When the plot-skips players into the game world-Chapter 1036 - 376: Kidnapping the Spirit Summoning Tower

Chapter 1036 -376: Kidnapping the Spirit Summoning Tower

Archaeologist…

Aleister did indeed know one.

It was Avalon’s most authoritative historian, the college mentor of Aiwass and Lily… Professor Bard.

Native Stibnite archaeologists are few and far between—even the least within the lands that splintered from the Helasal Empire.

Avalon Island was originally inhabited by Giants, and as such, there wasn’t much of archaeological interest. However, Avalon’s development in archaeology was significantly better than Stibnite’s.

An important reason for this is that the Stibnite people value “practicality” too much—just like the Stibium-style Alchemy they inherit.

A great artist is likely to be a high-ranking Transcendent on the Path of Beauty; a great mathematician might be a favored one of the Geometric Celestial Marshal, and a great thinker in the field of speculation and philosophy could also be favored by the Great Sage.

Not to mention theology, Alchemy, astrology, Ritual Studies, and such mystical knowledge intrinsically linked with Extraordinary Skills, all of which signify Strength. Those specialized in knowledge of plants are called “botanists,” and those proficient in knowledge of animals might be called “Hunters”—even merely having a deep understanding of law and politics can make one a Legal Mage.

But history is different.

This area was supposed to fall under the “Imprint” realm of the Spirit Amber Celestial Marshal or the “Preservation” concept of Amber… however, the respective skills derived from these realms are known as Necromancy and Preservation Arts.

This means that even if an archaeologist becomes the best in the world, they won’t acquire any Extraordinary Abilities.

Ordinary people, unlike Aiwass and Aleister, can’t gain “experience” by killing the mighty. To increase their professional level, ordinary people need practice in their own Path, extensive reading and studying, or major accomplishments based on their Path. Whichever way it is, it requires a vast amount of energy and time.

—Given this, what’s the point of spending so much time studying history?

In Stibnite, where Transcendents abound, this means they would become “weak.”

Yet they could have been “strong.”

But curiously, archaeology holds a very high status in this world—

The history of mankind in this world is much too brief compared to the civilizations of the world. Many ancestors had already progressed from primitive tribal states, developing multiple civilizations long before the birth of humanity. It was only after the Beast Master created hundreds of beast tribes—these new races with numerous, less individually capable but highly fecund members—that the older races with their generally small populations were gradually displaced due to the new races’ rapid growth rates.

“Technological advancement through archaeology” is not a joke in this world. Even the long-lived Elves value archaeology highly.

At least within the realm of Mystical Skills, it is truly normal for the lineage of Strength to be lost.

In a world with few people, the model of teacher-student heredity, which degrades with each generation… merely a natural disaster or a war is sufficient to destroy most of the heritage. In this era, there isn’t even technology for mass production of purple equipment; most of the existing purple equipment comes from excavation of ruins—whether it’s Angel Envoy blessings or ancient craftsmanship, they all have to be dug out from ruins.

Mankind has been around for just two thousand years, and such a short span of history has little cultural heritage to speak of. Obviously, the Extraordinary Power developed from scratch could not compare to that of the forebearers who existed for over ten thousand years.

Professions, skills, equipment, technology… much of these rely heavily on discoveries made by archaeology.

In a way, archaeology in this world is akin to the “life professions” such as Artifact Refining or Alchemy in fantasy and Xianxia worlds. While lacking in combat ability, their status is revered.

Professor Bard is not a Transcendent, but he can converse directly with the Queen. He can even interact with people as important as the Grand Arbitrator and Bishop Mathers with ease, and recognizes many high-ranking ministers; his opinions can even influence the aforementioned individuals—this adequately demonstrates his status.

So, the Stibnite people developed an alternative approach.

That is to directly invite archaeologists to come here for exploration.

They do not cultivate their own archaeologists, but they regularly open their ruins and even actively pay foreign archaeologists from other regions or countries to come here. As long as reports are submitted when entering and exiting the ruins, it is not considered theft. After the archaeologists are done, the findings and research can be purchased or even bought outright.

With Stibnite’s Strength and generosity in payment, there’s no need to worry about them refusing to sell.

Through the power and wealth of Stibnite, such a trade model has been sustained for quite a while.

Today, many inspirations for Alchemy come from the “ancient prototypes” corresponding to these technologies.

The ancients had already developed them through a different technological approach, and the Stibnite people merely optimized and modernized them.

