RhaegarRRL
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Chapter 731 Exchange
🕑 Added 2021-07-18 16:40:03 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Heya. Sorry for the delay. More hopefully on Tuesday.
Thanks for reading :).
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Chapter Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37813894
New project dump (17 out): https://www.patreon.com/posts/project-chapter-53725096
Chapter 731 Exchange
Evan looked at her for a while. “I’m certainly interested in your source. What makes you think the Ascended were not defeated?”
“Because I met one,” she said.
He leaned forward a little. “You did?”
“Yes,” Ilea said. “As to the reason why I’m here. Your Foundation is in the possession of a Taleen artifact. It should identify as a key of sorts. I would like to have it.”
“The Bronze Key. Indeed. One part of a set. Many have speculated on what exactly the keys open. I suppose you would know?” Evan asked.
“That is not information I’m willing to share,” Ilea said.
He considered. “And you’re willing to take this artifact by force, should I refuse?”
“I don’t need force. I assume you’re aware of my third Class,” she said.
“Space magic, it is said. Though you’re giving us too much credit. The reports on this are unclear. You just confirmed them,” he said. “Your Taleen treasure… where did you meet the Ascended?”
“In a dungeon called the Descent. You might be familiar with the facility. It existed when Rhyvor was still around,” she said. “It appeared at the very bottom of the dungeon, spoke of an intruder and attacked me. It didn’t take me seriously and I managed to escape, just barely.”
“It didn’t reveal anything about its presence in Elos?” he asked.
“Not exactly. And the facility was destroyed afterwards. He was a metal creator and he did mention the Azarinth order,” she said.
“Which means he was around during the war. This is concerning news. I had hoped they had given up on this realm but it seems some of them remain. As to my theory, I think it’s possible the Ascended have removed the knowledge of the event we have discussed before,” he said.
“For us to forget the threat?” Ilea asked. Nes said she didn’t think anybody still cared about Elos. What are the chances that she was wrong? The one in the Descent seemed mostly there to catch an invader into one of his testing labs.
“Potentially, though other possibilities exist. And even my Seekers cannot find or enter their facilities. It would require someone of your power to even just survive. Though finding them remains the main problem, and the Taleen are gone, their knowledge lost. Hundreds of years of searching,” he said.
Ilea wasn’t quite as convinced about an Ascended threat. Evan didn’t seem to have a direct Ascended source, nor did he even mention Khor or the Navuun. He assumed they didn’t exactly lose but he didn’t know about the internal conflicts. The main reason the forces of Elos weren’t entirely destroyed upon their invasion.
“You seem quite interested for someone that stays so far removed from the Plains,” Ilea said.
He sighed. “I am tired, of conflict. I have always been tired of it. I grew up trying to survive, trying to find a home, stability. I thought that once we could achieve such, that harmony would prevail. My arrival here proved such idealistic notions wrong. Immediately. I have no interest in the struggles for power, not beyond the documentation of history itself. So that future generations may learn, so that we may stay on the path. We have watched the balance of the world, have seen nations rise and fall, have seen monsters spill out of dungeons, laying waste to entire cities. I have seen… dragons, Ilea. Never will I forget their roars, the very ground shattering as they clashed in fury. And yet nothing has come close to that day, when the sky darkened and the very fabric of magic itself felt as if ripped apart. It affected all. Life itself in this very realm. An intrusion into the natural order so unholy, even the Elven domains moved, working with humans and dwarfs to fight this threat. And everyone agreed. For a time,
“Yes, I am interested. To know if this ancient threat remains, and to know if there is something we can do to prevent another event such as it was,” he finished.
“I’ll keep an eye out,” Ilea said. “But as you said, it’s not exactly easy to find these underground facilities. Even just Taleen dungeons are more something randomly stumbled upon than searched for,” she said.
“Indeed,” Evan said. “Though we have records of many of their facilities, should you be interested in that. Perhaps you could find further knowledge on the Ascended.”
“Are you hiring me as one of your Seekers?” she asked with a smile.
“I wish I could, though I believe you understand the potential threat. Your Medic Sentinels are proof that you are not entirely absorbed by power,” he said.
“Thanks. I’ll have a look at the locations you have,” she said. Maybe some are no longer part of their network or not accessible through it.
Evan motioned with his hand and one of the doors opened.
A man clad in the same sand colored robes entered, holding a chest with both hands. He set it down on the table and bowed before he left.
Evan opened it to reveal one of the Taleen keys. “I assume this is what you were looking for?”
