Chapter 239 – Where Has All the Integrity Gone

“Correct, this is a relic of the Netherese Civilization, a place that carries the legacy of Netheril. Before the ‘Final Battle,’ the Grand Arcanists of the Vengeance Faction already knew defeat was inevitable. Therefore, to preserve the Netherese Civilization as much as possible, seven hundred billion such ruins were established in hidden corners across the Multiverse. Each ruin distributed at least seventy billion ‘keys,’ though it is unknown how many remain to this day.”

The Projection’s voice echoed hollowly in the cramped room. Though its cold narration recounted the great feat of the Netherese Civilization’s efforts to preserve their legacy, the Projection’s tone was so mechanical, devoid of any cadence, that it felt like listening to a robot reciting historical records. What should have been a tale of heroic deeds was stiffly rendered into a robotic storytelling session.

However, Punk was not one to dismiss any piece of information just because the delivery was awkward. So far, he had judged that the Projection’s words were likely eighty percent true. After all, as a mere Formal-Level mage, he was practically insignificant in the eyes of a Legendary Expert. There was no reason for such a being to waste time and effort scheming against him.

The idea that the Netherese Civilization left behind seventy billion ruins, each distributing over ten billion “keys,” and that Trelinka had obtained something like that Scroll, now had a theoretical basis.

In ancient times, the first generation of gods had indeed gone mad for an extended period, launching “Holy Wars” and scouring everywhere to destroy “unrecordable” things. It now seemed that what those gods were hunting down back then were precisely the ruins and “keys” left behind by the Netherese Civilization.

Even though the gods had never relaxed their search for all “Netherese Civilization relics” (as evidenced by the divine punishment that struck within two seconds), the Netherese Civilization had left behind an overwhelming number of ruins, and their concealment abilities were truly legendary. It was not surprising that one or two had survived millennia of searches.

“Very well, since I am already the ‘lucky or unlucky’ inheritor, tell me how I can obtain the legacy of the great Netherese Civilization!”

Punk also transmitted his inquiry through thought, subtly praising the Netherese Civilization in the process.

But the Projection showed no reaction whatsoever. It seemed this entity truly lacked any emotions—it was merely a program so advanced it could be called “artificial intelligence.”

“The Netherese Civilization values four ‘attributes’ in a being: Will, Wisdom, Intelligence, and Curiosity! Therefore, you must pass four trials to prove you possess these qualities. Only then will the legacy of the Netherese Civilization be opened to you. The Grand Arcanist who created me—Miggs Onosen—was certain that only beings with sufficiently excellent qualities in these four areas could revive the great civilization of Netheril, rather than leaking precious knowledge to the cowardly gods!”

“In other words, it’s just another, more flexible security measure, right?”

Punk asked.

“Correct, you may interpret it as such.”

The Projection’s reply was equally straightforward.”Alright, it seems if I want to obtain knowledge, I must pass those so-called four trials, correct?”

“To be precise, you have already passed the first trial. Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen is absolutely certain—any lifeform daring to directly connect their magic with an unknown legendary artifact must have a sufficient thirst for knowledge.”

The Projection stated resolutely.

“You’ve mentioned Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen multiple times. Was this ruins built by this Grand Arcanist?”

Punk frowned slightly as he asked. Why did he feel this Grand Arcanist was somewhat unreliable? The statements this Grand Arcanist instilled in the Projection were far too self-centered, with various personal convictions declared so resolutely they almost reached the point of obsession.

“Correct. Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen was one of seventy thousand ruins builders. He personally oversaw the construction of one thousand ruins, including this one.”

The Projection’s reply was natural and ordinary, but to Punk, it sounded rather exasperating.

It seemed different Grand Arcanists had their own styles when building their legacy ruins. Even if this Grand Arcanist’s architectural style was problematic, what could he do now that he was stuck with a rather unreliable Grand Arcanist “sir”?

It was true that Punk was an adventurous spellcaster—this could be seen from his not-too-extreme “Chaotic” alignment.

However, as a rational mage, Punk sincerely felt it would be better not to greedily pursue wealth and delve deeper. After all, the builder of this ruins couldn’t just be described as having mischievous tastes—who knew how harsh his “standards” might be? From the Projection’s few words, Punk could already sense it—that obsessive and neurotic style was almost completely undisguised!

Therefore, without much deliberation, Punk asked the Projection:

“Then… if, I mean if, one of your so-called ‘successors’ isn’t strong enough and temporarily unsuitable to inherit the great knowledge of the ‘Netherese Civilization,’ what should be done?”

“Don’t worry, successor. The trials of Netherese Civilization have nothing to do with the successor’s strength. Moreover, knowledge cannot be forcibly transmitted—beings under coercion cannot unleash the potential required for accurate information. So if you don’t wish to inherit, no one will force you!”

The Projection created by Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen clearly possessed high intelligence. It immediately understood Punk’s thoughts. Having discerned what Punk was thinking, the Projection didn’t fly into a rage or attempt earnest persuasion—it simply stated the Grand Arcanist’s answer in its unchanging mechanical voice.

But Punk didn’t relax because of this, as he now faintly sensed a trace of… mischievousness? in the Projection’s words. Even when using the System to analyze, the Projection’s speech showed no difference from its previous mechanical tone.

Intuition told Punk the Projection hadn’t finished speaking, so instead of eagerly asking how to leave, he stood expressionless in place, waiting for the Projection to continue.

Punk’s intuition proved quite reliable. The Projection only paused briefly before speaking once more:”However… unfortunately, for the confidentiality of the Ruins, the only exit here is located in the ‘Inheritance Zone’. Since you are unwilling to inherit the legacy of civilization, I naturally cannot bring you into the ‘Inheritance Zone’. Therefore… I’m afraid you’ll have to trouble yourself to leave this Room.”

After speaking, the Projection mechanically struck a shrugging pose under Punk’s stunned gaze. Although Punk knew most of the Projection’s movements were pre-programmed and devoid of genuine emotion, he still felt an overwhelming wave of “profound malice” from tens of thousands of years ago crashing down upon him:

“Is this what you call not forcing me? What happened to all that promised integrity?”

(End of Chapter)