Last Divinity: The Advent Of Dreams-Chapter 52: Merlin Returns to the Strix Tower

Merlin could feet, a vast presence, he couldn't explain but it felt the description of Gods.

He couldn't comprehend this, all records they found claimed the Gods died out a long time ago.

This was impossible yet here he was feeling it, he could feel an energy much more superior to mana.

He instinctively knew he wouldn't even be able to interact with this energy and if he tried he would probably die.

His mind was blank until the prayer ended, even after, he was still shaken by the experience.

He went to Khali looking for answers, " Explain boy, what trick did you play on me?" Khali raised his eyebrow.

" Trick? I don't know what you're talking about sir Merlin." Merlin gritted his teeth.

" Are you going to keep playing dumb? What was that, what did I feel during that prayer session thing?"

Khali looked like he had just had an epiphany. " Oh, it seems the great Khaladrel welcomed you, congratulations.

He doesn't usually reveal his presence to new comers like that, he must've seen great potential in you."

Khali tapped Merlin's shoulder then left, Merlin stood there frozen, he was still finding it hard to believe.

He gritted his teeth and looked for others, all of them told him the same thing, the God Khaladrel welcomed him.

They congratulated him and continued their work, others were even jealous saying they needed much more time to be acknowledged like that.

Eventually he gave up and searched for Viona, they told him she was on the fourth layer, the volcanic layer.

He tried to go there but was stopped in the passage to the second. He saw boxes with wheels rolling on steel lines.

The man named Sam appeared and explained. " Trains you say?" Merlin asked brushing his long beard.

" What are their limitations? Can they travel outside as well?" He asked and looked at Sam expectedly.

Sam nodded, " As long as the land is suitable to lay the rails, the train can travel anywhere.

These are merely mining carts though, a train is much bigger and not open on top like that."

Merlin nodded with understanding, he couldn't hide his smile and excitement but his dream was shattered by Sam's next words.

" Don't be excited though, we won't be laying down any tracks or building and trains on this planet."

Merlin looked disappointed and confused, " Why?" He asked which made Sam raise his eyebrows.

" Because this world is dying of course, laying down tracks would be a long project and a fruitless one if we're leaving in only a few years."

Merlin nodded, " That makes sense, can you call Viona for, these children won't allow me to go down."

Sam nodded and sent somebody to go fetch Viona.

" What do you want old man?" Viona asked sounding irritated, she hated being disturbed while training.

Merlin smiled bitterly, " Still a rude brat." Then his expression changed, the smile disappeared and his eyes turned serious.

" I'm going back, I have things to take care of, come with me." He offered. Viona's face turned dark.

" You know very well I can't go back there, not yet at least." Merlin sighed and nodded.

" Then we'll meet each again, soon." He left, Viona watched him go then went back to her training.

" I'm leaving boy, I will send people over to assist with this spaceship project you spoke off, tell me all you need."

Khali turned and looked at Merlin then smiled causing the old man to flinch even with his strength.

That was hurtful but Khali ignored it, " I will need a lot of people, how many can you spare?"

Merlin thought about it, " At most two thousand, would that be enough?" Khali sighed.

" I don't know, it would depend on how many we're supposed to take with us, does that two thousand include warriors and mages?"

Merlin looked at him like he was an idiot, " Of course, those people are warriors and mages, why would I bring normal people?"

Khali was caught off guard, " You're telling me all two thousand are awakened warriors and mages?"

Merlin nodded, " I can't spare too many mages so perhaps you'll only get 50."

Khali couldn't help but laugh. " That's great old man, if you include norma people how many can you spare?"

Merlin shrugged, " It would depend on how many are willing to come, besides, would you trust them with your secret?

You know if the empire founds out they will try to take all of this away from you."

Khali nodded, " That's where you come in." He tapped Merlin on the shoulder with a smile.

Merlin sighed, " As strong as my tower is, the empire has a much larger army and is much older.

I can only hold that old fool back for so long, it's better if others do not know of you. Do not worry, it will take time as long as you don't reveal yourself.

You're at the edge of the desolate desert of the worm king, not even that old guy dares cross it by foot."

Khali paused, " You're saying we on the territory of a rank 4 monster?" He almost shouted.

Merlin nodded, " Buy don't worry, you're at the edge of it, the other side is the white desert of the draval queen, neither the worm nor the draval will come here.

The king won't either, if he does those two would attack him."

Khali nodded then paused, " Then how the hell are you here?"

Merlin grinned and showed him an amulet, " This hides my presence, to them I'm no different from the rest of you, insect they won't even be bothered killing."

Khali nodded then thought of something else, there was once when they faced a monster horde.

He thought they were drawn by his divinity but now that didn't sound likely. If that was the case, the two strongest monsters around would've sensed it.

He figured there was probably another reason why the monsters came in such large numbers.

Probably a large number of humans gathered together is what drew them. He thanked Merlin.

Before Merlin left Khali gave him a radio com. It was connected to the satellites so it could transmit messages across the world.

Merlin took it along with a bag of snacks, chips, chocolate. Then he took spices and fruits as well and he left.

Khali went to the industrial sector to a hanger. There were 7 behemoths there, pitch black in colour.

Each one mounted with so many weapons they can destroy cities. These were the aircrafts he been working on.

They were the initial model of his spaceships, smaller with a less advanced engine.

They also lacked a lot of things internally and externally that would make them suitable for space travel.

But they were pretty, they resembled eagles but extremely huge, each one two hundred metres long.

They were powered by six nuclear engines. He brushed one of them tenderly.

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Merlin took to the sky and flew off like a streak of light. As a wind mage his speed was incredibly high.

It took him less than a minute to reach the tower which was over 400 kilometres away, that was him not flying at full speed.

He was scared of destroying the things he was carrying, he didn't know who he would cry to if he did.

As thick skinned as he was, he would be too ashamed to go back and beg for more from children.

He entered the tower secretly then went to his office. He sighed, even though he was a leader he still needed to talk to the council to make such a large decision.

He didn't want to talk to those stuck up fools, most of them were scholars in name, they were just power hungry politicians.

He wished he could kill all of them but that would greatly distabilize the tower and weaken them.

He was certain that old leech would certainly use that opportunity to attack them, Merlin couldn't afford that.

He took out his snacks and opened a bag of potato chips. Unlike the normal people, his stomach easily adjusted to the plants.

He didn't get a stomach ache or feel any discomfort. He closed his eyes and savoured the taste.

He didn't even hear the door open, when he opened his eyes he saw a beautiful woman standing there watching him.

No, she was watching his chips. Merlin slowly slid the bag under his table while glaring at her.

" Isabella, what bring you here?" He asked with a nervous laugh, he knew she loved eating, especially if it's something she has never tasted before.

Isabella stood quietly glaring at where his chips were. " What is that?"

Merlin coughed, " Whatever do you speak of?"

Her face didn't change, " Don't play dumb old man, show it to me, show it to me or I'll tell Morgana."

The moment she mentioned that name he felt his spine grow cold. " You heartless witch." He grumbled.

Isabella did not mind the insult, he took out the chips and gave them to her. She took one and bit it then froze.