Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Salames casually propped her long legs up on the table, her entire demeanor languid as if she had completely let down her guard. Her legs, which could inspire fear even on the battlefield, were now unconsciously trembling, her toes stretching and tightening nimbly, the subtle movements seemingly trying to dispel boredom.

Her high boots were casually tossed to the ground, lying askew and reflecting a cold luster. The two front legs of the chair dangled slightly in mid-air, creaking as she gently rocked, as if it might lose its balance at any moment.

She held a document covered in curves and footnotes in her hand, and yawned unabashedly. Then, she picked up the glass of grape juice on the edge of the table, tilted her head back, and gulped it down in one large mouthful, a slight gurgling sound echoing in her throat. The sweet and sour taste of the drink eased her fatigue, and she licked her lips, seemingly still unsatisfied.

After finishing her drink, she first glanced at the metal screen across the table to confirm that everything was working properly before lowering her head again to continue staring at the documents in her hands. The light made her originally slightly lazy expression appear cold and stern.

Her surname was Helban, but she had no lineage, as she received it through promotion, not through bloodline inheritance. Originally, she was of commoner birth, born in the cold and desolate Krakarond. If it weren't for that rare second eye, she wouldn't have been able to enter the Tower of Destruction to study, much less acquire the surname Helban.

The whole process was almost identical to Whitney's; in fact, it could be said that the two were classmates in the same year.

However, fate soon took a different turn.

In terms of magical skill, her talent was clearly far superior to that of the "great inventor." So much so that when Whitney graduated successfully, she remained in the tower, not because she was lagging behind, but because she was kept behind. She was chosen as a handmaiden by Anna Sara and appointed as a mentor to the new apprentices. It was a leap in status, a testament to her position.

When Darkus and Maranul explored the ancient tombs outside Krakarond, Anasara sent two sorcerers with them, one of whom was herself. She was also present during the raid on Morath, where she piloted the raiding ship.

Therefore, her qualifications are quite high.

After Duruci entered the new era, she was transferred to the province of Cuyo in Ashreyel. Compared to Whitney in northern Tar Ashreyel, her position felt like a dead-end job. Her daily work consisted of nothing more than sitting in front of a screen, monitoring, confirming, and recording—a monotonous existence bordering on imprisonment. She once joked that such days were no different from being in jail.

Of course, this was just the beginning.

Being chosen as a maid by Annasara already showed that she was clever and resourceful. She didn't really succumb to boredom, but quickly came up with a solution.

She wrote to Annasara, her words respectful yet cunning, requesting that some apprentices be sent over, whom she would teach, just as before. It sounded like a gesture of responsibility, but in reality, it was merely a way to find some laborers to share her tedious tasks. Of course, she would still teach as usual, otherwise she wouldn't be able to fulfill her obligations.

Anna Sara knew perfectly well what was going on, but she still nodded in agreement.

Thus, a group of apprentices, ostensibly there for rotation and internships, actually became her assistants. This not only freed her from the monotony of the screen but also granted her brief breaks to get some fresh air. Although the break was limited to Eshirael, she didn't mind, as Eshirael was already incredibly exciting, and besides, she had the raiding ship at her disposal.

During this period, she demonstrated an amazing desire to learn.

She diligently studied the Lizardman language, befriended Chupakoko, and became a disciple of Master Shah, delving into magical knowledge. During Master Shah's meditation days, she was not idle, but frequently went out to visit others. She went to the Great Temple of Matheran in Chapeyuto to see Serene and Bellorda; she went to the Emerald Garden in La Plata; and occasionally lingered beside Fenrir.

There was one person she would never see—Whitney.

The reason is simple: jealousy.

That was naked, undisguised jealousy between women.

Even though they were from the same class, and even though she considered herself superior in magic, Whitney was given the title of "Great Inventor," her status was far higher than hers, she had more resources and opportunities, and she was also engaged to Walter, the ruler of Ashriel.

Whenever she thought of this, a bitter feeling would burn in her heart like a flame.

All of her actions, aside from learning from Master Xia, were ultimately aimed at building connections. She knew very well that times had changed, and she had to change with them, otherwise…

She knew all too well that Darkus was no longer the naive Darkus she had encountered during her graveyard exploration; his power far exceeded her imagination, so immense as to be almost awe-inspiring. If she could simply enter Darkus's field of vision, even just for a glimpse, her future wouldn't be confined to the prison-like existence of the Kuyo province.

However, the result was not good, and it did not meet her expectations.

Those so-called connections she had were indeed something, better than nothing, but not solid enough to support her in reaching a higher position. What she lacked was not the right occasion or opportunity, but the real skills that would allow her to stand out.

She had to make a living, just like Whitney, though she was unwilling to admit it, she knew it very well.

Originally, besides studying magic itself and the accompanying alchemy, she spent most of her remaining energy on scheming and intrigue.

