Chapter 1549 - Fire And Metal (Part 1) (1/2)
”What other things?” Lith never cared much for rankings, only about survival and loot. Yet he was curious to understand in what way the regional Lord had bested him.
”Athung moved back to the convened spot faster than you did. She planned her strategy so to save and help as many people as she could while you fought the Hordes. You, instead, just charged ahead and played it solo.” Sinmara replied.
”You led the undead by example, true, but you didn't issue any order nor did you care for those who remained injured.”
”Damn, you are right. It was supposed to be a team effort, yet once again I took everything upon myself.” Lith had to admit that the Council's judgment was fair.
He had suspected everything being a test since the beginning, yet when the battle had gotten too real his natural instincts had kicked in, making him treat everyone else as an expendable tool instead of an ally..
”Don't be too hard on yourself. All Phoenixes are like you. I ranked second overall as well back in my time.” Sinmara patted his head, making him feel once again like a kid.
”Who ranked first?” Xenagrosh gave up on stealing the Phoenix's magical secrets at the same time as Solus did. Both had only gained a blinding headache for their efforts.
”My brother, and he still rubs it in my face.” Sinmara laughed.
”Well, since you know all about me already, let's talk about you.” Lith said. ”If you and your brother went along well to the point of sharing between you the secrets of the violet and the white core, how come you two split up?”
”Different life choices and the need to have our own resources.” She replied. ”Do you know why a mana geyser under a volcano is the best possible location for a home?”
”No. Enlighten me.”
”While the rich mana flow turns the common metals molten in the lava into their magical equivalents, the natural heat tempers them over time and purifies them of most impurities.
”The process not only improves the quality of the metal, but it also speeds up the refining process. On top of that, I don't have to mine or look for my Adamant simply because as soon as it's ready, it starts floating atop the magma in the form of a thin layer of liquid metal.
”I then have to decide whether to pick it up or let it simmer until it becomes Davross. Either way, the metal will have a degree of purity and magical properties better than average, saving me a lot of time and energy in the processing steps.”
'Do you think we can do the same in the tower?' Lith asked. 'If the heat really helps the Adamant turning into Davross, it could save us a lot of time.'
'Until we get the metal mine, assuming that the tower has one, there's no way to tell.' Solus replied.
”My brother and I split up so that we could each have their own volcano, doubling our resources and getting personal space. As you can see, I like my work very much and so does my brother.” Sinmara said.
”A single lab can only contain so much magical energy before overloading and two white cores are too much for any array. To make matters worse, the bastard decided to start a family at some point.”
”Surtr is happily married and he rubs it in my face whenever he can, sending me pictures of his kids, grandkids, and even grand-grandkids. Every time we talk, he mocks me by asking me to give a hug to my hammers for him.” She snarled. ”That's why he's not here.”
”I beg your pardon?” Lith asked.
”He would have loved meeting you so I didn't invite him. It will teach Surtr a lesson about not being an insufferable prick. Besides, I would have never split my food with him, there was barely enough for me.”
Sinmara had eaten more than Lith and Xenagrosh combined, yet she could have gone for seconds.