Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 305 - 304: Elf Monitoring Station

The "technological black box" in the field of Magic is the most vexing problem for Jenni Perot and Kamel.

Jenni’s rune logic is a powerful tool when optimizing and reconstructing traditional magic circles. Based on mathematical principles, it can simplify a magic circle purely from a computational perspective by eliminating unnecessary interference nodes, enhancing the effective power of the circle, or reducing its operational requirements. This process does not require the operator to have the talent to sense Magic Power. However, rune logic also has its limitations—reconstructing a magic circle requires first "segmenting" it, or rather, identifying the different functional zones within the circle, determining which symbols belong in an interference area, and which must be preserved to operate independently.

It is only by first effectively segmenting the magic circle that subsequent optimization and reconstruction can occur.

In this context, the "technological black box" naturally becomes a stumbling block.

The emergence of the technological black box is related to the origins of Magic. When the first Mortal Pioneer cast the first spell by imitating the primitive magic engrafts on the skin of Ancient Magical Beasts and natural minerals, the black box was born. For millennia, countless Spellcasters have studied these complex and ancient symbols and patterns. Many spell structures have been analyzed over time, becoming "Fully Analyzed Spells," but nearly half of all spell structures remain in a black box state.

Almost all black box magic is vague and complex. They retain the most primitive spell structures, with neither the spell moulds nor the magic symbol group being fully analyzed. You can’t discern how many functional zones there are in a rune combination, or which can be delineated, and which must remain independent. In such a situation, directly applying formulas may mathematically arrange the runes clearly, but the structure of the magic circle itself becomes completely compromised.

With simple, lower-ranked magic circles, this is not a concern, as they tend to have few functional zones, sometimes only one complete zone (such as the "cell" in the Honeycomb Magic Web). However, from the middle-ranked magic circles onward, the functional zones (or "Rune Domains," as per terms coined by Jenni) become increasingly intricate, and the phenomenon of the technological black box becomes more prevalent.

Kamel and Jenni are working to solve this problem. They are attempting to summarize a systematic and effective methodology for "disassembling" most magic circles through organizing basic elemental languages, basic spell moulds, and basic magic symbol units. Such work had been attempted before, but failed due to incorrect research methodologies and lack of mathematical tools. However, Kamel and Jenni are confident, and they have already made some initial progress.

Gawain believes in their capabilities, and he believes that with mature technical samples from the Eternal Sleepers, they will surely find a breakthrough point to dismantle the communication spell technological black box. This will greatly benefit both the study of Magic and the practical development of the territory...

...

Within the Typhon Empire, in a valley on the northwestern frontier.

To the Typhon Empire, this valley is a special place. In fact, for the four kingdoms of humanity, each country contains one or two similar "special locations." These locations, though within the territories of human kingdoms, are in fact administered as distant territories of the Silver Empire. They can be vast, covering entire mountain valleys, or small, merely a single town. Their common feature is that nearly all their residents are silver elves.

They are the sites of the monitoring stations established by the Silver Empire.

During the chaotic wave disaster seven hundred years ago, the great walls established by the elves ultimately stopped the spread of the disaster, sealing the terrifying chaotic magic energy and the frenzied monster armies in the centre of the mainland. However, the special elf magic can only be wielded by the elves themselves; the sentinel towers they built can only be controlled using elf magic. Therefore, to monitor the great barrier, the elves set up multiple monitoring stations around it—considering the process by which humans established the four kingdoms, these monitoring stations obviously had to be on territory of the human kingdoms.

The containment of the Gondor wasteland’s seal involved matters of national survival; the human kingdoms had no choice but to accept this arrangement. Even the proud descendants of Gondor had to yield their pride to rational decision-making after the chaotic wave outbreak and the Empire’s collapse.

Fortunately, relations between elves and humans have always been amicable, and elves are a species true to their promises. These "permanent colonies" within the human kingdoms could thus coexist peacefully with the outside world. Seven hundred years have passed, and the elves of the monitoring stations have established a good understanding with the outside human world, which continues to this day.

Soldrin and the elf Druid who called herself "Belna" walked down the path leading to the depths of the valley. In his line of sight, the elegant spires and magical glows characteristic of the Silver Empire already appeared.

Soldrin raised his head, looking toward the tower located at the deepest part of the valley, exhaling lightly.

