They won the Holy Grail War, but this turned out to be the Virtual Tree Universe.

Chapter 121 The City Between Reality and the Underworld—The City of Shadows
After seeing off Diamat, who believed he had finally gotten his money back, Danlei didn't linger. He packed all his valuables into his food pouch and prepared to head to the Land of Shadows.

Danlei does not plan to carry out the modification of Vimona in this world, because in terms of space technology, Star Iron Universe is definitely more professional, and Danlei can even directly buy small space jump devices.

Moreover, I haven't learned how to build spaceships. If I let Dan Lei build a Gundam, he might do a great job, but if he builds a spaceship, he'll probably end up with a broken ship that won't fly for long before it explodes.

It should be noted that Dan Lei's original plan was simply to build a spaceship that could fly, and once it became a concept costume, he would send it directly to the Interstellar Peace Corporation for modification.

Anyway, as long as the money is right, Interstellar Peace Company can put a real spaceship on the outside of your original paper spaceship without damaging a single piece of paper.

As for his own territory, Komao Town, Danlei simply let his good neighbors, Rias and Sona, take over its management.

Danlei did not lie to the two of them on this trip. He told them the truth about where he was going and why he was going, but he did not mention that he might not return for hundreds of years.

When Rias and Sona heard that Danlei was going to the Land of Shadows for his graduation exam, they didn't think much of it, since Scáthach had been with them for several months.

Especially in the last three months, because Danlei has been in seclusion researching artificial artifacts, Scáthach has focused her energy mainly on training Genovya.

In Scáthach's eyes, Genova was still quite naive, so she often ganged up on her with Rias and Sona's familiars.

Of course, Scáthach wouldn't let the two teams work for nothing, and she also gave Rias, Sona, and all their familiars a training session.

Scáthach's training was tough, but Rias and Sona both felt their own and their familiars improve, so they were very grateful to her.

Both of them knew the legend of Scáthach, so it was normal for Danlei to go to the Land of Shadows for the assessment.

Moreover, Danlei's decision to have the two manage his territory was seen by them as a way of having his fiancée manage his assets in advance.

Although Danlei made no progress in his relationship with the two women, the two women accepted it on their own.

After all, they are very confident in their own charm, and it's only a matter of time before Danlei can't resist having an affair.

So the two of them happily agreed.

As for whether Danlei might fail the graduation assessment, the two said that if three people with the strength of a second-level dragon cannot pass a pure combat assessment, then no one in the world can pass it.

Seeing that Rias and Sona had been fooled by him, Danlei released Vimana, wanting to experience the original version of this mythical luxury flying machine.

However, once inside the ship, Dan Lei was utterly speechless.

This is not to say that Diamat gave himself counterfeit goods.

This Vimalakirti is intact, with all its functions intact and its energy fully restored.

The exterior remained untouched; the golden fuselage was inlaid with various gemstones for propulsion, and the crystals on the wings were also intact.

However, unlike Gilgamesh's Vimana which only has a throne, the real Vimana is a war fortress with a large interior space.

Dan Lei was speechless because Diamat had stripped away all the valuable interior parts, leaving only the parts that couldn't be disassembled.

Inside, from the warehouse to the living area and then to the control room, Danlei couldn't even find a single cushion, and the kitchen didn't even have cups, plates, or bowls.

Even a thief would probably just shake his head and leave two coins as charity for the poor.

The magic system didn't keep a single ancient nuclear warhead or missile for itself; the only weapon it had left was the magic laser cannon.

Anyway, after seeing the internal situation of Vimona, Danlei felt no guilt whatsoever about swindling Diamat out of his money.

This woman is really obsessed with money; she's so stingy when it comes to giving gifts. It's unbelievable.

However, Dan Lei could only console himself that the ship was going to be heavily modified in the future, and the interior and weapon systems were going to be replaced anyway, so it was fine if the original ones were gone.

Anyway, the interior space is big enough, and with a little arrangement, it's much better than sleeping in a tent in the open.

Of course, in reality, Danlei didn't end up sleeping with Vimo, whose house was already in a bare state.

Vimana's speed can reach sub-light speed, and traveling from Japan to the entrance to the Land of Shadows on the Isle of Skye in Scotland would only take a few minutes without going at full speed.

Once you arrive at Skye, Scáthach will need to lead the way.

The entrance to the Land of Shadows is extremely well hidden; even among the Norse gods, few know of it.

Scáthach first took Danley to the outer sea of ​​Skye, then they passed through a misty sea area, and finally entered a seaside cave in an unknown location.