There was no way around it; that was the environment and the operating logic of Nagalus in the old era. Without participating, she simply couldn't survive. But in the new era, she found that this ability was insufficient, even superfluous.

So she turned her attention back to Master Xia. With anticipation and eagerness, after a peaceful meditation session, she couldn't help but ask Master Xia a question.

After the question was posed, the surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.

A long time passed, so long that she almost thought Master Xia had fallen asleep again, when suddenly, a strange and heavy word came from Master Xia's mouth. The voice was not loud, but it carried a profound power, echoing in her ears for a long time.

Immediately afterward, Master Xia raised a hand, pointing to the sun high in the sky, as if pointing out some extremely important truth. She held her breath, subconsciously leaning forward, trying to catch more clues.

Just when she thought Master Xia would continue speaking and give her more insights, Master Xia really fell asleep, his breathing long and deep, leaving the topic unfinished.

Filled with confusion and resentment, she could only go to Cupakko with her bewilderment. Her purpose was simple: she just wanted to know the true meaning of that word. And in all of Ashriel, Cupakko was probably the only one who could answer that question.

As it turned out, she did get the answer. Chupakoko told her it was: wave.

However, the story does not end there.

Chupakoko was always a chatterbox; he wasn't the kind of riddle-maker who would simply throw out a question and leave. After answering the elf's question, he casually added, "Perhaps the Independent Tower in the South District can provide the answer."

She knew what the Independent Tower was, and she knew that Serene went there occasionally.

The Independent Square Tower is located in the southern part of Chapeyuto, within the Lizard Community. It consists of a base and two rectangular terraces. The square tower in the middle of the terraces is constructed of brick and stone. Strangely, there are no direct stairs leading up to it; instead, there is a winding spiral staircase. At the top of the tower is an observation deck with an opening leading to the land. (Chapter 161)
She went with hope, but returned disappointed. Not getting the answer she wanted confirmed what Chupakoko had said at the time: "Perhaps."

It would be a miracle if there were an answer, because this observatory was used by the lizardmen to observe the rising and setting of the sun and moon. At the spring and autumn equinoxes, an observation line passing through the left side of the west wall would bisect the sunset. The moon, on the other hand, would set at its northernmost latitude through the observation line on the right side of the west wall. There was also an opening in the southwest, where the moon would set at its southernmost latitude; this moon, of course, refers to the Silver Moon Manasrib.

This is ancient astronomical wisdom, and it's on a completely different level from the answer she's looking for, even though there's some connection.

Disappointment made her turn around again, this time to Fenrir. She chose Fenrir over anyone else because he was skilled in light magic; light—perhaps—could offer her some inspiration.

Fenrir did not respond to her question verbally, but silently gathered some materials. A moment later, under her gaze, he made a simple prism by hand.

The moment sunlight passes through the prism, it splits into a rainbow of colors, like a rainbow bridge blooming in the air. Finrel pointed to the gradually spreading spectrum and told her that the temperature would rise significantly in the outer region of the red side of the spectrum. This was because there were some invisible rays in sunlight that could bring intense heat; in the texts of the White Tower of Hosse, these rays were called infrared rays.

Infrared radiation might just be the perfect match for the word "wave".

Although this wasn't the answer she really wanted, it didn't stop her from excitedly putting away the simple prism, even carefully taking it back as a treasure, and continuing her experiment.

In her subsequent research, she repeatedly let sunlight pass through a prism, using her second eye to observe the changes in the spectrum. In one experiment, she was surprised to discover that beyond the edge of the violet side of the spectrum, there seemed to be some kind of ray imperceptible to the naked eye. It was quiet and hidden, but could occasionally be caught by her second eye, like a shadow moving through the folds of the world, completely different from the rays that magic presents.

She dared not draw any conclusions hastily, so she used her expertise in advanced alchemy to prepare several reagents for repeated verification.

Ultimately, she confirmed it—this ray did indeed exist!
She felt as if she were witnessing a completely new field being opened up, and she couldn't wait to write her findings into a lengthy report, every word brimming with fervent passion and a desire to leave. However, upon calming down, she felt a pang of disappointment. Even so, this achievement was still not enough to make her stand out, not enough to truly attract Darkus's attention.

Just as she was becoming frustrated, a turning point quietly arrived. In a subsequent experiment, she noticed by chance that fingerprints on paper were exceptionally clear under ultraviolet light, with a noticeable enhancement effect. At that moment, she almost held her breath. Her intuition told her that this might be a discovery that could change everything.

So she found a stone slab covered with various handprints and marks, and brought it into the completely dark room. The handheld ultraviolet lamp she had made herself emitted a cold and eerie light in the darkness.

This photo was quite something; she pushed open the door a crack and entered the world behind it.

