Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 210: The Way Out from the Dark Wave

The sea demons were a race that was enigmatic. It wasn’t merely because their habitats were in the deep sea far away from land — which developed a physical barrier between them and the living beings on land — it was also due to their totally different world outlook and way of thinking. The things that they described would probably have a gargantuan difference with the way that humans understood things. Take, for example, the monsters that were differentiated by humans according to their grade of magic and aggressiveness, but they were differentiated by the sea demons with their chewiness ranking. It was simply too ludicrous, and it was impossible to have a proper conversation.

Therefore, Gawain didn’t dare to determine what was the “giant squid” that the sea demons dug in the deep sea. He could only make a bold assumption from the descriptions mentioned by Tiel and describe it as something related to the gods. As for the exact thing… he would only know after seeing it personally.

It was a pity that there weren’t any opportunities to venture to the deep sea now.

After dinner, Tiel stretched herself. This deep-sea creature who was constantly preparing to hibernate seemingly didn’t have any concept of a stroll after a meal. She was already yawning constantly when answering a bunch of questions from Gawain. The sea demon lady opened up her tail that was bunched up before waving to everyone and saying that she was going back to rest. She then arched and arched as she crawled out of the dining hall.

As expected, the crawling posture was still so awkward…

Betty stood up to pack up the tableware, while Rebecca carried a large stack of rune base plates and scrolls as she returned to her room to continue the calculations. Once Amber finished eating and drinking to her fill, she went into the shadows, and it was unknown what she went off to do. Soon enough, the dining hall was only left with Gawain and Heidi.

Gawain could see that Heidi was thinking something and had asked first, “What are you thinking of?”

“Ancestor, do you believe what the sea demon said?”

Gawain asked in return, “What do you mean?”

“In the legends, the deep-sea creatures were known for resorting to demagoguery and turning people hysterical. There were also rumors from sailors that once their ship leaves the coastal waters, they would be able to hear the songs of the sea demons in the windless night.” Heidi was speaking about the knowledge from the books. “The songs will lure the ships into whirlpools and places with submerged reefs. They would even be able to pull people into nightmares, leaving behind empty and dilapidated ghost ships that drift on the sea.”

“It is obvious that you don’t believe those legends.” Gawain smiled and looked at Heidi. “Furthermore, those sailors’ superstitions are ridiculous. For seven hundred years, how many ships were able to return alive from the remote sea? How can there be so many sailors with ‘personal experiences’?”

Heidi shook her head lightly and said, “The legends might be preposterous, but Tiel’s narrations are also deliberate exaggerations to scare people and to waver the hearts.”

“You are referring to the ‘true Dark Wave’, right?” Gawain knew what Heidi meant and said, “To be honest, I would rather believe that it is true.”

Heidi frowned and asked, “It is because of the recent discovery of those ores at the Dark Range?”

“The Holme Ore was formed during the Dark Wave, and we are unable to determine what kind of matter would vanish during the Dark Wave,” Gawain said softly. “The transformations in the Dark Range have personally been seen by everyone. Back in the Gondor Wasteland… we have also seen countless things that had transformations to their characteristics because of the Dark Range’s influence. A large quantity of new magic-conducting materials might be the same as striking gold, but if such a phenomenon appeared in the whole world, it would be a disaster for the mortal civilizations. Can you imagine what would happen if all the generalized magic-conducting materials had a sudden transformation in characteristics or even vanished?”

“Even the elves’ Sacred Stars Temple would fall.” Heidi laughed bitterly and shook her head before she said, “But the Dark Range still has iron ores and construction materials. The giantwood is still giantwood, while the quartz sand is still quartz sand…”

“This should be considered as the world’s final trace of kindness for the mortals. The transformation during the Dark Wave might not be 100%, but it seems like those fundamental matters and those with low magic sensitivity are the least affected by the Dark Wave. Even if magic-conducting materials were affected, the transformation wouldn’t be 100% either. However, no one can be certain that it would still be the case during the eruption of a ‘true Dark Wave’. Even if the Dark Wave only affected 10% of the characteristics, it would be enough to destroy mortal civilization’s foundations — the magic circles that are still operating, the magic wells in the various parts of the world, mage towers, the magic-conducting materials in the magical devices. If they were affected by the Dark Wave during operations…”

Gawain didn’t say the last statement, but Heidi and Gawain understood what kind of scene it would be — the mortal civilizations would instantly explode and spiral out of the sky…

There was a reason why the Gondor Empire that was unrivaled in power was only able to withstand the Dark Wave for one month before being annihilated.

It was a future that was filled with despair. If the Dark Wave’s true might was as described by Tiel and imagined by Gawain, then the current mortal civilization wouldn’t be able to save itself. Even with Gawain’s two lifetimes of experiences and the millions of years as a satellite spirit, he would never be able to imagine how the current human civilization could contest with the Dark Wave. Who would have expected that the world could lose its foundations and that this world was actually so vulnerable to ‘transformation’?

