’Two thin sheets?’ Shire sat cross-legged on the grass as he took two metal sheets from the small golden box. ’And there are patterns on them?’
He couldn’t tell what the two metal sheets were made of, but he understood the patterns. One of them seemed to depict four Ancient Runes. He had seen one of them on the Teleportation Gate before, but the other three were new to him.
The other metal sheet was inscribed with text.
"Rune Speech: Mind?" Shire looked at the writing and read aloud, "Carved on Dragon Hide, it allows communication with animals?"
"Interesting." He flipped the metal sheet over and found that there was only writing on one side.
’This is just like Agatha said.’ Shire held the two metal sheets, pondering. ’By arranging and combining them, they produce unique effects. I just wonder how many kinds of Rune Speech there are. If there are thousands, or even tens of thousands of combinations, what would that lead to?’
He fell silent for a few seconds, then looked up at the sky. ’Something like this could drastically change the world.’
"I feel like I’ve opened a door," Shire muttered to himself. "I just don’t know what’s on the other side. If it turns out to be Pandora’s box, I’ll be in trouble."
He placed the metal sheets back in the box. Just as he was about to close the lid, he noticed a line of text carved into its underside.
"We locked the Gods outside the gate," Shire read the sentence.
’The style is similar to the Note on the Celestial Tower Key. This must be an item left by an ancient Race.’ He carefully examined the Golden Box, discovering that this was the only inscription.
’I’ll take this back for Agatha to see; she should be thrilled.’ Shire fastened the box and placed it solemnly before him. ’I wonder how many more of these Rune Speeches are hidden in the Nightmare Forest, and how powerful they might be. Still, just this one for communicating with animals is fascinating enough.’
He knew the Druids of the Earth and Life Church had the Ability to communicate with animals, but that was a form of Mind Magic. If an ordinary goblin could rely on Rune Speech to talk to animals, it would be a huge convenience.
’But that’s impossible. Goblins don’t have any Dragon Hide.’ Shire gave a self-deprecating laugh. Dragon Hide was a rarity even among the nobility.
He glanced around. ’Agatha mentioned last time that no Ancient Runes have been discovered anywhere else on the continent. That means they must all be buried here, in the Nightmare Forest. Looks like I have another reason to explore it.’
But then, Shire looked down at the Golden Box. ’This ancient Race was powerful enough to achieve all this, yet they still vanished. If I try to restore the Ancient Runes, will I draw the scrutiny and ire of the Gods?’
"Heh heh heh," he chuckled softly. ’Let them be wary. I’m already a goblin, so what do I have to fear? Could anything be worse than being a goblin?’
He leaped to his feet and dusted off his pants. ’Back to the Fortress. Then I’ll check out the east. First things first, I’ll bring the entire area marked on the southern defense map under my control.’
Then, Shire tucked the Golden Box under his arm and ordered his men to set out for the Tree-man territory.
...
"This is a new combination of Runes?" Agatha stared at the metal sheet in her hand, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Yes. I found it during my last trip out," Shire said, sitting in a chair and sipping some herbal tea.
After settling matters there, he had bid farewell to the Mother Tree, promising to send people to look after the Tree-man Race soon. He also needed to select a group to clear out the underground stone chamber he’d found.
During the few days he had been away, new supplies had been arriving daily through the Teleportation Gate. The very table and chairs before him were new furniture.
However, with the addition of so many new members, he had been forced to send Mary a new supply order.
"Just as you predicted, the forest is likely hiding many Ancient Runes, each with its own powerful effects." Shire blew on his tea before taking a small sip.
’Dragon Hide?’ Agatha paid no attention to Shire, completely lost in her own world.
"I’ve got it! So it’s the material." She shot to her feet, pacing back and forth with the metal sheet in hand.
"What about the material?" Shire asked, his eyes following Agatha as she paced around in front of him.
"I was using wood before, but as soon as I activated the Teleportation Gate, it just exploded into splinters! Then I tried bricks, and they shattered too." Agatha gestured excitedly with her arms. "It’s the material’s strength! I don’t know what kind of Energy the Ancient Runes use to operate, but ordinary materials can’t withstand that power. Or rather, they can only handle a limited amount of it."
"You didn’t use any of those White Stones?" Shire asked, puzzled.
"Of course not! We only have a limited supply of that material. I have to conserve it whenever possible and not use it unless absolutely necessary." Agatha stared at him as if he’d asked the stupidest question in the world.
"You should at least try it. We might find more in other Relics later on."
"Alright," Agatha considered for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll give it a try."
"By the way, your expedition was dangerous, wasn’t it?" she asked, changing the subject and staring at Shire.
"Ah, it was a little dangerous, but nothing major." Shire tried to brush it off with a vague answer.
"I sensed that Rubus was injured. It recovered quickly, but whatever managed to hurt a Star Realm Beast can’t be weak."
"Yeah, he was pretty tough." Shire decided not to hide the truth. He picked up the *Alchemy Manual* from nearby and placed it in front of Agatha. "I took down a renegade Druid from the Earth and Life Church. He was quite powerful. These are the fruits of his alchemy research."