Chapter 201: Decision and Strolling
During this extensive five-day research venture, Liang En stumbled upon a set of raw records, among which was a note penned by Jacob Grimm in the summer of 1863, less than three months before his passing.
"Sadly, I no longer possess the energy to compile those folktales belonging to the Germanic people. I hope the materials I leave behind can aid future generations in organizing our national anthology of tales."
These words were left on the final pages of Jacob Grimm's notebook, and from the handwriting, it was evident that the writer was deeply moved when jotting down these sentiments.
For the Grimm brothers, whether it was writing fairy tales or compiling dictionaries, their goal was unified: to contribute to the unity of Germany.
Understanding their mindset was relatively easy, given that their formative years were spent during Napoleon's occupation of Germany.
At that time, Germany suffered the dual oppression of foreign invasion and powerful feudal forces.
Following Napoleon's defeat in 1814, reactionary forces emerged in Europe, yet Germany remained fragmented. Witnessing all this, the Grimm brothers naturally yearned to end such a state of affairs.
Driven by this conviction, in 1837, despite already being professors at the University of Göttingen, they protested against the Hanoverian king's unconstitutional actions. This resulted not only in their expulsion from the university but also their forced exile.
Fortunately, in 1838, the King of Prussia extended an invitation to them. From then on, the brothers resided in Berlin until their passing.
The 1863 note Liang En stumbled upon had been written by Jacob Grimm in Berlin, remarkably surviving two world wars until today.
"It seems I can start bringing forth the 'Grimm Fairy Tales' from my mind." After summarizing this heap of content, Liang En made the final decision.
Though it might seem odd for a historian and explorer like Liang En to publish a book of fairy tales, if looked at in detail, it was indeed a form of uncovering ancient history.
Moreover, compared to previous projects, organizing and adapting fairy tales promised greater returns. Especially different from the circumstances the Grimm brothers faced, all stories' copyrights were now in the public domain.
In other words, if Liang En were to revise and adapt them now, he would hold the copyrights to the adapted works, with no legal disputes.
Considering the staggering sales of "Grimm Fairy Tales" in another world, Liang En felt compiling such stories would be an immensely valuable endeavor.
"I think this idea of yours holds more significance than your previous work." After sharing his thoughts with Fan Meng, Liang En received a very positive response.
"After all, for someone like me, compared to those incomprehensible academic papers you used to write, I think fairy tales would be more popular."
"But I also believe this work won't be straightforward because there's a lot that needs modification." Fan Meng, who had been researching alongside Liang En these past few days, naturally noticed many unsuitable elements in the original stories.
"For instance, take Snow White; I feel the versions circulating in the market portraying the queen as a stepmother are more acceptable. It's hard for people to accept the original version with the biological mother."
"Yes, that's why I don't intend to rush this out all at once. I plan to take it slow," nodded Liang En. "It's perfect to intersperse writing these alongside my academic papers, giving my mind a break."
"Um... that does sound like a good idea," shrugged Fan Meng, "but honestly, I feel a pint of beer would relax the nerves better than writing those things."
The morning after completing the organizing work, they flew back to Dublin because the harvest this time was too significant. They needed to quickly stash these valuable spoils back home.
And just the day after their return home, the real estate businessman, Mr. Bruce, sent one of his men to retrieve the "Book of the Undead" from Liang En's possession, wiring the money directly into his account.
For Liang En, although this trip wasn't physically exhausting, mentally, it was another story. Particularly, the week-long intensive data hunt felt like preparing for a crucial exam, leaving a profound exhaustion.
So, after greeting his parents at 9 in the morning, he headed to Dublin to explore some antique markets, intending to relax.
Oddly enough, though Liang En had accompanied his parents to Dublin's flea markets during his childhood, he hadn't visited them again since delving into this line of work.
Since it was a Saturday, Liang En decided to check out the semi-penny vintage market, even though it boasted more retro-styled items, it still had quite a few antiques for sale.
Because he was there to browse, Liang En opted for a casual sporty outfit that oddly matched the flea market's overall vibe.
As the market primarily sold replicas of antique items, the array of goods was diverse. Vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, and even some weathered hardware components were on display, bound to overwhelm newcomers.
Coming here meant not approaching it as a treasure hunt, lest one fell for scams. Luckily, Liang En was here mainly to relax and see if anything interesting caught his eye.
For instance, he laid eyes on a rather exquisite black-and-white glass vase at one stall. The craftsmanship was intricate, but it was apparent at first glance that it was a modern replica.
Due to its detailed craftsmanship and handmade quality, the vase wasn't cheap. Even after bargaining several times, the vendor wasn't willing to offer significant discounts.