However… were there really no other methods?

It was unknown why Gawain would suddenly think of the statement he had read in the laboratory in the ancient fortress.

“Humankind shall last forever… Even if we defied the gods.”

Could it be that the Gondor Empire’s Master Mages weren’t researching a method for eternal life, but attempting to study the god’s power to search for a method to deal with the Dark Wave? During the Meteoric Era over one thousand years ago, the Gonder Empire’s Master Mages already knew that the Dark Wave was coming?

Therefore they were saying that “Humankind shall last forever” instead of “Humans shall live forever”. The latter meant eternal life, while the former might mean the survival of the entire race and civilization!

However, during the Dark Wave 700 years ago (the “minor” Dark Wave mentioned by Tiel), the Gondor Empire was only able to withstand one month.

Did their research during the Meteoric Era fail? Did they give up? Did they take the wrong path? Or… perhaps the situation wasn’t as Gawain had imagined, and the research project in the mountains was actually unrelated to the Dark Wave?

Gawain’s mind revolved rapidly as he recalled about the “giant squid” that was being dug by the sea demons at the sea bed.

According to the information revealed by Tiel, the giant squid was already dead at the sea bed before the sea-demon civilization even came. It also meant that the suspected remains of a god had already experienced multiple Dark Waves in the deep sea, but it was never affected…

Sea demons weren’t affected by the Dark Wave either, or they were only affected to an extent. Although their civilization seemed to have taken a hit, they were still able to continue…

“Ancestor?” Heidi noticed that Gawain didn’t talk for a long time and had to break the silence. “What are you thinking?”

“I am wondering if humans have any ways to survive the Dark Wave?” Gawain spoke slowly. “There might not be clear evidence, but I believe a way to survive exists. It is either from the gods or from the elements.”

“Priests and Elemental Mages?”

“No, you are just talking about two kinds of spellcasting occupations. I believe the way out is in the characteristics of those powers or… the characteristics of this world itself.”

As Heidi immersed herself in thoughts after this statement, Gawain couldn’t help but laugh and say, “It is still too early to think about these things now. With our current capability and the entire mortal world’s capability, we are still not qualified to consider such problems. Instead of considering this matter, it is better to return and rest before thinking about the best candidates for the organization.”

Yes, it isn’t the moment to consider this now. At least, it isn’t the moment for Heidi.

Gawain consoled Heidi and asked her to rest in her room. At the same time, his mind was still very concentrated as he called out to the observation satellite in space.

A thermal image-like “magic-thermal topographical map” appeared in Gawain’s mind. Using his position as the center, everything within a few hundred kilometers had been formed into an image of a magic-distribution diagram and topographic map. Dense magic presence started to float and drift in the overlooking diagram. Immediately after, the latest satellite observation information appeared in his mind:

“Planet energy level decreasing. Switching to low alert mode.”

“Planet energy level is at a low level. Affirming that Planet has entered a peace period. Alert dismissed.”

“All systems entering low power output self-observation mode.”

At the very least, there were no signs of the next Dark Wave for now.

……

At the same moment, in the Moss Woods located in between the borders of Duke Franklin’s territory and the western borders of the rest of Anzu Kingdom…

Adjacent to the Anzu Kingdom was the Augari Tribal Country that was an alliance kingdom. Seven hundred years ago, the human pioneers entered the towering mountains and dense jungle from the west and decided to coexist peacefully with the native factions. With agreements and alliances, the western part of the continent had been established firmly. After 700 years of development, any of the races on this land had already formed a new faction. There were more than a dozen intelligent race leaders that were in this place, and the elves, gray elves, fairies, beastmen, and humans were the strongest races and ones with the most authority to speak. These races’ original habitats were in their various main cities, but with the governing structure of the “Five Kings Council”, they were governing this spacious country together.

Different from the Typhon Empire that was on bad terms with the Anzu Kingdom, the Augari Tribal Country had been maintaining a good relationship with the Anzu Kingdom since 700 years ago. The Franklin Clan of the western Anzu Kingdom had contributions in the area that were significant. This clan that was proficient with plans and businesses was always pleased to deal with the races in the mountains and jungles. They had a long-term business with the gray elves, allowing the Franklin Clan to establish a large trade town, and a few specialized assembly points in the “Moss Woods”, that was the main residence of the gray elves, giving convenience to the traveling merchants. During the process, they might have used all sorts of methods to accumulate wealth and had even forced the merchants to exchange a third of their belongings into Franklin coins, putting down a “decree” for them to use Franklin coins in transactions in order for the merchants to travel in the territory. However, compared to the plundering traders on the roads and those hired bandits robbing the nobles, the Franklin Clan could be considered wise people.

Today, the wise Duke Franklin encountered something frustrating.

The trade town at the border of Moss Woods, “Golden Woods Town”.

The blazing flames illuminated the night as large groups of soldiers sealed up the town’s surrounding junctions. The town’s largest trade house had been surrounded so tightly that nothing could enter or exit without anyone seeing.