[The Bronze Key – Ancient Quality]
“Yes, that’s one of them,” Ilea said.
“You offered me some things to consider. I believe we have nothing to gain from withholding this artifact, though if you will, I have some questions,” Evan said.
“Go for it, I’ll let you know if I know something or if I can’t answer,” she said.
“The metals Ravenhall has been buying in all of the Plains. The expansion of Morhill… can you tell me anything about that?” he asked.
Don’t see why not. “We figured out long range teleportation gates. Morhill is to become a hub of sorts,” she said. Good way to find out if his faction will get involved as well. “I’m sure your Foundation could be included as well.”
The man looked at her for a moment before he started laughing. “Oh… this is… even bigger than we expected. Secrets uncovered in the north?”
“Not really. I met a very powerful space magic creature on my travels. It helped us quite a bit in understanding the technology,” she said.
“The realm you entered from Baralia?” he asked.
“You know of it?” Ilea said.
“Rumors only. Lys is not easy to gain information from. And everything on this was top secret. Though I understand the gate was closed yet again, which makes me think a space mage was involved,” he said. “Or someone very versed in blood rituals. Michael Elyse was said to be, and I quote… furious, at the closure of the gate. I doubt it was him.”
“Well, it should be more or less public knowledge soon enough but yes. I brought back a powerful being from Erendar,” she said.
“That is quite a risk to take. And why we most certainly won’t be agreeing to a teleportation gate in or close to the Foundation,” Evan said.
“Understandable,” she answered. “I’m sure your Seekers have trained a long time to be able to navigate and survive the desert.”
“Indeed. Our location is one of our greatest assets, and the main reason we’re still around after all this time,” he said. “However, teleportation gates are certainly going to change things in the Plains. I assume other species will become interested too. As to my next question. What do you know of Elven kind?”
“I know they remain within their Domains most of the time. I know they have something called Oracles, which seem to be the highest ranked in their societies. I know the Elves that attacked and destroyed many of the independent cities in the west were young inexperienced idiots who don’t exactly consider human life worthwhile,” she explained.
“And how exactly have you come to this information?” Evan asked.
“I met an elf in the north. One that did attack me but was open for discussion once he failed to kill me. He… struggled, with his place in their society and the world,” she said.
“Does this artifact have anything to do with that?” Evan asked.
You already know the answer to that, she thought. “I’m not going to answer that question.”
He grinned and shoved the chest over. “If you are helping the Cerithil Hunters… I hope you understand the potential ramifications among your human allies. Wars have been started over less.”
He might not know of Syrithis then.
Ilea didn’t comment on his potential speculation, storing the key within her domain.
“Who is the Azarinth Healer that you mentioned?” she asked instead. He had deemed her information enough to hand over the artifact. They were even once more.
“He split off from their Order. I know they tried and failed to apprehend him, even their most experienced hunters unable to even locate the man. Not until he started taunting them. We received a letter… a long time ago, mind you. A letter stating that the Azarinth Order was no more, the last First Hunter putting down his title and declaring the end of their existence. He had won, it seemed, and he wanted it documented by the oldest library in existence,” Evan explained. “Where he remains or if he truly is still alive, I don’t know, though I’m rather sure the latter is a given. They were notoriously hard to kill.”
“I get that often,” Ilea mused.
“I was wondering if you ever found Scipio,” Evan said.
“I did, but if you know him, you know that he travels around a lot. I met a girl, from the same realm as the one I’m from. He had protected her, always interested in realm travelers,” she said. “I believe he was around back before the war as well.”
“And he was involved in it, as far as I remember,” Evan said. “More than I. If you ever meet him again, let him know I’d be interested in talking.”
“I will,” Ilea said. Though she didn’t think the man was particularly keen on meeting Evan. “Have you heard of Audur?”
“The name is not familiar,” Evan said.
“Self proclaimed Guardian of the West. A dragon. I had hoped you could offer some insight,” she said.
“Those who meet dragons rarely survive, let alone learn of their names,” the man said. “I appreciate your addition. Did you fight it?”
“Her, I believe. And I can’t exactly call it a fight. She was playing with her food. Wood and life magic were her preferred magics,” Ilea explained.
“Peculiar, though what we know of dragons is that they’re more individual than most other species. Their overwhelming power is documented somewhat well however. Even among four marks they hold a high rank, perhaps the highest,” he said.
