Chapter 546 – Gates and Rune Learning.

‘A Rune Champion huh?’

Rolan clasped his hands together in a cross pattern over his chest as he scanned the data projected onto his helmet display. He had just returned from the dungeon expedition after assembling the teleportation gate. While Agni, Armand, and the rest of the group remained in the dungeon, he was here to ensure the gate in the city was functioning properly. He did not want people traveling directly into his underground workshop, so the union had been tasked with assembling one within Albrook. At the same time, he descended into the dungeon to serve as the main defender. The monsters there had mostly been defeated, and as long as no one entered the elemental temples, everything would be fine.

Once he returned, Roland encountered his brother, Robert, undergoing his tier-3 ascension trial. In one of the levels of his workshop, he had created a special area for skill training, which Robert had been using to level up his tier-2 skills. Roland wasn’t sure what to expect from his “older” sibling, but he was pleasantly surprised by his unique class, which seemed to be a type of knight class focused on runic equipment. The trial description suggested that Robert would gain the ability to use runic equipment more efficiently. Roland knew well how powerful such equipment could become, especially if the user possessed the skills to reduce the mana required to activate runic components.

‘He might be expecting a lot from me… would be best not to disappoint him.’

As he rode the elevator up he thought about how his brother focused on this new class. It was clear that Robert only received it due to the vassal title and that he was expecting custom-made equipment in the future, something he would need to tackle if he made it through.

‘I suppose, I will need to step up to that challenge. What type of runes are best for dueling that will fit him?’

Though he couldn’t directly assist his brother during the ascension trial, he could still guide him through it. His mind held the knowledge of a vast array of runic spells, along with techniques to customize them for more effective results. If he were the runesmith in the trial, he could likely craft something to overpower his enemies, but that wasn’t the point. The trial required Robert to master the right combinations himself, and teaching him those would be no easy task. Robert was a traditional carrier knight, accustomed to relying on others, like his squire or whatever the military personnel had available, for his equipment. Only Knight Commanders enjoyed the privilege of requesting custom gear, and he hadn’t yet attained that rank.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a sprawling view of wind turbines scattered across his backyard. Without hesitation, he stepped out, heading into his home to grab a pencil and a notebook before making his way toward the city. As he walked, his hand moved swiftly, scribbling runes, sketches of armor, and designs for rune-covered swords.

‘This should be helpful.’

His wrist moved rapidly as it became a blur as he tried to compile a guide. Every rune, every intricate curve, had been painstakingly rendered on the pages of his notebook. He had to think from the perspective of a knight, not a runesmith. There was a certain macro pattern to runic spells and knowing the larger runic symbols would help Robert to identify what the enchantment was. It was clear that if he wanted to achieve that new class, he would need to know what he was dealing with during combat and be able to devise strategies to go against enchantments.

‘This should do it…’

“You there.”

“Sir High Commander!”

“Take this to my estate, It has to reach Sir Durendal’s hands.”

“As you command!”

He had taken a walk to the city and within half an hour filled out the sixty page notebook with all sorts of basic rune combinations and explanations. He could still do more but this would be enough to keep Robert busy for a few days. Once done, he handed it over to one of the soldiers who sped off into the distance as if his life depended on it.

‘Now then, I should get back to work…’

Roland stepped forward, his mithril boots clacking against the pavement as he approached a large, heavily guarded building. Two guards pushed open the massive doors, while behind him towering stone walls hid what he was looking at. The structure was built from thick slabs of reinforced stone, further strengthened by layers of earth magic. Inside, his gaze immediately landed on the large circular gate at the center of the room–the one the Dwarven Union had been working to establish.

“Aye, the High Commander has finally graced us. I reckon we can begin?”

Brylvia stood waiting for him, large goggles strapped to her forehead as she waved him over. She had been tasked with assembling the gate while he was away. Thanks to the small loan Arthur had secured, they had managed to gather all the necessary materials in record time. The project had put the city deep into the red, but once the dungeon farm was operational, Roland believed they could recover their losses in less than half a year.

“Is it ready?”

“Aye.”

Both of them nodded at each other and the final test began. Roland’s gaze never left the large, circular structure as Brylvia activated the final sequence. The runes carved along its outer rim flared to life, each glowing rune feeding into a central cascade of light. Slowly, the heart of the gate transformed, what was once a cold, inert disk now rippled with a fluid, water-like surface of mana. It shimmered in hues of deep blue and silver, its movements flowing with grace before a burst of energy illuminated everything. He paused, mesmerized by the sight. Even though he had seen this phenomenon before, it was always a brilliant display of magical technology.

‘Remarkable, it’s always a sight to behold…’

He thought to himself while the dwarves scrambled around the gate, taking measurements to ensure its stability. He conducted his own scan and confirmed that everything was in order. The gate was connected to a large panel with a flat display, similar to the ones in his own workshop. On the screen, the operating system managed by Sebastian ran complex calculations.

“All rune signs operating at an acceptable rate. It’s a success!”

Cheers erupted from the team involved in the project, their fists pumping the air in celebration. But Roland’s eyes never left the gate. The massive, circular portal pulsed before him, signifying that a major phase of the project had been completed. Though this gate had been constructed from lesser materials and had a limited range, it was enough to initiate the second phase of their plan.

“Send the signal.”

His voice cut through the cheers, booming with authority. One of the dwarves at the console immediately straightened up, the excitement fading as everyone snapped back to work. The gate was now fully active, and soon, the first person stepped through.

“Why do I have to go first… I always lose to her, she must be cheating, but how?”

It was Armand, grumbling as he unwillingly tested the teleportation system. His presence on the other side confirmed their success. They could now transport people back and forth without leaving a trace. Without a visible trail of miners leading into the dungeon, no one would suspect what was happening.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

‘Now then, how much should we siphon without reporting it to the duke? ’

Arthur had grown comfortable living on the edge, knowing that to win the culling competition he would have to be discreet. Technically, the underground dungeon belonged to the Valerian estate and the Adventurer’s Guild, meaning any operations conducted by the book would require splitting profits with both entities. However, with the Guild Master’s cooperation at a much smaller price, they could withhold a portion of their earnings.

‘Best to spread it around. Some to trusted merchants, others to the Thieves’ Guild. They have plenty of things we could trade for. Once we have enough, then we can start taxing it properly.’

This was a risky move, and they would need to remain vigilant against potential spies. Fortunately, the entire dungeon was under his control, as was the city itself. While he was not particularly fond of monitoring the entire territory along with its residents, he saw it as a necessary evil. Only through careful oversight could they protect everyone from spies and the abyssal cultists.

“Armand, there is more work to do, I need you to safeguard the next shipment.”

“Ahh, there is no rest for the handsome, is there?”

Armand shrugged and smiled as he headed out the door. Now that the initial expedition group could return, they would begin turning the entire level into a proper farming ground. They needed to transport all the turret parts, then clear out the five temples once again. Once that was done, Roland would finally face the boss chamber one more time before sending the dwarven miners to break through that strange wall. He did not know what lay behind it, but he was certain it was important.

‘This might still take a while. I wonder if Robert will be able to rank up before then. His cooldown should be shorter than mine. ’

*****