Chapter 593 - 515: The Third Member of "Dawn Embers

Chapter 593: Chapter 515: The Third Member of "Dawn Embers

Roland, however, paid no mind to Ellis’s scrutiny. After hearing the explanation, he understood.

This description of the Secret Imprisonment Dice was almost identical to Bronson’s.

The only difference was that in this era, the artifact’s structure and Runes had not yet been systematically studied or widely analyzed, remaining shrouded in greater mystery and the unknown.

The thought of the scholar made Roland’s heart grow heavy.

Unlike Avril, Galvis, and Duraga—companions who could defend themselves—Bronson was merely a knowledgeable, ordinary man.

’If he was tossed into this strange and dangerous era by the chaotic torrent of Space-Time, would he land in a human town, or...’

’...some treacherous wilderness, a monster-infested lair?’

A heavy sense of worry, mixed with guilt for failing to protect his companion, quietly tightened its grip on his heart.

Although he had made a pact with Phaethon to investigate and stop the event causing the time disturbance, he still had no leads.

Roland’s only clue was the mere speculation that it might be connected to Silver Radiance City.

But this was just a faint guess based on fragmented information.

’Time disturbance...’

The concrete image this term referred to was still vague, but the gravity and urgency Phaethon had displayed were enough to indicate the potentially catastrophic consequences.

It was perhaps one of the root causes of this continent’s future collapse.

Roland’s thoughts drifted to a deeper level.

Judging from the time node that the "World Serpent" Yemiga was looping—year 490 of the Crystal Era—Silver Radiance City was still in a period of relative peace and prosperity at that point.

’Does that mean the critical "time disturbance" event is supposed to happen after the year 490?’

The current year was 487.

’Three years...’

It wasn’t a long time, but it wasn’t short, either.

He had time to prepare and improve his strength as much as possible to fulfill his pact with Phaethon.

This was undoubtedly his top priority.

However, compared to that grand yet hazy mission, Roland was far more concerned about the immediate safety of his companions.

Avril, Galvis, Duraga, and the defenseless Bronson...

They had all been dragged into the turbulent currents of Space-Time because of him, falling into this strange and dangerous era.

The responsibility of finding them and ensuring their safety was like an invisible shackle, tormenting his conscience at every moment.

’But... where do I even begin to look?’

Roland rubbed his aching temples.

The clues were too few, the era was unfamiliar, and the people were a vast sea.

It was no different from trying to retrieve a few specific silver needles from the lightless Deep Sea.

Forcing down the turmoil in his mind, he pulled his attention back to the present.

His gaze swept over the young Mage opposite him, whose body was still tense, his gray-blue eyes filled with wariness and confusion. Roland turned his head and made a simple gesture to Ogre, who stood silently beside him like an iron tower.

"Give him the stone."

Ogre did as instructed, handing the dark-red Fire Pattern Stone to Ellis.

The young Mage was clearly stunned and, for a moment, forgot to reach out and take it.

His gray-blue eyes darted between the stone and Roland’s calm face, his mind in a whirl.

He could sense that the Secret Imprisonment Dice was extraordinarily important to this mysterious, dark-haired young man.

He had assumed that as a stranger who had "found" the key item, he would face harsh interrogation, or even worse.

After all, in this lawless land, many people wouldn’t hesitate to use more direct, more brutal methods to obtain a secret.

But this man...

’He just let me go so easily?’

’And even...’

Ellis stiffly extended his hand. Only when his fingertips touched the rough, cool surface of the ore did it feel real.

He held the stone in his palm, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the patterns on its surface as he swallowed dryly.

Finally, he looked up, trying to keep his voice steady, but it still betrayed a hint of tension and confusion.

"M-Mr. Rudolph, thank you for your generosity. The money you paid for me earlier, I..."

He paused, as if steeling himself.

"I will definitely pay you back."

His mind elsewhere, Roland paid it no heed. He was about to wave a dismissive hand and leave the corner...

...when he felt a gentle tug on the corner of his clothes.

Roland turned to see Holland leaning in close, his brown eyes blinking rapidly. His eyebrows danced expressively, and his whole face screamed with an urgency that said, ’Look at me!’ and ’This is a great idea!’

Anyone from the Bright Church who knew the "proper" side of this former Holy Light Walker would have been dumbfounded to see his current shrewd, almost furtive expression.

"Hey, pal!"

Holland whispered rapidly, discreetly pointing a finger at Ellis, who was carefully stowing the Fire Pattern Stone in his waist pouch nearby.

"Our ’Dawn Embers’ is really short-staffed right now!"

"Look at this kid. He’s a little dazed and a little poor, but he’s a proper Mage! An academy man! Reliable Casters are hard to find these days!"

Having said his piece, he immediately straightened up. The conspiratorial expression vanished, replaced by a smile that looked casual but held a hidden shrewdness.

He then cleared his throat and, with a steady gait, crossed over to Ellis in just a few steps.

While not as burly as Ogre, Holland was still tall and well-built. As he now stood before the slender Ellis, his broad shoulders nearly enveloped the other man in his shadow.