"A communication-" Shirley repeated.
"Array?" Benedict finished.
"Are you really sure that exists?" Freon doubted. "How would it work? Is it launching messenger pigeons at high speed, like those Sky Towers for gliders? Or is it a way to send your voice across extreme distances, using wind-type magic?"
"I don't know," Elizabeth said. "However, according to the Featherwind Sect, it should work. They wanted to use our communication array to contact their allies faraway. I don't want something that long-distance. Three should do, one for each of the human capital cities."
"I don't think this is feasible," Nassandra spoke up in a rare show of initiative. Everyone turned to look at her, which caused her to shirk back behind her brother.
"Why?" Elizabeth was genuinely confused.
"Your Highness's first two goals are small in scope, so they can be completed in a short period; however, this communication array… would most likely require the kingdom's help to accomplish. The Zino Kingdom has a similar project in progress currently: the experimental magic fleet. Their goal is to equip every warship with a Magic Array to bolster its sailing speed."
"Yes, we know about it. We've ridden on those ships before."
Nassandra nodded. "What Your Highness doesn't know is that this project started over eight years ago. That's how long it took to engrave a simple Magic Array onto a ship. If what you said is true about this communication array, then its complexity goes far beyond what the Zino Kingdom can hope to achieve. It might be impossible for humanity to create."
"Well… You do have a point." Elizabeth could not refute her. "A communication array is probably beyond the Zino Kingdom's, no… maybe humanity's ability at the moment, which makes it even more important that we start on it as soon as possible."
"What do you mean?" Shirley asked.
Her face turned grave. "The arrival of the Featherwind Sect made one thing very clear. We need a way to share information, as fast as possible, between the civilizations, in the case of an emergency. Things could have ended up very differently, had the Alzar Kingdom known about the Featherwind Sect earlier. For example, we could have requested Protector Avin's help from the Zino Kingdom. We could have prevented so many needless deaths ahead of time…" She sighed. "That is why we urgently need this communication array."
"Hey, Elizabeth, you're scaring us. There's no way something like that will happen, right?" Shirley nervously said.
"I don't know, but… Haven't you noticed something odd? Emperor Lianghu's madness, the Lannisail explosion, the heavenly phenomenon, the Sword King and Protector Avin, and finally Martial Energy and the Featherwind Sect… Everything took place in less than three years! The human world hasn't seen any unusual in over five hundred years, but in these three years alone, so much has happened! It's like something, or someone, is turning the wheels of fate, pushing us towards an unknown future. I suspect there might be a bigger calamity ahead of us. We need to be prepared."
Benedict, Shirley, and Freon exchanged a glance, wariness apparent in their eyes. Now that Elizabeth laid everything bare, it did seem like something was bound to happen in the near future. Initially, they were still hesitating over the need for greater strength, but if what Elizabeth said came to pass, then they needed to become stronger, far stronger than before! Their resolve burned bright. By the side, Nassandra peeked at her brother's reaction. She clenched her fists. She was determined not to let her brother fight alone anymore. She would get stronger too! Little did they know, the wheels of fate were turning faster than anyone could have expected.
Elsewhere, Protector Avin was conversing with the Engelsheft Family heads. Lady Alice of the Cisvernia Family, Lady Joanna of the Welgen Family, Lord Denno of the Arkfell Family, and Lord Kensus of the Vensire Family. Together with the absent Rellion Family, and the First and Second Sage, who were the patriarch of the Winhelm, and matriarch of the Lanark Family respectively, the seven Engelsheft Families were accounted for.
Protector Avin was wearing a sleek set of formal clothes, professionally tailored to his fit. It revealed his toned and muscular body, one which did not fit the idea of an Arcanist. His black hair was combed back to display a friendly smile. He was tall, yet oddly unimposing. He resembled a kind older nobleman more than a legendary Blue Depth Arcanist. There was not the tiniest leak in his aura or intent! Holding a wine glass, he swirled the red liquid around and regarded the four family heads warmly. Nobody could tell what he was thinking.
