Chapter 181 â Valhallaâs gate
Two statues were carved on either side of the gate, both towering nearly a hundred meters high. Brendel and Faena did not even reach the size of their toes.
The statue on the left was the long-beared King of Bitter Frost, Kail, and the statue on the right wielding a massive axe was Kort. Both of them were gods of war in Kirrlutzâs legends.
When they reached the strange gate, Faena noticed a few lines written in angular letters, but she could not read the language.
âValhalla was created for the Final Battle. May the stars in the sky still light the ground even after a millenniumââ Brendel read them aloud.
The Sky Knight used his lance and broke through the clouds during the final battle against the Twilight Dragon, signifying the birth of the second era. An ancient history that was even older than King Gatel and the other three Saints.
Much of this ancient language was lost after the War of the Saints, and Faena could not help but stare at Brendel in astonishment. There was only silence in the valley after the youth spoke, making the atmosphere feel a little mystical.
Brendelâs first thought was to confirm whether the gate was the way to Valhalla. It was a powerful fortress built to fight against the Twilight Dragon, but it was still destroyed like the other Sanctuaries, leaving only a fragmented history that was turned into fables for people to trace.
After marveling at the structure for a while, Brendel thought it was time to contact the Druids as promised. The Druids had given him twelve gemstones which he would use to send his coordinates, and then they would send Sifrid, who was the key to opening the gateway, over to him.
He walked next to the gate and inspected the ground, eventually discovering what he wanted.
An angular rock that jutted out from the ground.
The youth scooped away the dirt around the rock to reveal more of it. He carved a circle on it with Veronicaâs sword and placed four green gemstones within the circle, before continuing to carve patterns around them.
Faena found a spot and sat quietly on it. The Lernaia Hydraâs roars which had stopped for a while were starting yet again, and they seemed to be even louder than before. She hugged her knees when she discovered the pebbles around her vibrating.
âHey, what are you doing now? Why did we stop moving?â She asked a little fearfully.
âSerious business. Make yourself useful and go back to the entrance to keep guard. If Andesha doesnât appear, continue to stay there and stop bothering me with your stupid questions.â
âWhat?â Faena was shocked at his rudeness.
This country bumpkin dared to order her?
âYou donât want to? Sure, thatâs fine with me. Iâll leave you behind if she comes. That woman must be fuming, and youâre a pretty good decoy even though youâre incompetent. She will definitely torture you thoroughly before killing you,â Brendel was careful in his carving while he spoke in a delighted tone, as though he was describing a joyful event, âahhh, did I forget to mention that the Tree Shepherds love chopping peopleâs limbs off and plant their demonic vegetation from hell on the injuries? These plants crave blood for nourishmentâŠ.. Perhaps you have heard of their ways?â
The blood in Faenaâs face was completely drained. She pointed at Brendel with a shaking finger: âY-y-y-y-you, how could you describe something so terrifying with a smile on your face!â
âBut itâs the truth?â
Faenaâs rose-like lips quivered, with her tongue seemingly tied up with fear, but she squeezed out her usual unyielding words after a few seconds: âI-I-Iâll return you this favor f-f-for rescuing meââ
She stomped over to the entrance.
Brendel was giggling to himself. It was easy to get her to do what he wanted by prodding her in the right places. His lips started to bunch up together in concentration as he completed the Magic Formation. Space Magic was the most complicated out of all the Magic Formations, and he had discussed the feasibility of this plan with the Great Druid Elder many times.
The final conclusion was to send his coordinates with a Magic Formation, and the people in charge of sending Sifrid by a Teleportation spell were Druid Elders chosen in advance.
The first problem was not difficult. Brendel was an Alchemist, and carving a Magic Formation was not a big problem for him. He easily remembered the sample that was given to him by the Druid Elder and did not even need to refer to it.
The gemstones given to him were natural green agate crystals formed in the Loop of Trade Winds. They were high-quality gemstone capable of forming a Mana Resonance, and were also classified as a low-level Space Element Power. Many Wizards used them as a medium for Transmission Magic.
The distance between his location and the Green Tower was over ten kilometers across the Dark Forest. It was a risky plan that did not guarantee success, but the Druids were prepared for this do-or-die plan, putting all their hope into one basket.
[Well, they do have a backup planâŠâŠ]
The youth knew that the Druids had sent off a group of their young offsprings and elderly away when the Calamity of Wolves started, in hopes of passing down their Legacy to their future seeds. He did not blame them for not putting all their strength to guard the Green Tower, and instead pretended not to see their plan.
[Honestly, this shouldnât be as risky as it sounds. The gamers succeeded in getting Valhalla, and Iâm pretty sure they used this method to communicate with the Druids. Itâs not the first time that this method worked, and definitely not the last time in the game. The problem is with Andeshaâ She somehow managed to block the communication between me and my summons, though Iâm certain that she has to actively cast a magic spell to do so.]
Brendel was the one who proposed this plan. The first time when gamers made use of these gemstones for communication ended up using six of these green agate crystals. Future tests went from a single gemstone to double digits, but statistics eventually proved that four gemstones were the best efficiency to cost, which was at a success rate of ninety-seven percent.
