The Runic Alchemist

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It was fine, though—even clearing 20 levels in the dungeon would give him enough experience to reach level 100 if he only considered the minimum requirements for meeting the criteria. More if he pushed all his skills to level up as well. Especially if he brought the ship and its mana generator with him. A month wasn't enough to finish his work on the artificial mana core. There were too many complications in completing it.

Every time Damian thought about miniaturizing the mana generators, he felt like he was missing a crucial piece. With all the spatial storage items, wormhole spells, and waygate spells, he envisioned some kind of spell or mechanism that would allow him to bend space itself. Storing items in spatial storage was useful, but what about having massive machinery stored inside a spatial compartment small enough to fit on a man's bracer?

Of course, getting to that point would require extensive research, as far as he knew no one had ever shown such a spell—along with learning how to craft original spells which would be most likely what he will have to do for it, which he still hadn't figured out.

Should he spend some time with Vidalia to learn spellcraft? She was the spellmaster, after all, and no one could do it better. He could leave the empire's refugees with her until he found a way to return them safely or built his own place where they could stay.

There was still half a week before the academy opened and he could enter the dungeon. The list of people he was bringing was nearly complete, with only a few spots left. The only thing he needed to work on was Dreamlight and how to transport it into the dungeon.

He had a rough idea and was considering alternatives, but he would most likely have to go through with the one plan he already had in mind. Dreamlight was massive, covered in countless runic spells and enchantments. Even with an empty mana liquid storage tank, it wouldn't fit inside a spatial storage device. The storage would have to be significantly large in proportion to accommodate so much space inside. While maintaining that size, it would need to be at least Grand or Supreme Grade. Otherwise, it would interfere with the runic spell etchings and enchantments. It was just a matter of repetition, though—and after 20 to 50 failures and shit load of mana wastage, Damian was confident he could create such a large spatial storage device. They would have to carry it with them into the dungeon-it would be pretty huge.

There was one material he had received from a Faerunian noble kid that might be even better than steel for runic inscriptions. That would be perfect for this.

As he neared the wooden structures housing over 500 people they had rescued, Damian met up with some of his friends who were outside. Almost all of the rescued had received health potions and food. Most had already fallen asleep, too exhausted to stand after working like animals for months. Damian walked inside the workshop with his friends.

The group of Dawnstar lords, along with the baron, Lord Silas, and the bald knight, were gathered near the warmth of the fire in his main workshop, joined by Lucian, Maelor, and the others. They asked what had happened, but Damian simply nodded and said Highswords had accepted the deal. The others looked puzzled, but neither he nor his friends bothered to explain. The city's fate was their own business, after all.

"So, back to Dawnstar now?" Damian asked after catching up with his friends.

The baron sighed. "It might be safe for a while, but just waiting for the empire to come one day feels wrong. Duke Ashborne—no offense to him(said while looking at Grace)—might be an amazing warrior, but no matter how many people he gathers, there's no winning against their runic monstrosities.. Even with all our Transcendents."

"I have no intention of putting on armor again to face them," Lord Silas added, earning sharp looks from several lords. But no one argued. After experiencing defeat firsthand, pride and glory weren't high on their list of priorities. "But there are still many of our people and civilians being enslaved by the empire. Winning aside, we have to at least get them back."

Many nodded in solemn agreement. Even in rags, their bodies marked by the chains they had worn day after day in skin burning heat, they still wanted to fight. But this time, it wasn't for land or wealth—it was just to save others from suffering the same fate they were saved from.

"There was an idea I had.. I gave up on it," Damian said, glancing at them. "But seeing you all so determined to save your people.. I suppose I could do a little more for you."

"What plan?" one of the knights asked.

Damian looked at Maelor and Evrin, then said, "How about going to Ashenvale instead of Dawnstar?"

Lord Silas, the baron, and the more strategic minds in the group immediately caught on, a spark of understanding in their eyes. Evrin and Maelor widened their eyes as well, realizing the implications. But for those who didn't quite get it, Damian clarified:

"The King of Dawnstar isn't backing down because he still hopes to win over more Ashenvale third-rankers. He spent too much time and effort behind the march on Ashenvale lands. But Baron, Lord Silas—you can tell him what happened and what your kingdom is facing if he doesn't return. Even with him, I don't think there's much of a chance, but… I don't know. Maybe you can try one last time. The fight is inevitable. Now it's all about minimizing your losses."

Evrin spoke up immediately. "They won't leave Ashenvale unless they're sure Aunt Vidalia won't attack them from behind."

The gathered knights and lords murmured about "princess" and "Dawnstar." Were they blind? Did they not notice her pointed ears already?

Maelor added, "Maybe they can convince my father, but I doubt it. The last time I saw him, he wasn't in the best condition.. and all this fighting can't have helped."

Lord Goldilocks and Silas exchanged a melancholy look with Maelor. They knew better than anyone.

"A hundred maybes and a thousand 'will he or won't..' but it's one option," Damian said. "I can send you near Eldoris's forces if you want—that's all from my side. And, of course, the princess and I will do our best to convince the Spellmaster not to blow you all to pieces before you even make contact with the Dawnstar people."

Damian chuckled, but the Dawnstar lords were not amused. The fear on their faces was real. Even his friends glared at him. Well, Vidalia wasn't exactly known for her mercy.