The other model is “sponsored archaeology.”

That means the sponsor cares about something in particular within the relics—whether it be a technology, an antique, or a knowledge heritage. Lacking knowledge of their whereabouts, they finance an archaeological team to excavate. Anything besides their most coveted items becomes the harvest of the archaeological team.

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They are allowed to take back other discoveries. However, those may also be intercepted midway and purchased.

The sponsors can also continue to provide funding with the research reports they obtain, inviting other teams to continue excavating the site. Of course, if the team perishes within the ruins, it doesn’t involve the sponsor. At most, the price of sponsorship will need to be raised for the next time.

The Amber Master probably belongs to the latter.

Although he has lived for at least five hundred years, he clearly has no knowledge of history from two thousand years ago. In such a case, it would still be best to hire a professional guide to lead the way.

“The name of the ‘Amber Master’ is Albrecht Dürer.”

Black Minister Adolf saw Aleister’s interest and thus provided more detailed information: “He is currently in the Daffodil Territory and should continue to recruit archaeologists until next month. If you have a reliable candidate, you can take them to see him.

“Of course… perhaps before long, that land can be called the ‘Narcissus Duchy.’

“Now that Valentino VII has died, and Pengbonazi, who killed him, has also died with him… Once this news reaches the front lines, the legions formed by the Blackhawk People should also collapse in morale.

“Plus, with the heavy snow brought by the Winter Celestial’s elevation, I reckon battles can no longer be fought.

“Once the Narcissus Duchy breaks away, it will be followed by the Blackhawk Duchy—a former duchy annexed by the Stibnite less than fifty years ago, which also has the largest number and highest level of Army Department troops. The Blackhawk People, seeing the Narcissus People re-establish their nation, will likely also not settle down.”

“The Spirit Summoning Tower isn’t planning to join the battle?”

Aleister smiled and said, “I remember… the Spirit Summoning Tower has a cooperation with the military.”

“Are you talking about Odvar Laximi?”

The Black Minister mentioned Professor Laximi’s name directly: “His cooperation with Leipzig is also within my expectations. It didn’t matter before, because Pengbonazi couldn’t sit still… he had a strong desire for control. Without an eye inside the Spirit Summoning Tower, he probably would’ve been too restless to stop jumping around.

“And now, with Pengbonazi dead… not only that, Valentin VIII, who was supported, has not received my and the headmaster’s approval. He is not the monarch we recognize, so the Spirit Summoning Tower no longer needs to serve them.”

What he meant was that the Spirit Summoning Tower planned to withdraw the Undead Legions from the front lines and shrink them back into the Spirit Summoning Tower.

Once this important auxiliary force is lost, the casualty ratio of the Blackhawk soldiers and the Narcissus mages in battle will greatly increase.

——Although the Spirit Summoning Tower has no ambition to speak of, with Valentino VII and Pengbonazi gone, no one is able to shake the Spirit Summoning Tower’s determination to lay low and slack off.

It was a resolve as solid as iron. Aleister had no doubt about that.

“I do have an idea.”

Aleister, with a smile, asked, “Since the Spirit Summoning Tower doesn’t intend to serve Valentin VIII… what if I invite all of you to Avalon?”

“I think… there’s no need.”

Adolf didn’t even think about it, directly and politely declining, “It’s too much trouble. Anyway, the Stibnite should not have any major chaos anymore, we can finally have a few decades of peace.”

“That’s not necessarily the case.”

Aleister said meaningfully.

Seeing Aleister’s reaction, Albert was stunned momentarily.

He remembered the previous conversation with Count Leipzig and blurted out immediately: “Is it that… Ring of Ouroboros ceremony?”

“Exactly, there’s a problem with that ceremony.”

Aleister stopped looking at Adolf and turned to Albert: “You’re the next Black Chancellor, right?

“If that’s the case… if you were the Black Chancellor, would you want to move to Avalon?”

“Is this a request from you?”

Albert confirmed.

“It’s my appeal.”

Aleister affirmed.

“Then I agree.”

Albert replied without hesitation: “If I can inherit the position of the Vice Chancellor, I will take responsibility for convincing the headmaster to steer the Spirit Summoning Tower towards Avalon.

“In Avalon, it should be much quieter than in Stibnite, right?”

He was clearly looking forward to it.

Black Minister Adolf sighed helplessly, covering his forehead with his hand.

You could’ve at least bargained a bit, child…