Argus Shell Hero · The Time of Audience Roared, While Fate Had Already Arrived Silently

"Ah, I'm so stuffed..."

Captain Neri rubbed her little belly and let out a mournful groan. Riding a Talbuk at high speed, she could not help complaining to Dick beside her:

"If I'd known we were marching through the night, I wouldn't have eaten so many lamb chops earlier."

"I'd like to let you all get a good night's rest too, but it can't be helped. Work is work."

Dick sighed.

"And who knew someone your age could eat so much... You finished an entire rack of ribs by yourself. Is your stomach really that big?"

"I'm a good hunter. Who are you looking down on?"

Captain Neri retorted.

"How am I supposed to hunt if I don't eat enough? But you're right. Krokuun is a little primitive, but the food really is good."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! The grilled fish was delicious. I liked it."

Imira leaned over from the other side and said:

"It was way better than the food in the Arcane Academy cafeteria! Veilara should really hire a few cooks from Krokuun. Those cafeteria ladies treat us students like pigs they're fattening up."

Twins said nothing.

But for once, they agreed with their useless upperclassman on the same matter.

"Still, I heard there are Magic Rats in the kitchen, raised by who knows whom, that are always stealing pastries."

Fareeya contributed an "academy joke" as well.

As she tugged the reins to make Krokuun's more feral Talbuk obey, she said softly:

"Some nosy upperclassmen even named those Magic Rats the Muffin Bandits. Apparently, whenever the academy hands out its magical muffins on weekends, there are always a few 'lucky ones' who get rare editions with little paw prints on them.

Those evil rodents do it on purpose!"

"That isn't just a rumor."

Dick, as a member of the academy's teaching staff, corrected her:

"Those Magic Rats have been in the academy longer than any of you. Strictly speaking, you ought to call them upperclassmen. As for where they came from, you'd have to ask those geniuses in the summoning department.

God knows which plane they summoned those little magic creatures from, then let them nest in the kitchen storeroom."

"Heh, these city stories of yours are pretty interesting."

Jaide, the chief cavalry captain leading the way ahead, chimed in eagerly:

"Looks like you've had quite an interesting life these past few years, Dick."

"Yeah. I worked as an academy guard while also serving as these jokers' gym teacher. In my spare time, under the orders of that Ambitious Person of a principal, I infiltrated cultist groups. I even got to experience having my throat slit..."

Dick dragged out his words.

"Believe me, Jaide. You could spend your whole life in Krokuun and never run into this kind of damned headache."

"Then come back. If you aren't happy in the big city, going home is an option too. There may not be many opportunities here, but how should I put it?"

Dick's childhood friend advised him:

"At least life here is easy. You don't need to think about so much. And with your reputation now, plenty of passionate Prairie Girls would be willing to throw themselves at you. We don't have the big city's stupid rules here. If you want to marry, you can marry ten of them!

Governor Hutton has always worried about Krokuun's lack of population. You, the Holy Gun, could count it as contributing to your homeland's development."

"If I really had another few hundred years to squander, believe me, Jaide, I'd absolutely come to Krokuun and retire early. With a local kingpin like you looking after me, I'd find a few lovely companions and herd horses and sheep.

Tsk, tsk. What a comfortable little life that would be."

Dick smiled and glanced at the calm night sky overhead and the crystal-clear river of stars above the grasslands.

He said softly:

"Unfortunately, we may not have that much time."

His voice was extremely quiet.

It was nearly inaudible amid the wind sweeping across the prairie. At least Jaide, the prairie man currently discussing whether bows or crossbows were more useful with Marksman Barat, did not hear it. But Neri, born of the Assassin Court and an elite ranger with exceptionally sharp hearing, did.

She gave Dick a strange look.

Perhaps it was just an illusion, but ever since this journey began... No, ever since Dick had spoken to Sarkir at the Temple of Lura, she had felt as though a massive boulder weighed upon his heart. It was as if some invisible force was chasing him from behind, leaving this newly appointed Commodore and garrison commander unable to relax for even a moment.

