Then, today, someone came knocking at the door.
At first, he was unaware of what was happening inside the sanctuary.
It wasn’t until later that a high-ranking member summoned him.
Only then did the patriarch realize that something like this had occurred within his own sanctuary.
He quickly rushed out to personally greet the visitors and explain the situation.
This revelation left Nora and Nina utterly stunned.
They never expected that Daniel, the headmaster, had already unified Middle Earth without them realizing it.
What did this mean for them going forward?
Wasn’t it going to be much easier from here on out?
Perhaps they wouldn’t even need to lift a finger.
Simply stating their identities would allow them to complete their mission in no time.
After all, the top three factions of Middle Earth had already pledged allegiance to Crossbridge Academy, so what remained seemed effortless.
“By the way, can we take a break now? We’ve been either traveling or fighting every day. I haven’t had any time to relax or play,” Nina said, looking at Nora. “Now that Daniel has unified Middle Earth, can’t we just rest for a while and go plant trees?”
She hadn’t had a proper moment of leisure in the past few months.
If it weren’t for their world-saving task, Nina doubted she’d even be in Middle Earth right now.
But with Daniel now handling the major factions, she thought that surely, the challenges they had been facing were over.
All they had to do was explain their purpose, just like today, and the rest would be taken care of.
“Does this mean we’re free to play for a bit?” Nina continued, her voice lighter. “I heard that Middle Earth has nine realms, each with its own unique charm. We could explore them all!”
As she spoke, Nina noticed that the others had peculiar expressions on their faces.
“What… Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“We’re here in Middle Earth for the first time. Don’t you think we should have some fun while we can?” Nina said, noting that it seemed like someone was trying to give her a signal.
Huh? What’s going on?
Nina turned to look over her shoulder, half-expecting to see someone standing behind her. But no—there was only the patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary.
However, just as she was about to turn back, she felt a finger flick her forehead.
“Ah!” Nina exclaimed in surprise, clutching her head.
“You’re always thinking about slacking off and having fun,” came Daniel’s voice.
“I wasn’t… I’ve been working hard lately! Ask Nora! If it weren’t for you unifying Middle Earth, I wouldn’t have…” Nina muttered.
The patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary, hearing Nina’s conversation with Daniel, immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
“Moonlit Sanctuary pays its respects to Master Daniel.”
“Mm.” Daniel nodded before turning to address Ryze, who was among the crowd.
“Come with me.”
“Yes, Headmaster,” Ryze replied and followed Daniel to a clearing outside.
“About the forge, did your Oracle lineage mention anything about its true body?” Daniel asked.
“The forge… There is indeed a true one. In fact, the magic array that formed the forge previously was based on research into the original body. According to the inherited memories… it should have been hidden away,” Ryze replied.
“Hidden away? Is it possible to find it?” Daniel asked, his tone filled with concern.
“It’s possible, yes. It’s located in the southern seas,” Ryze said, his gaze distant as he searched through his memories. “Back then, the Oracle of that generation was being oppressed, and their very survival was in danger. To prevent the true forge from falling into the hands of enemy factions, they hid it within the bloodline of their descendants.”
“If nothing has changed, it should still be there, by the southern seas…”
Daniel’s heart sank as he heard this. The method of hiding it seemed too simple.
“Didn’t the Oracle’s ancestors worry that their descendants might be involved?” Daniel asked. After all, when the great factions targeted someone, whether they were mages or ordinary people, few could escape their grasp.
But Daniel also remembered that he hadn’t found anything resembling the forge’s true body at either Dragonscale Bank or Element Temple.
So it seemed the true forge hadn’t been discovered by those factions—what they had were mere replicas based on the Oracle’s magic arrays.
“You needn’t worry,” Ryze reassured. “The Oracle’s ability to conceal itself is exceptional.”
Indeed. For a faction to be targeted by the world’s greatest powers and still endure across generations was no small feat.
“And this forge is special. Though it, too, came from the God and Demon battlefield, it won’t corrupt the world like other remnants. It doesn’t radiate any distinct energy, making it nearly impossible to locate.”
Upon hearing this, Daniel nodded in understanding.
“If you’re in a hurry, I can send people to look for it,” Ryze offered.
“No need,” Daniel said, cutting him off. “Just tell me the location, and I’ll go search for it myself.”
“Understood.”
By the southern coast.
Beyond that, just a bit further south, lay the Emerald Isles that Daniel had once visited, where he had encountered that mischievous young boy.
But right now, his primary task was planting trees.
There didn’t seem to be any world nodes on the Emerald Isles, so he had no intention of going there.
A city stood by the sea.
Daniel hovered in the air, looking down at it.
According to Ryze, the descendants of the Oracle were supposed to be living in this city.
So, he began his search.
Not long after, he vanished from sight.
In the city, an old street vendor sat in front of his stall, which was filled with mana crystals, tarot cards, and other oddities.
“Want to know your fate?” the old man called out to passersby. “Come, try your luck. Whether it’s marriage, wealth, or fame, I can give you the answers.”
Few people stopped by.
The old man had been in the city for many years, and most people knew him well, so they didn’t pay him any mind.
His stall was dirty, with stains and rips in places.
Yet, he didn’t seem to care, and continued to call out now and then.
“Are you really that accurate?” A voice came from in front of him.
The old man suddenly straightened up, his demeanor shifting from laziness to alertness.
He quickly responded, “Accurate? Of course! It’s my family’s ancient method! Whether you choose the crystal ball or the tarot cards, I can do it all.”
“Then read my fortune with the crystal ball,” the voice said. “If you’re accurate, I’ll take everything here.”
Daniel spoke as he stepped forward, placing several superior mana stones on the table.
“Ah! Please, place your right hand on the crystal ball and close your eyes,” the old man instructed.
Daniel did as he was told, closing his eyes while the old man placed his hand above Daniel’s.
Their hands didn’t touch. Continue reading at empire
“Fate… the fate of the future…” the old man murmured under his breath.
Suddenly, his eyes flew open, his face filled with disbelief. He staggered backward, as though he had seen something shocking.
His sudden reaction caused Daniel to open his eyes as well.
“What’s wrong?”
“You… Who are you?” The old man asked, his voice shaking.
Daniel had, in that moment, found exactly what he was looking for: the forge’s true body appeared in his hand.
Without hesitation, Daniel seized the old man by the arm and vanished.
“Master, please! I’m just a fortune teller, I’ve never wronged you!” The old man cried, panic rising in his voice.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” Daniel said coolly. “I’m here for something you have.”
