Return of the Legendary Runesmith

Adrian was stunned.

The Tower, cooperating with the same cult responsible for so much chaos? The very people who had made the world distrust the Towers in the first place?

"Pathetic," Ariana spat, her voice dripping with contempt.

Adrian exhaled heavily. "Hasn't the Tower learned its lesson already?"

Dallen lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "It's not Celestial Hall, actually. We were invited to join, but the matter is still under debate. Most members are against it. Naturally, Sir Albec is one of those opposing the decision."

Adrian folded his arms, expression hardening. "Then who are the Towers involved?"

Dallen raised his hand, counting them off with a finger. "The Twilight Vault, Ade Bastion, and… Midnight Ascent."

Ariana's eyes widened. "Even Midnight? What is the top-ranking Tower doing mingling with cultists?"

A dry chuckle slipped from Dallen. "They're at the top because of people, Miss Ariana. If not for public support, for craftsmen flocking to them every year, and Wardens volunteering to serve under them, they'd be nothing. Just another research hall. So naturally, they'll do anything to maintain their biggest backer's trust."

And that was the harsh truth. Once the masses lost faith, any Tower—no matter how glorious—was nothing more than a hollow structure with empty coffers.

Adrian hummed, "So…why did Master Albec want me to know about this?"

Though shocked and a little frustrated that they were working with those bastards, Adrian already had enough on his plate to get involved right now.

Of course, if he happened to find out where the Skulth members were hiding, he might make a move.

Dallen lowered his head slightly, "I know things have happened, and you don't want anything to do with the Celestial Hall…but can you still help us?"

"Prepare weapons? To help you fight your new comrades?" Adrian asked, his voice laced with mockery.

Dallen pressed on, "If the Celestial Hall agrees to this idiotic farce, Master Albec will step down from his position as Master."

Adrian raised a brow in surprise. So Albec was serious this time. And there was a good chance the Celestial Hall wouldn't take part anyway, since they were short on resources.

But if not that, then—

"What do they need Adrian's help for?" Ariana asked.

"To build a forcefield," Dallen said, his tone heavy. "The targeted town is Dohem, near Aritveil's capital."

Adrian's eyes widened. "That place…isn't one of the biggest markets on the continent there?"

Dallen nodded. "Exactly. And since autumn brings new lines of clothing, the market stays especially crowded around this time."

Ariana clicked her tongue. "They'd end up sacrificing thousands again. Trusting those snakes…"

Adrian could feel her anger. As a former Warden, she valued people's lives above everything else.

"So…they want me to build a forcefield to keep Acolytes away?"

That wouldn't be easy. Covering such a wide area meant the barrier would need stronger, denser material, hours of Runesmithing to align the runes, and the artifact itself had to be crafted carefully—so it wouldn't get noticed by anyone else.

Dallen shook his head. "The demand is for shelters. We'll place the artifacts around certain houses, turning them into bunkers when the Acolytes attack."

If they put up a barrier around the market, the whole scheme would collapse. People would suspect they already knew about the attack, and that would raise questions they couldn't afford.

"That's why…we need artifacts to protect a hundred bunkers. And within ten days, if possible."

"A hundred?!" Ariana's voice rose. "Do you realize each bunker would take at least four artifacts?"

Four hundred artifacts.

That was insane.

Dallen let out a long breath. "All I can do is bow my head and beg you, Sir Adrian. Sir Albec is ready to compensate you…anything you want from the Tower, even the ancient notes Master Tia possesses."

Adrian chuckled. Those notes—something he had left behind himself.

After a bit of a pause, Adrian hummed. "I'll only agree if I get a few things," he said plainly.

Dallen's brows lifted. This was what he had been waiting for.

"Oh, right." He pulled out a notepad and pen.

Adrian began, "Two hundred traps. The type will be specified later."

Dallen glanced up, lips parting slightly, but Adrian didn't stop.

"Two kilograms of silver. Pure and unrefined."

"T-Two kilograms?!" Dallen nearly choked.

Adrian smiled faintly. "So…is it goodnight, or are you going to keep writing?"

With a scratch to his head, Dallen noted it down.

"Access to the Tower's private archive," Adrian added.

Dallen froze. He stared at him in disbelief. "You do realize only Tower Masters are allowed in there, right?"

Adrian shrugged. "The one asking for my help is a Master, isn't he?"

Dallen groaned. Forget it. He would just hand the list to Albec.

Adrian continued with a few more requests that would help him build the tool he has been planning for some time.

After his fight with the Acolytes in the hideout, he realized what tool would be best, in case Forgelet's artifacts failed.

As such, he was going to use this opportunity to leech all the materials from the Tower and build his perfect tools.

Dallen heaved a long sigh before asking, "Tell me this is it."

Adrian chuckled, "Yeah, this much do. Return to me by tomorrow, along with the materials required for the artifacts."

Dallen gave a brief bow, "I hope this meeting prevents a tragedy."

Adrian didn't respond, and soon the man melted into the shadows.

When Adrian turned, he froze. Ariana stood there, sharp eyes fixed on him, hands on her waist.

"Are you planning to work yourself to death?" she asked. "You're already buried in work, and now this?"

Yes, she was relieved Adrian had chosen to help—but her worry was stronger.

He already had his classes and endless studies. These days, he barely has any time for himself. At dinner, he was often nodding off at the table. And now he had taken on this burden too.

Adrian slid closer and wrapped an arm around her. "Don't worry," he said softly. "I'll manage."

Annabelle also jumped before him and said, "Darling, hug me too."

Adrian chuckled before he wrapped his other arm around her and started to walk back to the academy.

He was sure that Albec would agree to this demand since he also knows what consequences they would face if this whole farce ends up the way they have predicted.

So, he should be focusing on how he would build the barriers.

Naturally, he has something in mind that's why he took the job. He, alone, was simply incapable of building those many artifacts.

So, he would take help.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.