Thinking of how serious Officer Talgas had been when he instructed her, in the name of the Assassin Court, to follow Dick to Krokuun in search of a legendary object, as well as the significance of this matter receiving the direct attention of two Grand Executors, Neri felt an indescribable sensation in her heart.

It seemed as though she could truly feel a storm taking shape before her eyes...

As though she, and everyone around her, would be swallowed by the fierce storm about to rise.

Yet her profession had taught her to plan before acting, so she did not speak. She merely tightened her grip on the Talbuk's reins and chased after Dick across the endless prairie, doing her utmost not to fall behind.

Her riding skills were actually quite good, but Krokuun's Talbuk were simply too fierce. They clearly refused to accept their "delicate" riders and had been holding back, eager to throw these city newcomers to the ground and give them a "prairie welcome."

Compared to these hardy creatures with curved horns, said to be bold enough to brawl with Shadow Panthers in packs, Mac'Aree's Talbuk were as tame as children's toys.

Captain Jaide truly deserved his title as the chief cavalryman raised on the prairie. In the darkness, he needed no assistance, relying only on the stars, wind direction, and a few landmarks to navigate accurately. After several hours of rapid riding, he successfully led everyone to one of the entrances to the Petrified Forest.

It was already dawn, but no one hurried into the forest.

They needed to rest here briefly and summon Governor Hutton and his shaman apprentices.

The governor had not ridden Talbuk across the prairie with them. On one hand, the shamans needed to prepare materials required for navigating the Petrified Forest.

On the other hand, he was the governor, after all! How could he go galloping around on Talbuk in the middle of the night with a bunch of youngsters, acting drunk and wild? If anyone saw him, he would probably make the front page of Mac'Aree's gossip papers tomorrow.

Though the Krokuun Governorate was the most impoverished governorate in Eredar civilization, Governor Hutton ranked among the top fifteen in the Eredar power structure.

The leaders of governorates held real power over both military and civil affairs. Moreover, Hutton's thousand-year friendship with Grand Executor Velen and his unique identity as leader of the shamanic priests gave this plain old Krokuun native political influence beyond anyone's imagination.

From that perspective, Dick's starting point in life, as Hutton's theoretical foster son, was not low at all.

When Archimonde brought him from Krokuun to the Arcane Academy to serve as captain of the guards, it was very likely that he had intended to use Dick to establish a connection with Governor Hutton, that "political leviathan."

And that was not even old Hutton's limit.

In True History of the Dark Portal, several hundred years from now, when the Dark Titan launched another campaign to corrupt the Eredar, Governor Hutton had already risen to become Grand Executor Velen's chief administrative advisor.

At the time, he controlled the Administrative Court and stood equal to Talgas, placing him in the first tier beneath the Grand Executor.

Though this plain Eredar had no interest in power, his career truly flourished. He was also resolute by nature, with bones as hard as Talbuk horns.

Even though he failed to board Velen's refugee ship while covering the Grand Executor's escape, after the world fell, he still led the Eredar unwilling to submit to demons back into Krokuun's frontier mountains. Within the corrupted world of Argus, he endured twenty thousand years of bitter resistance.

The purity and resilience of his character made him the very backbone of Eredar civilization.

"Plant the totems!"

After everyone had rested for more than ten minutes, Jaide checked the agreed time through the stars. He took two ancient totem poles made of gemstones from the Talbuk's saddlebag, tossed one to Dick, and together they planted the totems radiating elemental energy at the entrance to the Petrified Forest before retreating.

As spellcasters, Twins held the ancient and rustic elemental tradition somewhat in contempt, but they were still curious enough to observe the changes in the totem poles' energy.

Under their astonished gazes, the vibration of earth elementals resonated in a remarkably rhythmic pattern. Then, amid the trembling ground, Governor Hutton and seven shaman apprentices appeared before them as though by Teleportation Spell.

This mysterious and ancient elemental spell deeply shocked Twins.

