Chapter 820
Kidnap the Spirit Tower
Archaeologists…
Alistair actually knew one.
That would be the most authoritative historian in Avalon, the university mentor to Eivass and Lily… Professor Bard.
There weren’t many archaeologists in Star Antimony itself—in fact, there were the fewest among the lands split from the Hrasal Empire.
The original inhabitants of Avalon Island were giants, and there was not much worth excavating there. However, the development of archaeology in Avalon was much better than in Star Antimony.
One of the main reasons was that Star Antimony people were too focused on “practicality”—just like the Star Antimony Alchemy they inherited.
A great artist was most likely a high-level Extraordinary of The Path of Beauty; a great mathematician could be a favored follower of the Geometric Heavenly, and a great sage in the fields of speculation and philosophy would also receive the favor of the Great Philosopher.
Not to mention mystical knowledge such as theology, alchemy, astrology, and Ritual Studies, which were originally linked to extraordinary skills, they themselves meant power. One who specialized in plant knowledge was called a “Botanist,” one who specialized in animal knowledge could become a “Hunter,” and even having a sufficient understanding of law and politics could lead to becoming a Law Master.
But history was different.
This should have belonged to the “Imprint” domain of the Amber Heavenly Envoy or the concept of “Preservation” of Amber… However, the skills derived from these two domains were called Necromancy and Preservation Technique.
In other words, even if an archaeologist became the best in the world, they would not gain any Extraordinary Ability.
Ordinary people, unlike Eivass and Alistair, could not gain “experience” by killing strong individuals. For ordinary people, their profession levels could generally be improved through practical application of their own Path, extensive reading and studying, or great deeds based on their own Path. Whichever way it was, it required a lot of energy and time.
—Since that was the case, what was the use of spending so much time studying history?
In Star Antimony, where Extraordinary existed everywhere, this meant they would become “weaklings.”
And they could have originally become “strong ones.”
But the archaeology in this World was coincidentally highly regarded—
The human history of this World was too brief compared to the history of the World’s civilization. Many ancient peoples had already developed and created numerous civilizations since the state of primitive tribes, long before humanity was born. Until the Hundred Beast Races created by the Beast Lord—these numerous new races, with slightly weaker individual abilities but extremely strong reproductive capabilities, gradually eliminated these ancient races with generally small populations.
“Technological development relies on archaeology” was not a joke in this World. Even the long-lived elves attached great importance to archaeology.
At least in the field of Mystical Art, it was completely normal for power inheritances to be lost.
With insufficient population, this mode of inheritance where a teacher guided students, with generational degradation… was enough to destroy most inheritances with just one natural disaster or one war. This era did not even have the technology to mass-produce purple equipment; most of the currently existing purple equipment came from the excavation of ruins—whether it was the blessing of an Apostle or ancient craftsmanship, things had to be dug out from ruins.
Humanity had only been born for two thousand years; history of this magnitude did not have much cultural depth. The Extraordinary Power developed from scratch was naturally inferior to that of the ancient peoples who had existed for over ten thousand years.
Professions, skills, equipment, technology… these things largely depended on discoveries in archaeology.
In a sense, archaeology in this World was equivalent to “life professions” like artifact forging or pill refining in fantasy or xianxia worlds. Although they lacked combat power themselves, their status was noble.
Professor Bard was not an Extraordinary, but he could directly converse with the Queen. He could even engage in pleasantries with prominent figures like the Grand Arbitrator and Bishop Mathers, and knew many high-ranking ministers. His opinions even had the power to influence those above him—this was enough to show his status.
So Star Antimony people developed another approach.
That was to directly invite archaeologists to conduct excavations here.
They did not cultivate archaeologists themselves but regularly opened up ruins within their territory and even actively paid foreign or even international archaeologists to excavate here. As long as they submitted a report when entering and exiting the ruins, it would not be considered theft. After they finished their excavations, they would then directly purchase or even buy out their excavation and research results.
Star Antimony was powerful enough and paid generously, so there was no need to worry about them not selling.
With the power and wealth of Star Antimony, this transaction model had been going on for a long time.
Many inspirations forAlchemy now came from the “ancient prototypes” corresponding to these technologies.
The ancients had already developed them in another technical direction, and the Star Antimony people had merely optimized and modernized them.
Another model was “sponsoring archaeology.”
