Giro’s fingers glided over the smooth ceramic of the newest model of armour. Immaculate. The original suits were marvels of engineering and enchanting, treasures born out of fervor and long hours of desperate toil. Not to mention the expense of the materials, heh. Therefore, it was incredible that the researchers had been able to improve them so much, and in so little time.
Gone was the oversized, spherical helmet coated in layered scales; in its place was a sleeker, more form-fitting piece that retained the previous version’s incredible defense while now showing something of the wearer’s expression. Very important, as far as diplomacy is concerned.
The arms and legs were, in contrast, even more bulky and heavily armoured than before. Instead of the multitude of hoses used to keep pressure, the enchanters had opted to go with a layered design; the pressurised internal sleeve still existed, but it was protected by thick plating that extended all the way to the body. Said body was also more thickly built, though it was less notable than the limbs; looking at the completed suit gave the impression of a more primal form of human, with the oversized arms of a gorilla – a spirit gorilla, one smart enough to understand strength training.
Less of a straight upgrade and more of a tradeoff. The new design is less likely to be breached, but is also less able to immediately handle a breach. It was a trade that Giro was ambivalent towards in terms of pure utility… But for this specific situation, where looking alien was bad and intimidating good, he completely understood. Much more organic, more alive-looking. Hopefully the Salt natives would feel the same.
And of course, even beyond the physical form, the enchantments and arrays worked into the armour were its true strength. The durability enchantments were more durable, the armour was lighter despite the higher mass, there were spacial compartments for securely transporting things between realities. No more losing things in transit. And topping it all, the divinations connected to the helmet would allow something approaching real-time communications between the sect and the diplomatic team, without having to set up the bulky and fragile Bird’s Eye Glasses that they would have needed otherwise.
It’s actually quite suspicious, when you stop to think about it. Where are the enchanters getting the funding for these top-quality materials? The previous armours had been masterworks, but these must be costing at least ten times as much. “Truly, a work of art. Will they be able to withstand an Elder’s use?”
The inner disciple – Lan, he reminded himself – winced. “Ah, theoretically…” Giro’s smile dimmed a fraction. “According to Array Master Persimmon, the average Elder would be able to fight at very nearly their full power. A-assuming that they refrained from taking any damage, that is. Or using any spells above the tenth realm.”
Not the answer I wanted to hear… But I suppose that expecting more would be somewhat unreasonable. More than any other realm, an Elder’s power varied from individual to individual; a piece of equipment that dealt well with the power of a ‘young’ newly ascended Elder was one thing, and doing the same with a millennia’s-old sect pillar another. They must already be monstrously difficult to manufacture. There’s a reason Elders tend not to rely on enchanted equipment. “But the physical movements of their bodies, it can handle the strain?”
The man looked like he had been force-fed a lemon. “Elder Braveheart was able to fight for ten minutes before the containment failed, sir. The head researcher deemed that at that point, reinforcing them further would be a waste of resources.”
Giro repressed a sigh. “Very well.” Master Winding Wind would most likely understand. Aiya Yu was a practical woman; if she said that resources were better used elsewhere, then it was likely true. “I will convey the success of the Diplomatic Committee to my master.” And I’ll even keep the obvious bribery to myself. It’s all for the good of the sect, after all. The fact that Giro himself would be the most logical person to take over the incredibly stressful position had nothing to do with his decision.
The man gave a relieved bow. “Thank you for your understanding, elder brother.”
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Lu held a stone in his hand. It shrunk, shrunk… And then it was gone, absorbed into his body. He opened his eyes, and breathed out a sigh. I’m officially broke. Not a single spirit stone to my name. And until things with Bull’s kidnapping had been settled, he wouldn’t be earning any more; there was no way he would be accepting any new orders for steam carriages with so many important things to do.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
No matter; I used it in pursuit of a higher cause, and I have no regrets.
There was never a chance that Lu would have been able to ascend to fourth realm before returning to the other world, he understood that now. It wasn’t a matter of talent, either; even if he could integrate qi into his dantian perfectly, as quickly as it was absorbed, there simply wasn’t enough time. But he had repaired his haste-caused damage, and now sat comfortably above the peak of his previous cultivation. It will have to be enough.
