Chapter 174: The Gate of Goffin (1)
Lmt4gDShirone’s party’s eyes lit up as if electricity ran through the room. This was a new phase.TELO
04HXT9lThe reason Shirone recognized heaven as dangerous was due to the low probability of returning. But if there was an escape route, the story changed.UqG9yj
nI0QwYq“Tell me in detail. What’s this way to return?”O6QHVC9
2opCSFV“As you know, the wealth our master left us was confiscated by the Magic Association. We were left on the streets. We didn’t want to seek help from Alpheas either. While we were figuring out what to do, Harvest recalled an old memory. While you were at school, Arin and I traveled. We discovered a secret place that Archmage Viltor Arcane never wanted to reveal. Since he erased his memory, even the Magic Association couldn’t find it.”FYUi2k
DyN“So, this secret place has a way to return from there?”6Cuft
q57JO9G“No. It’s more than that. I’ll show you.”
Arin took out a cubic box from her pocket.Sblfto
yoKnJIt was engraved with patterns in relief and intaglio. It was almost black, but it reflected a rainbow-like light depending on the direction of the incoming light. It had seams like a cube, suggesting it could be turned by hand.mcpAiVV
yymKgtjTess had never seen the object Arin was holding. However, she had heard countless times about the iridescent hues and inimitable patterns.c18geum
xVnVCe“That’s an ancient artifact. Made of a metal that doesn’t exist in this world, its surface is engraved with magical patterns. I’ve heard it can’t be used without unlocking a powerful seal. Am I right?”cLy8M
Uouk5“Yes. And the seal is already broken. It can be used right now.”zSQ
u4ZTess’s eyes sparkled.dOCLe2
R1TOYThe Elzain family collected information on ancient weapons because of their immense power that could destabilize nations.83Znq
dAtNTo her knowledge, unsealing an ancient artifact was internationally forbidden. If any country were to unlock such an artifact, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the world.RUD
QkrYP4“Can I take a look?”cvq
SFLD26When Shirone asked, Arin handed him the artifact. The friends gathered around Shirone’s bed.16KKSrF
lRw7XsbShirone rubbed the surface and examined the seams. As he turned it, something triggered, and the cube split along the centerline, revealing a glass tube inside.9ggKJ0y
W0aWXTHSurprised, Shirone pressed on the cube, but it seemed fixed and wouldn’t close.6eLy
7gt9uzTIndecipherable characters floated inside the glass tube. There was no way to know what it was used for, and the possibility of an explosion couldn’t be ruled out.SaF
aaj5“Wow, it’s beautiful.”3FV25S
gasmGZFOn the other hand, Tess’s eyes sparkled. Growing up hearing stories about artifacts instead of fairy tales, her heart raced with excitement.HGoZ0T
TPUReceiving the cube from Shirone, she asked Canis.Hsf
qaK“But what is this used for? I can’t figure out how to use it.”ZKzE
Nf6rPEr“I don’t know the details either. Arin found it. Here, toss it over.”NLm4jod
sQiTess carefully passed the cube, while Canis casually threw it to Arin, who handled it without any tension, suggesting she had already experimented with it.sc9O0UB
K5IYWatching Arin manipulate the cube, Shirone realized that she hadn’t just stumbled upon its use by luck.zCoPc7r
EomoHMost people, upon seeing an ancient artifact for the first time, would base their assumptions on familiar objects. Shirone thought of cubes and bombs. However, free from such constraints, she was able to identify its unique features.pmYArjq
Fr4d7Realizing the artifact’s extraordinary power, Shirone listened intently to Arin’s explanation.GoLR
NrgXDqj“I don’t know why, but pressing certain parts activates it. Like this… and then pressing here should do it.”MFvoUh
duOXtRed light shot out from the glass tube, staining the room as if with blood. Amy covered her face with a pillow and screamed.5B6rwPE
tAR0p“What is it? Is it going to explode?”j9Y
R3ZQq6She peeked over the pillow, ready for anything.8Ug
QsMVQJhThe beeping sound accelerated, then turned into a hum as the red light faded.OUA1YO
01P9zArin picked up the ancient artifact and pointed to the spot where the cube had been.nEhXCh6
mHbq3“This is the spatial input. It remembers where the cube was placed. Now, let’s try again.”WfaEkq
OdrWhen Arin manipulated the cube, the glass tube emitted a blue light this time.dTzoC
o3wk7She looked around for an appropriate spot and placed the artifact near Shirone.nEz
6kWgcThe tube turned white, and a large black sphere materialized in the air. A similar sphere appeared at the spot Arin had pointed to earlier.w8qdy
vn5V“Oh, this is?”1ihcSE
qkSShirone was astonished.OVG5nG
RYUIt was the black hole he had seen in the space-time of the labyrinth. The ability to compress space and pierce through it. The purpose of this ability was clear.BjckGxk
awD“Now I get it. It’s a portal. A portal that pierces through space-time.”yrMbyBU
GFs1“Exactly. It’s a device called the Metagate. This will be our secret weapon. Let’s demonstrate with Harvest first.”8PR
KlACanis knew no one would volunteer to jump into the black sphere. Harvest, being lifeless, was perfect for the experiment.OjtCxy
9NUe1tfWhen Harvest put his hand into the black hole, it emerged from the other black hole.9iNtmjR
8D6NzAAmy and Tess leaped onto the bed.I3Qpyd
4b6The distance between the portals was three meters. Harvest was stretched across three meters, with parts of his body in each portal. If they had used a person, it would have been an even more bizarre sight.UUpSFVB
