Super Righteous Player
Chapter 1125 - 176: Tower of Bondage

Chapter 1125: Chapter 176: Tower of Bondage

Although Annan made many suggestions for improvements, Husky couldn’t make the changes in time—especially the "Bond Entry" couldn’t be added on the spot.

The only thing that could be modified was probably the sales method...

So on the carriage, Husky began hastily partitioning the trial versions she brought.

To facilitate the transportation of goods and carrying samples, Husky had specifically learned a Ritual Spell—[Shrine Art]. The effect of this spell was to create a space within one’s own "inner side," where items with volume and mass no greater than oneself could be stored.

The items stored inside would gradually heterogenize, being slowly infused by the caster’s own influence. Since this is the "inner side," any ritual conducted by the caster would also affect the items stored inside.

Through this method, one could actively guide the materials in a specific direction for specialized cultivation, turning ordinary materials directly into cursed materials with specific effects.

Husky didn’t really need the actual function of this spell; she simply lacked a storage backpack...

While watching her busily working on one side, Annan was also helping to organize.

By the time they finished, the carriage had already reached the Molten Forbidden Tower.

—This is also what Annan had mentioned before, the volcano that looks almost exactly like Mount Vesuvius in the southern part of Italy.

It was also what confirmed to Annan that this world was a mirror image of Earth...

Cities, villages, wonders, swamps, forests—these could all slightly differ because of the people living there.

But canyons, volcanoes, and other special landscapes have a considerable degree of "unchangeability."

...As long as there is no high-ranking wizard fighting or dying here, with the technology of this era, it is still difficult to change such a special landscape.

Due to the existence of the Molten Forbidden Tower, this volcano is directly referred to as "Forbidden Mountain"—indeed, as the name says, ordinary people are not allowed to enter here. So this name isn’t wrongly chosen.

After arriving at the boundary of the Forbidden Mountain, they all had to get off the carriage and walk the remaining distance on foot.

Not only because the slope was too steep, making it difficult for horses to climb; or because the sulfur smell was too pungent, making horses reluctant to approach... but also because whenever mortals crossed this line, they would immediately be detected and repelled by the barrier.

Only Transcendents and those holding tokens could continue forward—otherwise, they would feel an increasing sense of tightness in the chest... Only by leaving the Forbidden Mountain could one recover. To carry this sensation up the mountain one could very well die suddenly halfway.

They walked on foot for a long time before they finally neared the summit.

Unlike the small volcanoes often seen in animations and movies.

The volcano where the Molten Forbidden Tower is located had a crater diameter of over six hundred meters. Near the crater, not to mention inserting a Wizard’s Tower, if not afraid of volcanic eruptions, directly laying down a university on the spot would also be feasible.

In fact, this is the legendary volcano that buried the ancient city of Pompeii. Even Pompeii itself was built on the lava solidified after the eruption of this volcano.

At that time, a geographer had analyzed Mount Vesuvius, asserting it was definitely an extinct volcano. People believed his thesis, lived normally at the foot of the volcano, and even planted various crops on the fertile soil.

Then, less than a hundred years after this assertion—Mount Vesuvius erupted.

—If this really is a mirror version of Earth, then this volcano is probably also an active volcano.

So how does the Molten Forbidden Tower prevent it from erupting?

Facing Annan’s question, Arthur provided an answer.

"Because the Molten Forbidden Tower is not built on the crater, but inside the volcano, Your Majesty."

"Inside?"

Having dismounted and following behind Arthur, Annan stepped forward like a curious child and followed up, "It shouldn’t be the kind that directly blocks the volcanic mouth, right?"

"Of course."

Arthur nodded.

But he did not turn back, nor did he show a respectful demeanor—instead he took on a leader’s posture, and along with Husky showing off her silver jewelry, confidently walked at the forefront of the group.

And Annan, holding a dual scepter and wearing a hood, followed behind him like a young apprentice.

—This was also the strategy they had previously planned.

And Arthur, continuing to play his role, explained without turning back: "As you know, after the era of the Elves ended... all Wizard’s Towers had to find their own new energy sources.

