Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 556: Mysterious Old Man II

CH556 Mysterious Old Man II

***

”I am the creator of this Heaven-Earth Concordance talismanic field.”

The old man’s words sent ripples through Alex’s mind.

However, before Alex could respond, someone else spoke first.

”Impossible!” Sugud said. ”From the distortions and degradation in the functioning of this formation, this Grand Formation has existed for at least a thousand years. Even if you are Class 7, you could not have lived for that long!”

The old man’s attention finally shifted from Alex to someone else.

”Interesting...” the old man muttered, sizing Sugud up. ”You clearly use a system different from Sigils and Talismans, and do not fully understand how talismanic fields operate, yet you were able to deduce that much.”

”You might possess talent as a talismanic field master. With proper tutelage, you might even excel in the discipline,” he added.

For a moment, he gave Sugud a small nod.

Then he continued, ”I believe this ’Class 7’ you mentioned refers to what is known here in our realm as the Seventh Circle. If that is the case, you are correct about this talismanic field being over a thousand years old. However, you are mistaken about me being Class 7. Before my death, I was actually Class 8.”

Alex’s eyes flashed.

There were many details in the old man’s words that raised even more questions.

”It seems you have many questions on your mind. However, along with my name, the answers to those questions must be earned through a trial,” the mysterious old man said suddenly.

”A trial?” Alex asked.

”Yes,” the old man confirmed with a nod. ”This ground was built by me to impart a special legacy— a legacy that would place its bearer in the crosshairs of those false deities who, no doubt, now control much of the realm after a thousand years have passed... as well as that ’thing’.”

’That ”thing”...’ Alex caught onto another implication. ’Is he referring to the source of the berserk property?’

Alex could not help recalling the gaze that had fallen upon his back earlier within the Red Rock berserk beast nest.

’As I suspected. Something has been guiding me along the path of this world’s mysteries,’ Alex sighed inwardly. ’Looks like all roads lead back to this old man.’

He would be lying if he claimed he was not curious about the secrets and lore of this world. How could he call himself a self-respecting reader —an otaku— if he were not?

Alas, it was clear the old man would reveal little, if anything, unless Alex passed the trial.

Alex suddenly thought of something and spoke.

”If this legacy is antithetical to the Navi —the false deities— aren’t you being too lax about telling me? How are you so certain that we are not agents of the deities?” Alex asked.

”You are an intelligent young man. The answer stands right before you. But if you still cannot deduce it, I will eventually reveal everything... should you pass the trial,” the mysterious old man replied.

Alex fell silent.

He quickly reviewed everything the old man had said since their meeting.

’He knows.’ Realisation dawned. ’He knows we are not from Verdantis. And if we are outsiders to this plane, then we are almost naturally antithetical to the Navi.’

’Furthermore, the way we arrived here —at this trial ground— is suspicious. It is far too convenient. Then there is the ground itself. It is impossible for this place to have existed for a thousand years, hosted countless trials during that time, and yet the deities never caught even a trace of it.’

’There must be something safeguarding this place, preventing agents of the various temples from—’

Alex’s thoughts suddenly slowed as he reached that conclusion.

His eyelids trembled, almost snapping open, but he retained enough presence of mind to keep them closed.

’So that’s it. A super-large, possibly Wildlands-encompassing Grand Formation... the clergy’s apparent abandonment of the Wildlands... so that’s why,’ Alex mused inwardly.

He found himself growing increasingly curious about the secrets and knowledge this mysterious old man possessed.

”Looks like you have figured something out for yourself. Very well,” the old man nodded, still stroking his long grey beard.

He waved a hand. In the next instant, both he and the Fortuna party vanished from the desert illusionary labyrinth chamber.

The Fortuna party members found themselves transported to a mountain peak with a breathtaking view.

The mountaintop resembled the residence of an immortal sage from the fiction Alex had read in his previous life.

It was simple —perhaps even minimalistic— yet everything present, from the flowers in the garden to the wooden furniture in view, even down to the soil itself, radiated dense mystical energy.

It was obvious even to the slowest among them that each item here, though appearing ordinary, was a treasure capable of igniting countless wars in the outside world.

The old man gazed down at the lush, vibrant land below —which none of the Fortuna party could clearly determine to be real or illusory— as though quietly taking in the scenery.

If one observed closely, one would notice that the land below was divided into square regions of space. Within those regions existed distinct landscapes.

Landscapes that bore an eerie resemblance to the various chambers within the Heaven-Earth Concordance talismanic field’s labyrinth.

Alas, it was likely a sight only someone of the old man’s stature could perceive clearly. To the Fortuna party, all they saw were dense clouds and scattered patches of terrain— unable to make sense of the greater picture.

The old man turned towards the group, standing with his arms clasped behind his back.

”The Heaven-Earth Concordance talismanic field is a grand construct that I completed toward the twilight of my life. It is a mystical formation designed to assess the energy, fate, and fortune of candidates who are endorsed by the guardian families scattered across the surrounding lands to protect it.

”Fate and Fortune are of particular importance because, without sufficient measure of either, one would not be able to stand against those false deities... and that ’thing’.”

”The first series of trials were intended to take place within the Grand Labyrinth. The labyrinth was designed to measure a candidate’s — or, in your case, a group of candidates’ — fate and fortune.

”Unlike what some foolish candidates in the past believed, a pathfinding method was unnecessary. So long as one possessed the required threshold of Fate and Fortune, one would naturally be guided through the maze,” he revealed.

The old man’s eyes softened as his gaze passed across the Fortuna party.

”Never did I expect that a party would arrive whose members all possess high Fate and Fortune in their own right. And even more remarkable... that the leader of this party would be a man who does not appear to possess any Fate and Fortune of his own.”

The old man paused, then slowly shook his head.

”No, that is the wrong way to phrase it,” he said. ”Rather, I should say... I did not expect to encounter someone whose Fate and Fortune cannot be seen through by me— even when using this Grand talismanic field.”

***