Chapter 54: Exploring the Ruins

Inside the brightly lit ice chamber, everything that once crowded the room had been cleared away. Everyone stood pressed against the curved ice wall, leaving only three elderly alchemy masters working busily at the center. Irregular ice blocks inscribed with strange lines and symbols were laid flat on the ground, and whenever two blocks touched, an invisible energy flowed between them. As more blocks were set in place, a large magic array with a diameter exceeding three meters gradually emerged within the chamber. The three masters each took a position outside the array, and together they activated it. With a low, resonant hum, the array spun rapidly. Countless magical characters rotated within, and at the center, a black circular hole slowly appeared. As the array continued, the hole expanded, finally stabilizing at about one meter in diameter.

The three masters retreated into the crowd pressed against the ice wall. At the same time, three alchemical puppets shuffled out from among the people. One of them was the adorable chibi-style golden spider, which moved forward nimbly on its eight slender legs. It approached the black hole, tentatively extending a leg to probe at the edge. Sensing no danger, it pushed its limb further inside, exploring. At last, with a swift motion, it slipped entirely into the hole. Throughout the process, the little spider behaved much like a small animal encountering something novel for the first time. Though its material, design, and power lagged far behind the other two alchemical puppets, the golden spider’s lively intelligence was unmatched by any of its counterparts.

Those qualified to assist in this excavation were by no means foolish; witnessing the golden spider’s display, they felt a complex blend of emotions, each lost in their own thoughts.

Teresa herself, however, had no notion of the attention she had attracted. At this moment, she was wholly focused on sensing her alchemical puppet. Her alchemy skills were inferior to those of the other two assistants, so commanding her puppet required much more mental effort.

Since the golden spider entered the black hole, Teresa felt an increasing strain in her control, as if something obstructed the connection between her and the spider. Instructions that had once been effortless now demanded repeated attempts before she could sense the spider’s response. The spider’s reconnaissance of the cave within the hole became equally arduous. After a long while, Teresa could only tell that the spider had moved seven or eight meters ahead.

Based on the spider’s feedback, the interior was a vast cavern with a sandy floor and a ceiling high beyond reach—at least, beyond the reach of the spider’s stature. The air inside felt unusual, though whether it was suitable for humans remained uncertain. The sand was fine and soft; even the spider’s slender body left shallow impressions in it.

About an hour later, Teresa suddenly staggered back, colliding with the ice wall. Her face was pale and tinged with blue, clearly in poor shape—a side effect of forcibly severing the mental link to her alchemical puppet.

Mu, observing from nearby, his gaze darkening from light gray to deep gray, raised his hand and touched her brow. The cold command met her skin, and Teresa unconsciously straightened, even before she could speak, feeling a warm current surge into her head, soothing her and making her drowsy.

No one questioned Teresa about what she had found inside the black hole; while she was still investigating, the other two alchemists had already reported in detail what their puppets had discovered. Comparing the results, most findings were consistent, and everyone accepted their conclusions, holding no hope that Teresa could uncover anything more valuable.

In fact, it could be said that Teresa received this “task” thanks largely to her “unusual friendship” with Mu—simply scouting the way, regardless of outcome, was already considered a significant contribution.

While Teresa rested and recovered, the three masters began assigning teams to enter the black hole in batches. This hole was the official entrance to the ruins, formed and opened in strict accordance with ancient texts—a method the alchemists took the greatest pride in.

☆☆☆

Once again, feet touched solid ground. There was no time to appreciate the comfort; the soft sand beneath caused them to sink and slip. When eyes opened, a gray mist filled the air. The ceiling was indeed high and arched, and looking up, one could vaguely see many faces—some beautiful, some twisted—hanging from above, as if scrutinizing these intruders, enough to startle the unwary.

Surveying her surroundings, Teresa quickly identified her companions. She struggled up from heaps of fine sand, moving toward Mu’s direction. Closer now, she saw that Mu and the other two alchemy masters stood before a wall painted in vibrant colors. At the center of the scene, a string of ancient elven script, intricate as entwined branches and leaves, drew all Teresa’s attention. Unconsciously, she stepped forward, reaching out to touch the uneven surface, her fingers gliding lightly over the words in the customary style of elven writing.

Suddenly, Teresa felt a powerful suction at her fingertips. Dazed, she stumbled forward and fell—half her body inside the wall, half outside.

“Well, it seems Tess has quite a connection with these ruins,” remarked one of the alchemy masters, teasing as he watched Teresa sprawled, half in and half out of the wall.

Embarrassed, Teresa climbed to her feet, grinning sheepishly. “Pure luck, pure luck,” she replied.

Except for Mu, another alchemy master laughed, “In excavating ruins, good luck is truly important—otherwise, why did you press there instead of anywhere else?”

Teresa could only rub her head and smile foolishly, saying nothing—she dared not. It wasn’t luck. In that instant, she felt something ahead calling to her, prompting her reckless action. Now, that sense of summoning grew ever stronger, as if seven or eight kittens were scratching furiously in her heart, leaving her utterly restless.

2012 is finally approaching—may everyone have a peaceful, smooth, happy, and joyful New Year!