Lord of The Mysterious Realms Chapter 546

The ancient machine mounted on the wall of the dim sewer tunnel wasn't actually that far from Jenkins and Miss Audrey. But discerning the structure of the machine, which was covered in pipes and venting steam, wasn't easy. Jenkins squinted, craning his neck to peer at it for a long while before Miss Audrey’s guidance finally helped him pinpoint the specific part she was referring to.

"Any user can place an inanimate object into the machine through that opening," she explained, "and then pull the handle on the right side—or, in very rare cases, the left. The machine will then process it and dispense an item of equivalent value."

Seeing Jenkins’s curious expression and his unspoken question, she added:

"As for 'equivalent value,' the machine assesses the item inserted based on its actual value to the user. The output, however, is based on the perceived value in the mind of the person pulling the handle. I trust you understand what I mean."

Jenkins answered quickly, his gaze returning to the distant machine. "This is fascinating—no, I mean, it's incredible. I've never seen a Series B Extraordinary item with such a complex function before."

"But remember, its danger classification is 02. While the input is limited to inanimate objects, the output can be absolutely anything. History is filled with cases of B-08-02-8214 being misused. I'm sure neither of us wants it to spew out poison gas or something even more dreadful."

"Understood. I'll stay vigilant."

B-08-02-8214 rarely stayed in one place for more than three days, and Miss Audrey had only found it the day before yesterday. There was no need to notify the local church, since it would be gone soon anyway. This update ıs available on novelꞁire.net

According to her, this was a highly effective and time-honored method of initiation into divination—a necessary step for all true practitioners. Using the power of a Series B Extraordinary item served to stimulate that supernatural insight.

The pile of junk Jenkins had collected earlier was destined for the machine. The Church had conducted some informal tests during the artifact's previous brief appearances, and the items on Miss Audrey's list were all things that had never caused any problems during those trials.

The method was far from foolproof, of course, since Jenkins's own thoughts differed from those of the original testers. Still, it was better than feeding it completely unknown objects.

With the explanations complete, the two approached the machine. As if sensing their presence, the metallic sheen on its surface grew more pronounced. Jenkins could even faintly see the exposed pipes pulsing with an inner rhythm.

It possessed a kind of beauty that was difficult for people of this age to articulate. Even Jenkins struggled to find the right words for it. The machine projected a raw, primitive power, yet its components were arranged with an impeccable, mechanical order. This fusion of primordial chaos and engineered precision created an aesthetic that would drive any artist to madness.

"We can take our time. There's no need to rush."

The woman spoke softly, reaching into the cardboard box Jenkins was holding and pulling out half a red brick, a contribution from Papa Oliver's warehouse.

She bent slightly and, with a harsh scraping of metal, pulled open a drawer at the machine's base. She placed the brick inside and slid the drawer shut.

Motioning for Jenkins to step back, she took a deep breath and yanked down on a lever bristling with small iron spikes.

KA-CHUNK... KA-CHUNK... KA-CHUNK...

A series of massive, metallic impacts echoed from within the wall behind the machine, making one wonder just how large the portion buried in the earth truly was. It sounded like a colossal industrial press at work, the noise reverberating endlessly through the narrow sewer tunnel.

"I hope that doesn't attract any unwanted attention,"

Streams of light coursed over the machine's surface as a column of pale yellow runes ignited down its front. The pipes began to heave, billowing steam at an alarming rate, and the rumbling grew incessant. Suddenly, Audrey pulled Jenkins back another step just as a blast of white-hot steam erupted from the machine’s seams, nearly engulfing the two of them and the cat.

Clutching his pocket watch, Jenkins timed the complex process at exactly one minute and twelve seconds. Only when all signs of activity had ceased did Miss Audrey nod.

"Alright, Jenkins. Tell me, what do you think it made?"

"Alright, I'll give it a try."

He knew his first attempt was almost certain to be wrong. After all, even the most ancient diviners couldn't know the past, present, and future through inspiration alone. But it was a meaningful start—of that, Jenkins was certain.

"Hmm... I predict, ahem, that is to say, I think the item it exchanged will be... a ball of yarn!"

He'd pulled the answer out of thin air.

At a nod from Miss Audrey, he stepped forward and pulled the drawer open again. The iron handle was slightly warm to the touch, likely from the machine's recent high-powered operation.

"Oh. Well, I was wrong."

He said it without the slightest hint of disappointment.

What B-08-02-8214 had produced was half a loaf of black bread—the kind often found on the tables of the poor, liberally mixed with sawdust and sand. It was likely just as hard as the brick had been. Seeing the clear imprint of human teeth on one side, Jenkins had to agree that its value was roughly equivalent.

"Don't worry. It would have been far more surprising if you'd succeeded on your first try."

Miss Audrey spoke softly, then prompted Jenkins to select the next item to feed into B-08-02-8214.

He rummaged through the cardboard box for a moment before pulling out a newspaper bearing a black boot print. Judging by the date, it was last Saturday's morning edition. The print was stamped squarely on the face of the councilman featured on the front page.

He mimicked Audrey's earlier actions, placing the newspaper in the drawer, pulling the lever, and then stepping aside.

"Close your eyes and concentrate. You must understand that even ordinary people can, under special circumstances, sense things they cannot see. As Enchanters, our inspiration should be far more potent. You can try to visualize something, or you can empty your mind completely. Both are highly effective methods."

Miss Audrey offered this advice from nearby.