Pillars of Ita

Chapter 1 Prologue: The Alchemist in the Expedition

The forest was eerily quiet. The sunlight filtering through the tree trunks and drooping branches created a solemn and sacred atmosphere. Moss covered every protrusion, whether stone or decaying wood. The leaves shimmered in the sunlight, while the shaded sides of the tree trunks were shrouded in darkness. A few clusters of needles at the tips of the lush green branches had prematurely turned yellow. Standing beneath them was a person, intently focused, his hand on the lens above his right eye, clicking and turning the brass outer ring.

This person was a boy of about sixteen or seventeen, with an ordinary but slightly delicate appearance. He had neatly styled short hair and was of average height, not particularly tall, but not short either. He was rather tall and slender, wearing a dark blue robe with open buttons and a hood. Underneath the open hood, he wore a gray vest with brass buttons, and below the vest's collar, the collar of a white shirt was visible, with two shiny silver stars adorning the edge of the shirt's collar.

The hem of the robe only reached below the knees, revealing a small portion of the trousers, also dark gray, with the edges worn down to the point of showing the stitching. Below that were a pair of weathered leather shoes, the toes covered with all sorts of scratches.

The boy carried a cylindrical tin box on his back. Its silvery-white surface gleamed, and four grooves ran from left to right on the top. The grooves were filled with a golden-yellow copper material and were riddled with grooves, resembling slots for something. The box bulged slightly at both sides, and a beryl was inserted horizontally in the center, its interior shimmering with a faint light. Four hooks were attached to the edge, and the box was secured to his body with leather straps.

There was a copper pin at the bottom of the box, through which a leather tube connected to the boy's right thick leather glove. On the glove was a complex instrument with several silver rails on a series of brass dials that oscillated slightly left and right, up and down, occasionally making a clicking sound.

The boy squinted with his left eye, while looking out through the lens with his other eye, he could see some dirt spots on the lens, and in the distance, he could see the ancient elven ruins on the banks of the Gorgon River. The white semi-circular dome of the temple building was covered with a canopy of trees, which was covered with a layer of parasitic plants such as wisteria.

He clicked and rotated the camera.

This vast forest is called the Vanna Forest, located north of the Sea of ​​Ancient Trees. Above the sea of ​​trees stands a solitary mountain, quietly suspended above the clouds. The snow line on its ridge shines brightly in the sunlight, like a proud, solitary silver dragon.

On the southern slope of the mountain range, the terrain gradually slopes down and sinks inward to form a basin, which is covered with towering ancient trees and has beautiful scenery.

It's absolutely gorgeous.

He watched with great interest for a while, until the image began to shake, then went out of control, spinning and falling. Then a glittering little thing fell from the treetop and landed with a whoosh in the bushes not far away.

The elven ranger named Scarpe dashed over, rummaged around under a chalky rock for a while, and then picked up a small, hemispherical object with a brass-like shell from the bushes. She turned and waved to the others: "Found it, it's here!"

It was a clockwork fairy, its bronze casing reflecting sunlight and gleaming in Skappe's hands.

Skappe's scouting skills are excellent, and combined with the natural talents of the elven race, this clockwork fairy is as conspicuous as an infrared heat source in her vision when she is in the bushes.

However, the hawk (Heng) cannot do this.

Because he was an alchemist, those bushes were no different to him from anywhere else in this vast primeval forest.

“Ed!” This was Fang Heng’s ID in this world. Scarp called out to him and tossed the ball over. “Thanks, Miss Scarp!” Fang Heng caught the ball and lifted the lens, opening his left eye at the same time. His pupil was dark brown like most Chinese people, but the iris inside seemed to expand outwards like flames, making it look very beautiful.

This world has no magical powers, but ancient sorcerers invented alchemy and formulas of equivalent exchange. Through these formulas, magic was harnessed, allowing people to use powerful tools. These tools fall into two categories: magical devices that ordinary people can use, and combat implements that require a certain level of magical aptitude to operate.

But regardless of the type, only skilled craftsmen can maintain and recharge them. These skilled craftsmen are alchemists.

“You’re welcome,” Scarpie said with a shrewd smile, her eyes crinkling. “This compensation is also part of your salary.”

"Just remember to include food and lodging!" Fang Zheng smiled nonchalantly.

“Just kidding, I didn’t expect you to use a clockwork fairy, it startled me! Ed, why don’t you just join our adventurer group?” Scarlett looked at the young man with a hint of seriousness.

“That won’t do. I’ve come all this way to Aetaria, and I have my own goals! I want to see the Holy Mountain, the Great Tree Hills of Nurlinari, and maybe even the homeland of the Wild People, Rotao—then cross the continental bridge to the fantastical Second World, to follow in the footsteps of the pioneers. Maybe one day I’ll even form my own adventure party.”

