Master Craftsman of the Elven World

Chapter 352 The Trial of the Underwater Ruins

Deep within the underwater ruins, Ghetsis was accompanied by two sages, Geralt and Smura, while Yoggs, Asura, Rhodes, and even Vio were not present.

The green-haired youth looking at an inscription in front of him was none other than N, who had been recalled earlier.

"Whoever deciphers the script of the underwater ruins will gain the power to rule over heaven and earth. This is the great power passed down through generations of the Harmonia family. When the underwater ruins awakened, I heard the call."

"As long as you bring the right descendants of the king, you can pass the 'King's Trial' and obtain that power. It is said that the crown of the first king is also hidden in one of the rooms here."

"And there's something even more incredible."

Quixote found an ancient stone statue here, which contained a powerful energy, making him very happy.

Along the way, they also saw some strange "plates," but Quixote couldn't figure out what they were for, and just assumed they were fragments that had fallen from the giant rocks of the ruins.

Bringing N along was the right choice. First, it allowed them to listen to the call of the underwater ruins. Second, N was able to understand the inscriptions on the underwater ruins and, combined with his own information, could make accurate translations.

This ability is very mysterious. Even N himself doesn't know how it works. He just feels that he can read it, and so he can read it.

"Immense power, the power to rule over heaven and earth and all things, the power to enable all people to understand each other, the power to unlock all secrets, the power to gain the approval of the King of the Sea, and you are the only descendant who can inherit this power."

Quixote continued rambling on, while at the same time, another plan was brewing in his mind.

According to the Dark Trio's report, N may have developed some inappropriate thoughts. Originally, he only intended to let his adopted son see more of the outside world to win over more people and increase his strength, but it seems that his adopted son has some unrealistic new ideas.

This immature idea needs to be corrected. If you are unwilling to restore it, why didn't you bring in the sages who followed N? It's because if necessary, you might have to forcibly control this adopted son.

If you are unwilling to inherit the power of the Sea King, then become his puppet.

“Brave ones, listen carefully to the king’s words.”

"This is the place the king praised."

"Those who understand prime numbers can understand the truth of the world."

"The king turned the second corner, the king turned the third, the fifth, and the seventh corner."

“Possesses the heart of a king.”

"The king has courage, the king has hope, the king has benevolence, the king has dreams, the king has an adventurous spirit, the king accepts everything, and the king embraces with a loving heart."

"The king will no longer be consumed by hatred."

N deciphered the text and recorded it in his notebook, his mind completely absorbed by the historical texts.

However, it seems that they are now lost. The road ahead has once again led to a dead end. N closes his eyes and tries to choose a path based on that mysterious feeling, but even so, his sense of space is still confused.

Hollow

A muffled sound came from not far away, and Quixote's face immediately darkened!
"The mechanism has been triggered again!"

Once the mechanism is triggered, the underwater ruins will use a powerful special force to expel everyone from here!
However, having already deciphered the entire route, all that was needed was to continue trial and error. Quixote had the sage beside him record the route so that he would not repeat the mistakes.

“We will be back!”

After a flash of light, the members of Team Plasma disappeared into the ruins.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Lightmoy and Cattleya were also translating these words simultaneously, and they took a different path.

The route on the first level is as winding as a maze, but when the moss releases Riolu, the blue-haired puppy uses the power of the underwater ruins through the waveguide to accurately find the way forward.

Furthermore, using mental power to "move objects with one's mind" will not be considered as "taking steps"!
"This is practically cheating, but superpowers are our own power."

Guangtai chuckled, while Cattleya stared blankly at the red boulders, somewhat lost in thought.
"These huge stones record the history of the United States. You actually translated those texts."

"As expected of a mythologist and guardian of ruins. Hmph." Although Cattleya made a strange sound, her expression was very happy.

"The following is the text that has been recorded."

Cattleya jotted down the words in her notebook, feeling a little excited. She planned to show off her research notes to Zhulan, so she read them aloud softly.

Besides what N had already read, there were also newly added texts.

"The king accepts everything."

"The king has the power to inspire all people."

"The king has the power to illuminate all people."

"The king's steps will not stray, and those who stray are not qualified to be kings."

"Hmm?" Gadriya blinked, pressing a finger to her cheek, looking puzzled. "Something seems off."

Those who are lost are not qualified to be kings.
Sure enough, he couldn't hold back when he saw that sarcastic remark.

Guangtai looked at the red historical text in front of her, surrounded by dead ends. This sentence was specifically placed here in this dead end.

In reality, this dead end is actually
"We have to turn back."