They had spent most of the night crossing the prairie, yet Governor Hutton had arrived here from Nathraxas Castle in less than a few minutes.

It was almost as fast as a Teleportation Spell.

"The decline of elemental traditions is not because elemental power is weaker than arcane magic or the Holy Light."

Perhaps noticing Twins' confusion, Dick explained proactively:

"The biggest reason is that Elemental Listening is a rare talent. It is even rarer than arcane affinity, and children with Casting Talent are always discovered first by institutions under the Arcane Academy and brought into the more systematic Arcane Path.

By comparison, the elemental path, which relies more on oral teachings and natural insight, seems far more obscure.

But I can guarantee that if you two bad girls dared provoke Governor Hutton, the old man would probably beat you into tears in less than a minute. Especially here, near the Origin Land, where elemental power converges and surges. This is the shamans' home ground."

"Stop flattering this old man, Diakum, my child. The shamanic path is declining, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Governor Hutton was quite open-minded about it.

As he directed his apprentices to collect the totems and soothe the surrounding earth spirits so they would protect and clear a path for the journey ahead, he said casually:

"Whether one is a shaman, an Arcane Mage, or a priest of the Holy Light, anyone walking a path of power is a guardian of Eredar civilization. If the decline of shamans can bring prosperity to other guardian paths and our people, I can accept that.

Take these two little girls, for example. Even I am amazed by their talent.

Sadly, the elements do not like them, because they have too many clever little tricks.

Let me tell you a secret.

Heh, the Elemental Spirits have never liked Eredar who are too clever... Perhaps because they were once used by Primordial Sorcerer Augure.

It is said that Augure signed a contract with the world, gaining command over the Elemental Spirits that had existed since the world's birth. But he despised their disobedience, and the wars between the four elements filled the world with disasters.

Augure knew that such an unstable world could never give rise to true civilization, so he used them.

While making the four elements reshape the world's surface through their conflict, he allowed the oldest and purest stable energy, originating from the world itself, to emerge from beneath the earth.

That was the original arcane power!

Augure used this to establish the Eredar's arcane tradition. The elements were severely weakened by their struggles against one another, while the Primordial Sorcerer found the ancient holy relic, the Atama Crystal, in the mountains of Mac'Aree. Using that relic, he defeated the unruly elemental lords, finally allowing Argus to enter an era of stability.

Eredar civilization only began to flourish gradually after that."

At this point, Governor Hutton paused. He accepted an extremely ancient stone staff from an apprentice and continued sharing the old legends passed down only among shamans as he swung it rhythmically.

The old shaman gazed emotionally at the Petrified Forest before him and chanted in an ancient tone:

"It is said this forest was where the Primordial Sorcerer defeated and sealed elemental power. It is said that Augure reached a mysterious contract with them.

He demanded that the four elements guard a Holy Stone capable of communicating with the World Will, until the day the World Will awoke from its slumber within the planet's core. Only then would the elements gain freedom and reshape their leader. Perhaps their freedom lies in this very era.

Perhaps even tonight."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

The impatient Jaide had grown tired of hearing these local tales since childhood. He cracked his whip and urged:

"Old Hutton, let's enter the forest immediately. Find that Holy Stone and awaken the World Soul sleeping beneath our feet. If the Dark Titan really is as powerful as Diakum described, and if the demons under It truly are endless, then we warriors must rely on the World Soul's favor to oppose It!"

"Let's go!"

Governor Hutton nodded and said no more.

Urgency overrode convention. He even omitted the ritual portion of ancient shamanic tradition, swinging his stone staff to draw everyone into the effects of the miraculous Earthwalk. In a form merged with the elements, he led them through the path opened within the Petrified Forest.

In less than ten minutes, they traveled straight from outside the forest to a rift valley near its very center.

But Earthwalk could not be used any farther ahead.

"The elements will not answer my call here."