The second week of the fifth month. They had finally nailed down a broad timetable, though he really would have preferred to plan for an exact date. Just over fifty days. I should, Heaven willing, be able to complete my plans before then.
He had all the pill ingredients and combat treasures safely in hand, everything he would need that wasn’t being provided by the sect. All of his material concerns were taken care of, so that just left…
Training. Training had been going, uh… Well, it was going, he could say that much. Learning new spells wasn’t a problem, but he was struggling to adapt to having so many options; he tended to rely on the handful of battle-tested spells that he had used in actual fights, and it was difficult to break the habit of just Fireballing everything. But I’m improving. It’s muscle memory, muscle memory! All I need is repetition, and my instincts will refine themselves!
And repetition was something he had in abundance; Lan had managed to find him a dozen skilled training partners, greatly exceeding his expectations. It had done most of the work to drain his coffers, even more than the treasures, but right now he valued the potential strength much more than mere money.
Hah, that’s strange to think. If the me of a year ago were in my place, would he agree with my reasoning, or think I was acting insane? He thought that theoretical past Lu would agree with him; Bull was their only friend in this world, after all.
…Perhaps my only friend, period. I can’t imagine my former comrades in Junk Dog would be pleased to see me. If they’re even still alive.
He shook the thought off, and stood up. His room was clean and orderly, perhaps even a bit too much; he had moved most of his furniture to the bathroom, leaving the space rather cavernous when he wasn’t experimenting. The golden silencing formations still adorned the walls, but the heaps of failed prototypes were stored in his spacial treasure.
Along with the successes, of course. He was still a terrible shot, in comparison to what he had seen Cobo do, but he was at least able to hit a target reliably from across the room. And the rifles being single-shot doesn’t matter; with my new purse I can store a bunch of them preloaded, and fire them all in succession. He hadn’t yet brought them out in a spar, but he was planning to soon. It would be beneficial for his partners as well; the other world was the originator of the technology, after all. Better to learn how to fight them here, than over there.
Slipping his latest round of spell scrolls into his purse, Lu gave his room another once-over before he left for yet another sparring session. It really doesn’t look like a living space at all. Maybe I should move my testing somewhere else? The secret of the other reality was being kept much less strictly these days, at least as far as the sect’s disciples were concerned. He shook his head. No, I should still keep some things in my back pocket. I’m still planning to retire in luxury, after all! He was willing to leak his weapons a little, in service of having them tested properly, but having a workshop out in the open would be going too far.
He left his rooms, heading for the archives. He felt good – he felt like even if the worst happened, he would be able to face it.
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Being a direct servant of Heaven was a less glorious occupation than some would assume. The hours were erratic, and the tasks tended to be shockingly mundane; harvesting a particular spirit herb, or tending to the sick and elderly, or simply acting as a conduit for prayers.
But in other ways, it was glory beyond imagining. The direct commands of Heaven were… Intoxicating, in a way nothing else could ever be. It was a small speck of perfection in an imperfect world, a glimpse at the truly divine. Song shivered, as she always did, when the touch of the heavens left her. She was insensate a moment, processing the command, her mind unfolding it layer by layer like a puzzle. Only when she had unfolded it entirely, understood exactly what the Divinities were asking of her, did she rise off her knees before the shrine.
“I will complete your will, Divine Emperors.” She was never entirely sure how much attention the heavens were paying to her in particular, but she said each word with conviction all the same. She looked west, in the direction her pilgrimage would take her, and for a moment it was like she could see through the walls, see the vast distances between her and her destination.
She shivered again, though for different reasons. So far… Her most difficult pilgrimage up till now had been fetching a specific loaf of bread from three towns over, rushing to get it before it could be eaten – but that would be a pleasant stroll in comparison to what lay before her.
She grabbed her staff and donned her mask, the heavy golden fabric leaving only her eyes exposed. The Hollow Valley Temple was small, a rural construction far from any city, so when she stepped out the door she was greeted by only the kiss of the late spring winds rather than any worshippers heading up the path.
She turned, retrieving some writing supplies from a small lidded box next to the door. There was only one other priest, an aging man who took the night watch, and as she had done every time her duties took her away from the shrine, she penned him a short letter to explain the situation.
Going to the Steadfast Heart Sect. The Gods want me to steal some magic dirt before it destroys the world.
Won’t be back for a few months, probably.
- Song