Sword of Dawnbreaker-Chapter 221 - When the Positions of the Stars Are Realigned
Chapter 221: When the Positions of the Stars Are Realigned
Astrology was an extremely important subject on the Loren Continent.
Even though Gawain couldn’t understand the connection between the remote celestial bodies in the sky and the small planet underneath his feet (if it was a planet), the power of astrology existed. An outstanding astrologist would be able to detect the flow of magic in the atmosphere by observing the positioning of the stars. In fact, they would be able to use the guidance from the stars’ radiance to discover a new accumulation point of magic that was a thousand miles away. The accuracy of this was so high that it was beyond the concept of the “religious tricksters” and could be treated as a “black-box science”.
Of course, astrology was something that was hard to understand, and there were plenty of tricksters in this field too. However, the tricksters in this field had a trait that was actually very easy to recognize. They would use the observation of the natural world in astrology and extend them to the so-called “clairvoyance”. They would say that they could use the positions of the stars to find your lost treasures, missing keys, or wives that ran off with others. However, the Loren Continent’s astrology didn’t have powers like this.
Astrology’s main function was to make an advanced observation by using the changes of magic in the natural environment. Using this basis, astrology would at most be able to detect an early warning of a large-scale natural disaster that followed a pattern. If one was trying to search for one’s dog or cat, it would be much more effective to shout for the pet instead of relying on those unreliable “astrologists”.
Gawain was suddenly thinking of astrology because he was standing on the balcony of the feudal lord residence and was studying the stars in the sky with his eldest granddaughter.
Alright, it was mainly because he was watching Heidi studying the stars in the sky.
From today onward, for the next three consecutive days, it would be the winter’s most ideal “Days of Stars”. On these special days, the Loren Continent’s northern region would be able to observe the clearest starry sky with the most stars visible in the entire year.
Because of the fact that this planet didn’t have a large satellite like a moon, the nights were naturally lacking light. Without the interference of moonlight, this world’s night sky had stars that were shockingly resplendent. The countless stars would stretch across the horizon like a belt of light that was suspected to be clouds of light in space, and it would always make a deep impression in Gawain’s mind. For a professional Mage like Heidi, the stars had a totally different significance.
Mages were able to observe the stars and experience the changes in magic. They could then use the realization to blend it in with their spellcasting skill. It was a slow but effective method of improving. Heidi had never missed out on any suitable stargazing night as she hoped to see more stars to enhance her spellcasting ability and to, one day, be able to hit the target with her Arcane Missiles and Ice Arrows…
She observed the stars using a tool that looked like some odd “silver plate”. The silver plate would be placed horizontally on the support, and the surface of the surrounding metallic platform would be engraved with all sorts of celestial patterns and magic symbols. The center of the silver plate would reflect the image of the stars, and by using a special spellcasting technique, the image in the silver plate can be enlarged and made clearer for convenience of observation.
“I didn’t think that you Ancestor would actually be interested in astrology too.” While Heidi was recording the changes in the stars, she smiled and took a glance at Gawain. “This is uninteresting knowledge.”
“I have said since a long time ago that I was very interested in stars.” Gawain watched as Heidi adjusted the silver plate, and he couldn’t help but feel amazed by this world’s original magic technology. This tool might not be convenient to use, and there wasn’t much room for improvement, but it was indeed able to function as an observation tool for the starry sky. “Did Rebecca learn about astrology? Today is the very important ‘Days of Stars’ for Mages right? She is still a Mage after all…”
Only he and Heidi were on the balcony, while Rebecca who was one of the territory’s Mages with the highest grade actually wasn’t here.
“When she was young, I forced her to learn astrology, but every time, she would want to throw a Large Fireball into the sky to try to knock those stars down. Afterward, I didn’t allow her to continue causing trouble.” Heidi’s tone was filled with helplessness. “To be honest, astrology has nearly zero effect on her improvement. Her magic talent is all on Fireballs, and she has already done it to the extremity. Even if she observed the stars for ten years, it would still be impossible for her to produce an Arcane Missile. She isn’t even able to use the star observation plate and can only stare at the sky with her eyes… It is no wonder she would feel bored enough to wish she could throw Fireballs into the sky.”
The star observation plate’s greatest limitation was still the method of usage…
Gawain looked at the magic tool in Heidi’s hands with pensive eyes and thought about a certain item that he had asked the craftsmen to manufacture some time earlier.
If the manufacturing of the item could be done as planned, it might be completed before the “Days of Stars” were over.
“I am preparing a kind of present for Rebecca. If everything goes smoothly, she might be able to view the stars together with us.”
“Oh?” Heidi looked at Gawain with much surprise. She wasn’t able to imagine what kind of present this ancestor would prepare that could bring Rebecca to the star observation platform. Firstly, it must be able to allow Rebecca to control the star observation device as she was only able to use the Fireball spells. Secondly, he must also be able to make that foolish child who was only interested in throwing Large Fireballs calm down and be interested in such a boring subject. Heidi felt that it was rather unbelievable.
