"I see..." Rhett nodded thoughtfully, as if recalling something. Suddenly, he said, "By the way, I once discovered a strange alchemical pattern in some ruins. It doesn't belong to any of the three major branches of alchemy. I've consulted several alchemists about it in the past, but none of them could provide any insights. I was hoping you could take a look at it."
Heisenberg's interest was piqued. A parchment appeared in his hand out of thin air, which he slapped onto the table. In his sharp voice, he said:
"Oh, excellent! I love the unknown! The greatest power often lies hidden in the unknown! Go ahead, draw the alchemical pattern on this. I'll analyze it for you, free of charge!"
Rhett smiled faintly, recalling the mysterious coffin he had found in the depths of the eastern seas, with its intricate and complex engravings. He began sketching the pattern from memory onto the parchment before him.
Ming silently continued his work on the materials in front of him, while Heisenberg initially glanced at the parchment with casual indifference. However, as the pattern on the parchment extended and evolved, hinting at a power far beyond his expectations, Heisenberg's eyes widened. A look of shock flashed across his face as he stole glances at Rhett, who appeared deep in thought, sometimes pausing, sometimes continuing to trace the lines.
Heisenberg gulped, a flicker of eagerness and impatience in his gaze. He waited, unable to tear his eyes away from the drawing, not daring to interrupt Rhett's work.
After ten minutes passed—
Thud!
Rhett tossed the quill onto the table, looking dissatisfied as he shook his head and sighed in regret.
"What a shame. My skills are rather limited. While I have a rough memory of the pattern in my mind, my alchemical knowledge is holding me back, making it impossible to recreate the design perfectly.
"Moreover, the pattern was actually etched on an uneven cubic object. Its curves across different planes made it even harder for me to replicate on a flat piece of paper."
"So... I've done my best. Do these alchemical patterns mean anything to you?" Rhett asked, casting a probing glance at Heisenberg.
To his surprise, Heisenberg's small body suddenly surged with a burst of strength. He shoved Rhett aside and grabbed the parchment, staring at it with wide, unblinking eyes, as though his very soul was being drawn into the intricate lines.
"Oh my god, such imagination! Such divine creativity! I feel as though my soul resonates with it!"
Heisenberg muttered to himself, his eyes tracing the evolving lines of the alchemical pattern. After a moment, he exclaimed:
"I never imagined that someone in history could achieve such mastery, blending alchemical pharmacology, alchemical equipment, alchemical formations, and biological constructs to such an advanced level, all while fusing them together so seamlessly."
"Who is this person? Could they be as reclusive as I am?"
He turned toward Rhett with a fervent gaze, gripping his arms tightly. "Dagula, did the ruins reveal any clues about this person's identity? If you have any information, you must tell me! I will give you anything in return!"
Rhett couldn't help but feel a little speechless at Heisenberg's dramatic reaction. Yet, he had to admit, this diminutive alchemist's skill did far exceed his stature—both Manu and Rhett had recognized his genius.
Rhett freed himself from Heisenberg's grasp and, after a moment's thought, awkwardly explained, "Ahem, many years ago, I stumbled upon an anomaly underground while traveling through a desolate region, thanks to my sensitivity to earth elements as a mage. Unfortunately, the artifacts were too fragile from the passage of time and crumbled into dust with the slightest touch. All I could do was note down the surface patterns."
"Oh no! How could you treat such a grand alchemical creation so carelessly! This could have revolutionized the field of alchemy! If only I could have seen it intact, I could have brought about monumental change!" Heisenberg's face twisted with frustration and envy. He jabbed his finger at Rhett, speechless for a moment, his emotions a mix of bitterness and awe.
Rhett shrugged innocently and, with a curious expression, asked, "Can you decipher the purpose of these patterns? Could you tell me what they do?"
"Not yet," Heisenberg sighed heavily, shaking his head in regret. "But it's clear to me that the person behind this was much farther along the path of alchemical fusion than I am. I'm only scratching the surface, having just made a small breakthrough in combining alchemical equipment with formations. I might have exaggerated earlier—I haven't attempted fusion with pharmacology yet."
"Oh, I see..." Rhett nodded, his mind gaining a rough understanding of Heisenberg's progress. Based on the alchemist's current age and experience, he hadn't yet reached the peak of his abilities. His greatest achievements were likely still ahead of him.
That made sense. After all, the fishmen were only beginning to emerge at this point in time. In the future, Heisenberg would create a golden coffin for a mysterious but undeniably important figure in the Fishman Kingdom—a sign that his best work was yet to come.
"So, does it still make sense for me to stay in this simulation?" Rhett pondered.
After thinking it over, he concluded that there was still great value in this era. Even though Heisenberg hadn't reached his peak, his insights into alchemy, especially his unique approach to fusion, were worth exploring.
Moreover, the mysteries of the orcs and fishmen remained deeply intriguing, something Rhett couldn't just abandon.
"Since you've provided me with such valuable information, as a great alchemist, I believe in fair exchange. I can't just take this from you for free," Heisenberg said, glancing longingly at the parchment once more. "So, tell me, what would you like in return? Wealth? Resources? Or perhaps a few more of my messenger doves? I heard from Pettis that you're quite fond of them. I could give you three more."
Rhett was tempted for a moment but then had an idea. A flash of inspiration lit up his mind, and he said:
"I would like to see your legacy continue. Please, consider accepting Petra as your apprentice."
Heisenberg's smile froze on his face.
He hesitated. "Why would you ask that? What is your relationship with Petra?"
"No relationship at all," Rhett replied sincerely.
"This…" Heisenberg scratched his head, glancing at Petra with some reluctance. "I've never taken a student before. But given Petra's talent, and the fact that you've brought me something of such value, I could make an exception this once. However, I have one condition!"
