Chapter 176: Boulder marks the spot?
Irwin looked at Bendi, unsure what to say. He knew that the world he was supposed to be from was far from where they were now, but he had no idea on which side of Dimarintsia it even was! He quickly decided that the best thing would be to say he didn't know. Besides, he was supposed to have been very young when he left, right?
"I was very young when I was brought to this area," he said with a shrug. "I don't recall exactly what happened after the world shattered or what happened after we were taken away."
Bendi quietly looked back, and for a moment, Irwin thought he was going to ask more, then he just whistled in wonder.
"You must have been unconscious if you don't recall going through Dimarintsia. It's a city that spans the width of that part of the Portal Gallery, and the tallest of its towers brush the barrier."
"It sounds like an amazing place to visit," Irwin said, not sure if Bendi believed him or not.
"Oh, it is. I was inside twice," Bendi said. "Sadly, you need a visit crystal, and it costs over a thousand soulcrystals per week."
"It what?" Irwin blurted, staring at Bendi. "That's-"
"Insane? Impossible? Yes, well, what we call wealth on this side of the Portal Gallery is nothing compared to even a moderately well-off person in Dimarintsia," Bendi said. "So, to answer your question again. No, I've never been to the true main branches."
"Why don't they just allow people through?" Greldo asked as he walked to the railing near them and continued scanning the horizon.
"Power and soulshards, of course," Bendi said, raising his head slightly.
Irwin had the feeling Bendi was happy to be in the center of attention, and as the ex-raider continued talking, his voice became louder as if he wanted more people to listen.
"I spoke to an older explorer when I was there, and he said that all of the named branches have a chokepoint city, as he called them. He said he was from one near a distant branch but lacked the soulshards to return home. Either way, he told me that the chokepoint cities are run by either a powerful family, merchant group, or one of the guilds. According to him, those that are run by the guilds are less strict, but sadly for us, Dimarintsia is run by a coalition of families that all want more than the others want to give, meaning they are squeezing dry anyone who wants to pass through."