Chapter 1266: Chapter 1266

The small blue cube inside the completely scrapped mechanical core, judging by its appearance, was virtually identical to Alexia's, save for its size.

"It's not just similar," Alexia explained. "Before I met you, I was actually using this strange type of computing machine as the basis for my advancement. The blueprint for my [Mathematical Principles] was the core of a similar machine I found in the past. It seems that all the machines derived from the 'original version' of the Difference Engine beneath Nolan must have a similar core structure."

As she spoke, Alexia held out her right hand, palm up, and a blue cube shimmering with faint light immediately materialized above it.

This wasn't a physical object, but the very essence of Alexia's ability—the crystallization of her soul. It was the petite woman's path, her "principle," the rules of the world as she understood them.

The moment this cube appeared, the small block from the dismantled machine began to resonate with it. Alexia clearly intended to absorb it, but Jenkins was worried.

"If you just absorb it like that, won't it affect you? You saw it yourself—that thing was completely insane."

Jenkins now understood why, when he first met Alexia, the petite woman had declared that "everything can be calculated" and displayed a certain rigidity. It must have been the influence of her path of advancement.

"It's alright, Jenkins. I no longer need to use a machine as my core. I just need a few of its operational rules. I don't need to absorb it, but rather compare and verify... but..."

She gave an embarrassed smile.

She was referring to the root-like object. In truth, even if Alexia hadn't asked, Jenkins would have shared it with those around him. After all, one couldn't eat too much of it; for an Enchanter, overindulging would be like eating an actual tree root, and with bad luck, it could even cause an upset stomach.

"You don't have to ask so politely."

He took the object out of his pocket and handed it to Alexia to break off a piece. After watching the petite woman eat her portion of the "root," he ate his own.

The "root" didn't taste as bad as he'd imagined. Aside from being a little bitter, it was just a bit scratchy on his throat. Seeing everyone eating, Chocolate climbed onto Jenkins's shoulder and began to meow.

Seeing that there was still plenty left, Jenkins thought for a moment, calculated a tiny portion based on the cat's weight relative to a standard human's, and fed it to the feline. He'd only meant to tease it, since the thing didn't taste good, but to his surprise, the cat actually ate it, then immediately made a face as if it were choking.

"I thought you were going to say I was wasting it." Chapters fırst released on novel⸺fire.net

Jenkins said, laughing at Chocolate as he chatted with Alexia.

"It's your cat. I wouldn't say anything."

The petite woman mumbled softly.

Although swallowing the "root" raw only offered a chance of gaining a new ability bubble, both Jenkins and Alexia were quite lucky.

She then successfully absorbed the small blue cube and gained an ability called [Super-computation (White Basic)]. Jenkins, on the other hand, gained an empty bubble. This was his only empty one at the moment, as the two he'd received upon reaching level 5 were already occupied by [White Bone Body] and [The Stranger].

"So when I get back to Nolan, I'll apply to learn [Aegis of Books]. It'll definitely work this time!"

In addition to the small blue cube, the mechanical core Jenkins had destroyed left behind a large quantity of a strange metal. Although he couldn't identify it, its ability to conduct spirit was excellent, making it perfect for crafting enchanted items or talismans.

This was a small fortune in itself. Combined with the "root," which could be divided into at least four more portions, Jenkins was very satisfied with his haul.

"When we get back, I'm going to look up information on the Mad Poet. This whole thing seems more complicated than I thought."

Alexia said this as they were about to leave, but Jenkins was too absorbed in teasing his cat to pay it much mind.

But it wasn't over yet. Before the two of them could leave the snowy plains of this strange dimension, the ground suddenly began to shake. Jenkins's first thought was an earthquake, but considering the peculiar nature of this space, that was impossible.

For safety, they didn't immediately enter the exit passage. Instead, they took to the air again, deciding to wait for the tremor to end before moving on.

But no one could have predicted that the "earthquake" would only grow more violent. Eventually, the very center of the snowy plain began to bulge upward, rising at a visible rate with the shuddering of the ground.

At the same time, the once-isolated space began showing signs of overlapping with the physical world.

The vibrations finally ceased after about an hour. When the unicorn landed with the two of them, they found themselves standing on the highest peak in the surrounding mountain range.

The sun was setting. Jenkins exhaled a breath of mist on the summit, stomped his foot to confirm the peak was solid, and then joined Alexia in looking out at the distant, snow-capped mountains.

They stood hand in hand at the edge of a cliff on the summit, the unicorn beating its wings behind them. In the distance, the setting sun painted the sprawling mountain range a brilliant red. The mountains were as majestic as slumbering beasts, but from their vantage point, the entire spectacular sunset vista lay at their feet.

The sunset's glow also bathed their shoulders and the cat perched upon them. They gazed at the beautiful scene, silent for a long time.

"Did this place return to the physical world because we destroyed the sealed object in this dimension?"

Jenkins asked in disbelief after a long moment, staring at a fist-sized corner of Ruen in the distance.

But what had happened here was even more incredible than they had guessed.

After standing on the peak and observing for a while, Jenkins realized that the surrounding mountains showed no signs of an earthquake; the snow was still perfectly smooth. He had Alexia wait there while he mounted the unicorn and flew into the sky.

After feeling as though he'd passed through a "soap bubble," he looked back and found that the jutting peak was gone. Trying to return, of course, was also impossible.

So he found the entrance in the valley again, used his [Twin Demons] ability to blast away some rubble, and followed the passage to its end. Only then did he see the towering, highest snow mountain once more.

"I see now. This space hasn't completely returned to the physical world. Aside from the change in its internal geography, the only difference from before is that you can now leave from any direction without using the entrance passage. But to get in, you still have to use the original path."

Alexia summarized after Jenkins returned. She had watched him fly away, then suddenly turn around as if he could no longer see this place, looking around before finally flying downward.