heavy plates effortlessly. Her physical strength seemed rather unbelievable compared to her small, slender build.

She placed everything on the table in front of Solomon and began serving him with practiced elegance. Once she had finished decorating his plate with various roasted meats and spiced vegetables, she stepped to his side, pulled a large feathered fan from her sash, and began fanning him gently to cool the desert heat.

Solomon could see steam rolling off the food. He touched the edge of the meat to confirm, and it was piping hot. He took a cautious bite, smelled the rich spices, and chewed.

It tasted incredible.

Solomon eagerly tried a bite from every single dish, side dish, and fruit platter. "How did you manage to cook all of this food so fast?"

"It was already prepared," the girl responded, continuing to fan him. "I simply brought it out to you."

Solomon raised an eyebrow, chewing a piece of roasted root. "Who prepared it?"

"I did," she answered.

"Is there someone else here?" Solomon asked, glancing around the empty dining hall. "Are there other people living in this city?"

The girl shook her head.

Solomon was even more confused. "Then why would you prepare a feast like this if no one is living here?"

"I am a maid," the girl stated, her tone entirely emotionless. "That is my job."

Solomon fell deep into thought, continuing to eat his meal in silence. A while later, he looked up at her again. "Do you do this every single day?"

"I prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day," the girl answered. "And I serve it if guests arrive."

"What do you do with the food when no one arrives?" Solomon asked.

"I give it to the temple," she replied.

Solomon looked at her and gently pushed the feathered fan away. "You do not need to fan me anymore. You can stop."

She immediately stopped fanning, placing the feathers back into her sash, and simply stood obediently by his side.

Solomon finished eating until his stomach was completely full, polishing off the remaining fruits and rich desserts. Once he was done, the girl gathered all the dirty plates in one massive stack and carried them out of the hall.

Solomon stood up from his chair and inspected the dining hall thoroughly. He walked over to the large windows, pulling the heavy silk curtains aside to look out at the city streets. The cobblestone roads were entirely empty, lacking any sign of life, movement, or decay.

Just then, the girl returned carrying a decorative silver platter. Resting on the tray was a beautifully etched glass covered with a delicate lid. She presented it to Solomon.

He took the glass and pulled the lid off, revealing a thick, dark liquid inside.

"What is this?" Solomon asked.

"It is a specialized drink made from dates," she responded.

Solomon smelled the dark liquid. It carried a rich, sweet aroma. "What kind of dates is it made from?"

"The king of dates," she answered. "Ajwa."

Solomon tilted his head. "Is the Medjool date not considered the king of dates?"

The girl gave no response. She simply stared at him with her dark, emotionless eyes.

Solomon shrugged and took a sip. The liquid was thick enough to leave a lingering, sweet taste in his throat, but it was so incredibly delicious that he kept gulping it down until the glass was entirely empty.

"This is amazing," Solomon praised, handing the empty glass back. "Thank you for the food, the drink, and the hospitality."

She bowed her head. "You are a guest. Guests are meant to be treated as kings."

"Is there anything I can do in return for your hospitality?" Solomon offered.

"I am simply doing my duty," she answered. "What would you like to do next? Would you like to sleep in the guest quarters, or would you like to visit the temple?"

Solomon was already curious about the temple since she had mentioned offering the uneaten food to it earlier. Now, his curiosity had peaked. He wanted to go take a look and see exactly what she was feeding.

"I will visit the temple first," Solomon decided.

"Please follow me," the girl instructed, turning to lead him out of the dining hall.