"We need to leave the ruins now."

Lightmoss's words puzzled Cattleya greatly: "Why?"

Light Moss: "Because this stone tablet is wrong."

Cattleya: "Then let's find the right stone tablet."

"No, this is the correct stone tablet."

Caldelia was a little stunned, frowned, and began to brainstorm.

"???"

"Am I not smart?" the blonde beauty asked, her eyes filled with confusion.

Guangtai chuckled and tapped the stone tablet: "Because there's a limit to the number of steps you can take here."

"A step limit?" Cattleya blinked.

“That’s right.” Lightmoy recalled the defense mechanism of the first layer of the underwater ruins and replied, “If you walk within 190 steps to this stone tablet, its inscription will be different from what it is now. Hmm, the area of ​​the giant stone tablet below counts as one step.”

"The correct text is—'The king's steps will not falter, brave king, advance!'"

"That's right. After we passed 190 stone tablets to reach this place, the inscription on this red stone tablet will change to what it looks like now. This stone has power!"

The moss embodies the spirit, touching the red historical monument!

[Mythical Artifacts: The King's Red Stele!]

[Description: These red stone tablets, known as Poneglyphs, record the words of the ancient First Kings. These inscriptions are legends about the heroes and kings of the Unova region. They possess immense spiritual power, and only those with the right qualities to be kings can decipher the inscriptions and enter the depths of the underwater ruins!]

[Effect: It possesses powerful spiritual energy and controls the energy of the ruins and the surrounding sea. Even as time changes, the red stone tablet will not be destroyed! Once activated, it possesses incredible special energy, allowing humans and Pokémon to communicate seamlessly here.]

"We've traveled a lot to collect these plates, so now we have to go out again."

"It seems that although we did not trigger the expulsion mechanism, the ruins are still observing our actions."

The red inscriptions possess the power to connect the hearts of people and Pokémon, which is not surprising, as one of the powers of the underwater ruins in the special episode is this.

However, since Lightmoss can understand the hearts of Pokémon, this power is no different from usual.

Cattleya, on the other hand, found it quite novel. She suddenly heard a chubby muttering sound, and then bent down in surprise to hear Guangtai explain.

"The red inscriptions on the ruins allow humans and Pokémon to communicate without barriers. Even if they don't speak the same language or are not the same kind of creature, they can talk to each other and become friends. This is the power of the Sea King."

Gadriya found it incredible: "Really? I heard it, a chubby voice? Oh, are you complaining about Wanlong? I heard it!"

She winked playfully, and the chubby girl froze instantly.

You can't say that!

Cattleya teased the chubby little thing for a moment, then looked at the moss.

"Seriously, are you kidding me?" Cattleya couldn't help but complain.
"Within 190 inscriptions, it's simply impossible to reach this stele and decipher all the text. Without understanding this rule, no one can unlock the path forward."

"This place is so convoluted. No wonder even after finding the underwater ruins, we don't know where to start investigating. The translation of the text, the mechanisms of the inscriptions, the power hidden in history, the wrong people and the wrong paths—no one can disturb the peace of the King of the Sea."

"By the way, what are those sectors?"

Along the way, Guangtai collected many strange plates, as well as ancient coins and pots that had fallen to the ground; the coins were even glittering.

So it turns out that the inscription wasn't made to look correct because of the collection of those things.

Guangtai looked at the treasure in her hand:
"These are things called stone tablets, and they come from a Pokémon called God!"

Yellow, orange-red, crimson, gray.
Mythical Craftsmanship: The Lightning Stone Slab!

Mythical Craftsmanship: Fist Stone Slab! Mythical Craftsmanship: Fireball Stone Slab!

Mythical Artifacts: Steel Slabs!

However, only four pieces were found on the first floor, which is different from the game. The remaining pieces did not appear on the first floor.

However, the underwater ruins contain almost the complete set of stone slabs. Excluding the fairy and the clear sky, and removing the dragon and water slabs, they are not deep within the ruins, but were washed ashore on the beach outside Ripple Town.
"Do we need to collect all the stone slabs?"

Having the stone slab will naturally grant you its bonuses, and you'll also gain access to a new profession.

I already acquired the martial artist corresponding to the Fist Stone Tablet, so I used the Fist Stone Tablet to enhance my martial artist profession and elevate my martial arts level to a higher level.

[Martial artist → Martial arts master!]

[Martial Arts Skill +100%, Mastery +100%, Teaching Comprehension +100% (You can teach martial arts to your disciples, and their learning will be accelerated while they are with you.)]