"Lady Alice, I haven't seen you since you were young. I used to call you Little Alice, but you've grown up. Are you the matriarch of the Cisvernia Family now?"
"Yes, I am. It's been more than fifty years. Anyone would change. I've gotten married, had children, and even grandchildren now. What about you, Lord Avin?"
He smiled. "Romance isn't my strong suit."
"Is it true that you became a Blue Depth Core Arcanist?"
"You are…"
"Pardon me. I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Lord Kensus, patriarch of the Vensire Engelsheft Family," the man in his fifties announced. Long golden hair framed his wrinkled face. He was shorter than Protector Avin, had a slim figure and pale unblemished skin. People could have mistaken him for a woman, had they not heard his voice.
"Pleased to meet you. How is the previous lord?"
"You mean my father, Lord Racan?"
"No, I meant Lord Letwise."
"Ah… You mean my grandfather," Lord Kensus answered stiffly. Although he was a man in his fifties, he was overwhelmed by the sudden generation gap. It felt like he was a child speaking to an adult! Which was not entirely wrong either, because Protector Avin was allegedly close to a hundred! He continued, "Were you close with him?"
"We were close friends and drinking partners. We would often drink together at least twice a week. That was before he became the patriarch, and I the Protector of the Arcellius Family."
"I'm sorry to say this, but my grandfather passed away four years ago."
"…I see. He was older than me, so I'm not that surprised. Still… Did he pass away peacefully?"
"Yes, he passed in his sleep."
"That's good to hear." Protector Avin stared into the starry sky. How many of his friends or family were left? He would only grow lonelier the more time went on. It was a dark reality.
"I've been meaning to ask this… but you are over ninety, right?"
"Hm?" Snapped out of his reverie, he focused on the younger woman beside Lady Alice.
"Well, I mean I don't quite see it. From the looks of it, you should be around the same age as me, yet… I was wondering if you did something to hide your true age."
"…"
"Lady Joanna, apologize! That isn't how you should speak to your seniors," Lady Alice demanded. "Please forgive her, Lord Avin. She speaks her mind without thinking sometimes."
"Oh, I'm not offended. I'm surprised is all. I thought the Conquestian, or the two Sages would have told you already."
"They didn't tell us anything," Lady Joanna replied to which the other three agreed.
"Is that so?" A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "I can tell you. It's not a big secret. My lifespan was extended, and my youth was restored once I formed my Blue Depth Core. That's how I became younger."
Lord Kensus was shocked. "So, you really became a Blue Depth Arcanist?"
"I didn't answer the question earlier, but yes, I am."
"But isn't that a myth? A legend? The strongest Arcanist of our time, the Conquestian, only recently made the breakthrough into High Condensed Drop. Even the Ten Dawns haven't reached Medium Condensed Drop yet. How did you do it? Is there some secret?"
"There is no secret. I was simply blessed with the right opportunity. That is all," Protector Avin humbly replied, though no one fully believed him.
"What are you planning to do next?" Lady Alice wondered.
"If you don't have anywhere to go, why don't you join the Arkfell Family? I am Lord Denno, the new patriarch of the Arkfell Engelsheft Family. Provided you are willing to become our new Protector, we will provide a mansion, hundreds of maids and servants, a hefty sum of money, along with status, titles, and anything you would need."
"…"
Seeing Protector Avin's lack of reaction, Lord Kensus proposed, "Why not the Vensire Family then? We will provide everything that the Arkfell Family is offering, except we won't ask that you become our Protector. You would be our honored guest instead. You would have no obligations to fulfill. How about it?"
"…"
"Then, our Welgen Family-" Lady Joanna started when she was interrupted.
"Enough. Thank you, but I have no intention of joining any family."
"Then…" Lady Alice frowned.
"Yes, I intend to rebuild the Arcellius Family," he declared.