Chapter 158: Archive


    Longsting damage and only a few materials can block it, among which lead, [Archmage] Marcus mumbles my words back at me. Mutagenic properties in the body and mostly invisible light.


    Where did you hear about this? he asks.


    Huh, well, I cant really tell. Knowledge passed down among my people, [Archmage]. Id rather keep the exact source secret. I hope you understand.


    The golden humanoid creature slowly nods. The more I look at it, the more his head looks like a serpents.


    I have records, ancient knowledge of what you are talking about, the Dragon says. But they are in Draconic script.


    <strong><em>I know that. Take it. If they are in Draconic script, they are the real deal. </em></strong>


    Its fine, [Archmage]. Ill take them.


    The value of our exchange the Dragon stops and raises a hand, gesturing for me to wait. I look at the wed fingers that could probably shred me to pieces without much effort.


    The value of our exchange is tough to quantify. On the one hand, the Dragon probably knows that my knowledge is invaluable. On the other hand, we dont know how much those records hes speaking of are worth. Plus, Im not even sure this is not just a ruse to hike the price. Acting is not below [Archmages] if it means getting a good deal. Lord Juler has exined that to me.


    <strong><em>Joey Luciani, if hes talking about manuals from time immemorial, then its going to be a good exchange. And even if he wants to incorporate your spellcasting into his, he will need toe back to learn more. You will make him dependent on your knowledge. That shall open a wealth of resources to you. Before we can return to Kome and retrieve my relics from that idiot Dragon, well have to make it work with these idiots scraps. </em></strong>


    What?


    <em>Lord Juler, are you suggesting we fight a Golden Dragon? </em>


    <strong><em>Golden? Who said Golden? The cmity well face is a ck Dragon and one of the strongest. She could actually be one of the strongest creatures in existence, as far as I know. Not just among Dragons. Even though her ss is not geared for fighting directly, shes still old enough to be above mere sses and levels. She could be the oldest being</em></strong>


    <em>I have to say, Lord Juler, you are not making a good case here.</em>


    <strong><em>Luciani, preparations trump everything else. Ill have you walk in herir more than prepared. It will be like stealing cake from Hydras. </em></strong>


    Which didnt strike me as particrly easy, considering that the race had almost won a world-domination war, but


    Follow me, [Archmage] Marcus suddenly says.


    So, they do have elevators. But they are exclusively avable to the [Archmage] and other important figures only.


    This is one of my personal archives, the Dragon says.


    I have to admit,pared to the rest of this tower, especially the sanctum of Lauridiana, this ce is very in. Its just in white marble all around. But, considering that the tower exterior is more ck than rock-brown, this room contrasts nicely with the whole creepy mage atmosphere.


    I had this ce built myself. What you are seeing is Dragon architecture. For our diminutive forms, yes, but still.


    Yeah, it looks cool.


    Theres no real sign of magicjust your standard libraries. By standard, I mean so powerfully enchanted that my skin <em>itches</em>.


    No magic is allowed here. Usually, I ask people to leave their artifacts behind too. Im making an exception for you. These records are not something that can be easily replicated. Dragons have a particr way of inscribing their knowledge. They are very hard to destroy, but more than one rogue [Mage] has tried erasing our ancient knowledge out of spite.


    At least theres no church burning books, you know.


    And the religious fanatics who believe that knowledge is intrinsic to sses and skills always produce one or two high-level individuals every century. Those are the worst. This entire archive had to be warded specifically against [Holy Fire].


    Well, we reallyck for nothing, dont we?


    So, do I have ess to your archive? I say with a smile.


    Under my supervision, yes. Ie here to conduct research myself. Ill fetch you the manuals after your duels. In the meantime, you should rest. You are going to duel some powerful [Mages] tomorrow.


    What? No! Im getting the studying done <em>now</em>. Tomorrow is a problem for future Joey, not me. So, lets pop out those cursed manuscripts. Come on, lets go!


    Oh, why do you want to peruse the [Cursed] ones?


    Its just an expression?


    It has never reached my ears in all the centuries I have lived, the Dragon scoffs.


    Its new, dont worry. Its just millennial ng. Wait, what year are we in? Are millennials even a thing?


    Following the most popr calendar, this is the year 2934.


    Oh, what is the calendar based on? I ask, curious.


    Our calendar is based on Jesus Christ, so whats their equivalent?


    The [Calendarist] first edition, the Dragon sighs. Some have forgotten, but its just academic notation taken to the extreme. A famous [Researcher] and [Historian] needed a reference point. He was sick of referring to years as fifty years since thest intercontinental war. So, he made up a random starting point and added a negative for anything before then. In a way, its useful. Most races dont keep records older than three millennia. Those who tried still suffered wars and destruction. Or they simply forgot the importance of such a practice. But Dragons, well


    He gives me the first toothy smile since I met him.


    <em>Dragons dont forget</em>.