However, captivated by it, Liang En eventually bought the vase for 42 euros, down from the original 47 euros. Compared to antique shops, the advantage here was the opportunity to negotiate prices.
Apart from the vase, after wandering through several aisles, Liang En hadn't found anything else he fancied. Finding something valuable in flea markets was akin to panning for gold in sand—success relied on luck.
However, as he rounded a few clothing stalls and turned into the last two rows of the replica market, one stall caught Liang En's eye!
The stall was manned by a burly man in his fifties with a thick beard. Most of the items on display were various military paraphernalia from ancient and modern times, albeit no firearms.
Dublin boasted the strictest firearm control in all of Ireland, making it impossible for such stalls to obtain permits for selling firearms, or even most of their components.
However, everything from old helmets, binoculars, field gear, inert bullets, artillery shell casings, bayonets, daggers—ancient, modern, local, and foreign—was present, albeit without any organization.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 202: Blade Adornments
At the bustling booth filled with various military items, several Japanese samurai swords stood out conspicuously. For these Western nations that once forced open Japan's doors, these exotic-styled weapons held a significant allure.
Hence, during the Pacific battles, both Americans and the British sought various types of these samurai swords as their most desired war trophies.
Historically, this fascination with Eastern items even influenced Japan itself. For instance, during the late Edo period after being coerced into opening its borders by foreign powers, Japan specifically manufactured a considerable batch of samurai swords tailored for foreigners.
While Ireland didn't partake in the Pacific War, due to its proximity to Britain and a sizable population of Irish descent in the United States, there were also a fair number of Japanese swords present locally.
However, due to the mediocre appraisal skills of these Europeans regarding Japanese swords, the quality of the swords brought back to Europe varied. The five swords displayed on the booth were a testament to this fact.
Among these five swords, three were command swords used by Japanese officers during World War II. Yet, two were the lowest-tier officer swords, while the third was a later model officer sword.
With permission, Liang En drew the blades from their scabbards only to find that these three lacked forging marks on the blades and showed no signs of meticulous heat treatment; they looked more like flattened iron bars.
Unsatisfied with these inferior pieces, Liang En briefly examined them before focusing his attention on the other two swords.
The remaining two swords were classical-style samurai swords. However, when Liang En concentrated on the seemingly well-preserved sword, he discovered that the guard, collar, and pommel were all stamped metal. Drawing the sword disappointed him further; the blade appeared to have undergone only rudimentary heat treatment, and even its curved shape seemed machine-made.
Authentic Japanese sword blades are curved because different parts of the blade use different types of steel, naturally resulting in curvature due to varying rates of shrinkage during heat treatment.
However, for many inexpensive blade manufacturers, combining steel with different properties for the blade or precise heat treatment is too complex a process. Hence, they resort to mechanical methods to achieve the same appearance.
Since the previous four swords seemed outwardly robust but were essentially lackluster, Liang En approached the examination of the final sword somewhat absentmindedly. However, he soon noticed something distinctive about it.
"These swords were all found in an attic of an old house in Dublin about a week ago. Their condition varies due to their age," the middle-aged bearded man said, noticing Liang En's interest in the sword. It seemed storytelling was a universal trait among antique dealers worldwide.
Based on Liang En's experience, even if an antique had minimal history, these merchants could concoct stories that were often gripping, inducing an urge to purchase.
Being an antique dealer himself, Liang En couldn't be easily led astray. He drew out the blade, examined it, and pointed to a particular spot on the blade.
"This is an ancient Japanese sword with some history, but it's not a good blade. Blades of higher quality won't have this kind of slag inclusions."
"However, the fittings on this sword seem well-made and are handmade. So, I believe this samurai sword is likely part of the batch manufactured in Japan for foreigners after the country opened its doors."
"Well, young man, you seem quite knowledgeable in this area," the merchant said with a slightly resigned expression after hearing Liang En's analysis of the sword. "So, please name your price."
Two minutes later, Liang En struck a deal with the merchant for 1000 euros. For this flea market, it was quite a significant transaction.
After leaving the booth, Liang En examined the samurai sword in his hand. The condition of the sword didn't look promising.
The handle and scabbard had become unsightly and mottled, with the leather wrapping around the scabbard worn down, revealing a core made of two wooden pieces.
Apart from the slag, the blade itself had rust spots and several nicks. It appeared to be a weapon that had endured hardships.
As Liang En had mentioned earlier, after the Black Ships opened Japan to Westerners, many Westerners ordered numerous samurai swords. In such cases, exported swords varied in quality.
The sword in Liang En's possession was a representation of these swords, an amalgamation of parts from old blades hastily put together to deceive foreigners.