"Hey! You arrogant brat, you don't even have any magical adaptability. Staying in Taren is the wise choice you should make, lest you lose your life." Scarpe tapped him on the head in annoyance.

Fang Zheng covered his head and chuckled, not taking it to heart.

He came to this world illegally.

In the mid-21st century, humanity accidentally discovered a special substance in the Hast 042 region of the asteroid belt—glowing matter. Through the deconstruction of the 'Type II Elements', which are remnants of information from the higher-dimensional universe within the glowing matter, in 2071, using the constant glow structure, humanity finally constructed a ring gate between the Earth and the Moon leading to the 'higher-dimensional world'.

And this world is Eitaria.

But people soon discovered that Aetaria was not the higher-dimensional world they had imagined—it was more like a remnant of information. There was no real matter there, but a large amount of second-type elements and higher-dimensional information were active, creating a world that appeared 'real'. To develop and seize second-type elements, the pioneers who entered the stargate—the first Chosen Ones—from various governments engaged in fierce competition in Aetaria. Over time, this competition gradually became a well-known display and contest of national power, and the Chosen Ones seemed to overnight become a synonym for glory and prestige.

This is the origin of Super Sports—

Born on Earth after the Stargate Era, Fang Zheng grew up listening to those stories and dreamed of one day becoming one of those heroes. However, becoming a Chosen One was no easy feat; the training and qualification alone required a large sum of money. His parents had died early, and it was unrealistic to expect his aunt's family to invest such a large sum in him.

Fortunately, every cloud has a silver lining. Through a friend, he met a supposedly reliable smuggler online. The smuggler was an employee of Starport, and after spending almost all of his savings, the employee didn't suddenly disappear. Instead, he kept his promise and actually got him an internal service ticket and helped him sneak into Starport.

The process went smoothly, except for a few minor flaws.

Because he entered illegally, Fang Zheng lacked any radiant equipment, meaning he had no magical adaptability and could only live as an ordinary person in this world. Furthermore, since he hadn't registered at the Starport, he received no beginner's guidance and spent six months alone in Capka learning some alchemical skills and mastering the manipulation of several magical tools.

Fortunately, he was a natural optimist and not only felt no frustration, but actually enjoyed it. And so he rashly embarked on his first adventure.

He first went to Rodel alone, where he stayed for quite some time, hoping to find a team that would accept him. But no one was interested in a newcomer without magical adaptability, until he met Skapella's team.

The small team that Scarlett and her boyfriend founded is the kind of private adventure group that is very common in this world. They are self-sufficient, and the team's funds are often not very abundant after settling the members' salaries and daily expenses—simply put, they are strapped for cash.

In fact, she was looking for a reasonably priced alchemist to accompany her team at the time, and Skappet couldn't help but laugh when she thought about their meeting. This naive young man had no idea what the difference was between a regular member and a team alchemist. Of course, the adventure team wouldn't want a member without magical adaptability, but he also never clearly explained his expertise in alchemy.

Fortunately, the ever-shrewd Skappe had asked detailed questions and then seized the opportunity to secure Fang Zheng's services at an unbelievable price—including room and board. This price might even be illegal, because the Artisans' Guild of Aetaria, in order to protect the interests of alchemists, had actually stipulated a minimum wage for alchemists participating in adventures. Few people in the world would dare offend this colossal institution.

Of course, we also know that high returns will always tempt capitalists to take risks.

Then Scarpé discovered that she had found a treasure.

Although the young man claimed it took him six months to master the basics of alchemy and pass the exam to become a second-level apprentice alchemist, Scarlett and her boyfriend Quillote had never heard of anyone failing to pass the novice stage in six months; usually, it took a month at most. This sounded like utterly terrible talent, but they were surprised to find that Fang Zheng's skills were exceptional, and he could even manipulate clockwork fairies.

That's usually the work of a combat craftsman.

Scape felt like she had found a gold brick, but unfortunately, this gold brick's brain seemed to be made of solid 24K. Despite not even having adaptive magic, it clamored to go to the Second World and refused to join her team no matter what.

You're insane!

Since the ruins of the Gorgon Temple were already visible in this direction, it meant the team had entered the designated target area. Because Skappe's team was only providing support and they had to wait for the other two teams to arrive, the adventure team stopped where they were.