Standing on the ground, Governor Hutton spoke to the others as they "jumped out" of the earth behind him:

"This is the rift valley. When I led Sarkir here before, I only brought him this far. According to ancient shamanic traditions, we cannot casually enter this forbidden land where ancient elements are sealed."

"Governor Hutton, we're at a critical moment here. This really isn't the time to talk about tradition."

Dick examined the terrain as he persuaded him:

"If you did not believe in the existence of the World Soul, you would not have guided us here in the first place. You sensed the warning of danger too. We came here to seek hope, so how can we stop now?

And Sarkir described that place to me!

I need to find a partially exposed mountain terrace in the rift valley. It is near an abandoned ancient temple, in the upper-middle levels of the cave labyrinth, close to a ridge. The terrace is shaped like an irregular triangle.

It has four or five cave entrances and serves as a transportation hub."

Dick accurately described the camp's features. Governor Hutton nodded and raised his stone staff, attempting to search for the location through his connection with the earth. With the elements refusing to answer, the old shaman could only resort to a little coercion.

Skilled shamans were not pushovers who let Elemental Spirits do whatever they wanted. Their relationship with the elements was extremely subtle.

When necessary, shamans could force the elements to aid them.

Naturally, this would provoke resentment and resistance from the unruly elemental powers. It would take troublesome appeasement afterward to avoid the worst outcome, an Elemental Condemnation. As for why Diakum could describe the location so accurately, it was naturally not because Sarkir had truly given him a clue.

It was simply because he had come here too many times...

Though the terrain in Dick's memories from ten thousand years later differed, the general direction of the mountains remained the same. He knew the rift valley before them contained a complex cave network, like a labyrinth where one could lose the way with the slightest mistake.

But as long as he found the location of Krokuun Camp from his memories, he was confident he could locate the tunnel containing the Holy Stone.

Yes.

This Holy Stone had indeed appeared in True History of the Dark Portal!

But it had only received a brief mention in an inconspicuous questline. Anyone who disliked reading text would certainly miss it. Yet Dick was an old veteran; such obscure details could not escape him. With such precise search criteria, the old shaman quickly confirmed the area Dick described with the assistance of earth power.

"Everyone, follow me!"

Old Hutton waved his stone staff and shouted:

"That place is very well hidden, with countless forks in the path. Do not fall behind."

Everyone steeled themselves and followed the old governor into the forbidden land before them. Sure enough, just as the ancient shamanic legends described, after entering it, even Jaide, a pure cavalryman and warrior, could feel the excessively active elemental power pressing down on him.

The elemental forces sealed here by the Primordial Sorcerer did not welcome these outsiders. Perhaps that was because the elemental contract had not yet reached the time when it could end.

Such active elemental power made Dick's heart sink. A terrible suspicion was silently confirmed at that moment, but he said nothing as he followed Governor Hutton deeper into the complex terrain, full of caves and as chaotic as a maze. There, they saw an abandoned Augure Temple.

Judging by its style, it was unquestionably an ancient structure from the birth of civilization tens of thousands of years ago. But no one had time to stop for archaeology.

After walking along crooked ridges for nearly twenty minutes and passing through three complex cave systems, Governor Hutton finally brought them to their destination. His face was pale from resisting the elements, and he needed Jaide and the apprentices to support him in order to continue.

Just as Dick had described, this was a semi-enclosed terrace, with a cave leading in a different direction on each of its four sides. Dick first stood facing due north, then turned southwest.

There was a small cave there, one that allowed only a single person to enter. Its upward-slanting entrance was extremely tricky; without close inspection, it would be impossible to notice at all.

"It's here."

He beckoned to the others, then bent down and entered first.

The passage was narrow at first, forcing Dick to hunch forward, but the cave soon widened. After rounding a bend, all darkness was driven away.

Before him stood a massive, irregular milky-white stone, warm and smooth like jade.

Like an opaque crystal, the powers of wind, fire, water, and earth visibly circled around it. Specks of clear starlight surrounded the completely sealed cave, turning the sight before them dreamlike and unreal.

The Holy Stone...