However, Liang En wasn't interested in the sword itself but rather in the metallic adornments adorning it.
According to his estimation, the metal fittings on the sword matched quite well with a tachi from Tenkashi Shirō he owned, fitting perfectly for a scabbard to use while traveling.
For Liang En, the fittings on the recently acquired sword, whether the pommel, collar, or guard, showed distinct signs of fine craftsmanship, despite being crafted from mere iron. The intricate patterns suggested that the maker wasn't an ordinary artisan.
Especially the relief carving on the pommel depicted a dragon emerging from the sea, a bit more ferocious compared to the typical Chinese dragon and lacking some of its solemnity, yet the ferocity complemented the samurai sword quite fittingly.
Regarding Japanese sword fittings, the pommel was a crucial component, even developing into an independent art form during the Edo period. Therefore, a fine pommel alone could fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros.
Particularly, Liang En could see that the pommel, collar, and guard styles on this sword were remarkably consistent, indicating they were part of a matching set, which inherently increased its value compared to just a single piece.
Although due to his lack of expertise in this field, Liang En didn't know which master craftsman created this pommel, judging from the overall craftsmanship, it seemed unlikely to be the work of an ordinary artisan.
"Seems like fate knew I was in need of this," Liang En thought to himself as he walked away from the market with the sword in hand. "Finding such niche items even while out for a stroll."
Perhaps because this item was so niche, Liang En could acquire it for a low price here.
After all, for those Europeans, merely identifying it as a Japanese sword was impressive; delving into the intricacies wasn't something an average street vendor could achieve.
It seemed the merchant mistook Liang En for a tourist from East Asia, hoping to make a significant profit. Otherwise, there was no way they'd label a worn-out blade worth a maximum of two or three hundred euros at a staggering price of a thousand.
"So, sometimes, whether it's a gain or loss, no one will ever know in the end," Liang En pondered as he bit into a freshly made burger. "For instance, if today I hadn't pretended to be an Eastern tourist, maybe the merchant would've become suspicious and refused to sell me this item."
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 203: Theme Park
Even though Liang En managed to buy a metal sword hilt at the flea market, he knew it was just a stroke of luck. Finding a fitting scabbard through second-hand means was proving excessively difficult.
Thus, he planned to wait until the Japanese craftsman introduced by Uncle Maimaiti finished making the white scabbard. Then, he'd assess its quality before deciding whether to commission a set of Japanese sword fittings for his outings.
After a day's stroll around Dublin's city area, Liang En returned home with his spoils. It was at this time he received a message from Dr. Louis, the curator of the Egyptian exhibit at the Louvre.
The email conveyed good news: both the Louvre and Liang En's excavation application had secured approval from the Egyptian authorities, according to the information obtained by the Louvre Museum.
However, with Egypt's bureaucratic pace, it was estimated that the formal permit wouldn't arrive until winter this year.
For Liang En, though, this wasn't a setback. Their archaeological site was mostly desert and the Sinai Peninsula's desolate expanses. Winter would offer a more comfortable climate.
While theoretically, excavation work shouldn't be overly concerned with weather, having adequate preparation time to start digging during a comfortable season was undoubtedly better than facing scorching sun on the desert sands.
More importantly, Liang En wanted to embark on the adventure only after his historical companion arrived. If his guess was correct, this companion should be the legendary Joan of Arc.
"The biggest question now is how this historical companion will appear alongside me." That night, as he lay in bed, Liang En mused over the possibilities.
According to his speculation, this historical companion might be like a ghost, visible only to himself. If so, he believed it would grant him a significant advantage at many auctions, especially those resembling mystery box warehouse auctions or within ruins, where having an invisible companion would drastically improve efficiency.
The same would apply to wilderness exploration. With an ethereal companion in tow, he could uncover many hidden secrets, significantly reducing the effort required during searches.
Over the next two days, Liang En remained in his room, sorting through his previous hauls. Apart from continuing to write the book related to ancient Egyptian texts, he devoted time to recalling the Grimm's Fairy Tales stored in his mind.
For some reason, the Grimm's Fairy Tales appearing in Liang En's mind were not those of the Grimm brothers' original works but the deluxe German edition from the 1990s in his previous world.
Compared to the original tales by the Grimm brothers, these had undergone refinement over a century, making them more polished and artistically valuable, especially with the inclusion of exquisite sketches by various artists.
Given Liang En's acquisition of the "Sketch Artist (R)" card and mastery in sketching, he could replicate these illustrations flawlessly.
However, this secluded writing and drawing process was abruptly interrupted by a phone call—a call from a Viking-themed park near Dublin.