Scarlett's boyfriend—a tall man named Quirod—sat on a rotten log, issuing orders and directing the large group to set up camp. He had a sloping face with a light stubble, a deep and handsome appearance, and a very masculine air. His weapon was a greatsword, which looked like two pieces of metal joined together. The blade was at least two fingers thick, over a meter long, and its surface was covered with scratches. A red calcite stone was embedded in the hilt.

The magic furnace behind his waist was a size larger than Fang Zheng's. Although it only had three sockets, each socket was fitted with strange metal inserts—some were pure copper parts, and some were metal-embedded crystal pillars.

Then there were the small metal water jugs. He had at least seven or eight flat water jugs strapped to his waist, arms, and legs, all filled with water mixed with alcohol—a few bottles were pure vodka. Every few gestures, he would take out a jug, take a sip, and then sheepishly put it back under Scarpé's angry glare.

Fang Zheng strongly suspected that this uncle was from a warrior race before coming to Aetaria.

Of course, the other party may seem authoritative, but in reality, this small team isn't bound together by discipline, but rather by the warm connections between people. That's what small teams are like; although they have various drawbacks, everyone knows each other, so at least there's no lack of small moments of warmth.

While Fang Zheng was secretly observing the captain, Quilot also squinted at the former and nodded.

His views on Fang Zheng differed from his girlfriend's. Talent was important, but that didn't mean someone couldn't succeed without it. Before becoming a chosen one, he worked in the Russian logistics department as an aircraft engineer; this profession demanded meticulousness, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility—all three were indispensable. In his earlier years, he had seen many like-minded individuals, but now, newcomers with responsibility and patience were becoming increasingly rare. The young people sent there were like future stars, each one incredibly frivolous.

But he saw that long-lost quality in Fang Zheng.

As they set up camp, people started chatting amongst themselves. One of them remarked, "Speaking of which, don't you guys think this mission is a bit different from the previous ones?"

"Yes, there are some differences. A few days ago, our main tasks were to explore the map (explore and scout) and participate in defense. We were rarely required to coordinate with the main force."

"This seems to be a retrieval mission. Retrieve what?"

"It's most likely a battle-grade magical artifact."

Fang Zheng himself could clearly feel that this mission was different from the previous ones. The descendants of Flor even sent a liaison officer down, something that hadn't happened in the previous two months. Thinking of this, Fang Zheng couldn't help but look around again.

Unfortunately, a tent had just been erected not far away, blocking his view.

The forest was quiet.

Although Skappet and Quillot's team had an elegant name, Dawn Star, their purpose in coming here was not to improve their cultural literacy or cultivate their minds, but for war.

The war has been raging in Taren for almost a summer. The various private adventure groups here are essentially defense contractors in the real world—that's the polite way of putting it; in reality, they're mercenaries, one of the oldest professions in the world.

However, the southern part of the Dragon Roar Mountains is a sea of ​​trees, with mountains stretching endlessly. The nearest town, Kapka, is thousands of miles away. So even if the descendants of Flor and the Rainbow Alliance were to fight to the death here, the two major indigenous powers nearby—the Kingdom of the Ancient Knights and the Colin-Ishrilian Alliance—would not utter a word of concern.

As for why the two sides chose to fight in this godforsaken place, only God knows. The mercenaries didn't care about such things, and Fang Zheng knew very little about either side—only that one side was the Chosen Alliance of the Ancient Tree Sea Kingdoms, while the other side had connections to the southern Ishurian.

The names that Fang Zheng was familiar with were not in the First World. The most elite Chosen Ones and Chosen One Guilds of Aetaria were almost all in the world behind the First Continental Bridge.

"Speaking of which, Miss Scarpe, do you know why the Descendants of Flor went to war with the Rainbow Alliance?" Fang Zheng turned and asked. He suddenly realized that his understanding of the First World was far too superficial; besides Mount Eldron and the Hill of the Great Trees of Núrinari, it was a truly magnificent world in itself.

“Let me teach you a lesson, newbie. See those ruins? Those are all good stuff!” Scarpie pointed into the distance and replied in an old-fashioned manner, “A ruin that has never been developed by anyone can contain anything: gold coins, treasures, and of course, the most valuable thing is ancient heritage.”

Fang Zheng was shocked: "Then why didn't we loot the place ourselves when we were stationed there?"

Why didn't we do that?

“Cough cough—” Quirod coughed loudly.

Scarpe then realized she had misspoke and calmly corrected herself, saying, "Why didn't we do that? Because we couldn't. We're defense contractors; we have our own professional ethics. How could we embezzle from our own positions?"

"I believe you." Fang Zheng nodded sincerely.

……

Chapters 11 and 14 of the prologue are currently blocked, as are chapters 246 and 274 of the second volume. These blocked chapters will be unblocked for now.