The next day, Kael convened a eting with all his key vassals, except for Victor who was occupied with securing food. They gathered in the modern workshop, joined by the eight scholars sent by the Duke. The majority of the staff now working in Bryndis were appointed by the Count from Valteiri to ensure that everyone serving Kael was trustworthy.
A symphony of hushed discussions and curious murmurs filled the air inside the workshop. The eight scholars, newly arrived under the Duke’s orders, eagerly examined the architecture, marveling at the seamless walls and automatic sliding doors. The cool, air-conditioned rooms were a revelation, providing a stark contrast to the outside world.
Sylvaine, the geomancy and infrastructure specialist, could not hide her amazent. "This is unlike any building I’ve ever encountered! The seamless walls, the automatic sliding doors, and even the air-cooled rooms—it’s revolutionary!"
Cedric, who specialized in mana constructs, voiced his agreent. "And the mana source... it’s enchanted to continuously absorb ambient mana, powering all the constructs inside! This place is years ahead of its ti."
So of Kael’s older vassals exchanged knowing glances, smirking at the scholars’ reactions. One of them muttered under his breath, "Wait until they see Alice. Then they’ll really lose their minds."
Before long, the doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Kael entered the room, Alice walking gracefully beside him. The scholars fell silent as their gazes locked onto the young woman at his side. Dressed in an elegant white dress gifted to her by Victor, Alice now moved with the natural grace of a human, though a subtle stiffness remained in her deanor. While her emotions were still muted, her presence alone captivated the room.
Kael took his seat, his gaze sweeping over the gathered individuals. "Thank you all for coming. We have much to discuss regarding the future of Bryndis. Alice, if you would."
Without a word, Alice raised her hand, and the requested docunts materialized in the air before gently floating down into the scholars’ hands. A few of them gasped in awe.
"Spatial magic... and no incantation?" Isolde whispered in amazent. "And without a ring?"
The scholars had previously witnessed the Duke himself utilizing a spatial ring, though they had never dared to inquire about its origins. The sight of Alice effortlessly wielding such powerful magic rendered them all speechless, a mix of awe and disbelief etched onto their faces.
Kael allowed them a mont to process before continuing. "The docunts contain instructions detailing your individual roles in revitalizing Bryndis. However, before we discuss that, there is sothing far more important that you must understand."
The room tensed as Kael’s expression turned solemn. "You were sent here by the Duke to assist in governing this territory, but there is another reason why I have chosen to trust you with greater knowledge."
Alice stepped forward and raised her hand. A soft hum filled the room as a shimring blue light projected into the air, forming a moving image above the table. The scholars leaned forward, wide-eyed, as the holographic display revealed scenes of destruction—massive, otherworldly creatures erging from glowing rifts, leveling entire cities with terrifying ease. Then ca the images of mages sacrificing themselves to activate a prototype seal that closed the rifts, though the recording warned that the seal’s lifespan was calculated to last only 5,000 years. That ti was almost up.
"Impossible..." Gareth murmured. "There is no record of such an event in any historical texts."
"And yet, it is real," Kael answered. "I found this recording in an ancient ruin located east of Valteiri. This ssage serves as a warning: in four years and 211 days, the rifts will open again. We must be ready."
A heavy silence fell over the room before Isolde, her mind racing, finally spoke. "How can we be certain that these images are not fabrications?"
It was the sa question that the King asked himself.
Kael nodded as if expecting the question. He gestured toward Alice. "Because the key to humanity’s survival stands before you. This is Alice. She is not rely a human; she is what I call a hybrid—half-human, half-golem. And she is the foundation of Project Golem, a counterasure that was never completed in ancient tis."
"What?!" The exclamation ca in unison, shock rippling through the scholars. They were familiar with golems—constructs with no will of their own. But Alice... Alice looked alive.
"That’s not possible," Felix said, eyes narrowed in disbelief. "She looks... human. And a beautiful one at that."
Kael remained composed. "Alice, transform."
Alice blinked at him before nodding. She turned to the scholars and said, "I will relocate to another room to change."
One of the n frowned. "Why? We wish to see the transformation."
Kael smirked. "Because when she transforms, her clothes will disintegrate. And she likes that dress."
The n coughed awkwardly, and the won exchanged knowing glances. Alice vanished in a blink, her sudden disappearance earning another wave of exclamations from the scholars. Monts later, she returned—this ti in her golem form.
Her exoskeleton glead with hues of deep red and gold, and the spirit crystal embedded in her chest pulsed with energy. She stood taller, her fra armored yet sleek, her presence commanding.
The room erupted in astonished murmurs.