The reason behind this park's existence lay in Dublin being built on the foundation of an ancient Viking city. Thus, the local government and museums collaborated to create this park as a showcase of local history.
Contrary to the original builders' expectations, the park's popularity far exceeded their wildest estimates. Consequently, they planned to expand the park soon.
The invitation extended to Liang En was related to this expansion. They hoped to incorporate content about the Viking Vinland Colony in the expansion.
Liang En, after brief consideration, readily agreed over the phone. After all, while treasure hunting and scholarly pursuits were essential, life wasn't just about those. Taking a break outdoors wouldn't hurt.
Thus, the next morning, Liang En drove to the Viking-themed park, less than 10 kilometers from Dublin's city center.
The park seemed meticulously constructed to resemble a Viking village, a fact Liang En only realized upon arriving beside it.
"Hello, Manager Stoke." A few minutes later, Liang En met a somewhat balding, chubby middle-aged man and exchanged handshakes. "Thank you for the invitation."
"We'd like your assistance in recreating the Viking colony you discovered in Newfoundland." Manager Stoke quickly delved into the specifics.
Liang En had already sorted out the authorization issues. Despite being a commercialized park, it also served educational purposes due to joint investment from museums and local authorities.
For instance, he spotted yellow school buses bringing students—a clear initiative for historical education for these elementary schoolers.
For this reason, Liang En easily secured the archaeological aspect of the work, namely the Canadian Archaeological Department's permission.
Both Liang En and the Canadian side had the right to apply commercial uses to these sites, pending the other party's authorization.
Unlike purely commercial ventures that faced more significant authorization hurdles, endeavors with substantial educational value tended to encounter fewer obstacles.
However, owing to its nonprofit nature, the authorization fees were modest, totaling only 10,000 euros.
Fortunately, Liang En's tasks were minimal. Apart from sketching a reconstruction map of the Viking North American settlement, he merely had to verify the accuracy of Norse inscriptions on the buildings.
For Liang En, this task was quite straightforward. He didn't require any additional effort; merely being attentive while exploring the park sufficed.
Thanks to the museum's involvement in the park's construction, there weren't many issues with the exhibits. So, after wandering around for a morning, he headed to the park's restaurant for lunch and some rest.
The restaurant, in line with the theme park, exuded a Viking ambiance in both the servers' attire and the meals served. Whether it was stews or roasts, they were deliberately cut into larger chunks and served in bowls or plates made of wood or stone. Drinks were served in horn-shaped cups.
At peak dining hours, young individuals dressed as ancient troubadours would entertain diners with songs, adding to the atmosphere.
After a simple meal, Liang En promptly took out his notebook from his backpack and started sketching a reconstruction diagram of the Newfoundland site. Once done, he proceeded to write the Grimm's Fairy Tale and illustrate the story.
As time passed, and with Liang En finishing the chapter on Snow White and completing its illustrations, he heard raised voices not far from his spot.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 204: Type-Moon company
Upon hearing the commotion, Liang En straightened up, realizing he had been absorbed in his writing. The restaurant now had only him and two young Asians at a distant table.
These two appeared to be in their thirties, engrossed in writing just as Liang En had been. Several sheets of paper and two pens lay on their table.
Liang En's attention turned to them as their dispute seemed to attract the waiter's attention due to the language barrier—a Japanese pair conversing with an Irish-accented server—aggravating the situation rather than resolving it.
Anticipating an escalation, Liang En promptly stood and approached, feeling he could lend a hand in this situation.
After conversing in Japanese and accented English, Liang En realized it was all a misunderstanding. Once explained, the tension dissipated.
"Thank you so much." After the server left, the two Japanese individuals bowed to Liang En. "I'm Takeuchi Takashi, and this is Nasu Kinoko. Are you Japanese?"
"No, I'm Chinese. You can call me Liang En." Liang En shook his head, noticing the papers and sketches on their table.
Though the messy writing was indecipherable, the sketches seemed familiar, reminiscent of something from a previous life.
"Liang En!" It seemed these two Japanese individuals had a revelation. "You're the archaeologist who deciphered ancient Egyptian texts and discovered the Greek fire and the Viking colonies in Vinland!"
"Well, if you mean translating ancient Egyptian texts, that would be me, but I'm not quite the explorer—" Liang En understood they were praising him but felt uneasy with their speaking style.
"In Japan, many newspapers hailed your archaeological contributions, calling you the Asian light of archaeology—"
Listening to their explanation, Liang En realized Northeast Asia had far more coverage of his work compared to the relatively subdued attention in the West.
