William soon met Thane Aldric from the Aetherforge Guild.
The man was an elderly figure in tattered clothing. His left leg had been amputated from the thigh down, and he leaned heavily on a cane when he stood up, presenting a rather pitiable image.
Upon looking at him, William deduced that this must be a typical case of an ordinary person dabbling in forbidden arts and receiving divine punishment in return.
He wasn’t a Soulmancer but had mastered a particular skill so profoundly that it had altered his destiny.
“Mr. Garcia, the matter you mentioned is indeed intricate,” Thane carefully examined the photographs Steven Garcia handed him and chuckled softly. “I’ve heard that the secret cave in the Grand Canyon houses artifacts from ancient times. These pieces seem rather unique. They can’t even be dated using Carbon-14 dating techniques. No matter how well they’re replicated, a single authentication would reveal their authenticity.”
Carbon-14 dating is a method in archaeology to determine the age of carbon-containing relics, which can date items up to about 20,000 years old.
In addition to Carbon-14 dating, there are other methods like thermoluminescence dating, elemental analysis, and structural identification techniques.
Duping archaeologists with forged artifacts is nearly an impossible task.
Even if Thane’s craftsmanship were impeccable, and the replicas looked real, the materials used would still be modern. Authenticity tests would instantly reveal the truth, there would be no ambiguity.
“That’s a problem,” Steven frowned. Even if Thane could reproduce the artifacts, if those senior professors took them and found out they were all fake, wouldn’t that cause an uproar?
Standing aside, William casually suggested, “Why not just steal them again during transit?”
“…” Steven and Thane looked at him simultaneously.
Steal them again?
“Young man, you are indeed cunning!” Steven nodded and said, “But that’s a good idea!”
His objective was to have that group of elderly professors leave Ravenwood and focus on their research. After all, they shouldn’t be intervening in this matter any longer.
Even their 13th Bureau was at a loss. How could a group of research-focused professors trekking up the mountain to confront Kyle accomplish anything?
What if, in a few years, they discovered the magical powers the Arcane Society possessed, and one by one, they all joined the Arcane Society? By then, not only would they fail to acquire the artifacts, but they might also vanish.
It’s essential to note that the nation highly values these scholars and archaeologists. If they all headed to Ravenwood to study magic, that would truly be a catastrophe.
“Thane, as long as the artifacts look similar, it’ll suffice. We’ll show them to the professors briefly, then I’ll have someone transport them down the mountain. Along the way, we’ll stage a robbery, just to ensure they won’t hassle the Arcane Society,” Steven could only think of this method for now.
The Arcane Society was not to be trifled with, and this place was no longer safe either.
Today, the overwhelming power demonstrated by Zoey had given him quite the shock. If those scholars were to be harmed by the Soulmancers here, it would be difficult to explain.
“Well, it’s not going to be straightforward. Creating a replica would take at least half a year. Look at this amphora, its craftsmanship, its patterns. To be honest, I feel like this isn’t something that human skill could produce. Moreover, we’d need to find the appropriate clay for the amphora, create molds, and prepare the right kiln. How can such a complex process be replicated?” Thane said with a wry smile. “I can’t just pick up any mud and mold it, can I? And the inscriptions and patterns on it, without two to three months of work, it’s impossible to replicate.”
He was referring to Poseidon’s amphora, which William referred to jokingly as his chamber pot.
The texture of the amphora, even from the photo, looked extraordinary, a rare piece of exquisite craftsmanship.
“You can start by replicating those four swords for me. Carving them out of wood will do. For the rest, I’ll figure something out. If it genuinely takes half a year…” Steven gazed at Thane, “Can you help with that?”
“Half a year?” Thane chuckled sinisterly. “Mr. Taylor, I’ll be straightforward, I only have twenty days left to live. And you want me to spend half a year on replication? Crafting those four swords is already pushing my limits. Don’t forget the terms you promised!” 𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕.𝚝
Steven took a deep breath and responded, “Don’t worry, don’t you trust me?”
Many Soulmancers, in fact, are aware of when they will die. Historical figures like Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce are prime examples.
Strictly speaking, Thane was just an ordinary person who had mastered forbidden arts,he wasn’t even a Soulmancer. However, he still had his talents.
With only twenty days left in his life, he’s here making forgeries. I wonder what Steven promised him in return.
Thane shifted his gaze to William and remarked, “I have a good impression of this young man. If he’s willing to become my adopted son, I might just put in a little extra effort and produce one or two more items for you.”
Upon hearing this, a faint smile formed on William’s lips. Become his adopted son?
This old man really has some audacious daydreams!
William had no sympathy for those on the brink of death, having witnessed countless lives come and go.
Nor would he show deference to the elderly,after all, no one was older than him.
“You need half a year just to produce these few items?” William looked at Thane with a hint of disdain.
His moods were unpredictable, driven by whims. Whether the other party deserved sympathy or had a compelling backstory didn’t matter to William in the slightest.
Making such a request as adopting him, it’s only because William is planning to be a law-abiding citizen now. Otherwise, this old man might get a good beating before his last breath!
Otherwise, he might have given the old man a beating before his end!
“William!” Steven exclaimed in shock and rebuked him sharply.
If William’s words angered Thane, and he decided not to help out of spite, it would leave them with a mess that no one could clean up.
But Thane wasn’t angered. He waved off Steven and then asked William, “Are you implying you can produce these items in a shorter amount of time?”
William replied calmly, “One day should suffice.”
“One day?” Thane couldn’t help but laugh incredulously, “Young man, do you realize what you’re saying? Do you think these swords are easy to make? Just the intricate designs and the sheen on them make them legendary among swords. Carving them out of wood and coloring might just work. But to forge one? Without decades of blacksmithing skills, no,even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough!”
William just stared at him, his gaze unchanging.
“And this hammer, with its delicate inscriptions, would take me at least three days alone. And the amphora, what material would you use as a substitute? Unless you gather all the master sculptors in the world, even half a year wouldn’t suffice for you!”
William seemed to ignore these comments, saying, “Like I said, one day, and everything will be done.”
“…” Steven almost choked on his own frustration.
This young man was truly something else. Every time Steven thought highly of him, William would unexpectedly show off.
Had he now flown straight up into the clouds with his confidence?
Did he think he was some legendary Craftsmanship God from myths?