The sound of the horn from the newly completed watchtower still echoed throughout Ashwind Post, followed by the joyous and relieved shouts of the villagers who rushed out of their huts. Kiana, Elder Eldrin, and Leonardo da Vinci quickly emerged from the meeting room, their faces filled with a mixture of hope and concern.
The sight that met their eyes was a group of four figures, some familiar, some not, staggering but full of determination, entering the village perimeter. The first one clearly visible was Ryu, the young samurai. Though he looked weary and had several wounds, his eyes still shone with unwavering resolve. Following him were the towering figures of Bacchus and Taurus, two of the village's key warriors. They looked equally exhausted but still maintained their formidable presence. And finally, there was a strange woman in dark, practical leather attire, her dark brown hair tied back, her sharp, slender face holding vigilant and discerning eyes. She was Raven.
"Ryu! Bacchus-dono! Taurus-dono!" Kiana exclaimed with overwhelming joy, rushing towards her brother and the two comrades immediately. "You're back! Are you all safe?!"
"We're mostly alright, little Kiana," Bacchus said with a wide grin, despite some bruises on his face. "Just a bit of excitement along the way."
Eldrin and Da Vinci followed, Eldrin's face showing clear relief. "I knew you would all return safely," he said gently, before his gaze fell upon Raven. "And this young lady is..."
"She is Raven-san, Elder," Ryu introduced. "She helped me and guided us back here."
Raven merely nodded in greeting to the old leader and the young foreigner standing beside him, but her eyes continued to survey this peculiar village with interest.
And what made everyone in the village (especially Da Vinci) widen their eyes in astonishment was the "souvenir" Bacchus and Taurus had helped carry back. It was several large pieces of the upgraded mechanized hunter-killer patrol unit they had fought in the tunnel! The complex sensor head, the strange-looking power source, parts of the energy machine gun, and some damaged circuit boards were all placed on the ground in the middle of the village square, causing a great stir and curiosity among the villagers.
Once the situation had calmed down and the injured had received initial first aid, Ryu's group (including Raven, who was invited to join as a benefactor and someone who might have important information) went to report everything they had experienced to Da Vinci, Kiana, and Eldrin in the quiet meeting room.
Ryu began. He recounted his perilous journey in Siren's Haven, his encounter with "Fenril," one of the ruthless Seven Hunters, the information he received from the informant "Shadow Fox," and his discovery of the "target list" of the Seven Hunters, which included the fact that an "Artificer" or an "Awakened" according to prophecy, was a prime target of the Nebula Empire, and that the Emperor desperately wanted him. He also told them about meeting the "Spark Faction" and the help they received, as well as Raven's reappearance and his return journey with Bacchus and Taurus.
Bacchus and Taurus added details about their journey to find Ryu under Eldrin's orders and their clash with the pack of Tunnel Wolves before meeting Ryu and Raven. They didn't boast much about their own strength, but from their account, Da Vinci and the others could assess that both men possessed considerable hidden abilities.
Raven elaborated on her confrontation with Fenril after Ryu had fled, and most importantly, the unexpected "intervention" of the "Nebula King," who had suddenly ordered Fenril to retreat. This information caused great shock and contemplation among everyone.
Da Vinci listened to the entire story with utmost attention and interest, especially when "Artificer," "The Awakened," and "prophecy" were mentioned. His eyes sparkled when he heard how much importance the Nebula Empire placed on his power. It further reinforced his hypothesis about the "secret code of power" he had recently discovered. And when Ryu mentioned the "Astra Navigator" given to them by the Spark Faction, he was even more intrigued by the ancient technology of this world.
Kiana's expression was tense throughout. The news about the "Seven Hunters" and Da Vinci being a target made her feel the imminent threat more acutely. But at the same time, knowing there was a "Spark Faction" resisting the Empire and the return of key figures like Bacchus and Taurus also gave her a growing sense of hope.
Eldrin sat listening calmly, but his eyes were filled with deep analysis and contemplation. The ancient prophecy... the Nebula King's intervention... and the "old friend" he was about to contact... everything seemed strangely interconnected.
After everyone had finished their stories, Da Vinci could barely wait to "examine" the important souvenir Ryu's group had brought back. He excused himself from the meeting and went straight to the village square where the wreckage of the mechanized patrol unit lay, with Kiana, Eldrin, and others following with interest.
The sight everyone saw was the young foreigner with sparkling, curious eyes, meticulously circling the steel wreckage. One hand held the golden brush, while the other picked up simple tools he had made himself (like pliers, a screwdriver made from small metal pieces, or even a magnifying lens he had ground from a piece of glass) and began to "dissect" and "study" the various parts skillfully and systematically. He didn't smash or dismantle them haphazardly but carefully disassembled, observed internal mechanisms, analyzed material structures, and cautiously tested joints.
"Hmm... very interesting," Da Vinci murmured to himself as he examined the complex sensor head of one of the robots. "This multi-layered detection system... it uses principles similar to the eyes of some insects, but with much more complex data processing... And this metal alloy used for the armor has components I've never seen before. It's incredibly light and strong."
He carefully used a tool to open a partially damaged circuit board. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the intricate network of tiny circuits. "This is... a silicon crystal structure, isn't it? But the arrangement is different from what I've studied... Or is this truly its 'mechanical brain'? It can 'think' and 'make decisions' on its own to a certain extent!"
The villagers watching around looked at each other, amazed and uncomprehending of what Da Vinci was saying or doing. But they could sense the genius and enthusiasm radiating from him. Kiana and Eldrin looked at each other hopefully. Perhaps... this young man could truly discover "something" that would change their fate.
After spending a considerable time studying the wreckage, Da Vinci looked up, his eyes filled with new understanding. "I think... I'm beginning to see the 'big picture' of the technology they use," he said to Eldrin and Kiana. "It's incredibly advanced and dangerous, but it's not without 'weaknesses' or 'loopholes.' If we have enough 'knowledge' and 'resources'... I believe we can definitely find a way to counter it."
Those words gave everyone there even more hope.
"The information we have now isn't enough to create something that can directly counter them," Da Vinci continued. "But I firmly believe that the 'knowledge' that will help us truly understand and deal with these technologies... as well as 'traces' of past 'Artificers' or 'The Awakened'... should still remain in a place filled with ancient knowledge... like the 'Athenaeum of Embers' Elder Eldrin once mentioned."
Eldrin nodded slowly. "Yes... I've always thought so too. That Athenaeum doesn't just hold old tomes recording the history of this world, but I believe it also hides 'records' of wise men and superpowered individuals of the past... Perhaps there are 'methods' to control even greater powers, or 'secrets' that will help us defeat the Nebula Empire hidden within."
"But that place is very dangerous, Grandfather," Kiana said with concern. "We still don't know how strong 'Eagle' or any other hunter guarding it is."
"I know it's dangerous," Eldrin replied. "But sometimes... to achieve great things, we must dare to risk."
Everyone there fell silent. No one objected, because deep down, everyone knew this might be the only path left.
"In that case..." Da Vinci spoke, breaking the silence, his eyes sparkling with determination. "We will have to prepare a team to return to the Athenaeum of Embers... but this time... we must have a more thorough plan and be better prepared."
The crucial decision had been made. A new mission, full of danger and challenges, awaited them. This journey to the Athenaeum of Embers would be the key to unlocking the mysteries of this world and might be the beginning of a great battle that would change everyone's fate forever.
[End of Chapter 27]