[Establishing a School of Pokémon – Powerful Pokémons and Trainers will come to learn from you, increasing your legendary status by 50%.]

Among the new professions, two are of the enhancement type.

Gained 3 points of professional knowledge.

"Fire Expert: Specializes in Fire-type knowledge, grants +100% to all aspects of fire application, significantly increases affinity with Fire-type Pokémon, and improves your cooking/forging/stove skills."

Researcher: Your specialized research knowledge has been honed through studies with multiple professors, significantly increasing your affinity with Electric-type Pokémon. Research ability +100%, and you've gained Information Construction Technology. You can now create additional Porygon.

Mechanic: Specializes in mechanical dismantling. You possess various mechanical skills, your affinity with Steel-type Pokémon has greatly increased, Mechanical Expertise +100%, and you gain the ability to dismantle and upgrade. You can also craft "Enhancement Components."

Guangmo guessed.

Perhaps some of the remaining stone tablets already contain professions that I have already obtained. For example, the Magic Stone Tablet should correspond to superpowered individuals.

But I am already a superhuman.

Since the mechanics, researchers, and martial artists already had the stone tablet professions or similar abilities beforehand, no new clues about mysterious items appeared. However, for the fire expert, there was something new.

『Obtained clue to the making of a mysterious craft: 1』

[The Lava Suit—a suit combining the science and technology of the Lava Team and Devon Corporation, capable of withstanding any impact and providing protection during travel in space and time.]

This is a real spacesuit, and its manufacturing process utilizes the latest technology from Devon Corporation. In the story, it should be worn by either Yuu or Haruka, and it's the suit that Rayquaza wears when he enters space.

With this suit, one could even go to space. Speaking of which, can the scientific achievements created by modern people be regarded as "mysterious handicrafts"?

Lightmoss and Cattleya had no choice but to retreat, but the route to the red stone tablet had been recorded. With the expansion of their mental power, the originally winding underwater maze gradually became clear.

"The puzzle is related to prime numbers. When you encounter a prime number intersection, you need to turn. You need to turn according to the clues to reach the red stone tablet and go to the deepest part."

"When you encounter an intersection with a prime number, you need to turn."

"When you encounter an intersection with a non-prime ordinal number, go straight and do not turn."

"Pat pat." Gadriya patted an ancient statue, which she had picked up casually when she left. She examined it carefully: "This thing is quite exquisite. It looks like a majestic swordsman."

"Speaking of which, isn't the power to inspire and illuminate the people the same as the store manager's ability?"

The young lady blinked, covered her mouth and chuckled: "The emotions of the heart inspire others, and the sunshine illuminates others. Looking at it this way, you really do deserve to be a king."

"However, I am not Harmenia, and I am not qualified to inherit the abilities here. I came here only to investigate and complete the challenge by the way."

Guangtai waved his hand, thinking to himself that he still had the identity of an ancient king. However, the loss of the ancient city was not unjust. No wonder it was taken back by one of the twin heroes. The underwater ruins had super strength and super wisdom, as well as the dragon god and almost the complete set of stone tablets. What could you possibly fight against them?

However, the twin heroes eventually realized their mistake in the battle and reconciled. The subsequent destruction of their nation was due to their descendants reigniting the war, which angered the black and white dragons.

"What did you experience in the ancient city?" Cattleya asked, resting her chin on her hand, quite curious. "The powerful spiritual force blocked my premonition. Is there something else in that undeveloped ancient city?"

Guangtai: "The spiritual power of the ancients can be considered as a kind of spirit of the dead. Well, perhaps that's not accurate. It should be said that they are intangible heroic spirits, as radiant and scorching as the sun."

As she listened to the light moss's explanation, Cattleya listened more attentively, her eyelashes trembling, and many thoughts welled up in her mind, making her even more curious about the underwater ruins.

She wasn't a member of the Union, but the Union's history and legends, and the souls that have lingered for thousands of years, were quite interesting.

"If it's Sinnoh, there will be more Pokémon stories."

She muttered softly.

The underwater ruins have four entrances, so you can exit from any of them. The correct stele is located in the center of the ruins on the first level.

After the two left the western ruins, they immediately re-entered. The clicking sound rang out again inside the ruins, and this time they headed straight for the stone tablet in the center.

This time, the words that appeared were correct.

The red historical text trembled and began to move slowly. As the red stone tablet was moved, the path to the top opened up!
Meanwhile, at the eastern entrance to the ruins, Quigish led the Plasma Group in a renewed exploration.

When the central stone tablet shook, Quixote's expression changed drastically.