"The way of the Molten Forbidden Tower is to extract energy from an active volcano.

"The support for the entire Molten Forbidden Tower comes from four pillars made by ancient alchemists. These support pillars themselves have an extremely strong weight-bearing capacity, and they also possess a significant degree of heat conductivity—although from what I see, rather than conducting heat, it’s more like directly extracting energy.

"They continuously draw the heat from deep within the volcano into the interior of the Wizard’s Tower. It is supported by four specially made heat-conductive metal pillars, and more than a hundred huge chains. One end of these four pillars is connected to the triangular prism-shaped Lava Forbidden Tower, while the other end plunges into the lava.

"Besides, there are over three hundred huge chains, locking the body of the Lava Forbidden Tower from various angles, with the other ends nailed to the inner side of the volcano."

"...Doesn’t that turn the Lava Forbidden Tower into a wrapped dumpling?"

Husky blurted out: "Feels pretty awkward."

Arthur, with a slight headache, pressed his temples: "Although I don’t know what a dumpling is... it is indeed bound. Another name for the Lava Forbidden Tower is ’The Tower of Bonds’—this is the name it had during the era of Elves, and it’s the oldest name."

"Showing off your talents to the girls again, Arthur?"

A deep voice spoke up: "Long time no see."

From behind a huge rock at the top of the volcano.

Leaning against the rock, a seated man stood up.

He was a giant over two meters tall, his arms even thicker than Annan’s thighs.

And when he turned around, the omnipresent smell of sulfur in the air suddenly intensified several times.

The sulfuric glare in his narrowed pupils flickered, indistinguishable from Arthur’s.

"Hector... long time no see."

Arthur muttered.

His expression momentarily complex but quickly turned serious: "Is it your turn to stand guard today?"

"That’s right, Arthur."

The squinty-eyed giant named Hector took out a "Lie Detection Device" clearly produced by the Frigid Wight Tower.

"First question, who are you? The second question, what are you doing at the Lava Forbidden Tower?"

Hector asked slowly.

Arthur paused slightly, then answered without hesitation: "We are led by two high-ranking wizards, followed by seven slightly lower-ranked wizards, and two Transcendent friends, also lower-ranked than the leaders. Notably, our wizards represent all schools of wizardry. We’ve formed such a team.

"This visit... is because this lady wishes to promote the many wizard games she has invented at the Lava Forbidden Tower. If possible, her backers wish to establish a long-term collaboration with the Lava Forbidden Tower."

All the words he spoke were true.

Thus, the "Detect Lies" spell, of course, passed.

— This is knowledge provided by Annan to Arthur.

The batch of jade tokens made by Maria actually had a backdoor.

Devices based on Decree spells of all types can only provide responses of "yes" or "no". Whether it is detecting poison, lies, or murderous intent, as long as the value is above a certain threshold set by Maria, it will be determined as "effective".

Like this identity recording "Gatekeeper’s Special Equipment". Although it can determine lies... as long as all the statements are true and only some parts are omitted, it could still pass the judgment.

This is why Annan placed Arthur and Husky at the forefront.

In fact, this time, it was Annan and Isaac, two Gold-ranked leaders, with nine following Silver-ranked Transcendents. Apart from Selicia and Ofelia, the other seven were wizards.

The lineup of two Golds and nine Silvers was far too lavish.

Ordinary people would not consider this possibility.

Seeing Arthur and Husky at the front, they would inevitably consider a lineup of "two Silver, nine Bronze"—which was still quite luxurious.

At least to the extent that the guard would report them individually.

Hector, using a lie-detecting jade token equipped with a voice-transmitting ritual spell, sent back information about their group.

"Alright, registration complete. Head in... You don’t need me to show the way, do you, Arthur?"

Hector asked with a smile.

Arthur nodded, not paying him further attention.

Adopting his characteristic proud demeanor, he passed by the giant. The others, seeing this, did not speak either but quickly followed behind Arthur.

Even as they walked a great distance away, that giant-like man kept a smile, watching their backs.