This time, she didn't hesitate. She sealed up the detailed reports, experimental records, letters, and the handheld ultraviolet lamp and ultraviolet camera that she had assembled herself, and sent them back to Nagarus.

The waiting was agonizing; the days seemed to drag on endlessly until she finally received a reply. And this letter was from none other than Dakota himself.

The letter began with a casual greeting. He understood her hardships in Cuyo province and comforted her, telling her to take care of herself. He then mentioned that her ultraviolet camera was invaluable in industrial inspection, capable of precisely identifying minute defects in materials; and in forensic examination, it could be used to examine fingerprints and find conclusive evidence.

This is undoubtedly a landmark discovery. The reports and instruments she sent back will be carefully preserved and placed in a museum in the future to commemorate this groundbreaking contribution. Finally, Dakous approved a sustainable research grant to encourage her to continue her in-depth exploration and boldly push forward.

Without a doubt, this was the result she had longed for. The letter was addressed to Annasara, the report and items were given to Colonia, but in the end, it was Darkus himself who picked up the pen and responded!
Ironically, this outcome was still not what she wanted. She would remain in prison, still trapped in the Quyo province.

She knew why she had been sent here—because the Time Sentinels were in Kuyo.

The Time Sentinel was an ancient creation. When Darkus first saw it, he only felt that the statue was very abstract. He could see every pore on the statue and the faint light emanating from its eyes. In an instant, he felt that the truth became clear. Past and future things coexisted at the same time. The statue could freely witness everything that happened in the River of Time. But this was just a feeling. He didn't know how to use it in practice because there was no matching stone tablet.

Later, when Huta was rebuilt, the master in charge there unexpectedly discovered another Time Sentinel, along with a complete matching stone slab.

In short, the Time Sentinel is like a subjective version of a black box radar; it can see everything, yet it is shrouded in a hazy mystery.

Once activated, the Time Sentinels of Kuyo Province release an almost invisible wave that spreads outward in concentric circles from the center of creation. Their surveillance range is extremely vast, stretching from Spear Reef in the easternmost part of Anurel Province all the way to the open sea off Chapeyuto in the north; from the scorching Brass Desert on the other side of the Sotigo Ridge all the way to the turbulent deep sea south of the temple city of Slanzek—all are enveloped in this strange, sensory-supernatural detection.

Against this backdrop, a brand-new force was born—an emergency rapid response force composed of sorceresses and flying mounts.

At that time, the raider was still on the drawing board and test bench, far from being finalized.

In theory, this force can detect signs of invasion immediately and issue early warning signals; when the situation in Potosí in the northwest is unstable, it can quickly cross the mountains to reinforce the garrison; if the situation is too serious to be resolved on its own, they can even contact Oxor in the north and use the strength of the beaked dragon riders to suppress and counterattack.

Salames is the head of this rapid response force. On paper, it's a respectable, prestigious position that one can boast about for a lifetime, but the reality is far more brutal.

Because there was no enemy at all. None of the anticipated crises, raids, or large-scale invasions occurred. The Potosí uprising didn't even require her intervention; the garrison at the foot of the mountain, in coordination with the soldiers on the mountain, could easily handle it. Thus, her mission became ironic: she possessed a rapid reaction force, yet had no battlefield to go to.

Ashriel was in an awkward state of no war, to the point that she often smiled bitterly, feeling that she had just been put in prison.

Before her apprentice arrived, one of her few daily pleasures was watching the Asur of Anuriel province move back and forth across the southern plains. Their actions were largely meaningless; they wouldn't cross the border, much less clash with the garrison at the southern outposts. At most, it was a display of their presence. In other words, she didn't even need to issue any warnings; she could only treat this observation as a way to pass the time.

Or it could be used to identify whether a fast-moving creature is a pterosaur or a beaked dinosaur, or to determine the type of ship on the sea.

Someone has to keep an eye on it, even though they don't have to keep an eye on it all the time.

If she hadn't been mentally strong, she probably would have been completely consumed by that endless boredom long ago.

When she finally received the funds, she didn't squander them. It wasn't because she was particularly frugal, but rather because even if she wanted to, there was nowhere for her to do so. Her allowance was enough for her daily needs, ensuring she had no worries about food or clothing. Almost none of the equipment and supplies were finished products; they all had to be handcrafted by her and Fenrir, bit by bit.

Go find Whitney? She never even considered it, nor was she willing to utter a single request. The jealousy and unwillingness to bow her head in her heart made her prefer to stay up for several more nights rather than speak.

As for the buildings and facilities, Dakotas had already overseen their construction before her arrival. They were structurally sound and well-proportioned, so there was no need for expansion, nor could she afford to squander them.

But these were only the first few years.

As time went by, Master Xia's occasional guidance opened up new directions for her, like turning lead into gold; with the arrival of batches of apprentices, she gradually gained more manpower at her disposal; as her research deepened, she gradually escaped the shadow of imprisonment; and with the seemingly casual but actually crucial assistance of Fenrir, she truly went further and further on this research path.

