nownovels Chapter 148 Revealed
Chapter 148 Revealed
Chapter 148 Revealed
On the morning of the third day, they were invited to a smaller, more formal meeting room inside the fortress.
Commander Hector and High Priest Moradin were both present, along with two Imperial generals and the former Ash Ring wizard.
He stood in the corner, head down, as if invisible.
"After preliminary assessment and urgent consultation with the royal court," Hector said bluntly.
"The Empire has agreed in principle to establish a temporary, limited intelligence exchange and technical cooperation mechanism with Shadowraven Tower regarding matters related to the Eye of Silence ruins."
"As a first step, we can share the intelligence we currently have about a suspicious location deep within the Ash Plains."
An imperial general stepped forward and pointed out the location on a rough leather map.
The location was in the heart of the Ash Plains, quite a distance from the Burning Mountains and the ruins of Obsidian City, and was marked with danger symbols such as "Quicksand Zone," "Energy Turbulence," and "Active Ash Raiders."
"About two weeks ago, our aerial reconnaissance beasts discovered irregular collapses in the quicksand of that area, exposing the top structure of what appeared to be a man-made building. The style—is similar to the antiquities you identified," Hector said.
"We sent an elite team to investigate, but they were unable to get deep enough."
"The environment there was extremely harsh. The quicksand was moving erratically and was filled with strong energy interference. All of the communication and positioning devices carried by the team failed, and they were also attacked by an unknown energy entity, forcing them to retreat."
High Priest Moradin added, "The priests of the temple, through fire divination, sensed a supernatural energy field deep underground in that area, enveloped by chaotic energy quicksand and some kind of ———— barrier."
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"We suspect that it may be a relatively well-preserved entrance to the Silent Eye ruins."
"However, with the Empire's current methods, a forced breakthrough would come at a huge cost and could damage the ruins."
Hector looked at Rolin and Duden: "You Outland wizards seem to have some unique methods when it comes to energy detection, environmental adaptation, and deciphering relics."
"We'd like to know if your team, with support from Imperial forces on the perimeter, could safely reach the entrance to the ruins and conduct an initial reconnaissance and assessment?"
Duden, the researcher, looked troubled: "This—the risk is too high."
"Quicksand, energy interference, unknown energy attacks—we need more detailed on-site data to make an assessment."
At this moment, the former Ash Ring wizard who had been silent suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible urgency: "Lord Hector, High Priest Moradin, regarding that area, I—when I was in the Ash Ring, I seemed to have vaguely heard my colleagues from the artifact excavation team mention it."
"They call it the resting place of the old observatory and have always wanted to explore it, but environmental issues and internal factional struggles have delayed their efforts."
"They might have more detailed historical records or exploration notes!"
Hector and Moradin looked at him. Hector asked, "What information can you provide?"
The former Ash Ring wizard lowered his head: "I—I was just an outsider at the time, and I didn't have access to the core data. But I know that before the Radiant Rock incident, the Ash Ring had set up temporary databases in several hidden locations in the Burning Mountains."
"Maybe—maybe we can find some clues. I can lead the way!"
His offer was tempting, but also highly questionable.
Will you proactively provide information on the lost data of the Ash Ring?
Are you still willing to lead the way?
Rowling suddenly spoke, his tone flat: "Mr. Guderian, is that right?"
He remembered Hector mentioning the name before.
Former Ash Ring wizard Guderian shuddered slightly, raised his head, and looked at Rolin with some astonishment.
"You were mainly responsible for assessing the energy stability and predicting dangers in the Ash Ring artifact excavation team, right?" Roland continued to ask, looking at him calmly.
A flicker of panic crossed Guderian's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Yes—yes. How did you know?"
"I guessed." Rowling didn't explain, but turned to Hector.
"Commander, High Priest, Mr. Guderian's suggestion may be worthwhile."
"But before that, I have a question for Mr. Guderian."
All eyes were on Rowling.
Rowling walked to the center of the meeting room, where there was a stone basin filled with clean water for washing hands. He extended his left hand, and the Insight Ring on his index finger glowed slightly.
A wisp of star power, mixed with the extremely faint chaotic fluctuations of the Ash Ring spell—a mixture of corrupting energy and simulated by the Echo Unit and extracted from the Purple Plague Stone—was silently injected into the clear water of the stone basin.
A barely perceptible, extremely faint grayish-purple ripple appeared on the surface of the clear water, then instantly subsided.
"Mr. Guderian," Rowling said, looking at him, his tone still calm.
"You said you have completely repented and severed all ties with the Ring of Ashes."
"Then, please put your hand into this basin of clean water. This is a simple testing method from Santa, which is sensitive to energy."
"If you no longer have any residual traces of the Ash Ring spell on you, or if you have no hidden connection to certain energy sources, the water will not change."
This was a test initiated by Rowling on a whim.
Based on the echo unit's deep memory of the energy characteristics of the Ash Ring and his ability to precisely manipulate the Insight Ring, he simulated a scenario that closely resembled the detection of energy imprints.
In reality, the water itself had no detection function; the changes were all due to his secret manipulation.
What he wanted to see was Guderian's reaction.
Guderian's face turned deathly pale instantly!
He stared intently at the seemingly ordinary basin of water, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his body trembling slightly uncontrollably.
He looked at Hector and Moradin, then at the basin of water, his eyes filled with astonishment, fear, and struggle.
He dared not touch that basin of water!
The atmosphere in the conference room froze instantly.
Hector's eyes sharpened like knives, and Moradin's white soul flame flickered slightly.
Gorsen's hand was already on the hilt of his sword.
Duden held his breath.
Guderian's reaction says it all.
"I—I—" Guderian's lips trembled as he tried to defend himself, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence. Under the watchful eyes of the imperial high command and the alien wizards, and under the invisible pressure of the basin of "testing water," his psychological defenses completely collapsed.
"It seems that Mr. Guderian's repentance needs more time to prove." Roland timely withdrew the energy he had been secretly controlling, and Shimizu completely returned to calm.
He stopped looking at the ashen-faced Guderian and turned to Hector.
"Commander, I believe that we should rely more on our own intelligence network to search for information about the possible loss of the Ash Ring, or obtain it from other more reliable channels."
"The risks of having a treacherous person lead the way are immeasurable."
Hector's face darkened, and he waved his hand. Two Imperial soldiers immediately stepped forward and dragged the limp Guderian away.
"I apologize for making this a laughingstock," Hector said coldly.
"The Empire will handle this traitor properly."
"We need a more reliable approach for collaborative exploration of the Ash Plains ruins."
High Priest Moradin gave Rolin a deep look, and something seemed to have changed within the calm white soul fire.
"Insightful, young wizard. Once again you have saved us from potential trouble."
"Rolin bowed slightly: "Just out of caution."
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