The Runesmith

‘Should I do it? One good push and he will go out the window.’

Roland looked down at his fist and then at the babbling man in front of him. Behind the man, a large transparent panel that looked like glass filled the wall. In truth the material could become clear while remaining solid. Halbrecht stood directly against it, and Roland wondered if shoving him through and running was an option.

It had been more than a week since the Duke ordered him to lend his expertise to this man. Even after building the prototype, the man would not stop talking about his own greatness and the promise of new inventions. Now the man wanted Roland to reconfigure the entire mage tower to improve its efficiency.

If this carried on, Roland could be trapped here for months or longer. For a moment, he imagined pushing the man out and smashing through the glass wall. The Duke was present, but the man himself would not concern himself with a tier three class holder; at most, the other high-level knights and perhaps the Grand Knight Commander would interfere.

Still, the plan could not be carried out as too much was at stake. He might manage to escape, but he would be hunted for damaging part of the mage tower and for hijacking a teleport gate to flee. If he no longer had a home to return to in Albrook, leaving the island might have been tempting. But he had put down roots here, and starting over somewhere else would not be easy. 

‘I’m not sure Elodia would like to live in one of the other countries after all that has happened…’

When he first arrived in Albrook, he was not sure he would stay there for long. If the dungeon did not allow him to reach tier three quickly, he might have reconsidered and gone elsewhere. Now, however, there were too many people who relied on him, so for the time being he needed to restrain himself from doing anything too reckless.

“Haha, excellent work as always, my genius friend!”

The man who looked like a mad scientist held a schematic up to the glass, letting the light shine through it.

“Now then…”

As he examined a design involving golems and several of the appliances Roland used in Albrook, the man turned around and took out something that looked like a badge.

“Hm? An access key?”

“I do not even need to explain it? Very good! Truly extraordinary!”

Roland saw that what he was given resembled the badge attached to his armor. It was an identification sigil that could open restricted areas and operate sealed mechanisms throughout the tower. The badge was circular, made from enchanted metal, with faint inscriptions glowing along its edge.

“The one you are wearing is the temporary researcher key. This one, however, is the permanent version.”

“Permanent? Do you mean…”

Roland went pale beneath his helmet as he heard this. He knew the tower was divided into sections, and his current badge only granted access to specific rooms. If this man was giving him one that could open more chambers, it might mean he intended for him to stay here permanently.

“Indeed, my genius friend. You can use it to return here so we can continue our research together. “

“Return?”

That word caught his attention.

“So you mean… I can leave now?”

“Of course you can leave! This is not a prison!”

The old man cackled again, and before Roland could ask any more questions, he continued speaking.

“Of course, before we start this project I’ll have to convince those stingy nobles to fund it! Once that is done and the tunnels are explored thoroughly, we can plan the cabling and tower placement. I’ll be sure to build a prototype based on the schematics you designed, but first I’ll need to study them carefully.”

“I see… So… I’ll stay in touch.”

Roland did not bother arguing with the man, who was already mumbling to himself. Instead, he took the key from the desk. After more than a week of feeling like a glorified assistant trapped inside a cage of glowing panels, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. A quick scan told him the key was genuine, and he began to quietly leave Halbrecht’s office before the old man could finish his rambling.

‘Almost there.’

Just as he reached the sliding door, the old man turned sharply toward him.

“Wait!”

“Uh… is something wrong? I’ll stay in touch with your people through my people…” 

Roland said, trying to edge closer to the exit.

“You need to take these research papers. Did you think I would let you leave empty-handed?”

Halbrecht hurried over and handed him a thick book filled with strange theories. Roland flipped through the pages and realized that no ordinary person would be able to make sense of what this eccentric scientist had written.

“Oh, I just can’t wait. Once the network is created, we’ll be able to exchange knowledge with each other and other brilliant minds. The age of knowledge is upon us!”

In truth, what Roland had given the man resembled a primitive version of the modern internet and radio technology. The current method of communication consumed vast amounts of mana, and magical letters carried certain risks. If they succeeded in creating a true network that used cables and radio towers, information, drawings, and schematics could be shared instantly. Printers did not yet exist in this world, but once data transfer was established, even that could become a reality.

While the research exchange appeared one-sided at first glance, he still gained certain advantages from it. To ensure that he would not be betrayed, he embedded a hidden access point for himself within every piece of technology he shared. If those creations were ever turned against him, he would be able to disable or alter their behavior immediately.