After entering the cave, you need to jump into an underground lake and go through a long underground water vein.

After emerging from the underground water vein and flying into the sky, Dan Lei discovered that he was no longer in the real world without realizing it.

Based on historical experience, Dan Lei discovered that this space is somewhat similar to the world bubble in the quantum ocean, and is an independent small world.

However, Orpheus seemed to like this place very much; she unusually spoke up after entering.
"Hmm, this feels like a dimensional rift. It's kind of nostalgic. I'm sleepy. Genovia, carry me."

After Orpheus finished speaking, she skillfully climbed onto Genovia's back, and Genovia skillfully carried her on her back as well.

Afterwards, Orpheus fell into a sweet sleep, as if she were back home.

When Danlei saw that Orpheus was satisfied with the Land of Shadows, he said that this was for the best, because she might have to stay here for a long time, and the time depended entirely on the mechanism of the Holy Grail traveling back to the world that Danlei had been to.

However, while Orpheus felt comfortable, Danlei still felt that this place was not suitable for living beings because the aura of the dead in this world was far too strong.

Moreover, Dan Lei only glanced around at it.

You can then see a vast plain beyond the lake, and deep within the plain lies a fortified city.

However, the entire plain was filled with semi-transparent undead wandering around.

Interestingly, many of the undead here are not wielding swords, but rather old-fashioned rifles that could be displayed in a museum. Some are even driving armored tanks, ranging from Valentine infantry tanks to Panther tanks, creating a scene of undead warfare that transcends time.

Danlei was dumbfounded by this bizarre scene and turned to Scáthach to ask...

"Master, are you sure that city in the distance is Shadow City? Have you modernized this place too?"

To this question, Scáthach simply replied...
"The City of Shadows is a space between reality and the underworld. It is not very big. Only the souls of the dead who have not gone to the Border Prison, Purgatory, or the underworld will wander here."

Generally speaking, these ghosts are mainly soldiers who died on the battlefield.

Previously, both major wars in the real world sent in a large number of lost souls.

Therefore, the spirits here have also become modern.

However, my rules remain unchanged: the first test to enter Shadow City is to pass through this battlefield of the dead and reach the city gates of Shadow City.

Furthermore, this battlefield is protected by a restriction; unless one can break through the restriction, no one can fly and can only leap.

This test was far too easy for Dan Lei. Once he activated the Spirit Binding Technique, all the dead souls were simply offering themselves up as food. Dan Lei didn't hold back, directly activating the Spirit Binding Technique to continuously gather the surrounding dead souls into his hand, and then releasing them, causing their souls to scatter and no longer need to wander this land.

Moreover, while "exorcising" the dead, Dan Lei can also continuously obtain Phantom Dust, although its quality is much lower than that of the God War Battlefield.

In this way, wherever Dan Lei went, the undead within a five-kilometer radius would turn into soul fire and gather in Dan Lei's hands like moths to a flame, so the group easily reached the gate of Shadow City.

Upon reaching the city gate, Scáthach spoke again.
"Normally, opening this city gate, or climbing directly onto the city wall, is the second test for outsiders."

However, I'm here, so you can skip this step, because the city gate will automatically open once it senses me.

As soon as Scáthach finished speaking, the city gate in front of her opened by itself, revealing the interior of the city.

Well, the interior of Shadow City was more normal than Dan Lei had imagined.

Dan Lei originally thought that Shadow City, which was said to be a super military training ground for Celtic mythology, should only have training grounds and fighting arenas inside. Even the residential areas should be inhabited by fierce people, and you could see people dueling every few steps.

As a result, once they entered the city, they found that apart from the almost absence of living people, it was not much different from a normal ancient European city.

However, the undead inside are more advanced and have sentience, unlike those outside the city, which cannot even communicate and will attack if they sense active mental fluctuations.

When the city gates opened, three undead warriors immediately came forward to register him, as the guards on the city walls had witnessed Dan Lei instantly killing undead as he made his way here.

Although Shadow City has not seen any new warriors from the outside world visiting using ancient methods for thousands of years, the soldiers here have not forgotten their rules.

However, when they saw their queen in the group, they were taken aback and immediately bowed their heads in respect.

Scáthach knew that such formalities were meaningless to Danlei, who normally wouldn't stay in Shadow City for long, so she simply waved her hand and said authoritatively.

"You all go back to your posts."

Upon hearing this, the three soldiers didn't dare to ask a single question and immediately returned to their posts.

However, Dan Lei looked at the bronze rings on the three soldiers and asked curiously.

