The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 687- Ruins Of An Ancient Kingdom (3)

"While it is powerful, it is equally difficult to create and uses up that level of resources."

"I see, so you wish all the nations to pitch in their resources and time to create this weapon that could help humanity in this time of need?"

"That’s right." The Queen nodded. "However, just like how Solaris took out the technology for the weapon, I would also like the other nations to share their own technology. In times of need, we should all pool our powers together so that humanity can win against the demons."

The room fell into silence. Some of the wise and cunning rulers immediately understood the intentions of the Queen of Solaris.

The technology for the super weapon was like a hot potato, something they all wanted to possess to safeguard their borders.

Especially now that it had been proven that the Organization possessed such a weapon, or something close to it.

At the same time, they learned from the Queen that creating such a weapon was out of the league for a single nation. If they did not pool their resources and technologies, creating such a weapon was a far-fetched dream.

In this way, not only was the Queen making all the nations spill their technologies, but she was also uniting the interests of every nation. Hitting two objectives with one stone.

"Hmm, I agree with the Queen of Solaris."

"I too."

"Me as well."

The Six Great Nations agreed first, followed by the other nations. Soon, everyone was on board.

Thus, it was decided that a new association would be formed, one that consisted of all the nations of Valdonia.

The goal of this committee would be to study and revive the technologies of the Ancient Era. As for the specifics, they would be decided later.

Eventually, the meeting finally came to an end. The rulers disconnected from the transmission devices and silence returned to the room.

.

A cool wind brushed across the fortress walls. Reinhardt stood atop the highest platform of the headquarters fortress, gazing toward the endless darkness of the Tainted Lands stretching beyond the horizon.

The night sky above was unusually clear. He quietly inhaled and exhaled, taking in the fresh air.

Too many things had happened recently. The appearance of the Organization. Their cooperation with the demons. The demonification experiments. The explosion inside the labyrinth. And that strange black finger...

There was a lot to consider. Thus, he came here to clear his thoughts.

It was then that he heard soft footsteps coming from behind him.

Turning his gaze, he saw another figure standing there. As it turned out, there was already someone up here.

The figure stood near the edge of the fortress wall, her black hair dancing with the wind and her cloak fluttering in the breeze.

She had a beautiful face, a graceful and curvy figure that was accentuated by her armor. A poise like a drawn sword and a noble bearing that was cold and kept others at a distance.

The figure was none other than...

"Leona?" Reinhardt called out.

Perhaps she was deep in thought, but she was slightly startled when he called her. "It’s you."

Reinhardt walked up to her and stared at the same scenery she had been glancing at moments ago.

"How are your injuries?"

Leona avoided looking at him and stared at the distant dark lands. "Thanks to your healing, I am completely fine now."

Reinhardt nodded, relieved. "I’m glad you are alright. Honestly, I thought I lost you there. Thankfully, I was able to reach you in time. Although my skill healed you, you shouldn’t push yourself. Take a few days to rest."

Since he was staring at the Tainted Lands, he missed the flush that appeared on Leona’s face.

Scenes from the labyrinth played inside her mind in a loop and, coupled with the heartfelt words that Reinhardt spoke, how could it not melt a maiden’s heart?

She had always known that she held special feelings for Reinhardt. However, today, those feelings have become even more profound.

For a moment, neither spoke. The atmosphere between them felt strangely quiet.

Under the moonlight, her usually cold face appeared softer than ever. She stopped beside him and held one of his hands with her own.

"About earlier... thank you."

There was no iciness in her voice this time, only genuine gratitude and something more.

Reinhardt, who hadn’t expected her to hold his hand and stand beside him suddenly, was quite surprised. This was the first time he had witnessed this side of hers.

Usually, she was so cold and distant to him that he wondered if the previous Reinhardt had actually done something to upset her.

Normally, even gratitude from Leona sounded like she was challenging someone to a duel. But tonight she looked different, beautiful.

A fragrance drifted to his nose. Reinhardt smiled. "I’m just glad you’re alright."

Leona looked at him quietly. The wind brushed past again. Then she smiled. A truly gentle smile. Beautiful enough that for a brief instant, Reinhardt forgot everything about the distant Tainted Lands.

Those eyes of hers that held the radiance of the starry sky, that smile, those cherry lips... At this moment, she did not look like the Iron Valkyrie of Solaris, nor the Ice Princess that kept everyone at bay. She looked just like a simple woman, beautiful and delicate.

In that instant, that image silently carved itself into Reinhardt’s memory forever.

.

.

Several days later, the exploration of the Ancient Kingdom ruins resumed.

This time, the Dawnbringers proceeded with far greater caution. The Second Division had been recalled, while the Third Division was instructed to prioritize scouting the neighboring area to avoid getting taken by surprise.

After the Organization incident and the self-destruction of the labyrinth, nobody dared underestimate the secrets buried beneath the Tainted Lands anymore.

Deep underground... Torchlight and lamps illuminated the surroundings while squads of knights advanced through the ruins.

At the very front, Reinhardt and Erza led the march.

"We stopped the exploration here last time." Erza stopped before a massive steel gate half-buried beneath rubble.

"Alright, we proceed from here." Reinhardt nodded. He easily pushed open the massive gates that seemed difficult to budge.

RUMBLE... Dust fell from above as the ancient structure groaned loudly.

Then a scene that caused everyone to widen their eyes unfolded before them.

What appeared before their eyes was a gigantic underground avenue. A rail system ran across the floor. Floating platforms hung from the ceiling that stretched high above.

All kinds of towering buildings stretched into the distance. Even in ruin, the place radiated a civilization far beyond the current age.

As the place was just too big, in the upcoming days, more and more knights joined them in the exploration.

Even the Fourth Division had arrived.

Seeing the nation in front of him, Kevin’s jaw immediately dropped. "What in the world..."

Even Vangeance looked stunned.

Although everything was covered in dust and the passage of time had reduced much of its wonders, just the sheer magnitude of this place and the architecture were enough to make one wonder at the level of prosperity the kingdom enjoyed.

"Are you just going to stand there in a daze? We are going ahead." Gwen spoke.

"Ah, wait for me." Kevin quickly caught up with the others.

As the knights advanced deeper, they began discovering many things, remnants from the ancient era, untouched by time.

Ancient devices, broken screens, machines that moved on four wheels without any horses, iron birds... they discovered a lot of things. Of course, not all of them worked.

.

Inside a building that was temporarily being used as the Dawnbringers’ base, Reinhardt looked at the diary sitting on his desk.

It was one of the few things in the area that survived the passage of time. The pages and their content remained intact.

Reinhardt carefully opened it and read the content.

At the top of the first page were the words: [Year 4721 of the Imperial Calendar].

Below it was... a name. Kingdom of Elarion.

Reinhardt’s eyes narrowed slightly. "So this place was called Elarion...?"

Erza stepped forward, seemingly curious.

Reinhardt did not mind and continued reading the diary with her.

[Today marks the arrival of the imperial tribute convoy.]

[As expected of the glorious Empire, even their escort vessels are magnificent.]

[Though the tribute grows heavier each year, it is still preferable to the old days when demi-human nations ravaged our borders endlessly.]

[Under the protection of the Empire, Elarion prospers.]

It appeared that this was a journal of someone who lived in the Kingdom of Elarion in the Year 4721.

Reinhardt continued reading. The more he read, the more he realized something shocking.

The Ancient Kingdom was not an isolated civilization. It had merely been one territory beneath an even greater power. An Empire. A true superpower of that era.

The diary described trade routes spanning continents. Skyborne transportation. News about the development of new weapons and, above all, the overwhelming power of the Empire.