"Please, name your condition. I'm sure Petra would be thrilled to have the opportunity to study under someone like you," Rhett said with a smile, discreetly glancing at Petra.
Ming, playing the part of Petra, was quick on the uptake, immediately adding, "Yes, becoming a great alchemist has always been my lifelong dream. I hope Master Heisenberg will help me realize that dream!"
Heisenberg frowned slightly, seeming a bit hesitant, but eventually, he sighed and said:
"Very well. But if I'm to accept you as my apprentice, you must change your name."
"Change my name?" Rhett looked puzzled. Was Heisenberg planning to adopt Petra?
Meeting Rhett's confused gaze, Heisenberg's expression turned serious as he explained:
"Yes. I firmly believe that a great soul can only be passed down—it cannot be spontaneously created."
"Just like how lineage is passed down from parent to child, a name change signifies a solemn ritual, one that symbolizes dedication to the pursuit of alchemy. From now on, Petra will follow me and strive tirelessly on the path of alchemy."
Ming's eyes gleamed with understanding, though he didn't immediately agree. Instead, he looked to Rhett for guidance.
After some deliberation, Rhett found it rather interesting. With a slight smile, he nodded. "It sounds unusual, but I respect your decision."
"Please, Master, bestow me a new name!"
As soon as Rhett finished speaking, Ming immediately bowed respectfully toward Heisenberg, awaiting the naming ceremony.
Heisenberg gazed down at the bowing figure, his expression softened by a rare trace of warmth.
Sensing the solemnity of the moment, Rhett decided to give the two their space to complete the apprenticeship ritual. After a few brief words, he excused himself, leaving the two alone.
Rhett spent the rest of the morning inspecting the military camp and ensuring discipline was maintained.
With many soldiers returning to the Ice River Front, the camp was unusually crowded. Rhett believed that enforcing stricter management was necessary under these conditions.
By the time Rhett had finished touring the camp and familiarizing himself further with its layout, giving final instructions for the next day's departure, it was afternoon. He returned to the ice fortress and quietly resumed his meditation.
The next morning.
Rhett led the vanguard to the military harbor, located several hundred miles away from the ice fortress.
Facing the sea breeze, he gazed out at the sparkling waves on the distant horizon. Despite the beautiful scenery, it held no appeal for him at the moment.
Standing by the shore, Rhett frowned, straining his eyes to spot any sign of the fleet.
But as hours passed, there was no movement on the horizon. Wave after wave rolled in, but not a single ship appeared.
Rhett's expression grew darker as he pondered.
"Could it be that they've stood us up? No, that's impossible! Pettis clearly mentioned that the agreement with the Arkama Kingdom was set by the two kings themselves. There's no way they would break such an agreement, especially when it concerns a joint operation against the orcs. Logically, they should arrive on time."
"Commander, the time has come, and our soldiers are ready. When will we depart?"
A tall, burly man exuding the aura of a Sky Knight stepped forward. This was Peter, Rhett's newly appointed personal guard.
Rhett's army had been almost entirely wiped out in the previous battle against the orcs, so it had been crucial to replenish his forces.
Especially when it came to high-level combatants, recent days had seen the reorganization of the army as various legions returned from the frontlines.
"It seems Arkama has let us down. The appointed time has passed, and there's still no sign of them," Rhett said coldly, without turning his head, his gaze fixed on the sea.
Peter had already noticed the unusual situation, but he asked nonetheless to gauge Rhett's thoughts. Reluctantly, he suggested:
"Commander, what are your orders?"
"How many long-range ships do we have in the harbor?" Rhett asked loudly after a moment's silence.
A quartermaster ran up and reported from behind them, "Commander, we currently have ten large long-range ships and thirty medium and small transport ships. If fully loaded, we can carry about two thousand men."
"Not enough. Far from enough!"
At that figure, Rhett immediately knew it wouldn't suffice to transport the entire Ice River Front.
Although the upcoming battle in the Far North would be fought by Saint-level combatants, the ordinary forces—those below Saint rank—would still play a significant role.
While the orcs lacked the intelligence to build sturdy ships, their strong physical bodies allowed them to swim vast distances without tiring. Many orcs didn't even need to use their fighting techniques, and they certainly wouldn't feel fatigued in the water. Even hunger wasn't a concern—their powerful digestive systems allowed them to eat virtually anything. Fish, shellfish, seaweed—they could consume all manner of marine life, even swallowing it raw.
The surrounding officers fell silent, none able to offer a solution to their current predicament. There was no one who could magically produce the necessary ships.
Time ticked by.
By afternoon, with the sun beginning to turn golden on the horizon, there was still no movement.
"Damn it!"
Rhett clenched his fist in frustration, cursing under his breath.
He had all but given up hope. He ordered his officers to start selecting a group of elite soldiers to take the few available ships to the Far North.
Just as the officers turned to follow the command, preparing to select men based on strength and battle experience, a distant shout rang out from the shoreline.
"Ships incoming!"
Rhett's ears perked up. He turned swiftly and extended his spiritual sense outward.
In the next moment, his eyes narrowed.
Flying the flag of the Arkama Kingdom, Rhett saw the fleet at last.
But his heart sank as he realized that these weren't ships. The Arkama flag was tattered, clutched in the hands of strange, misshapen creatures of all shapes and sizes, now surging toward the harbor.
These unknown creatures swarmed the waves, rushing toward Rhett's position with terrifying speed and purpose.
"Those aren't ships. What are those things? Could they be a species of magical beasts we've never encountered before?" A fellow mage strained his senses, his jaw dropping in shock as he yelled.