Amber Sword

And he was sure the Princess would back him up.

In fact, the look the Princess sent over said exactly that. But what she showed even more was curiosity about whether this Teleportation Array could be used elsewhere, and that statement sparked Brand’s intense interest. It was true: an Array that could be drafted on the spot and take effect, even if it only teleported a dozen people, was far more practical than the Flame Temple’s so‑called Flame Gate.

After all, it was cheaper and easier to construct. The Flame Gate looked as if the Flame Temple could pop one out in minutes, but in reality the Holy Temple had mobilized over twenty Elemental Rank powerhouses to build it together, not to mention the cost involved was simply astronomical.

If not for the Holy War, Brand figured that even if you beat the Holy Temple half to death, they still wouldn’t be willing to invest a Flame Gate just for one measly civil war in Erune.

There was nothing embarrassing about that. No matter how important Erune’s geographical position might be, in the grand scheme of things it was an insignificant Existence. The only difference lay in how much you had to pay to pacify its nobles, nothing more.

What the two of them did find unfortunate was that Barbara stated this Teleportation Array was a fixed‑coordinate directional portal. Its original designer might once have had the ability to design similar Arrays that teleported to other places, but that didn’t mean they could do the same.

The technology of the ruins’ inhabitants had long since been buried in the dust of history; what the witches inherited was only a tiny fraction.

The outcome was more or less within expectations, so Brand wasn’t particularly disappointed. He offered the Princess a brief consolation, then silently committed this Teleportation Array to memory. This thing was an Array, an alchemy work as well—who knew, maybe one day one of his own Alchemy Masters could improve it?

And don’t forget, under him was someone who might well become the most famous Alchemy Master in all of Vorn—Tama. Furthermore, according to Tama, Antitina possessed Talent in no way inferior to his, perhaps even surpassing it—though in the design and manufacture of Magic-guided Machinery. With the Existence of these two heavy hitters, Brand felt anything was possible.

He quietly recorded the Array in his mind. Over there, Barbara had already finished drawing a massive Array on the ground together with Sugar Jar. While the Array did require Sugar Jar’s blood, it was not drawn entirely in blood; otherwise, the little girl witch would probably bleed herself dry and still not be done.

The witches did not allow outsiders to watch the process of them crafting an Array—though Brand was an exception. But Brand already faintly sensed the Princess’s intentions, so he couldn’t be bothered to go watch a few old crones sketch maps. He knew roughly how it worked anyway. In alchemy he might not match Barbara, but when it came to Blood Refinement technique, there was probably no one present who could surpass him—a player.

After all, Tama’s Blood Refining Technique was something he had taught her.

As soon as the Array was completed, everyone stepped into it. Then the witches moved to their designated positions and began chanting. What they chanted was almost identical to what they had used back in the forest; it seemed to be a particular set of Ancient Runes here, like a password to open a door, and part of witchcraft inheritance.

The moment the chant began, Brand felt the scenery around him blur. He felt the Princess lightly catch hold of his sleeve, but she released it almost at once. His vision flickered—and then they were somewhere completely unfamiliar.

He lifted his head.

In that instant, he stopped breathing.

He suddenly realized he’d forgotten something very important. Before coming here, he hadn’t asked: "Barbara, have you ever been here before?"

The dry words were almost squeezed out from between Brand’s teeth.

Everyone—including the witches—stared up, dumbfounded.

They all gaped at the hall’s ceiling. "No... Lord," Barbara swallowed. This was perhaps the first time since entering this underground ruins that she had shown any expression other than that stiff little smile.

It was a vast hall.

At the center of the hall, beneath the Dome.

A long spear bathed in Thunder radiated arcs of lightning in all directions as it floated in midair. On the gun blade was painted a scene of Stars falling from the sky; on the shaft, the winding script was the Miner people’s language, bearing the most famous motto in Kruz’s epic history from Ancient times to the present:

"The spear rends the heavens, and the Stars fall from the sky—"

... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) and vote recommendation tickets and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)