“Yeah. I haven’t exactly seen something stronger,” Ilea said. She genuinely didn’t know if the Fae was as powerful as Audur. Neither had shown her much of what they could really do and both their levels were pretty much off the charts. “What about you?”
“I would love to say I have, but at that stage it’s difficult to discern or compare. Even with four marks of a similar level, the differences can be staggering,” he said.
“True. Evan, you’re the first three mark human I meet. I know you said you disliked conflict, but are you interested in a fight?” Ilea asked.
He smiled. “I had expected the question earlier, with your reputation. And I don’t consider training one’s magical ability to be conflict. It’s become more of a… let’s say pastime. And I certainly understand your frustration. It’s difficult to find someone worthy at this stage, and teaching students is not quite the same.”
“So you’re the one training the sand and bone mages?” Ilea asked.
“Well, I started. At this point my responsibilities are not quite as extensive as they once were,” he said and stood up. “Let us move to the desert. I doubt we can truly test ourselves in any of our facilities. Azarinth magic has a way with enchantments after all.”
“You seem to know it well,” Ilea said.
“Well, I studied it for a few centuries. I even possess a few skills that were… inspired,” he added with a smile.
Ilea raised a brow. “You do?”
“Their power was once notorious. I had sources that claimed the Elders of the order had access to Bluemoon Grass without the same potential consequences but chose not to use it on their students. A way to ensure that commitment met expectations. I believe exactly that fear led to their near cult like fanaticism. It’s surprising still that battle healers remain rare. Near unheard of in this age, up until your rise to bardic fame. Ancient healing orders that disdain the idea for reasons they themselves have forgotten or eradicated on purpose, only to spite the legacy of the Azarinth Order,” he spoke and opened the door.
Ilea followed him back up again, soon reaching the same terrace they had talked on before.
If what he says is true, the Azarinth could’ve pushed humanity way past what they were before but instead they caused their own Order’s collapse and a subsequent removal of battle healers. Bunch of idiots.
“The Sentinels are going to change that notion,” Ilea said.
“Yes. I heard of your communication with the various healing orders. Some more subtle than others,” Evan said and walked to the side of the terrace where his form dissolved into sand.
Ilea blinked before she spread her wings and followed the thin mist that floated as if carried by wind. She descended down from the mountain and landed on the sand, Evan sitting a few meters away. “Is that your preferred method of flying?” she asked him.
“I do find wings a little… mundane. But then I’m quite old, I do not mean to offend,” he spoke.
“Well I am offended. Wings might be the best thing I got in this realm,” Ilea said.
“Then perhaps we shall revisit the topic of flight in another few centuries,” he said and stood up.
“Are you calling me immature?” Ilea asked.
The man smiled. “I am calling you young, Lilith, which is what you are.” He pointed southwards. “That way,” he said and dissolved again. This time the sand simply landed on the ground, his presence gone entirely.
Now that’s more like it, she thought, trying to find out what just happened. No trace of teleportation, just a bit of sand magic when he dissolved but that’s obvious. None of her skills showed anything else. She had to trust the direction he had pointed to. Exciting. Finally someone that doesn’t rely on conventional teleportation. Maybe his opinion on wings is somewhat forgivable.
She flew off, soon seeing a dot in the distance. He vanished again when she got closer. A few minutes of flight later, the dot didn’t move anymore.
“I believe this is far enough,” he said when she landed.
Ilea looked back. The mountains were a tiny speck to her enhanced vision. “Probably. Yeah.”
“Normally… I would offer a wager of sorts, to entice my opponent. You’re not quite like my usual challengers,” he spoke.
Ilea cracked her neck and formed her full mantle. “Let’s just start slow, get a feel for each other.” She formed fists and walked towards him. Two humans who have killed four marks with their own power. “Let’s see if you hold up to my expectations.”
“And you to your reputation,” Evan spoke. Bone started growing on his limbs and chest, his entire body quickly covered by the dense material. Three horns grew from each side of his helmet, runes etched into the bone mask that covered his face. He didn’t look much different to the guards she had seen before. The man raised his hand where a rapier of bone grew from his palm. He gripped it and changed into a fighting stance.
A test of skill then, she thought and advanced. Ilea didn’t try to run and maneuver on the sand, instead using her wings to close the distance at a very low flight. Her opponent remained on the ground. She first tried with speed along, adding feints here and there to get past his thin blade, his other hand to his back.
He kept up with her, sliding on the sand as if on invisible skates. The man didn’t just keep up, he soon pushed back, striking at her armor as he used the superior reach of his chosen weapon.
