Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 392: Verdantis SitRep II

CH392 Verdantis SitRep II

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Alex glanced at Zora and immediately caught the knowing look she gave him.

She was setting the stage—giving him the perfect opening to reveal his solution and reinforce the group’s confidence in both his path and his ability to one day lead them home.

”The answer is oddly simple,” Alex said. ”I just have to translate Runes into the glyphs of this plane—which, according to Kron, are called Sigils.”

”Is it that simple?” Sugud asked with a deepening frown.

He had been raised by two Grandmaster parents who often reminded him that the systems of foreign worlds were notoriously difficult for outsiders to replicate—much less to merge into one’s own cultivation foundation.

For Alex to propose absorbing an entirely different glyph system into his class pathway...

How could that possibly be simple?

”I wouldn’t say it’s simple,” Alex replied with a light smile. ”But I also don’t think it’s impossible. Slightly complex, yes. Still very much doable.”

”May we ask what the source of your confidence is, sir?” Silver asked.

Her tone was polite, but her eyes held layers.

She wasn’t just requesting justification—she was probing him.

Evaluating what kind of noble he was.

Arrogant? Delusional? Realistic? Insightful?

Fortunately, Alex was practiced in reading through such layered inquiries thanks to Zora. Otherwise, he would’ve missed it entirely.

He gestured toward Eleanor.

”What I intend to do is no different from what our fine lady here can accomplish,” Alex said. ”A Healer’s [Translate] spell reads the target’s intent in order to convey the meaning of their spoken words to the minds of the listener.

He continued, ”And with enough exposure, [Translate] eventually allows the listener to directly learn the target’s language basically faux-fluently..”

”What I need to do,” Alex said, ”is essentially the same thing. Only my target isn’t a language or a person—it’s this world’s natural order. Once I learn enough of this world’s Sigil structure, I should be able to convert Runes into Sigils on the fly.”

”In other words, I will still use Runes like I normally do... but the world will interpret it as Sigils.”

Silver—and, out of Alex’s peripheral view, Havel—studied him intently.

Were these the confident claims of a boastful noble?

Or the outline of a workable, if ambitious, plan?

In the end, neither of them could be certain.

They lacked the knowledge to evaluate what he intended.

But they could read the expression on his face that he wasn’t lying nor was he just posturing. He truly believed he could pull this off.

And whether realistic or not—that conviction carried some weight with them.

Alex nodded subtly to himself, satisfied, see as he had passed the first quiet ’assessment’ from his companions. He knew more would come—loyalty wasn’t given, it was earned, especially from elites like these.

And he welcomed it.

Silver, for example, was the type who would become a die-hard loyal retainer once her true trust was earned. She would be loyal to a fault as long as he didn’t royally betray said trust. Which in such an occurrence, she would just as easily turned into a major lifelong enemy.

A high-challenge, high-reward type of retainer.

Havel, too, seemed to carry such a similar quality—if Alex’s Ronin-like read on him was correct. Earn his respect, you gain a steadfast sword. Lose it, and you gain a silent blade pointed at your back.

’It’s a challenge being tested by your own subordinates... or anyone, really. But in their case, honesty is my best weapon. If they’re meant to become loyal retainers, they will. If I lie or put up a façade to win their loyalty, they’ll eventually see through me—then they’ll become some of the most dangerous enemies I could have.’

Alex mused.

Pah!

He clapped once, snapping everyone’s attention back to him.

”There’s no need to make things heavy,” Alex said with a relaxed smile. ”I shared all this because I want you to understand our situation—and because I’m genuinely confident I’ll resolve it. My current handicap doesn’t change our objectives.”

He held up a finger.

”The solution to my path lies in this world’s Sigils and, to a lesser extent, their formation method—what Kron Belloc calls Talismans.”

He gestured toward Kron’s resting form.

”To learn about Sigils and Talismans, we’ll have to explore the continent. But that doesn’t change anything—because we already need to explore it. We must learn the world’s political landscape, resource availability, potential territories, materials for constructing a new interplanar portal... all of that.”

He spread his hands casually.

”So adding my Sigil research to the list barely changes the plan.”

Alex intentionally downplayed the hurdles of his path recovery. Although he wanted them to be aware of it, and keep it at some import –due to its requirement to return them home for now—he didn’t want them treating him like a burden or a handicap because of it.

The subtle relief in their faces confirmed he succeeded.

The understanding that they didn’t exactly need to go out of their way for anything –that it was a goal they could clear simultaneously with others – was very much welcomed.

This was significant because it would mean less time spent on this supremely hostile plane.

”Can you still fight, young master?” Mogal asked cautiously.

Alex met Mogal’s gaze and instantly understood the question beneath the words.

It wasn’t mockery or doubt—it was genuine concern.

Whether that concern came from camaraderie... or because Alex was their only ticket home, though... that remained uncertain.

Still, Mogal’s real question was obvious.

He was wondering –with Alex’s cultivation path essentially crippled—where their leader’s power level laid. Would he be needing a bodyguard?

Alex smiled.

”My situation only affects my mage-level combat power. That said, I can still cast spells up to Grade 4—the standard limit for an typical Intermediate Mage—though, my battle efficiency has taken a hit.”

He raised a hand.

”However, don’t worry about my ability to defend myself... or attack others. Even without Rune-Tech, I can hold my own in close combat against any of you. The knights here can testify.”

The Fury knights nodded immediately.

Every one of them still remembered Alex defeating Kurt Fury in a duel, intentionally abstaining from using any magic, and instead relying purely on physical warrior methods.

This would have been commonplace knowledge, but even more than his achievements in his three military campaigns prior to this Interplanar expedition, Alex ensured this event was not propagated too much.

As much as the feat itself was noteworthy, Alex didn’t exactly like the Fratricide reputation attached to it.

As impressive a feat as it was... the reputation of fratricide was something he didn’t want clinging to him.

Alex added, ”I also have my bloodline to fall back on. You’ve all experienced the power it can unleash.”

Mogal, and his other three followers, thought back to the powerful suppression he imposed on them back in that house in the DragonHold Enclave.

While Alex only revealed that the powerful suppression came from his bloodline, they suspected that there was more to it. And if it was indeed what they suspected, rather than worry about his safety, they couldn’t help envying him.

”And if that still isn’t enough, I can count on Udara to watch my hide.” He chuckled.

He obviously meant it as a joke, but as always Udara took it serious, nodding solemnly.

”You truly are a favoured son of heaven... sir.” Havel remarked, almost forgetting to add the respectful title.

Alex chuckled lightly.

”You’re absolutely right.”

Havel expected arrogance about bloodlines or talent.

Instead, Alex glanced toward his wives—Zora, Eleanor, Udara.

If not for being a favoured son of the heavens, how else would he have gotten these three wonderful women as his wives, but more importantly, get them together with a harmonious relationship between them.

That was the height of fortune as far as he was concerned.

His subtle glance didn’t escape the camp.

Kavakan gave the women a teasing grin.

Zora returned it proudly.

Eleanor flushed bright red.

Udara kept her face blank—but her aura turned faint, a sure sign she was flustered.

Havel watched quietly, his eyes thoughtful.

”Alright, everyone,” Alex announced. ”Rest up. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a very long journey.”

The group dispersed to their tents, the camp slowly quieting under the foreign Verdantis night.

**42**