Though it was dozens of times larger than the head-sized Holy Stone Dick remembered, that was not a problem!

It was definitely the one.

A holy relic capable of conversing with the sleeping Star Soul. Perhaps it was more appropriate to call it a primordial World Artifact.

And on an ancient throne before the Holy Stone sat a decayed Eredar skeleton. Even in death, the person had maintained the most dignified posture. Judging solely by the weathered clothing, it looked exactly like Primordial Sorcerer Augure from the myths and legends.

This was the place.

The land of Argus's Star Soul dreams, the Origin Land of the Eredar, the place determining the fate of this world and all Eredar civilization... He had found it!

"What now?"

Chief cavalry captain Jaide, whip in hand, was neither a shaman, mage, nor paladin. He lacked the specialized knowledge to distinguish deeper details. After following old Hutton in respectfully kowtowing twice to the Holy Stone, he looked at Dick and asked softly:

"We found the Holy Stone and the mythical sorcerer from the legends. What do we do next? Move the Holy Stone away?"

"Next... we try to communicate."

Dick removed his armored gloves and handed them to Tramon. Flexing his fingers, he stared at the Holy Stone protected and surrounded by dense primordial elemental power and said in a low voice:

"Let's hope Argus doesn't have a bad temper when waking up. Otherwise, you'll have to say goodbye to me in the next second. Even the invincible Divine Shield won't save me in time."

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

Fareeya, captain of the Five Little Powerhouses, said in surprise:

"Just touching it could put your life in danger?"

"That is only to be expected."

The Holy Light priestess Imira quietly explained to her four muscular male companions:

"Lord Commodore Dick is going to make contact with the World Soul on a spiritual level. I do not know exactly what that entails, but I can give you an example. It is like a child casually touching a Shadow Panther's tail. The gap between them is simply too great!

With a single accident, even if the other side harbors no ill intent, Lord Dick's mind would be crushed in an instant.

That is a mythical life-form that needs an entire planet as its cradle. Even though It has yet to be born, calling It a 'god of the starry sea' would not be an exaggeration."

"In shamanic legends, only the 'Chosen One' can possibly speak with a World Soul."

Dick walked toward the Holy Stone and said:

"The ancestral shamans shaped the Petrified Forest into what it is today. Sealing this place off from the outside world was meant to protect others. The price of casually touching the Holy Stone is terrifying, especially for those overly curious fools who do not understand the rules.

The moral standards of mortals clearly cannot be applied to a majestic entity like a Star Soul."

"But Diakum, my child, are you certain you want to do this?"

Having completed his elemental prayer, Governor Hutton rose with someone's help and said to Dick with a worried expression:

"The elements here ignore us completely. They are far too ancient, and they may have been placed here as early as Augure's era. Yet this is merely the first line of defense guarding the Holy Stone and the World Soul. You might even die beneath the pressure of the Elemental Spirits!

It could happen so fast that we would not have time to save you.

Now that we have found the Holy Stone and confirmed the legend, why not wait for the two Grand Executors to arrive?

With Velen's exceptional Mental Power, he might be able to complete this conversation."

"It is useless."

Dick shook his head and said:

"Legendary beings, demigods—these laughable rankings of mortal power are all equally fragile before the might of a World Soul. If Argus does not wish to speak, then even if the Grand Executors and the Naaru came together, it would be pointless.

You do not think the World Soul would regard mortals differently simply because of their authority, do you?

We did not give birth to It, Governor Dad.

It was It who generously allowed us to be born and thrive upon Its shell. One must hold reverence for greatness, and use the proper method to make this pilgrimage-like contact.

I dare say that no Eredar alive is better at this than I am..."

That was not boasting.

If Dick's experiences in his previous life counted, then he truly had communicated with World Souls many times. He just did not know whether Argus had as pleasant a temperament as A-chan before falling into corruption and becoming the "Extinguisher"...

"Fall back to a safe distance!"