In a way, building a connected network through his inventions also gave him the ability to monitor the cities where they were installed. Halbrecht was intelligent but too eager to experiment without proper testing. By setting up the networks with the runic routers and switches he provided, Halbrecht was unknowingly doing Roland a favor.

“This seems to contain the secrets of that barrier.”

“Yes, those are my grandfather’s old research notes. I’ve analyzed them many times already, but I’m sure they can help you with your research, my friend. Just be sure to inform me when you make any more breakthroughs.”

“Sure… I’ll be going now. Don’t worry, I know the way out.”

Roland took the notes and placed them into one of his spatial runes. He had already studied the layout of this place and knew the way out. Halbrecht laughed at his words and nodded.

“Farewell, my friend. Let us meet again to discuss magic and science.”

His steps were quick, and soon he arrived before the platform that had brought him in. Behind him, an awkward scene was unfolding as all the research assistants stood up to applaud while he waited for the elevator doors to close. He had spent over a week with them, and for some reason, they regarded him as a kind of teacher.

‘They are probably just happy that I made their work easier for them…’

With the implementation of the runic systems, their tasks would become much simpler. Creating schematics on the screens through a basic scanning process was far easier than performing an entire magical ritual.

“Authorization: Elite researcher clearance.”

Once the elevator doors closed and the glass panels turned into white stone, the tower spirit spoke to him. It was similar to Sebastian but had fewer features. Roland had shared some information about tower spirit techniques, yet Halbrecht still did not know the full extent of Sebastian’s abilities. If he did, Roland was certain that Halbrecht would have wanted to see them in action. It was a secret advantage Roland had planned to use if he was forced to stay longer, but fortunately, that would no longer be necessary.

He found himself inside the tube once again, yet this time he figured how it all functioned. Just as he had expected before arriving, the entire place was influenced by layered spatial and gravitational magic, some of which was even worth studying. Although it appeared that he was moving up and down, the platform beneath him was actually shifting sideways, downward, and upward at irregular intervals. The mechanism was designed to confuse and trap anyone who tried to escape.

‘Finally, I can go home.’

As he neared the true exit, he reflected on the entire incident and how smoothly it had gone. They had succeeded in obtaining the deed to Theodore’s city and now needed to prepare for retaliation. Although he could not attack them directly, he certainly would not ignore them. This meant that the city of Aldbourne required immediate attention.

In Albrook, they had him and Sebastian, along with an extensive monitoring system to keep everyone under control. They would need to build a similar system in the new city and determine what kinds of trade they could start. It was almost certain that Theodore would not allow anyone from their new city to make profitable trades within his territory. Because of that, they would have to establish new trade routes for their citizens, and if the underground railroad plan succeeded, it might become a real possibility.

‘I have already mapped out the entire area, but the costs will be high.’

The first idea involved creating an underground subway and expanding it to other cities instead of keeping it limited to Aldbourne and Albrook. Once established, their system could serve as one of the major hubs that connected all routes, drawing trade directly to them. Another possibility was forming trade agreements with other territories and perhaps creating a network of flying ships. The cities owned by the Valerian brothers usually had at least one flying shipyard that could be used for commerce.

Arthur seemed to get along with Julius, which could provide another opportunity. Roland was unsure about the others, but Julius appeared to be a promising ally. There was also the fact that Ivan had lost his territories, which had been taken over by other nobles. Those nobles might be open to trade since earning money was one of their favorite pursuits.

‘Well, I should get home before making any plans. I’m not safe yet.’

At last, the platform stopped and a passage opened before him. It led into another white corridor, but this one had an exit. It did not lead to any teleportation gates. Instead, it opened into a large enclosed hub area.

“Another empty room, but this time around…”

The chamber was quite large, with many hidden paths leading elsewhere. However, the most important path lay directly ahead. Once he used the elite researcher key, a wide passage opened forward. This time it was no illusion but a real exit, and just as he expected, people were already waiting for him outside.

The air outside the tower was refreshing compared to the magically filtered air inside the mage tower. As he stepped out, he saw the tower behind him, much smaller than what was concealed within by overlapping spatial magic. His attention quickly shifted to the group before him, for the person waiting was not someone he had expected to meet before leaving.

“Sir Wayland.”

The voice came from the steps ahead, deep and stern. The Grand Knight Commander stood there, his silver armor gleaming even under the gray sky. A half-circle of knights flanked him, their weapons resting but ready to be drawn. 

“I trust your cooperation with the Duke’s researcher was fruitful.”

“It was enlightening.”

Roland replied while studying the man. The commander was possibly a tier four class holder or someone very close to reaching that level.

