[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith":3,"chapter-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-187":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Return of the Legendary Runesmith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1562512,2026,"Chapter 187 - 186- Argument","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-187",187,"\u003Cp>Ruby stood at the edge of the pit, where the relic lay undisturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been unearthed two days ago—yet in that short span, it had already driven four people to the brink of madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d been invited by the Tower to inspect the object, and as someone who took great pride in her craft as a Runesmith, she had accepted without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze was fixed on the cube—set atop a slightly raised stone platform in the center of the crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pulsed with energy. Potent and vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no mistaking it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Artifacts could certainly exude a strong presence if finely tuned or crafted from rare materials—but this one was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What unsettled her most was its age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the archaeology team, this relic was over seven hundred years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two explanations came to mind—neither of them feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First: the artifact somehow absorbed mana from its surroundings over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was impossible. No known material on this planet could naturally draw and store mana on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second: someone had been recharging it. Feeding it mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again—unlikely. The location was too remote, too sealed off. There were no signs of visitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she forced herself to entertain the impossible... even if someone had truly been recharging it for centuries—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What purpose could it possibly serve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why go through such effort—only to curse those who approach it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brow furrowed, thoughts swirling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this relic meant to protect—or unleash?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more importantly... who put it here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re being unreasonable now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden shout shattered Ruby’s focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned sharply to her left, eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group had gathered near the edge of the pit—members of the Tower, but clearly split by affiliation. She recognized the robes immediately: some bore the silver trim of Celestial Hall, while others wore the deep violet of Twilight Vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We arrived here first! Naturally, we have the right to examine the relic first!\" one of the Celestial mages barked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That hasn’t been established,\" a Twilight representative replied coolly. \"And watch your tone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby sighed, rubbing her temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously... they’re fighting over who gets to claim the relic before they even know what it is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Human nature is like that,\" came a calm voice from her right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned—and a rare smile touched her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long time, Tia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside her, arms casually folded behind her back, was a woman with a commanding aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the tower masters, Tia stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby and Tia had crossed paths many times before, usually in matters related to Runesmithing—a shared passion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I expected to find you here,\" Tia said with a small nod. \"Though I wasn’t expecting... this petty quarrel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby exhaled softly. \"Politics,\" she muttered. \"They’re more interested in claiming the relic than understanding it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tia glanced at the arguing groups with mild disdain. \"I never gave the order to retrieve it. Which means...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Royalties,\" Ruby finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tia nodded. \"Likely desperate for something they don’t even begin to understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes returned to the relic glowing faintly at the heart of the pit. Neither spoke for a moment—both were aware that this object might not just be old... it might be waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you don’t understand!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raven-haired mage from Celestial Hall—Trevor—snapped, his voice sharp and rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Albec had gone to bring reinforcements. That’s why we waited!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him stood three members of the Twilight Vault, and it was Ivy who responded with a mocking tilt of her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? So the Celestial Hall doesn’t trust its own runesmiths and researchers anymore? You need external help now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor’s eyes narrowed. \"I could say the same about your side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another Twilight mage stepped forward, his voice colder. \"Watch your tone when speaking about Lady Vermillion. She’s not here on a whim—she was summoned as an advisory authority. Unlike anyone on your side, she actually understands what we’re dealing with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor scoffed. \"And we’re supposed to believe a girl her age has—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You!\" one of the Vault members barked, stepping in front of Ivy. \"Say one more disrespectful word about her, and I swear you’ll pay for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor clenched his jaw and went silent—but the fury in his eyes didn’t fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tia took a subtle step forward, ready to intervene—when suddenly, two figures emerged at opposite ends of the crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tower Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One from each side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is going on here?\" came a low, commanding voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this chaos?\" echoed another, more youthful tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the left stood Master Albec, dark-skinned, broad-shouldered, and heavy with presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the right, a much younger man, barely past his twenties—Master Aiden—whose calm gaze belied the sharp mind behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Aiden,\" Ivy turned to him, bowing her head respectfully. \"They’re claiming exclusive rights to the relic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor didn’t waste a second. \"We were here first. We should get first access to inspect it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albec frowned deeply, his gaze flicking toward Trevor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t understand why this argument even began,\" he said slowly. \"When the four afflicted were captured, there was no one from the Vault present. Celestial Hall handled the initial lockdown.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aiden pulled out a rolled parchment from within his robes and offered it to Albec.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We received the first report concerning this relic three days ago,\" he said calmly. \"But for some unknown reason, it only reached me yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albec took the parchment, unfolding it slowly. His brows furrowed as he read through the contents, eyes scanning line after line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The date was listed—but dates could always be... interpreted. Especially when multiple Tower systems were involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor took a sharp step forward. \"Master Albec, it’s clear they’re fabricating details. We shouldn’t delay any longer. Let’s begin the inspection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivy’s eyes flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calling it fabrication is the same as accusing Master Aiden of lying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor stiffened. That status of being the Master alone was enough to make him reconsider his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips parted, but no words came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tension crackled in the air again, rising like a tide—until Albec finally closed the parchment and spoke with authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s not waste time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked between both sides and said, \"Here’s what we’ll do. You\"—he nodded toward Aiden—\"will inspect the relic first, with your people. Once you’re done, Celestial Hall will proceed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trevor’s eyes widened. \"But Master Albe—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albec raised a hand. A single gesture, firm and final. Trevor fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aiden gave a curt nod, calm and composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your understanding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Ivy. \"Gather the specialists. We need every eye and mind we have. We must uncover exactly what this relic is... and what kind of monstrosity we’re dealing with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading.\u003C\u002Fp>",1115,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","d7bd5bf9d172560056cfcf29cfd97532d3e3db2f98c0764776658684c2a1719b","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-188","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-186",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]