The electric cab came to a stop, jolting everyone inside out of their silence. An electronic voice sounded through the cabin.
"The cab has reached its designated destination and will proceed no further, as the border of the Forgotten Region is a restricted zone. Please exit the cab."
"So, it really is happening." Tabitha clicked her tongue derisively. "I still can't believe the esteemed Tier 7 Healer and the Shelter Leader of Silversky Shelter has been banished to the Forgotten Region."
"In case you've forgotten, dear sister," Barnabas replied, "we're no longer members of the Silvermoon family. Mum has also lost her connection with her Spirit Avatar, so they no longer fear her or regard her as a powerhouse."
"Can you two stop bickering and get out of the cab before you're charged with another crime?" Chloe said helplessly.
"What punishment could possibly be worse than being banished to the Forgotten Region?" Tabitha scoffed. "It's not like we're plotting to kidnap or assassinate someone of royal blood."
Barnabas laughed.
"I give up. Go ahead and try." He looked at Tabitha provocatively. "Let's see if you can even get within a hundred meters of anyone with royal blood without being discovered with those malicious thoughts of yours."
"Can't you just keep quiet?" Chloe sighed.
"And act like that guilt-ridden fellow beside you?" Tabitha retorted.
Nicos' face twitched slightly upon hearing that, but he remained silent.
"Easy now, Sister." Barnabas glanced at Nicos with concern. "He's already going through enough. Don't make it worse."
Before misfortune befell him, Barnabas had been especially close to Nicos. As the elder brother, Nicos always looked after him and rarely refused his requests, provided they weren't too excessive. The two of them would even team up to prank Tabitha from time to time, which was one of the reasons the siblings were constantly at each other's throats.
But ever since it was discovered that Nicos could no longer enter the Spirit Realm and that his Spirit-Root had decayed, he had withdrawn from everyone around him. He rarely left his room, and even Barnabas hardly had the chance to speak with him anymore.
Choosing to ignore the siblings' argument, Chloe turned toward the only other adult in the cab, who had remained silent throughout the journey.
"Alfonso, you can return to Silversky Shelter. Someone with your abilities will still be valued there. You don't have to continue with us."
"I serve you, Madam Chloe—not the Silvermoon family or Silversky Shelter." Alfonso's voice was calm but resolute. "I will continue to do so until my last breath."
Alfonso had followed Chloe ever since she was a teenager. She had saved him when he was on the brink of death, and from that day onward, he devoted himself to her. He obeyed only her commands, rarely questioned her decisions unless she sought his opinion, and was always there whenever things went awry.
Looking at the loyal man, Chloe couldn't help but wear a complicated expression.
After everyone stepped out of the electric cab, they stood facing the Forgotten Region.
Although Chloe had seen this place countless times before, it felt completely different today.
Perhaps it was because she was no longer standing outside as the Shelter Leader of Silversky Shelter.
This time, she would be living within it.
The atmosphere surrounding the Forgotten Region was distinctly different from that of the human settlements they had left behind.
For one, the Spirit Essence was so thin that traning through meditation was practically impossible. The air itself felt heavy and stale, tainted with impurities that made every breath unpleasant.
Chloe still remembered the time when the former Shelter Leader of Silversky Shelter had attempted to annex the Forgotten Region and bring it under the shelter's jurisdiction.
The expedition ended in complete disaster.
Not only were nearly all of his troops wiped out, but he also suffered devastating injuries that permanently damaged his foundation. It was only through the support of the Silvermoon family—and Chloe's healing abilities in particular—that he survived the ensuing political struggle among the Human Alliance's noble houses and eventually recovered.
It was because of that incident that the Silvermoon family gradually rose to become the strongest noble family in Silversky Shelter.
From that day onward, no one dared entertain thoughts of conquering the Forgotten Region again.
Instead, it became the destination for exiles, the abandoned, and those considered to have no future.
Once someone entered...
There was no coming back.
"Alfonso," Chloe called, "since you've decided to stay, you'll lead the way. We have no idea what dangers await inside, so remain on high alert for any hostile creatures or unexpected attacks."
"Yes, Madam."
She then turned toward her children.
"The three of you stay behind Alfonso and watch every step you take. We're entering the Forgotten Region now."
The siblings nodded without another word. Even Tabitha knew this wasn't the time for arguments.
"If everyone is ready, let me know," Alfonso said, standing with his back to them while vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
"We're ready, Alfonso," Chloe replied after confirming that everyone was prepared. "You may proceed."
"Very well. Stay close."
With measured and cautious steps, Alfonso began walking toward the Forgotten Region.
The electric cab had dropped them nearly a thousand meters away from the region's boundary, forcing them to cover the remaining distance on foot.
After several minutes of walking, Alfonso slowed to a stop.
"We're here." His expression became solemn. "Prepare yourselves, and stay alert."
He instinctively took a deep breath—
Only to regret it immediately.
The air was foul, thick with impurities that left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Alfonso..." Chloe spoke softly from behind him. "You really don't have to do this."
"I know, Madam Chloe."
He paused briefly before replying.
"But I've already made my decision."
Without another word, Alfonso stepped across the invisible boundary and entered the Forgotten Region.