However, she quickly recalled that her ancestor was a reserve of all sorts of mysterious knowledge and wonderful ideas. She carefully controlled her curiosity and didn’t continue asking. She then revealed a smile. “You are really fond of that child.”
“Are you not curious about the present I prepared?”
“I am, but I wish to maintain this curiosity.” Heidi blinked her eyes and said, “You always bring us surprises, and this time, it won’t be an exception either, right?”
Gawain smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
At this moment, it wasn’t just Gawain and Heidi who were observing the stars.
……
At the eastern Endless Sea, it was already midnight, and the stars were still hanging high up in the horizon. The glittering stars felt as though they yearned for this sky as the first rays of morning sun had already appeared in the east, but a third of the stars were still clearly visible.
A nameless island was sitting alone on the surface of the sea. This massive island was one of the rare places with life in the Endless Sea. The Sons of the Storm used centuries to construct and develop a comprehensive stronghold. They built farms, hamlets, forges, and a fort that was located at the cliffs of the coast. The entire island’s most important building was the “Stargazing Tower” located at the top of the fort.
At the peak of the Stargazing Tower, there was a Storm Deacon who wore black robes and was placing the star observation plate horizontally. As he poured in his magic, the star light that had been dim on the plate turned bright and clear again.
He was fully focussed as he observed the positions of the stars. Everything unrelated had been tossed outside of his mind: be it the developed island at the east which was destroyed by the sea demons a few months ago, or the Eternal Sleeper who recklessly made contact with Gawain Cecil and transmitted a strange and uneasy warning, or the Oblivion Association’s progression of the war on the continent. Nothing was as important as the star observation plate right now.
Or perhaps, nothing was as important as the image displayed on the plate.
The positions of the stars were gradually aligning, and the surge of magic had started subsequently. This time, the special magic surge wasn’t very intense, and most of the Mages and Priests wouldn’t even notice it. Only the Sons of the Storm would clearly know the significance of the influence of the magic acting on the stars.
“Deacon, No.2 and No.3 islands have delivered information through the gryphons. They have observed the same star signs. After eliminating the magic interference above the Endless Sea, the conclusion is already set.” A Storm Ecclesiastic walked up the tower and spoke respectfully behind the deacon. “The stars are returning to their positions.”
“I have also observed the same scene here.” The Storm Deacon nodded and cut off the control on the star observation plate. “We can draft the letter for the Pope. We shall know if Judgment Day will arrive within these three days.”
The Storm Ecclesiastic had a very serious expression as he took a look at the large silver plate behind the deacon and slightly gasped for air.
The rather young ecclesiastic finally couldn’t help but to ask, “Will ‘it’ return?”
“When the positions of the stars are corrected, the god’s blood and flesh shall awaken from the long slumber. This is the revelation we obtained after leaving the continent.” The Storm Deacon normally wouldn’t answer such an unnecessary and immature question. However, at this special moment, he hoped for someone to converse with him; therefore, he spoke indifferently, “There is nothing absolute in this world as ancient records show that the positions of the stars have been realigned more than once. However, the world still exists, meaning that nothing is certain.”
The Storm Ecclesiastic nodded silently. In his vision, the sea wave from far away was gradually rising up.
The sea had lost its peace once again.
……
In the depths of this not-peaceful Endless Sea, a third group was also noticing the changes in the stars.
In the abyss at the bottom of the sea, there was a man-made source of light that illuminated the entire seabed. There were spheres of light that were drifting in the sea and were swaying gently. Within the range of the illumination, there were countless graceful and seductive figures gathering here from all directions.
A sea demon commander swung its long snake tail and arrived at the front of the assembly point. There was a temporary information outpost station secured on the seabed, and there were two deep water technicians who were controlling the information outpost with their full concentration.
A deep water technician turned around and bent her tail at the commander. “Sir, the unmanned machine sent over the latest observation report. The celestial body is currently entering the specified position. The reading on the ‘mysterious energy’ already shows a 3% increase.”
The sea demon commander nodded and asked, “What about the situation at the ‘excavation site’?”
“The giant squid’s tissue activity is currently increasing, and the ‘rapid regeneration’ is going to begin soon.”
The sea demon commander left the information outpost and swam in front of her comrades who were all gathered here.
Each sea demon was pulling a long face, and they were wielding their own weapons. Each snake tail, fishtail, and tentacle was grabbing onto the seabed tightly. They were all fully focussed and waiting for this moment; none of the sea demons were slacking in this entire process.
They had to face what was going to happen with a serious attitude as they knew clearly what would happen when the positions of the stars were realigned.
In their history records, such an occasion had already happened 16 times, and on each occasion, all of the sea demons would be involved.
The sea demon commander swam to an appropriate position and raised her right hand which was holding a trident. All of the sea demons gathered their attention on her, and under countless pairs of eyes, the commander shook the seawater with a voice that echoed throughout the entire place.
“Sisters! The stars are entering their correct positions.
“We have been preparing for this day for many years!
“Sisters, please remember…
“…to pay attention to the meal order!!!”
The sea demon commander brandished her trident with strength and shouted with a voice that echoed throughout the entire seabed: “The opportunity to eat to our fill will be within these two days!!”
