"Since you've seen similar Rune Locks before, do you know how to break one?"
Shade asked. Luvia shook her head.
"The complexity of a Rune Lock depends on the types and number of runes it contains, as well as the mystery of those runes. The Rune Lock you described is the most complex one I've ever encountered. I even interpreted the meaning of 'ever-changing' from it. In other words, this Rune Lock changes every moment. It belongs to the most complicated category of Rune Locks.
It isn't completely impossible to break, though. Go find Daniste. If the Academy's professors work together, they should be able to find a solution. But Shade, do you know how long the Academy's and The Church's archaeological teams usually take to break the Rune Locks in ancient ruins?"
"I do know that."
Galina spoke up.
"If they're lucky, it takes years. If they're unlucky, it takes several generations. The Council once spent two full generations of Knowledge and Wisdom Great Witches just to unlock the main entrance to the laboratory ruins of a Witch Emperor from the late Fifth Epoch.
So that Ice Witch Emperor's castle was definitely deliberately left for you. Otherwise, I can't think of any reason why she not only left the door unlocked, but even left behind a beautiful maid."
Luvia meant that the lock could be broken, only that it would take a very long time. But Shade did not want a single key to delay him for years. He was unwilling to let it delay him even by a few weeks.
"Isn't there another way? For example, if I find the Universal Key, perhaps that Relic, combined with my Thaumaturgy, could even open a Mystic Lock."
Luvia shook her head again.
"I don't know whether the Universal Key would