Sherlock looked at Richard and spoke slowly, "According to many ancient records, powerful demonized creatures like ’Lerna’ were quite common, often bringing disaster to humanity. Ancient wizards mainly fought against them, responsible for killing them to ensure the safety of ordinary people, while also obtaining precious materials from their bodies to strengthen themselves.
Some even more powerful demonized creatures were such that not even the most formidable ancient wizards dared to provoke them. Every time these creatures appeared, it was a calamity for humanity, requiring the combined efforts of all wizards to resist. Creatures like the Mountain Giants, Deep Sea Whale Crocodiles, Void Sand Worms, could easily tear apart the ground, destroying an entire kingdom.
But... records are one thing, reality is another. From what I’ve seen, creatures like ’Lerna’ are actually very rare and are becoming increasingly scarce, as if someone has been continuously clearing them out. Many times, I’ve thought that they don’t exist anymore, that they have become extinct. Yet, just when we’re about to overlook them, they’ll suddenly jump out and scare people, bringing fear and trouble.
Therefore, in the case of extremely powerful beings like the Mountain Giants, I’m also not sure if they truly exist. Maybe they’re just dormant, waiting to wake up.
All in all, it’s hard to ascertain the number of powerful demonized creatures, or even if they exist at all. That’s the Main Continent for you. Otherwise, why would I say it’s dangerous? Because many things can’t be answered with certainty."
After listening, Richard pondered for a moment and looked towards Sherlock, "Why do I feel like it’s because you don’t know much that there’s no certain answer?"
"Ah, Richard! You are my dearest friend! Questioning me , in the name of our great friendship, doesn’t seem right," Sherlock exclaimed dramatically.
"Alright, alright," Richard said helplessly, "I believe you. Continue."
"Okay," Sherlock replied, then continued, "I’ll give you a second example to demonstrate the dangers of the Main Continent.
If I remember correctly, the second instance occurred near the Green Grass River. There lived a reclusive, eccentric wizard who seemed to be named Siner or something similar. He lived there for more than a decade without any malicious behavior, so nobody considered him to be dangerous.
But who knew, he’d been researching an evil Longevity Spell all along. After more than a decade, just as his life was nearing its end, he succeeded. Then came a night of insane slaughter; three villages along the river plus a small town, thousands of civilians and more than a dozen wizards, all were killed without exception. And this was merely to find the right materials for his spell.
It wasn’t until a passing wizard was severely injured in a surprise attack by Siner and escaped, that the news spread, followed by the combined killing of Siner by over ten powerful wizards. In the end, although Siner was killed, the three villages and the town were abandoned, and no one dared enter to collect the dead. Eventually, the corpses were incinerated by magic into ashes to conclude the matter."
Sherlock looked at Richard and said, "You must understand that the Main Continent is much larger than the East Coast, with both civilians and wizards being far more numerous. With more people, it’s inevitable that a few madmen will emerge. If they hadn’t grasped extraordinary power, it wouldn’t matter much, but once they obtain that power, and it turns out to be formidable, that’s when trouble starts.
Evil Hild isn’t an isolated case; about every so often, a similar madman shows up. Some are promptly discovered and dealt with, but others are more cunning, changing their identity and hiding, waiting for the next opportune moment to strike. So, if you really do go to the Main Continent, you must always be careful, no matter when. Even when facing a ragged beggar in an alley, stay alert; he might just be an evil wizard in disguise, contemplating which part of your body to chop off."
After finishing his statement, Sherlock paused, then added, "But when it comes down to it, things like powerful demonized creatures and evil wizards aren’t the real danger. Because when they appear before you, you’d immediately know they mean harm and can simply respond with an attack. As long as you’re strong enough, you can ensure your safety.
On the Main Continent, the true dangers are imperceptible, and sometimes, what seems to be well-intentioned could very unfortunately lead to disaster."
"For example, the third case!" Sherlock’s expression became slightly more serious, "It’s an experience I encountered personally.
It was a small kingdom called Shalin, with a tiny territory and a population of just over a hundred thousand. Suddenly, a strange disease spread throughout the kingdom. Those infected developed light green blisters all over their bodies oozing pus and causing unbearable itching. Although it wasn’t fatal, it was immensely bothersome.
Unfortunately, the princess of Shalin Kingdom contracted this disease. The King, at great cost, summoned a wizard, hoping he could concoct a potion to heal the princess and, by the way, treat his subjects.
The wizard took his reward and began to mix the potion within the palace. After spending seven days, he succeeded. But as he was preparing to treat the princess’s illness, a bottle of failed potion was shattered on the floor.
The failed potion blew out of the open window with the wind, and within the next few days, tens of thousands in the royal capital were dead. No one knew why, but the symptoms of death were all identical—faces turned purple, and eyes bulged.
Shalin Kingdom was thus eradicated, and the wizard himself died a month later. Many believed that some bizarre toxin had accumulated in his body, leading to his death. To prevent the toxin from causing further disaster, they disposed of his body by throwing it into a volcano to be melted away."
Turning to Richard, Sherlock said, "It’s worth mentioning that when the disaster occurred, I was in a location quite near Shalin Kingdom. If the wind had changed direction back then, I wouldn’t be talking to you here; I’d be lying in a grave."
By the end of his tale, Sherlock’s face showed a fleeting expression of dread as he muttered, "In any case, the Main Continent is just that dangerous."
Hearing Sherlock’s example, Richard couldn’t help but think of the biological weapon in his hands; if it were to be used, it would likely have a similar effect. He nodded and said, "From that point of view, the Main Continent is indeed quite dangerous."
After a pause, Richard looked at Sherlock again and spoke up, "But apart from the danger, what about other aspects? For example..." He started asking about other aspects.
To this, Sherlock responded one by one.
After talking for quite a while, Richard had gained a vague understanding of the Main Continent and had begun to form a basic outline in his mind.
According to Sherlock, the Main Continent was like an upgraded version of the East Coast, where opportunity and danger coexisted. The difficulty was higher, the risks were greater, but the rewards were more enticing.
On the Main Continent, the lowest stratum of society was the same as the East Coast—ordinary people. However, the highest stratum—the top-tier wizards—was far more formidable than those on the East Coast. The top-tier wizards of the Main Continent possessed more powerful spells, more mysterious forces, and more profound knowledge. Hence, there were more secrets waiting to be unearthed on the Main Continent.
In summary, the Main Continent was indeed a good place to be.