4Eej“Heh, heh, heh, this is fun every time.”rLRadk
MwK1UhG“Harvest, it’s dangerous. Come out now.”9ZL2Ut
WFcgArin spoke worriedly. According to their experiments, the portal lasted one minute.I1t
K1KkWhen Harvest withdrew and the portal disappeared, Canis picked up the cube again and spoke proudly.R0mbZP
Agh4“What do you think? It’s a warp device that connects space-time by remembering a specific point. If we remember this location and use it in heaven, we can return anytime.”KewD
E1uwAs the impossible became possible, a wave of emotion swept through Shirone’s party.51oqWr
DsvtiTess, with a trembling voice of awe, said.j7r
eUoKeU“This is… incredible.”q6m9E
tYuP8cmOnly an Archmage like Arcane, who risked his life to visit heaven, could possess such an ancient artifact. That alone was a top national secret.jU9
a9Xr7The most astounding fact was that the seal was broken.sxdMJA4
PoeeSZBIf the existence of this artifact were revealed, it would undoubtedly cause diplomatic friction.b1Pm
NYVAKAxIt wasn’t like the magic circle used by the Parrot Mercenary Band.LPlFMX1
mOpCWhat if a spy infiltrated the royal palace and activated the Metagate? An army would pour in, threatening to overthrow the kingdom. Such was the power of an ancient artifact.yg0gzXy
CrrUyAmy reached the same conclusion. Its use aside, its monetary value was unimaginable.apjgNl
1i7gNo matter how much Arcane’s legacy had been left to Canis, this one item would be worth several times more.8RX
tQji“Could we… sell this?”xVu5JoI
XttrRShe knew it was a ridiculous thought but was curious nonetheless.Y3EWm
wkLfOFrankly, she was dying to know. A hundred billion? A trillion? If they could sell it, her twelfth-generation granddaughter would bow before Amy’s portrait every night. She began to understand why Canis had kept it a secret.LDs8Hvz
4jWTess considered it seriously. As if appraising an item, she examined the Metagate and shook her head.yRXEK
zdMX“Honestly, no one can buy this. At the very least, it would have to be a national entity. The impact would be tremendous. Aside from nations, the most ideal buyer would be the Ivory Tower.”RK5u
7aiBxynNo mage residing in the Kingdom of Thormia could be free from the Magic Association. Other countries also had Magic Associations.rLA7
kucHowever, the Ivory Tower wasn’t bound by such concepts. They pursued magic regardless of world affairs. They were a transnational organization, capable of contending with the world.tJUIPp
E8MucRl“The Ivory Tower is known as the pinnacle of the world. I doubt they would move even for an ancient artifact.”3N58
3X0C“You might think that as a mage. But it’s possible. Look at the Ex Machina incident seventy years ago.”s49aF
TrjXH8X“Ex Machina?”VxqVm4
CHxDUid“It’s the name of an ancient weapon possessed by the country of Koteria. I heard from my father that Koteria strengthened Ex Machina’s security by relocating it thirty meters from its original position to a newly constructed bunker. The international community went into an uproar. It felt like a world war could break out at any moment. Do you understand what this means? The mere act of moving an ancient weapon thirty meters caused such a stir.”mf3N
eC8aRxR“That’s terrifying. What kind of weapon is it?”AKSMsl
FA6“The Elzain family also participated in the intelligence war but discovered nothing. Its form, size, and even the principle of activation are unknown. However, judging by the reactions of neighboring countries at the time, it’s likely a map weapon.”pfsn
bBk“A map weapon?”tvPaJ
QzPKop“It means it’s not a weapon used on the field. It’s named for the fact that the highest leaders make decisions with a map. Although the seal hasn’t been broken, you never know. It’s been seventy years.”MVLT
r9udQNBMap weapons are devoid of humanity. Maps don’t show who lives there, what culture they enjoy, or what must be protected. It’s a world calculated with a ruler, compass, and pencil.mUxhER
2NmCK7UCanis listened silently as they appraised the artifact.0shTiqc
A1eHe had no intention of selling his master’s artifact. The reason he kept it secret was to engrave his sacrifice. His desire to go to heaven was so strong that he was willing to reveal an ancient artifact.7iCi2
eyT“Hmm, Ex Machina… and this is Metagate.”IJZjoK
aHuP9p8Shirone murmured, then turned to Canis.a2j
XURQ“Wait, how do you know its name? Didn’t Arcane erase his memory?”7jP7f2
sib“It was written on a note. Just a series of words. He must have wanted to prevent anyone from inferring its meaning, even if they found the secret place. It’s a meticulousness fitting of my master.”y2q
qgjyeAB“What else was written?”VxQ
cgp7B“Nothing significant. There was no mention of heaven. He must have been reluctant to reveal it. But we can explore it. Because we have the Metagate. What do you think? Is this enough for a deal regarding the Immortal Function?”nV4
LtrDo1qThere was room to consider. The terrifying idea of heaven had turned into a small excitement. With Canis, the probability of survival would increase significantly. But… what was he aiming to gain?0tYvX
t1FDo“Why do you want to go to heaven? Just because Arcane went isn’t a convincing reason. There’s no detailed information. I need to know your motivation to judge.”qh97
AIQqqV5Canis felt more trust in Shirone’s thorough scrutiny. If they were to venture into danger, it would be far more efficient to have Shirone as a companion than a less competent mage.AXbq
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