The exchange continued for near thirty seconds until Evan made some distance. They were close when it came to speed alone but Ilea had to admit his technique was flawless.
“You have precognition,” he said. “Or is it time magic?”
“Why do you think I use either?” Ilea asked, flying with a grin on her ash covered face.
“You’re not fast or good enough to avoid my blade. Your movements are skill driven. You’re using force and crutches where your experience fails you,” he spoke.
“You did say I was young,” Ilea answered. “And I wouldn’t call myself inexperienced when it comes to fighting.”
“You obviously are not. But I assume you have fought monsters more than sapient beings. Nor would you have had much need to adjust or improvise. Your sheer power is enough to overwhelm most. With your surely superior healing, you’d be difficult to slow down,” he said.
“I can’t say that you’re wrong. But I suppose it’s a little unfair if we both fight so restricted. And you’ve had a few more years to hone your skill with the blade,” she said, ashen limbs forming on her back.
“I did not mean to offend. I hope that is clear. Indeed, with our age if anything, my own power is an embarrassment. Though I came to enjoy calm meditation and tea more so than seeking another challenge in the frontiers of this world. Let us move on then,” Evan said as the sands shifted, his form firmly planted on a growing wave.
Ilea grinned as she advanced, either of them yet to land a hit or use teleportation.
Comments
Juli Freixi
Thanks a lot for the chapter! ♥️
I met a girl -> He met a girl ! ! ! Thank for the Chapter
bob barker
I would like to see ilea offering items in return for these keys. Maybe give him a soul sword? Also, why not give him more info about Audur's skills and emotional disposition? It's like she's got almost no goodwill.
zadcap
I'm hoping for a stalemate, we've seen very few of those with her and this seems like it would be appropriate. He can turn to sand and escape any sustained assault of hers, and she's been training with the Meadow all this time, getting out of traps is becoming a regular specialty of her fights there. I believe both of them do have incredible offensive powers, but that's offset by both having even better defenses.
Alexander Dupree
Thanks for the chapters
Morzul
Me like, looking forward to next chapter
Forrest Minter
Something that's worth considering too is that he's had a lot of time to work on general skills and general knowledge of magic. He's probably not as limited by his classes as illea is, and who knows what random abilities he has as a result.
Pierre Steiner
Damn AH has been feeling so good to read lately! Thanks for all the delicious content *-*
Nate
Hmm I didn't see it explicitly mentioned in the author's note, but I assume-slash-hope this means things went well with the vaccine! ^^
Nate
Hah that's a cool build - all scooty and stabby. Though I assume a bone weapon of a three-mark bone mage has some pretty nasty effects. It'd be cool if it was like that Pathfinder spell that kills you by vibrating your skeleton, haha.
ShadeByTheSea
yeah I doubt he's tougher than that earth elemental and Ilea is a lot stronger than when they fought the sand elemental, her fires are hotter than the lava Tarkorov.
Nate
It'd be a cool skill to learn, but with her near mastery of space magic (for a human at least) it'd be kinda redundant..
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Han Pol
I would guess that most people who reach that level will try to make themselves a bad match up. be it Ilea trying to make herself unkillable with healing, body enchantment and space magic... a Sand creator who can turn himself into sand and hide really well in that sand (maybe). we don't know for sure jet. maybe with glass or light magic as third class if bone isn't the third class. Kryan will be really hard to deal with when he uses hardened steel to create large curse circle domains. And the destroyer Hector if he ever gets so far, will likely seriously hinder most non space mages with lots of pressurized water. And I guess all people who reach the 500's will have some form of good synergy skill or cheat.
I see it different, he has thousands of years of experience, I'm sure he had surely successfully fought very high level monsters and sentients with all kinds of powers .and resistances,
hill44
I feel like even once the Taleen are dealt with, the confrontation with the Monarchs and Oracles will take a while to happen as Ilea will need to grow considerably, and so will Fey. Cant see a meeting with the vampires until after that, be it friendly or hostile, seeing as they are as powerful as the elves. Some other big events will have time to occur, like maybe something with the dwarven kingdoms and the deeper areas they reach, some of the other races briefly mentioned on the other side of the elven lands, or maybe the other continent. And dont forget the link between the Krahen islands and the gates under Ravenhall.
Tjark
ilea was never primarily interested in leveling up. It was always the challenge she was seeking. but i agree i hope this fight will remind her of the thrill of battle which will inevitably lead to leveling up.