Dick said to the others:

"No matter what happens in a moment, do not approach carelessly. The might of a World Soul cannot be affronted. If I do not turn into a shattered stone statue the instant I touch the Holy Stone, then it means the contact has succeeded."

"I will bless you, child."

Old Hutton patted Diakum on the shoulder and said in a low voice:

"At first, I thought you had come here merely to complete a mission, but I no longer think so. I am certain you came here driven by some burning conviction. We have already made it this far, so do not put any more pressure on yourself. Let go and do it like a Krokuun man!"

"Mm."

Diakum nodded. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he slowly stepped forward and into the flowing water around the Holy Stone.

He reached toward the Holy Stone before him, wrapped in streams of red, yellow, white, and blue light. The instant he raised his fingers, visible flames, frost, raging wind, and earth covered his body.

The ancient elements guarding the World Soul were acting.

They were not trying to kill him, merely warning the intruder to retreat with their power!

Like loyal armed guards at the side of an important figure, the relationship between the ancient elements and the World Soul should have been much the same. According to the theories of certain schools of spellcasters, as the primal energies that shaped the world, elements were the original manifestation of a World Soul's might.

They were the oldest energies in the universe, able to simulate every form of energy through endlessly changing combinations. Generally speaking, arcane energy, which tended toward order and was widespread throughout the physical universe, was believed to be a derivative of elemental power.

Of course, arcane energy, elemental energy, and Arcane Force were three entirely different concepts and could not be confused.

In short, the frequent "elemental rebellions" in the world of Azeroth were caused by the interference and catalysis of Void Force. Elements in other worlds rarely dared to directly oppose their own "creator."

At the very least, upon the land of Argus and before Dick, the ancient elements born at the dawn of creation still faithfully served the sleeping World Soul.

Dick clearly felt the pressure.

With every inch his fingers drew closer to the Holy Stone, the pressure imposed upon him by the four elements grew stronger.

This exponential growth in pressure quickly triggered a response from the Holy Light. As the Mark of Naaru's Blessing on Dick's forehead flickered like golden flames, his radiant energy emerged from his body and contended against the suppressing elements.

This was a trial.

It did not demand that the petitioner possess immense power, but they absolutely could not be an utterly helpless mortal. Mortals could not sense the pulse of a World Soul, and their ignorance and lack of understanding could provoke supreme power.

"Lord Dick's feet! Look!"

Fareeya cried out, and everyone immediately turned their gazes toward Dick's lower body.

His hooves, legs, and tail were "petrifying." Shackles formed by earth elementals were rapidly trapping him within stone.

Dick clearly felt the numbness spreading from his lower body. He knew this was his final chance, so he gritted his teeth against the pressure trying to crush him and thrust forward, pressing both hands against the jade-like surface of the Holy Stone.

Elemental power erupted as well. The roars of wind, fire, water, and earth intertwined in an instant into a chaotic elemental storm, blasting apart the totems planted in the ground one after another. The Twins' shield tore like paper.

"Do not resist! Do not fight back!"

Governor Hutton shouted:

"Retreat! Do not show any hostility. The ancient elements are judging us."

Diakum heard Governor Dad's shout, but he had no time to pay attention. Before his eyes, an even more dazzling golden glow appeared. The activated runes arranged themselves into a message of great importance:

[

Warning!

Your current actions will strongly interfere with the fate of the world of Argus. The moment of fate's choice has arrived! "Holy Light Doctrine: Hand of Fate" has been activated! Force enhancement has been applied!

Notice!

You are making contact with a special existence. This creature's rank is "Cosmic God: Juvenile Form." Such creatures are not bound by the River of Fate. Deep contact with Them will trigger the supplementary protocol of the "Veil of the Afterlife." In this scenario, make every choice with caution.

]

"Ugh..."

The enhancement from the choice of fate instantly freed Diakum from the elements' restraints. Protected by the Holy Light Force, he reached out and knocked on the surface of the Holy Stone, as though knocking upon the door of fate.

He said:

"Argus! Wake up, I came to talk!"