This was essentially when a sponsor was particularly interested in something within a certain ruin—for example, a certain technology, an antique, or a knowledge inheritance. However, they did not know where these things were, so they would fund and hire archaeological teams to excavate here. In addition to the items they most desired being taken away by the sponsor, everything else that could be recovered belonged to the archaeological team themselves.
They could take their other findings back. However, it was also possible for them to be intercepted and bought out mid-way.
Sponsors could also use the research reports they provided to continue to offer sponsorship fees for other teams to continue excavating this ruin. Of course, if the team was wiped out in the ruins, it had nothing to do with the sponsor. At most, they would need to increase the price next time they provided sponsorship.
Master Amber belonged to the latter.
Although he had lived for at least five hundred years, he was clearly ignorant of the history from two thousand years ago. In this situation, it was best to find a professional guide to lead him.
“The name of ‘Master Amber’ is Albrecht Dürer.”
Black Aspect Adolf saw that Alistair was somewhat tempted, so he directly provided more detailed information: “He is currently in Daffodil Territory and should continue to recruit archaeologists until next month. If you have any reliable candidates, you can take them to him.
“Of course… perhaps soon, that land can be called ‘Daffodil Duchy.’
“Now that Valentine VII is dead, and Pomanach, who killed him, is also dead… once this news reaches the front lines, the Legions composed of those Black Hawk people should also have their morale crushed.
“Coupled with the heavy snow that fell when Winter Envoy was promoted, I don’t think there will be any fighting.
“After the Daffodil Duchy secedes, the Black Hawk Duchy will follow—both were former duchies annexed by Star Antimony less than fifty years ago, and they possess the Ministry of the Army with the largest number and highest rank of Star Antimony. If the Black Hawk people see the Daffodil people re-establish their nation, they will likely not be able to remain calm.”
“Is the Spirit Tower not going to participate in the war?”
Alistair smiled: “I remember… the Spirit Tower has a cooperation with the Ministry of the Army.”
“Are you referring to Odvar Rasimi?”
The Black Aspect directly mentioned Professor Rasimi’s name: “His cooperation with Leipzig was also within my expectations. This was not a big deal before. Pomanach was a restless person… he had strong control. If there were no eyes within the Spirit Tower, he would likely be so uneasy that he would jump all over the place.
“And now, Pomanach is dead… not only that, but Valentine VIII, who was supported to power, did not receive my and the Principal’s approval at all. He is not the monarch recognized by us, so the Spirit Tower has no reason to continue serving them.”
The implication was that the Spirit Tower intended to withdraw the Undead Legions from the front lines and consolidate them back into the Spirit Tower.
Once they lost this important auxiliary troop, the combat attrition rate for the Black Hawk soldiers and Daffodil mages would significantly increase.
—Although the Spirit Tower had no ambitions, with the deaths of Valentine VII and Pomanach, no one could shake the Spirit Tower’s resolve to lie flat and do nothing.
It was a resolution of iron. Alistair had no doubts.
“I do have an idea.”
Alistair asked with a smile: “Since the Spirit Tower does not intend to serve Valentine VIII… what if I invite you all to Avalon?”
“I think… it’s unnecessary.”
Adolf, without thinking, directly declined: “It’s too troublesome. Anyway, Star Antimony should not have any major upheavals, and we can finally have a few decades of peace.”
“That’s not necessarily true.”
Alistair said meaningfully.
Seeing Alistair’s reaction, Albert was stunned.
He remembered his previous conversation with Count Leipzig and immediately blurted out: “Is it that… Ouroboros Ring ritual?”
“That’s right, that ritual has issues.”
Alistair no longer looked at Adolf but turned to Albert: “You are the next Black Aspect, aren’t you?
“If that’s the case… if the Black Aspect is you, would you want to move to Avalon?”
“Is this your request?”
Albert confirmed.
“It is my request,”
Alistair affirmed.
“Then I agree,”
Albert responded without hesitation: “If I can inherit the position of Vice Principal, I will be responsible for persuading the Principal to move the Spirit Tower to Avalon.
“It should be much quieter in Avalon than in Star Antimony!”
He had clearly been looking forward to this for a long time.
Black Aspect Adolf sighed helplessly and covered his forehead.
Child, at least negotiate something…
(End of Chapter)