So far in the future, without even realizing it herself, she had already qualified to establish her own school of thought.

She proposed a set of electromagnetic field equations, unifying those previously scattered phenomena and experiments in a calm and systematic way; she created electromagnetic waves with frequencies far lower than visible light and developed methods for detecting these waves; when high pressure was applied to a vacuum tube, she keenly noticed a strange fluorescence phenomenon and eventually confirmed that it was the result of some kind of radiation.

Thus, the system of equations was named the "Maes equations", and the newly discovered ray was named the "Maes ray".

Her name has been etched into the landscape of academia.

Just as atmospheric pressure in this world isn't measured in 'Pascals' but is called 'Belodar', at least that's what Duruci calls it. (Belodar, her real name is Belodar.)
As her research progressed further, the amount of funding she controlled also increased. Centered around the Time Sentinel, new supporting buildings sprang up one after another, transforming it into a massive research institute.

Unfortunately, although radio waves had been discovered, the corresponding receiving and transmission equipment was slow to appear. The reason was not a lack of intelligence, but because the omnipresent and all-encompassing Egil winds acted as natural noise interference, constantly disrupting the propagation path of the radio waves in space, causing the signals to be drowned out by the noise of the void before they even set off.

In contrast, magic that comes directly and brutally is more reliable and practical.

As for radar... it has even less reason to exist.

Before them stood the Time Sentinel, an evolution through several iterations, standing silently like a cold deity, crushing any similar concept with its transcendent power. The Lizardmen, on the other hand, had long mastered the creation process; they could replicate this complex marvel as easily as building a temple.

But in Dakota's view, this did not prevent Salames from continuing her in-depth research. For him, the establishment of scholarship and systems, even if it temporarily lost its direct application, was still a task that had to be completed.

What's meant to be will eventually be; to form a system, someone must lay the foundation. As for application... who can guarantee that it won't be needed someday? — This has always been his attitude.

The metal screen separating Salames from her across the table displayed the final results of the Time Sentinel's reconnaissance. But she wasn't in Ashriel at the moment; she was in Lor'then in Ulthuan.

What she held in her hand was not a classified report, but a student's thesis. She yawned widely and wearily glanced at the clock on the table.

The brief ticking of the second hand sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Nighttime became her time. She liked to think late at night because the darkness allowed her to see the world more clearly and made it easier for her to immerse herself in the tranquility of solitude.

At five o'clock in the morning, dawn was about to break.

She was working the standard night shift, and given her current position, she could easily have avoided personally guarding the area. However, fifty years of habit and experience had already honed her character into an ingrained habit, and the situation during this period was exceptionally tense.

Just as she closed her thesis and was about to get up to take a nap on her cot, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the screen.

In that instant, her pupils suddenly contracted.

The next second, she braced her right hand on the edge of the table and leaped directly onto it with clean, swift movements, her skirt and long hair tracing an arc in the air. She practically pounced on the screen, her breathing quickening as she stared intently at the constantly flashing image.

"Migratory birds?"

A second later, the person actually on duty rushed to the screen in a panic. Her voice was weak and uncertain, as if she were deceiving herself.

Have you ever seen a migratory bird as big as a dragon? How many migratory birds would that be? Thousands? Tens of thousands?

Salames abruptly turned her head, her gaze sweeping coldly over the table. She finished speaking, rolled her eyes, and with a nimble movement, flipped over the table again, landing back in her seat. She reached for her high boots, which lay to the side. Even in this tense situation, she maintained a certain composure, not even faltering in the order she put on her shoes. She bent down and slipped on the boots with practiced ease, as if everything was under control.

It's not just a possibility, it is.

From Spear Reef, the easternmost point of Anurel province, all the way to the open sea off Chapeyuto in the north; from the scorching brass desert on the other side of the Sortigol Ridge, all the way to the turbulent deep sea south of the temple city of Slanzek, all are within the detection range of the Time Sentinels.

This is still land, not even counting the distant seas and vast oceans.

Arrived in Lorthorn...

After getting up, she downed the rest of the grape juice in one gulp. When she looked up, she found that the staff member she had personally brought out was still glued to the screen, staring intently, as if frozen in place.

"How long do you want to watch?"

"Me?" The staff member on duty subconsciously looked up at Salames, then looked down at the screen, his expression dazed, as if trying to confirm if he had seen wrong. "Me? I..."

"What about me?" Salames's voice turned icy instantly, like a hammer striking down. "Go sound the alarm!"

Having said that, she turned and walked out without looking back, her figure disappearing into the dim light of the corridor. What she was going to do was not to stand by and wait, but to immediately report to her superiors and then join the battle!

The enemy is coming!
It was like a typhoon finally arriving. (End of Chapter)