That tower is the core building of the monitoring station, used for data connection and exchange with the sentinel towers—a communication Tower. Its pinnacle is embedded with a large Resonating Crystal personally crafted by the master mages of the Sacred Stars Temple. When powered, it can transmit signals over hundreds of kilometers—enough to connect to the sentinel towers on the opposite side of the valley.

Soldrin glanced back; on the other side of the valley, he could clearly see a patch of sky marked by a somber demarcation line: that is the direction of the Gondor wasteland.

The purpose of the monitoring station is to observe the wasteland and determine the condition of the great walls. Just by thinking about it, it’s clear: the monitoring personnel could not possibly run beneath the sentinel towers to establish a permanent monitoring facility. Although the great walls seal most of the chaotic magic, the lethal radiation seeping from the barriers each year is enough to severely compromise the health of the monitoring personnel. Hence, all monitoring stations operate remotely: building a communication Tower at a safe distance, they monitor the state of the sentinel towers in real-time by transmitting signals, which is the safest and most secure plan.

Of course, if a sentinel tower truly has issues, the nearest monitoring station would still need to send out personnel for on-site handling. Each station maintains engineering teams ready to address such crises. Although it might be centuries before these teams actually need to execute a mission, the elves have never relaxed in this regard.

After all, they live long lives.

Belna walked briskly beside Soldrin, looking rather cheerful: the elf maiden seemed very excited to meet more of her kindred.

Along the way, Soldrin had already learned a lot about Belna. This lively elf girl seemed unable to keep her mouth shut, and basically, whenever asked a question, she would chatter away about a bunch of things regarding herself. Compared to her, Soldrin appeared much more reticent.

After all, he was still in disguise, and saying less reduced the risk of being exposed.

Soldrin didn’t drop his disguise even after passing through the human checkpoint, because remaining vigilant was a key trait of an excellent ranger — besides, he departed only with woman’s attire...

After all, he’s the founder of an influential group.

On Belna’s third goofy smile, Soldrin couldn’t help but glance at her: "You seem quite happy."

"Of course, we’re almost at the surveillance station!" Belna said with a happy smile, "This is the largest surveillance station in the northern parts of the mainland, and there’s a city around it! Once we settle into the city, the first thing I’m going to do is find a tavern, down a big mug of fruit honey wine, and eat my fill of dried fruits and Sumini pies! Let me tell you, the human world is wonderful except their food is terrible; I’ve had enough of those flatbreads and cheap beers..."

Soldrin silently listened to Belna’s ramblings, and before they knew it, the city entrance appeared not far away.

As Belna described, this was the largest surveillance station in the northern parts, with elves occupying the entire valley and establishing a large city centred around a communication tower deep within. As he looked at the elf-styled spires and city walls, along with his kindred guarding the city entrance, Soldrin couldn’t help but smile.

At the city entrance, guards stopped them for routine identity checks and questioning.

Soldrin took out the Silver Empire emblem that could confirm his identity and asked casually: "Any movements with the sentinel towers lately?"

"Everything’s normal, the sentinel towers, the surveillance station, the city," said the guard dressed in silvery elf light armor, holding a long spear. He took Soldrin’s emblem with one hand and casually continued, "How’s the journey in the human world?"

Soldrin smiled slightly: "The novelty’s still there, their society changes so fast."

The change is indeed fast; when an ancestor who’s been hanging on the wall for seven hundred years suddenly climbs out on his own, who’s seen such an operation?

"Hmm?" The guard issued a sound of doubt as he checked the inscriptions on the back of the emblem, then looked at Soldrin, "Soldrin, male, Frostleaf Clan — are you sure this emblem is yours?"

"Oh, I forgot," Soldrin quickly patted his forehead and then cast a small spell on the emblem, with a spell resonance proving he was indeed the emblem’s owner, "That’s me."

"Then you..." The guard looked Soldrin up and down in his female hunter garb, "Did you get into trouble in human society? Are you wanted?"

Clearly, this was a knowledgeable guard too.

Soldrin chose not to explain much; though faced with his kindred, some things would be a hassle to explain. He casually whispered: "Just changing my style recently."

The guard nodded knowingly: "Oh, then no problem."

Clearly, this really was a knowledgeable guard.