"Master, judging from the insignia on their bodies, these wandering souls are bronze-ringed warriors?"

Scáthach nodded after hearing this and introduced...

"Within the Land of Shadows, regardless of race, the soldiers follow the Celtic soldier system."

From lowest to highest rank, they are clach (apprentice warrior), Cúrad (bronze ring warrior), Laoch (hero), Rígfénnid (royal warrior), Eclas (sword saint), Aire (noble warrior), and Fian (legendary warrior).

We have almost no apprentice warriors here; the lowest-ranking soldiers are bronze-ringed warriors, and heroes are everywhere in the outer city. But you only see them in large numbers in the inner city.

Normally, when a newcomer enters the city, someone will assess their abilities, depending on the circumstances.

But Danlei, you don't need to go through this hurdle anymore. Just come with me to see the main body."

After saying that, Scáthach led the way, heading straight into the inner city.

Along the way, everyone who saw Scáthach respectfully made way for her and bowed their heads in greeting, demonstrating the overwhelming power of the Queen of the Land of Shadows.

The four walked into the royal palace at the very center of the castle, with Scáthach leading the way, pushing open the palace gates and leading them directly to the queen's throne.

At this moment, Scáthach, wearing a crown and a purple gauze dress, also sat on the throne.

At first glance, Dan Lei almost mistook this person for Scáthach Scáthach, but the shared aura with his own Servant proved that she was Scáthach, not Scáthach.

Her clone had returned. As the original body, she naturally sensed it. Although the two had not yet synchronized their memories, she still remembered that she had sensed the summoning and sent a clone out.

Therefore, after sensing the contractual connection between Danlei and his clone, the true Scáthach on the throne said...

“A powerful summoner capable of summoning my clones. Although I cannot foresee your identity, I know you will come here one day.”

Dan Lei looked at the queen on the throne, then at the heroic spirits beside him, and for a moment he didn't know how to address them.

However, Scáthach truly noticed Danlei's confusion and said directly...
"You can call my clone whatever you want to call me."

My clone didn't help you with the first trial, which was meant to be shown to the residents, but it helped you skip two subsequent trials and get directly to me, proving that it believed you were qualified to challenge me directly.

In that case, I'll allow you to address me as you see fit.

After the real Scáthach finished speaking, the Heroic Spirit Scáthach also spoke.

"Danlei, just do as she says."

"Also, release me from this summons now, so that my memories can be synchronized with my original body, and she will fulfill our promise."

Seeing his Heroic Spirit Scáthach say this, Dan Lei didn't hesitate and immediately dissolved the Heroic Spirit contract. Then, in the final moments before Scáthach dissipated, he said...

"Master, thank you for your careful guidance during this time."

The Heroic Spirit Scáthach did not respond; she simply smiled and vanished.

Then, Scáthach's true form instantly erupted with powerful battle aura, she stood up abruptly, and her clothes transformed into battle attire identical to that of the Heroic Spirit Scáthach, before she excitedly exclaimed...

"Danlei, I have received the memories of the clone."

Good, very good. You are a mysterious powerhouse with the power of a second-tier dragon and even a super-tier dragon insectoid. You are qualified to die by my gun or kill me.

I also agree to my promise: if you can truly defeat me, as the victor, you will have control over everything here, including me.

Seeing this, Danlei knew that Scáthach was impatient. After countless years, she had finally encountered a powerful figure whom she could not have predicted, and who truly had the ability to kill her.

So, Dan Lei stopped wasting time and said directly.

“Master, in that case, let’s move to the dueling arena. You should have a dedicated arena here.”

　The author bases all the information about the Land of Shadows on mythology.

　　According to available information, in Celtic mythology, the social structure of the City of Shadows was based on a military hierarchy.

　　However, I couldn't find the specific allocation details.

　　Therefore, the author could only search for Celtic mythological military systems and finally found a relatively applicable one: the promotion system of the warrior class.
　　Clach (Apprentice Warrior): Must prove bravery by slaying wolves. Cúrad (Bronze Ring Warrior): Must capture 3 heads on the battlefield. Laoch (Hero): Must complete 12 independent raids. Rígfénnid (Royal Warrior): Must master chariot driving skills. Eclas (Sword Saint): Must be able to cleave an oak shield with a longsword. Aire (Noble Warrior): Must have 20 or more squires. Fian (Legendary Warrior): Must have participated in mythical battles.
　　Of course, the combat power in the book cannot be calculated according to the mythological setting.

　　However, these levels are only for enriching the background and increasing immersion; the protagonist doesn't actually attack cities.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)