Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 540 Death in This Way
It has to be said that although Li Wei lost a mech, he got something even more interesting from the Saintess—well, Li Wei felt that the Saintess should really write down everything she knew, especially the basic parts.

It's important to understand that this world is no longer the era of cultivation where forbidden spells could destroy the heavens and the earth; it's now the Dharma-ending Age, where even casting five fireballs is a struggle. Li Wei wasn't particularly interested in the advanced techniques the Holy Maiden possessed, because even if he were, it wouldn't be of any use.

For example, the miniature man in the bottle—everyone would want that nowadays. But the saintess said the materials are extinct, so it's impossible to make one now.

Listen to that, "material extinction," what a novel phrase.

Therefore, compared to things that are no longer replicable in modern times, Li Wei would prefer to obtain technologies that are mass-producible, simple, and convenient.

For example, what the saintess considered a simple alchemical array could, in Li Wei's view, produce miraculous effects if used properly.

Moreover, it can even create powerful dolls that can shred even mechs—well, Levi has to admit that the other side got the advantage of the materials. If it were made of steel instead of mithril, then who would win or lose is not so certain!

Moreover, Li Wei was very suspicious about what exactly this thing was all about.

He even doubted whether the alchemical array the saintess spoke of was actually an array at all.

Because Li Wei's [Soul Vision] couldn't detect any trace of soul radiance. Even the legendary items in the royal treasury emit a spiritual glow. But this mithril guard had no radiance at all; in Li Wei's [Soul Vision], it looked more like an inanimate object such as a mecha or an airship.

Perhaps it's not just about the alchemical array, but also related to the material of the crystal.

Li Wei then recalled what the saintess had said about how the alchemical array could be activated by replenishing energy; perhaps the materials themselves had the effect of absorbing energy?

Well, I'm not an expert, so I'll leave this to the experts to judge in the future.

Regardless, after taking down the mithril guard, the two passed through the gate and entered the interior of the Great Forge.

"Goodness, you can imagine how terrible this place is."

Li Wei raised his head and looked at the interior of the great furnace before him, and couldn't help but sigh.

Just as the saint had described, the interior of the Great Forge resembled a reservoir, with a massive cylindrical container in the center. Around it were four channels-like structures extending along the walls to the container. The outlets were located above the container in the four cardinal directions.

Beneath the cylinder, you can see some tools used for forging and casting.

There are also steps surrounding it, similar to those in the Roman Colosseum.

One can imagine how magnificent and bustling this place must have been.

However, the place was now a scene of utter devastation. The enormous barrel had crashed to the ground, and solidified mithril was scattered everywhere, glittering in the flames like silver snowdrifts. Within this solidified mithril, one could still see pieces of armor and even some weapons encased.

"It's so miserable."

The saintess only glanced at it before reaching the same conclusion as Li Wei. The scene before them was quite obvious: a battle had taken place there, and the forging furnace hanging in the center had fallen, whether intentionally or accidentally, spilling all the mithril inside and flooding the furnace like water.

Li Wei had seen some videos on video websites showing molten steel being spilled. You can imagine what it would be like if a group of people were having a big fight below, and then a bucket of molten steel was poured down on them... That would be hell.

What do you think?

"I think it's internal strife."

"Oh why?"

"Because the armor and swords here are basically all the same style."

Indeed, as Li Wei said, all the weapons and equipment here are of the same type, so from the current point of view, the possibility of internal turmoil is greater than that of external enemies.

"The reason should be related to the external enclosure, right?"

Li Wei felt that this was probably the reason, and the saintess nodded in agreement.

"Very likely, but we'll know the answer soon enough."

Passing through the ravaged furnace, the two arrived at the forging hall at the back. Just as the saint had said, everything here looked magnificent, spectacular, majestic, and splendid. Even after thousands of years, they appeared unchanged.

It's as if the world in this place was frozen on the day it was destroyed, and it remains so to this day.

"It seems someone has escaped," the saintess said, looking around. Li Wei nodded in agreement; it wasn't hard to guess. As they walked along, they noticed the doors leading into the passage were all ajar. They could easily imagine one or more people escaping from the hellish Great Furnace, panting and gasping for breath as they passed through the passage, so terrified and uneasy they'd even forgotten to close the doors.

And so, like a charging rhinoceros, it charged forward headfirst.

Walking through this dark tunnel, they seemed to be able to hear the people's panting, wails, and screams.

Some people fell behind, while others continued forward, and then they reached the finish line.

It was a room at the very top of the Great Forge, with a magnificent throne upon it, its exquisite carvings and inlaid jewels revealing the immense power of whoever sat there. Beside it was a row of smaller, but equally luxurious chairs.

Not far below that throne lay a skeleton.

He stretched out his right hand towards the throne, the empty eyes on his skull staring at it. Even now, as nothing but a skeleton, it was clear how strong his desire for the chair was.

"It's a pity, I think this would have been an interesting story."

Standing before the skeletons, Li Wei gazed at the scene with a sigh. One could imagine that a truly earth-shattering story must have unfolded in Mithril Valley back then, and whoever was here must have had many stories to tell. Sadly, now only ruins and skeletons remained; everything else had vanished without a trace.

"Perhaps we can find the answer here."

The saintess moved to the other side, to a stone platform near the furnace, where a large book sat. An ordinary book would likely have been completely destroyed long ago. But this book was forged from mithril—a testament to the extravagance of the people of Mithril Valley.

"Can you understand what's written on it?"

Li Wei saw the saintess turn the pages of the book and asked a question, to which the saintess nodded.

"of course."

Then, she told Li Wei the final story of Mithril Valley.

That was after Emperor Arthur disappeared. The empire had already unified the world, but it was divided due to civil war. During one of the civil wars, one side learned of the existence of Mithril Valley and sent troops there, attempting to occupy Mithril Valley and use everything there for their own purposes.

Upon learning this news, the master blacksmiths of Mithril Valley pondered for a long time before finally deciding to lead their people into hiding. They took all the mithril from the outer city and activated a secret spell to seal off the entire Mithril Valley before the invaders' army arrived.

But after that, the people in Mithril Valley gradually began to change.

They grew increasingly resentful of the elders' rule, and some even wanted to break the seal and leave the underground world. To this end, the elders resumed their research on mithril dolls. Their idea was sound: by creating obedient mithril dolls, they could completely control the rebels.

However, secrets don't stay hidden forever, and the rebels eventually found out. They were naturally unwilling to let the elders control such a terrifying monster to oppress them, so when the elders attempted to forge the Mithril Guardians, the rebels launched a rebellion.

A fierce battle ensued, with most people siding with the rebels. The elders' army was outnumbered and eventually stormed into the furnace.

Although the rebels killed most of the elders, the remaining ones still activated the Mithril Guard.

Then he led the remaining men away, leaving the mithril guard outside to slaughter the rebels.

In the end, the rebels were all killed, but the elders' side was also wiped out.

We'll all be doomed.

If that were all, it would just be a somewhat poignant story.

But the problem lies in the records.

"They have no idea how important the Mithril Guardians are to the beings hidden within the Mithril River..."

"The existence within the River Mithril?"

Upon hearing this, Li Wei frowned, and even the Holy Maiden showed a puzzled expression.

After all, according to the saintess, there shouldn't be any living creatures in the Mithril River.

So what exactly are the beings in the Mithril River recorded here?
(End of this chapter)