Chapter 274: Vaulting Anyone? (1/2)
”Still looking?” Tal asked in her usual emotionless tone. However, Mike got the distinct impression that she wasn't trying to rush him. Given her personality, he assumed that she merely wanted to prompt him into sharing his thoughts on the matter at hand.
”I am. I know it seems a bit odd, but I can't shake the feeling there is something important down here.” He replied distractedly while continuing to use Appraise. It was difficult to get a good look at everything from the narrow strip of safety set aside for visitors, so he had to pace back and forth to alter his perspective.
After spending close to ten minutes this way, he'd determined that the vast majority of the room didn't contain anything of interest. So far, he hadn't even spotted anything higher ranked than Tier 1, Rank 2, and that was merely due to the material in question being a bit rare.
On top of that, while the few fragmented descriptions he'd been able to wring out of the System did give him a small degree of insight into the culture and Technology of the High Elven civilization, they lacked any specific information that might be useful to him. Besides learning that the ancient race had manufacturing capabilities that rivaled or even surpassed those of his previous world, it looked like visiting this particular storage was a waste.
[I think there might be something behind that plate of sheet metal, but I can't get a good enough look to know for certain.]
”I don't suppose you can get the Caretakers to move a few things around?” He asked Torthan, who'd been idly reviewing a few documents he'd been carrying with him.
The Minister hesitated before speaking, as if he needed time to select the right words, ”Under ordinary circumstances I could potentially get them to rearrange the contents of a storage room, but we are currently operating with a somewhat limited entry permit. With the exception of guiding us and the selection of items for your reward, the Caretakers will not listen to any requests we might put forward. It's meant to be a security measure, I believe.”
”That sounds a bit extreme.” Sera commented with a frown.
”I certainly agree, but it only comes into play when a non-vetted individual is escorted into the vault. The founder likely wanted to prevent possible intruders from interfering with operations, but it does cause us some headache from time to time. In any event, I could have the Caretakers rearrange things in this room during my next scheduled visit, but I'm afraid that won't take place until next month.”
Mike sighed. ”Let me guess, there is a limitation on the number of times or frequency with which you can visit the vault, right?”
”That is regrettably correct. After we leave here today, I will be unable to return for at least thirty days. I would have my secretary escort you again, but he was tasked with depositing an item in the Isolation Chamber yesterday. Unfortunately, there are only three people who can maintain entry permits at any given time, and the third is currently on mission in the Ateshi Commonwealth.”
”Isolation Chamber?”
Torthan nodded, ”It's where we keep the most dangerous or sensitive items. The room is encased in powerful enchantments that prevent its contents from influencing the rest of the vault. I'm afraid I cannot take you there, since it is restricted to all but the three individuals with entry permits.”
”That's alright, I was just curious about it.” Mike replied soothingly.
He briefly considered trying to surreptitiously use magic to get the steel plate moved, but was concerned about triggering the defensive mechanisms of the vault. Judging by the mana he felt stored in the walls, he would likely be able to escape without too much difficulty, but the others would be in danger. Finally, he shrugged. ”Alright, nothing to be done about it, then. If you'd be so kind, please take me to the Utility Magic Item Storage.”
”Of course.” The minister replied with a nod before instructing their guide puppet.
As the group left the room, Mike couldn't help but feel that he was missing something important. Resolving himself to coming back here at some point in the future, he concentrated on deciding his final pick.
The Magic Item storage room had the same sort of layout as every other chamber they'd visited so far, with items of all sorts of shapes and sizes resting on a variety of shelves, display cases, and pedestals. After a brief look around, he quickly determined that there were only a few things here that might actually benefit him. Between the items he'd already picked up over the course of his travels and the things he'd developed the ability to create, he quickly realized that there wasn't much he actually needed.
This was not to say that nothing of interest or value could be found here, and in fact there were several items that might be worth picking up in the short term, but he wanted to make this choice worthwhile. After all, he now had enough money to simply buy most of these, assuming he could find a seller.
Mike considered trying one of the other rooms, perhaps one that stored magical materials. While it seemed like a bit of waste, he could probably make something pretty useful with the sorts of things being stored here. However, just as he was about to give up on the room, he caught sight of a tarnished brass doorknob, barely visible from underneath a stack of magical cloaks. It seemed so out of place among the various treasures, that he felt compelled to use Appraise on it.
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Doorknob of Sanctuary
Magic Item (Tier 3, Rank 5)
One of thirteen identical devices crafted by a now forgotten artificer, the Doorknob of Sanctuary provides weary travelers a place to rest in the midst of their journey. By affixing the knob to any vertical surface, the Owner can create a temporary door that allows access to a unique demi-realm, specific to the knob itself. The portal remains active for ten hours, during which time only creatures designated by the owner of the knob can make use of the door. At the end of its duration, any living beings still within the demi-realm are ejected along with their personal possessions, but everything else will remain behind until the doorknob is used again. May only be used once per day.
This doorknob currently has no owner, and requires attunement to function. By placing a drop of blood in the designated receptacle, a new owner can be assigned. Attunement will remain in effect until death or voluntary cancellation.
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At first glance, it seemed to merely be a way of providing shelter to travelers during long journeys, but he quickly picked up on the subtext.
[I could potentially use it to make a mobile base of operations. Depending on how much space is available, it could even double as backup storage if I ever manage to fill up the interdimensional sack...Hmm, now that I think about it, I believe I'm supposed to give that back at some point. Maybe I can get the University to let me keep it...]
He pulled Tal and Sera to one side to ask their opinion while Torthan politely moved to the far corner of the safe zone. After summarizing the knob's effects, the two were quick to give their feedback.
”Take it.” Tal answered simply.
”Definitely, that's the one.” Sera added.
”Are you sure? There are a lot of other items in this room.”
The Oracle, not bothering to even look back at the rest, continued. ”You won't find another borderline Tier 4 item in this room, or at least you shouldn't. Judging purely by the way they're handling it, I'm guessing the staff here aren't even aware of how potent of an item it is. As such, they should not have any problem with you selecting it.”
”Useful features. Very necessary.” Tal weighed in.