Chapter 106 - The Aid Team (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The third day after reaching a consensus with Nicholas Egg (this magical equipment that came from the ancient Gondor vault, stored an old soul, and forged a friendship with the Cecil ancestor), it finally began to officially appear to the people of the new Cecil territory.

From now on, ‘it’ could no longer be used to address this egg, instead, they had to use ‘he’.

His appearance naturally attracted a bout of attention. Even the most apathetic serfs and slave laborers could not help but grow curious about this metal ball. When they saw a bright, gleaming metal ball with a diameter of 1.3 meters floating mid-air moving towards them, everyone would involuntarily stop and watch and then discuss this thing with the people around them.

Initially, a considerable number of people felt fearful because Nicholas Egg’s appearance was really unimaginably queer. Moreover, it was a little too bright under the sun, virtually looking like a magic ball that was about to explode anytime. Those extremely superstitious civilians with shallow knowledge would give way to screams and run away. However, Gawain specially sent some soldiers to publicize and introduce the origin of this ‘magical equipment’ and especially emphasized: it was actually a respectable ancient scholar inside the egg; he had been trapped inside the metal ball because of a magic accident; other than his peculiar appearance, he was no different from the people at the camp.

After spreading that message many times, people were finally able to accept such a metal ball. Of course, some fear and nervousness were unavoidable; eventually, they would realize that this round fellow was harmless. Moreover, it could even make sounds and communicate with people. Together with Gawain’s promise, everyone forced themselves to calm down.

And Nicholas Egg himself… was extremely satisfied with his present situation.

From the first day he was stranded on this odd foreign world, his circumstances had been difficult and awkward. First, he faced the strangeness of the environment; then it was the ill-intentioned locals, being detained in the laboratory, and made a research sample. He was nearly sliced into metal shavings by those Gondor Master Mages a thousand years ago. Finally, he was suppressed by an arcane seal by those Master Mages for a thousand years. When he opened his eyes again, it was a new world with regressed civilization and collapsed technology. He’d thought he was doomed to such ceaseless bad luck, but he never expected to meet such an offbeat person like Gawain.

He was able to communicate, was able to understand what he said, and was so open-minded that he was able to accept his various statements. He was neither ignorant like the current locals, nor did he only know dissection and research like those ancient people.

Now that he thought about it, when he attempted a secret escape a few days ago but ended up being caught… it was really a very good thing. Otherwise, if he’d continued pretending to be a rock, no one knew how long it would take before he would be able to come out for a stroll like he was doing today.

However, while Nicholas Egg was enjoying his stroll around camp, someone complained to Gawain. Heidi stood before Gawain with a troubled look. “That ball keeps floating here and there around camp. Are you really not going to do anything?”

Gawain had his head bowed, carefully studying the information on personnel. This was the rough register of the hundred technical personnel from the capital who’d just arrived two days ago. Hearing Heidi, he lifted his head and smiled. “Did that ball make trouble for anyone?”

“Not making trouble,”—Heidi shook her head—”but he’s just too curious! As long as he sees people working, he would float over and watch them for a long time. That appearance of his is really too striking. The workers are bound to be affected.”

“Everyone will get used to it sooner or later. It’s merely a metal ball that floats around. It’s not like it’s a gigantic dragon.” Gawain chuckled. “Of course, I’ll remind him later not to distract the workers as much as possible. Oh yes, about that, what do you think about Nicholas Egg?”

Heidi’s expression became an odd one. “You’re sure you’re giving him this weird name?”

Gawain held up his open hands in resignation. “I have no choice. He’d only recognize this.”

Heidi sighed. “If you’re asking my thoughts… Actually I’d always wanted to study how he managed to float. The energy that he emits is very intriguing. It doesn’t seem like a magic energy that I’m familiar with. Besides, he is able to float in mid-air forever. If this is a kind of innate spell…”

“Hang on.” Gawain quickly interrupted Heidi’s thoughts that were beginning to unravel. “If you’re thinking of studying him, you’d better restrain yourself a little. That rascal had been captured and studied for a long time by the Master Mages of the Gondor Empire a thousand years ago. Right now, his psychological trauma is especially severe. By doing so, you will cause the hard-earned trust that he’d built with us to vanish in a flash.”

“Of course, I was merely thinking about it at heart.” Heidi smiled rather apologetically. “Compared to that, I’m more concerned about what you mentioned before — the issue about the samples that weren’t withdrawn a thousand years ago being still hidden in the ancient fortress in the mountains. I heard you got Sir Philip to organize a scouting team? Are you thinking of going into the remnants to search for those dangerous items now?”

“Of course not.” Gawain shook his head. “As you said, those are dangerous items, not something we can have a hand in right now. I got Sir Philip to organize a team mainly for the sake of investigating the shallow levels of the fortress, as well as checking on those forked roads that we weren’t able to explore when we explored them. You must know, that is a massive and sturdy stronghold… If we simply leave it in the mountains instead of making use of it, don’t you think that’s a waste?”