Chopper
I'm kind of hoping for a magical training arc. She has those new General magic skills, that she has not had a chance to play with. Imagine Ilea going to magic school!
Her reverse healing Domain should be able to hurt him in any form. And I would bet the Archon Strike infused with Fires of Creation can also hurt him in any form. The only way I can see that he might win is if that power to travel long distances without teleporting or turning into sand is just him moving at super speed, perhaps utilizing time magic. If he can do that, then Ilea would have a hard time hurting him if he keeps his distance. Of course, he would also be unable to do much to her at a distance, even with sand creation. I don't see any way he could overwhelm her defenses and healing from a distance. And if he comes into her Domain, she should be able to severely hurt him.
Chopper
Seems like a bad matchup. If he can just turn into sand how can she even hurt him? I recall the only reason they killed the sand elemental was because it was Corrupted and stayed in a somewhat corporeal form and also the Tarkorov blanketing the whole area in lava.
Michael C
This should help her understand the Monarchs better..
I'm going to guess that Evan Trayne has a 3rd class and it involves time magic. So Sand, Bone, and Time magic for him. Too bad Ilea does not have any general skill points. None of those resistances are at the 3rd tier.
Hopefully meeting a human at a higher level than Ilea will encourage her to start working on leveling up again. She has barely tried to level up since reaching 500 over 100 chapters ago. And leveling will earn her more core points so she can finish enhancing her skills.
Grond (James)
I feel like this is setting things up in a really awesome way for what happens after the next two story arcs. The next one being what happens with the gates, and the one after that what happens when she gets the 12 keys and accesses the sun. Then this will come into play, and there will be a direct confrontation with the elves. In the middle of all that she will meet some of the vampires and we will find out if they are good or bad. The coalition will grow. She will come to know more about the world and meet more terrifying creatures.
Justin
Thanks for the two chapters! They were fun!
Jackson Ragland
Thanks for even bothering to write when you just had surgery!
Andrew
Thank you!
C D
Yay ! This feels so fast paced and exciting. There are so many irons in the fire all humming along !! I think the last ~25 chapters feel so similar to the earliest ones where we weren't hearing her story so much as hanging on by the skin of our teeth; witnessing Ilea's fantastic journeys,, strange discoveries, and battle loving "meetings" with new beings that always feel unique. Thank you so much for bringing such an amazing story to us all.
Jessy
I assume that it will be a draw so long as she doesnt use her space magic. not sure he can do much against that
Tjark
I hope Ilea copies that ability at some point and learns how to turn into ash. Her wings are super cool and all but it is getting a little old. Also would be super funny that when she finally dealt with the problem of getting recognized everywhere with the ashen wings and armor by making the sentinels look exactly like that so she's taken as a random sentinel only for the ability to change and the problem to be there yet again
IJustWannaRead
Unless there is a time skip of sorts I don’t think we’ll ever see the master martial artist ilea or hammer master ilea. Takes far to long to train weapons for how little time has passed in 700+ chapters.
ohhh, maybe this will show Ilea the benefits of gaining natural skill & technique, instead of using system-skills like he said. Using them as a crutch.
Straven
Thank you for the new chapters, can see this new info and meetings having who knows how many surprises and bouts to come cause of it. Thanks for getting the chapters up and most of all I hope your doing well.
IJustWannaRead
I don’t think she’ll lose, but I don’t think she will win either. He’s gonna be far to skilled for her to beat, simply due to experience, but her healing is simply broken unless he has some skill to counter it. I’m curious if his inspired skills revolve around healing or stealing mana or mana intrusion, gonna guess the latter two, but I still don’t think it’ll be enough to put her down. If anything itll stall out with him being the superior fighter but her having the “stronger” (more unbeatable) classes.
Carlo Aquino
With how difficult it is to level up, I don’t think so. But strength and magic have little to do with levels. I assume Audur to be between 3500-5000 and yet I feel like a lvl 1500 Ilea could slap her around. But I wouldn’t mind seeing a four mark human.
Derze
bro, YES...moar!
Arnon Parenti
Live on Elos 3500 years and not be 4 marks, weak. I hope Azarinth Elder puts Audur to shame at least by levels.
chumponimys
Oh you poor child. With how much info we got, that’ll be another 500 chaps at least.
Rainer
Just when I thought the weekend couldn't get any better :)
Andrei
And looking forward to the fight with the First Hunter as well!
Andrei
Nice! This is going to be an epic fight!
James Faulkner
TFTC!
Mr. Bigglesworth
Hurray!