"There's someone here!"

His expression darkened, while N and the sages he commanded wore thoughtful and wary expressions.

"This ruin has the power to drive away foreign enemies and tomb raiders. Now that the ruin has 'awakened,' it is even less likely that those who are not chosen will find it. Many people swim in Rippling Bay every day, and many archaeologists investigate nearby, but they have never found anything. This is the best evidence."

"But now, someone has come in, and this tremor is different from before!"

Quixote strode forward. Fortunately, he hadn't moved many steps since entering, otherwise he would probably have been moved again if he continued investigating!
“This is not a tremor from the expulsion agency,” Smura, one of the sages, respectfully explained to Quixish. “This may be… the correct path has appeared.”

“That’s right. We’ve been driven away several times already. The noise from the mechanisms has been increasing, from far to near, from clear to muffled, but this time the tremor seems to be felt throughout the entire ruins, and it’s very gentle!”

“This is simply unbelievable.” Quixote looked at the people around him and his trusted subordinates: “The rest of the King of the Sea has been disturbed by tomb raiders. This is a place that only our ‘King’ can enter. It is a disgrace that outsiders have been able to break in!”

He spoke with great eloquence, the wise men were indignant, and his subordinates were convinced that they were doing the right thing.

This ruin was left to our king; anyone who enters it is an enemy!
But Quixote was deeply shocked.

Besides myself and N, there are others who can hear the call of the underwater ruins! If this person cannot be brought under control, not only will the legitimacy of N as a puppet be questioned, but my own existence, my own ambition, and my plan to use the King to control all Pokémon and thus rule the entire Unova region will also be ruined.

This is no longer a "hero game"!

In the end, a hero is just a title. If those young rookie trainers want, they can package and promote them, even though those so-called "heroes" are essentially pathetic stepping stones.

If there are no heroes, then create heroes, and let N, as "King and Hero," defeat them, defeat the heroes, defeat the champions, defeat the United League, shake people's hearts, and use the memories of the Daewoo monsters to manipulate and modify their memories. What a perfect plan!

The bigger the stage, the better. This glorious stage must have villains to be considered complete, right?

However, the situation with underwater ruins is completely different!

In the past, this place was just an unknown and neglected ruin, and it never showed any power. Even after he investigated the matter that "the king's descendants can obtain special powers", he thought it was just a story that no one cared about.

However, now that Quixote has heard the sounds of the underwater ruins, he is certain of one thing.

The Harmonia family is truly remarkable. The King of the Sea really left something for the family, and the descendants of the twin heroes can all obtain the "inheritance right" of this ruin!
Furthermore, whoever inherits the title of King of the Sea will obtain the "power to rule over all things in heaven and earth"!
I must obtain this power. If N cannot obtain it, then I must find a way to block or destroy it. It must never fall into the hands of unknown people!
"Could it be that young man? No, that's impossible. Could he really be connected to King Harmenia?"

"That guy is clearly not one of the group."

At the same time, Quixote also had an idea.

The path forward that one has struggled so hard to find has been easily opened by outsiders; in fact, this may not be a bad thing.

The Sea King's inheritance must be extraordinary. As long as I can follow in his footsteps, I can reach the top and deepest part of the underwater ruins! I can find the source of that immense power and then make it my own.

"This is what they call 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.'"

"Prepare those spirits and release them from the sphere. We will use all our strength to drive away the enemies who have insulted the King's remains! Gentlemen, this is not a simple exploration of ruins, but a holy war to besiege the royal tomb!"

“N, your ancestors are being insulted too, you should be angry! King, please give the order.”

Quixote did not forget that his identity was only that of "Chief Sage" and that he could not issue orders on behalf of the king. However, this was not the first time he had done such a thing as using the emperor to command the princes. N looked at the three sages. None of them were on his side. Therefore, Quixote had brought them with him with the aim of controlling him.

"Yes. Then let's move forward."

However, while the sages were surrounding him, N suddenly heard Smura whispering:
"When the great Way of Kingship is abandoned, there is benevolence and righteousness. When wisdom emerges, there is great hypocrisy."

Only when the great way is abandoned is there a need to promote benevolence and righteousness.

It is when a country is in chaos that true loyalty is revealed.

N paused for a moment, then nodded.

So, will Smura be the "loyal subject" who previously attempted to control the Giant King on Mount Ross, but things seem to have changed.

N glanced at the old sage, and whether it was his imagination or not, his eyes seemed to be shimmering with blue and yellow light.

　P.S.: I haven't been feeling well these past two days; I caught a cold.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)