The Druids provided twelve gemstones to Brendel, but the youth planned to use four and pocket the rest. He was certain that Andesha was busy dealing with the Hydra and it was unlikely for her to stop the magic he was going to cast.
When he was finally done drawing the Magic Formation, he pointed Veronicaâs sword at the center and chanted loudly: âIn the name of the Dragon of Time and Wind, I invoke the Law of Delasityle and beseech the Third and Seventh Constellation, to lend your mystical powers to me and pierce through the skies.â
The youthâs voice was deafening, as though a mysterious force was increasing his volume, and a word echoed throughout the valleyâ
âDelasiâŠâŠtyleâŠâŠ.â
Faena hopped into the air like a frightened rabbit. She turned around to see the Magic Formation bursting with green light, moving around the patterns of the Magic Formation like liquid and filling each curved line to its brim.
âWhat kind of magic is this? You actually managed to get the Dragon of Time and Wind to aid you? Why would the Divine Dragon Delasityle grant you its powers?!â
âItâs a Space Magic spell. Also, I did not cast it. Rather, itâs an invoked Law that sends out coordinates.â
Brendel kindly explained to her. He looked up and saw four green lines moving behind the Wall of Clouds. A gigantic wheel was being pulled at its edge, a sign of the Law being invoked.
âSpace Magic? But Delasityle is the Dragon of Time and Wind, why does it have anything to do with Space MagicâŠâŠâ Faena was unable to recall what Divine Being was required to call out for invoking Space Magic.
It was advanced magic that was beyond her level.
âHah? All spells related to Space Magic need the permission from the Dragon of Time and Wind. Donât you know that?â
âO-o-of course I know it, I was just surprised by you casting a high-level spell!â Her face was red from embarrassment and anger.
âOhhh?â Brendel dragged his tone into a mocking one.
The girlâs face flushed even deeper and she snapped: âFine, why does invoking a Space Magic require the permission of the Dragon of Time and Wind?â
âLady, has no one ever tell you how rotten your temper is?â Brendel rolled his eyes and sighed: âSpace and Time are one and the same; itâs just that they exist in different dimensions.â
Brendel quoted the theory of the Archmage, William Pestel. The Space Magic that existed in this current generation was mostly due to his efforts, and legends stated that no one had researched on the topic more deeply that he did.
An old voice answered in great surprise as soon as Brendel finished speaking:
âWhat? Young man, where did you hear these words from?â
Brendel and Faena felt a jolt to their spines, looking to the source of the voice at the same time.
But there was nothing there.
Brendel frowned, making a guess that it was a member of Galbuâs Wizards, and he asked:
âAre you a member of the Silver Alliance? Why do you not show yourself?â
The elderly voice was turned into a chain of hearty laughter: âYoung man, your mind works really fast. Though goading an old man at my age isnât going to work well.â
However, an elderly man wearing long silver robes that reached the ground appeared before Brendelâs eyes.
William Pestle, one of the twelve leaders of Galbuâs Wizards, removed his invisibility spell and showed himself.
He was over four hundred years old, his fame not only limited to Galbuâs Wizards but also well known amongst the human mortals.
A poet who went by the name Colgo, wrote a book called âAbout the story of an Archmagi by Colgo, and sponsored by Bista Merchantsâ. Bista was a considerably famous merchant near Ampere Seale. Natives knew that some of the merchants were eccentric, and it was because of this strange merchant, that the stories of William Pestle became known to the common people.
Brendel looked at the old man with a grimace.
Given the latterâs personality, he might have actually sought a copyright fee from Colgo and BistaâŠ.. Dealing with him was likely to be troublesome.
William showed a little surprise in his eyes when he saw Brendel looking unhappily at him. The youth clearly knew who he was.
âHow strange, you even managed to recognize me?â
âSurely there are many who know your names. The Lord of Kanagi, one of the Twelve Silver Circle Archmagi, the respected leader of the wizards?â
âTo think that I would have these many nicknames,â the elderly man laughed, âbut knowing my name is one thing, to recognize me is another. How quaint, that you even know that Time and Space Magic are one and the sameââ
William squinted his eyes.
The School of Silver was founded by him, but it was still at an immature state on the ideas of Time and Space. Not many acknowledged his theory, and even a few of his old friends disagreed with him. But this young man declared the same hypothesis with confidence, and it made William more and more interested in him.
âWhat, youâreââ Faena could not believe her ears and stared at William with a pair of incredulous eyes. She was at a loss for words.
âMy, my, even the little girl knows of my name, it is my pleasure to meet you.â
[What is this old man doing here? Even though I know that the wizards from Galbu are here, I didnât think it would be one of their leaders. This is bad, heâs probably as powerful as Andesha, and I have no idea what he wants.]
Brendelâs eyebrows could not but lift up.
âDo not worry, young man. Iâm here because Iâm merely curious.â Williamâs smile became bigger, acting as though he could see through the youthâs worries.