Chapter 132 - Gains (1/2)
“This is the shard of the Eternal Stone Slate?”
Looking at the metal fragment before him that was only as big as his palm, Gawain could not help but reveal a surprised look.
“Yes, the Eternal Stone Slate — I didn’t think it would actually look like this.” Viscount Andrew shook his head weakly. “The shards of the Eternal Stone Slate are worshiped in secret by the various big sects. Other persons or factions who have gotten the fragments have decided to not display them carelessly, so I was completely oblivious as to what I’d dug out at first. However, my men soon found remains of textual descriptions in the ruins. Only then did I dare to be sure that this metal piece protected by layers and layers of magical equipment was the legendary Eternal Stone Slate fragment…”
At this point, Viscount Andrew could not help shaking his head and sighing. “Many of the magical equipment in the remnants have stopped operating, but only those used to protect this piece of tablet fragment… Those gears remained operating up to this day. To get my hands on it, I paid a huge price, but I never expected that it was the start of an even bigger price only after it came into my hands…”
Gawain was reminded of a saying from his previous life on Earth: The precious stone lands its innocent possessor in jail[1].
He picked up the ‘stone slate fragment’ (say, could this thing still be called a ‘stone’ slate?) and confirmed that it was indeed of a metallic material. Such a faint-gold-colored metal did not belong to any magic-conducting material or common material known to him; instead, it was more like some unknown alloy. Its front was extremely smooth as if a thin layer of enamel covered it, and under the ‘enamel’ were complicated, detailed patterns. The back of it had some grooves that he couldn’t tell the functions of; there was even a small piece of crystal mounted in one of the grooves.
And on the edge of the metal plate was a neat and regular fracture. It looked like a connecting latch, turning the whole fragment into a geometric solid with a complex structure. Instead of saying that this had ‘broken off’ from a whole, Gawain suspected more that the so-called Eternal Stone Slate was pieced together by large amounts of such geometric pieces, like a certain puzzle…
It was indeed very interesting.
He turned this fragment here and there as he examined it and said thoughtfully, “It is said that mortals will receive the revelations of the gods after coming into contact with the Eternal Stone Slate. So why is there absolutely no effect when I’m holding it?”
“Merely touching it is of no use. You still need to communicate with it using spiritual power,” Viscount Andrew explained slowly. “But my supernatural abilities are insignificant. Even in communication, all I can hear are some indistinct murmurs. I can’t get any knowledge at all. But if it’s you… Perhaps gaining powers directly from it is possible.”
Gawain nodded his head but had no intention of using his spiritual power to communicate at all.
In fact, he had deep misgivings and fear for this thing.
The Eternal Stone Slate, the legendary object that brought belief in the gods to the mortal world. The first generation of mortal scholars had created such a big pile of religions precisely because they had come into contact with the Eternal Stone Tablet and also gained the power to use theurgies. This might have seemed like a blessing to the laymen of this world, but Gawain could not help but suspect that this item possessed mind-controlling, brainwashing, and instillation powers or the likes of. What if he failed in the communication and had his mind taken over by the consciousness of those gods? Even if they didn’t occupy his mind, leaving behind the illness of hearing those gods occasionally murmuring nonsense in his consciousness henceforth was a big no-no too!
“I’d ask that you take this fragment with you,” Viscount Andrew suddenly said. “Whether to keep it yourself, present it to the King, or hand it over to a church that you believe in and wish to be on friendly terms with, anything is fine.”
“Are you sure?” Gawain raised his brow for a moment. “You ought to know the value of this object. Even if you don’t dare to continue keeping it, personally handing it to the King or a church could give you a lot of benefits in exchange.”
“I no longer want anything more to do with this.” Viscount Andrew burst out with energy and shook his head hard. “Even if I were to hand it over, I do not wish to do so through my hands. — And if it wasn’t for you today, it would’ve been impossible for me to have survived. Just take this as a gift.”
Gawain showed a vague smile. “But we really can’t be sure whether it’s a gift or a plague…”
Despite saying so, he put the Eternal Stone Slate fragment away without hesitation.
This object was indeed a ticking bomb. It was able to pressure a dark organization like the Oblivion Association to make a reckless move against the nobility of the kingdom. Yet this object was also a treasure. It possibly contained the secrets of all the gods and could even allow Gawain to get a brief glimpse of a hint of the truth of this world. In any case, Gawain was unable to turn a blind eye to it.
In the situation where the Oblivion Association had already failed, he could be sure that no one would be trying to obtain this object for the time being. Besides, time was needed for news to spread; it would be difficult for outsiders to find out in time that this piece of ‘stone’ slate fragment was already in his hands. During this slightly safer period of time, Gawain was going to study this mysterious fragment.
His identity as a ‘famed legend’ was also a strong safeguard in retaining this stone slate fragment. — Although the Cecil territory was extremely weak right now, in this era, the reputation of a legendary powerhouse was, more often than not, a greater deterrent than having a powerful and prosperous aristocratic clan. Gawain did not mind borrowing his own influence in this aspect.