"Incredible..." Mariel whispered, reaching out as if to touch the air around Alice. "A living construct? No... Sothing beyond that."
"This changes everything," Isolde breathed, her historian’s mind already racing with implications.
Kael steepled his fingers, watching them absorb this revelation. "Now you understand. Bryndis must grow stronger—not just to prosper, but to survive. We have four years to prepare for what is coming. And I intend to make sure we are ready."
The scholars sat in stunned silence, the weight of the revelation settling upon them. One thing was now clear: their purpose here was far greater than they had ever imagined.
The lights from the enchanted lamp cast long shadows on the smooth stone walls, the flickering light creating a dance of darkness and illumination. Each of them sat motionless, their minds racing to process what they had just learned. So scholars furrowed their brows, a mix of confusion and determination etched onto their faces, while others exchanged brief, anxious glances. A few stared blankly at the docunts in their hands, as if the weight of the information had rendered them numb.
Kael allowed the mont to linger before speaking again, his voice calm but firm. "I know this is a lot to take in, but understand this—your roles in what cos next are not just important for Bryndis, nor rely for your own knowledge. What we do here could determine the fate of the entire world."
He looked at each scholar in turn, making sure his words struck deep. "If we succeed, you will be heroes. The knowledge we create, the foundations we lay down, will be spoken of for generations to co."
The room remained silent for another mont—until, finally, sothing shifted. Determination replaced hesitation, and a fire ignited in their eyes. They had co here to learn, to contribute, and now, they understood the weight of their work. One by one, they straightened in their seats, nodding their heads in agreent.
Kael gave a small smile, then continued. "Now that we’re all in agreent, let’s go over your roles. The docunts in your hands outline your responsibilities, but I’ll give you a more detailed breakdown."
He turned to Sylvaine first, her sharp eyes already scanning the plans before her. "Sylvaine, your expertise in infrastructure will be crucial in rebuilding Bryndis. The docunts list the key materials you’ll need, with cent being one of the most important. We’ve already established a manufacturing facility in Valteiri, as the region is rich in resources required for its production. However, I intend to set up another facility here in Bryndis. We’ll need to conduct a land survey first, but for now, our current supply should suffice to begin paving roads and constructing a bridge over the river that divides our region."
Sylvaine’s eyes widened as Kael unfolded several blueprints. The intricate designs for roads, bridges, and facilities made her heart race with excitent. "This... this is incredible," she murmured, tracing a finger over the precise sketches.
Kael nodded, pleased with her enthusiasm. "I’ll also introduce you to Harlan. He’s worked with before and is experienced in modern construction techniques using cent. You’ll work together to oversee this project. Additionally, I want you to hire local workers. There are many unemployed n in the territory who need a way to support their families. These construction projects will provide them with stable inco."
Sylvaine took a deep breath, nodding. "Understood. I’ll get started imdiately."
Next, Kael turned to another scholar, Felix. "Our population is low, and we need to increase it. You’ll be responsible for visiting Gregor’s capital and other regions to encourage people to settle in Bryndis. Offer them incentives—housing, farmland, or employnt with fair wages and benefits."
Felix adjusted his glasses, already considering the best approach. "I’ll prepare a proposal and gather necessary resources before I leave."
Kael then turned to another scholar, Lucien. "You will lead the effort in gathering workers to mine spirit crystals from the nearby mountain."
At this, Lucien hesitated, brows furrowed. "Spirit crystal? I’ve never heard of such a material before."
Kael smirked. "Let show you." With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a spirit crystal from his inventory. The pale gemstone shimred under the light, but there was no apparent magical aura. The scholars examined it with skepticism.
"This is just an ordinary crystal," one of them remarked, frowning.
Kael shook his head. "You all saw what happened when Alice transford. That glowing core inside her—it was a spirit crystal."
Gasps filled the room. "That can’t be," another scholar said in disbelief. "Even ancient texts describe these as mundane minerals. And any mage who casts Identify on it will see nothing special."
"That’s because," Kael said, holding the crystal between his fingers, "its true potential is locked. It requires a specific enchantnt to activate. One that only I currently know."
Silence once again settled over the scholars, but this ti it was filled with wonder. They weren’t just dealing with a new resource—they were uncovering sothing that could redefine magic itself.
"I will teach you how to use it," Kael assured them. "For now, focus on gathering workers and securing the mining operation. Once we have a stable supply, we can begin experinting with its properties."
The scholars exchanged determined glances. The weight of their responsibilities was imnse, but so was the opportunity to make history. One by one, they voiced their agreent, standing up with renewed vigor.
Kael let out a breath, satisfied. "Good. Then let’s get to work."
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