“We exchanged some knowledge, and the device has been completed. I’m sure His Grace will make good use of it.”

The commander gave a single nod, his expression unreadable. Then he stepped closer, close enough for Roland to see his own reflection in the polished chest plate.

“Very well. But the Valerian House doesn’t take kindly to secrets being kept from us. You have proven useful, but usefulness is not immunity. Next time, you will bring such knowledge directly to the duchy. Is that clear?”

The words carried a clear warning. Although Roland had been helpful, not everyone approved of his methods. Some probably suspected him of loyalty to the church, since he lived in a city where paladins were trained. The Duke himself might have shared those doubts. To avoid further conflict, Roland simply bowed.

“Yes, Sir. I will keep that in mind.” 

As he spoke those words, the Grand Knight Commander’s piercing eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, as if to weigh his honesty. Then the man turned sharply, the motion of his cloak snapping in the wind.

“Good. You may leave. My men will escort you to the gate.”

“You have my thanks.”

The knights parted in silence, forming a narrow corridor for Roland to walk through. Their discipline impressed him, and their precise movements reminded him of golems that obeyed orders without hesitation. Four of them accompanied him, guiding him toward a carriage.

On the way back, he glanced around the area. Barely a week had passed since the attack on the palace, yet there were no visible signs of damage. He did not know how it had been done, but the entire place had been fully restored, and it was clearly not an illusion created by the barrier.

‘Still a lot of soldiers around. I wonder if some cultists managed to get away.’

Many cultists had been killed, but a few had escaped and might even have blended in among the nobility. Even so, Roland doubted they could flee far. The Duke’s forces were watching everything closely. Soldiers stood guard at every corner, and mages patrolled alongside them, scanning the air for traces of mana.

‘Finally…’

After some time, he reached the inner gates and was told to leave the carriage. There was no inspection this time, and he did not need to remove his clothing. He was free to walk through, and once outside, he noticed something that caught his attention.

‘They are still here?’

Now that he was in the middle section of the castle grounds, his senses picked up familiar movements. Arthur and the others were still nearby, though he had expected them to have left already. Without hesitation, he moved toward the location where they had spent time before. It was the tea house where they had nearly fought Ivan and Arthur was sitting outside. 

When they arrived here first, they weren’t really taken seriously but it was clear that things had changed. He wasn’t there with just Mary but also with some other nobles, ones that were cleary trying to get into his good graces. They all were smiling while Arthur was drinking some tea and looking slightly annoyed. Yet, soon his friends eyes landed on Roland walking forward. His armor was still quite red and noticeable, so singling him out of the crowd was quite simple.

‘Is he coughing?’

Once Arthur laid his eyes on Roland, it seemed that he had swallowed his tea too fast which caused him to cough. Even though he was a tier three class holder, taking in hot liquid into the lungs would produce this effect. Mary appeared instantly to pat him on the back while the other nobles clamored to show their worth. 

‘Is he… is he really?’

Roland was planning to just go into the tea house and wait downstairs or have a servant fetch his allies, but Arthur had other plans. Instead of just sitting there and pretending nothing had happened, Arthur suddenly pushed back his chair with a loud scrape, startling the group of nobles around him.

“Sir Wayland!”

The name escaped him before he could stop himself. The nobles turned, following his gaze toward the crimson-armored knight striding across the courtyard. Roland froze mid-step. For a brief second, their eyes met, and then Arthur moved. Without hesitation, he vaulted over the balcony railing.

The nobles gasped. One of them shouted  “Lord Valerian!” but by the time they rushed to the railing, Arthur had already landed on the ground floor with a heavy thud. His boots cracked the stone, a faint ripple of force dispersing from the impact as he absorbed the fall with his tier three robustness. Mary leaned over the edge, exasperated but unsurprised.

“He could have just taken the stairs.” 

She muttered under her breath before following his example. The nobles glanced over the edge at the man who had caught Arthur’s attention, but did not recognize him at all. Roland’s appearance was quite different from how he had presented himself during the noble gathering.

“My lord, you probably shouldn’t be doing things like this out in the open.” 

Roland said as Arthur straightened his coat and brushed the dust from his sleeves before walking forward.

“I only wanted to stretch my legs. The conversation in the tea house was rather dull.” 

Roland tilted his head, knowing it was a lie, but chose not to comment. Instead, he simply nodded and smiled faintly beneath his helmet. Seeing the familiar faces of his companions lifted his spirits. Now that everyone was together again, they could finally leave this place and put the entire ordeal behind them.