Considering the tendency for exaggeration in Japanese media, the awkward moniker wasn't surprising. Compared to titles like the Emperor Commander of the Chinese ping pong team or the world's strongest man, being the Asian light of archaeology didn't seem excessively overstated.
That's why these individuals recognized Liang En. Unlike some Europeans who couldn't differentiate between Asian faces, these Japanese didn't mistake Liang En from his pictures in the newspapers.
Given his current recognition, they quickly engaged in conversation. And as they spoke, the topic shifted to what they were working on.
"We have a small game company and our recent game did well, so we're traveling in Europe to relax and gather material for our next game."
One of them explained, displaying what they had been discussing—a character for a new game. "This is a character we just designed for the new game—"
"Master!" At the sight of the picture, Liang En's mind flooded with thoughts. It seemed the differences between worlds didn't only affect antiques but certain individuals as well.
The signature beneath the Scathach pattern on the drawing confirmed his thoughts. Written in Chinese characters were three: Takeuchi Takashi.
Liang En hadn't expected that Fate in this world was released a dozen years later than in his previous world, with the creators even younger by nearly twenty years.
"We plan to create a PC-based text adventure game based on historical figures, inspired by a story my friend wrote in high school."
"I understand your need for a text-based game to introduce the series' background. But why not develop a card-based mobile game?"
Due to being a failed novelist in his previous life, Liang En had extensively researched the background of Fate in his world. So, he couldn't comprehend why these creators hadn't considered a mobile game, something akin to a cash cow.
"We're unsure of the series' potential yet." The young man, staunchly identifying himself as Nasu Kinoko, replied. "And our previous games were niche, so we can't afford to invest in a mobile game."
"Ah, I see." It struck Liang En then that in his previous world, the Fate series hadn't instantly gained fame but had undergone a lengthy process.
From the 2004 release of "Fate/stay night" to "Fate/hollow ataraxia" in 2005 and "Fate/EXTRA" in 2010, culminating in the mobile game of 2015. Alongside these games, numerous novels, comics, anime, and animated films had surfaced over those years, eventually forming what was known as the Type-Moon Universe.
This IP hadn't skyrocketed overnight but evolved over at least a decade, significantly richer by the time Liang En crossed over.
Understanding this, Liang En felt more exhilarated. He realized a huge opportunity had landed in his lap, even starting to appreciate the person who invited him to the park today.
After all, adding to beauty is not as great as providing warmth in the snow. And for a Type-Moon company (タイプムーン, Taipu Mūn?) transitioning into commercialization, getting crucial help now was more significant than ever.
More importantly, Liang En knew the Chinese heroes from his previous Fate series were remarkably potent, seemingly friendlier towards the Chinese than the so-called Chinese superhero movies from the US, "Shang-Chi."
This was why he was willing to assist now. Moreover, being a historian in this world, Liang En could contribute not only historically but also creatively.
"I find your concepts quite intriguing." Liang En addressed the Type-Moon founders. "Honestly, I had pondered similar things before—"
As he spoke, Liang En picked up his pen and paper, sketching the famous Fate characters from his previous life, recounting what he remembered about these characters and their stories.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 205: Exchange
"As we thought," Liang En's explanations stirred excitement in the two founders of Type-Moon.
Though not from the same world, as counterparts of two different realms, they found striking similarities in many aspects. Therefore, the more matured thoughts from this alternate world resonated deeply within them.
From dawn till dinner, they conversed, eventually sharing a meal. After an afternoon of discussion, the trio grew close.
To the Type-Moon founders, Liang En had shifted from a renowned scholar to someone who truly comprehended their inner workings.
For the next few days, the Type-Moon duo altered their travel plans, choosing to stay in Dublin. They spent their days at Liang En's ranch, discussing Fate's settings and intricacies.
During these discussions, the framework of the game "Fate/stay night" began taking shape. Decisions regarding both the storyline and character designs were solidified.
Liang En primarily contributed matured concepts for some Heroic Spirits' designs and also sketched several illustrations. With a masterful grasp of sketching techniques, depicting the envisioned game's CG art was relatively effortless, even adding minute details.
Impressed by the artistic quality of his sketches, Taka and Nasu claimed all his drafts, intending to preserve them as mementos within the company.
Within this process, Liang En secured a 25% stake in the newly commercialized Type-Moon company, investing 500,000.
At this stage, both Taka and Nasu weren't inclined to involve too many outsiders. Liang En's substantial contributions to the Fate project, coupled with the cash investment and willingness to forego management control, facilitated the substantial share release.
Moreover, with Liang En being more famous in academia than the duo and an upcoming game deeply rooted in history, they saw bringing him into the company as a strategic advantage for future marketing and more.
However, the crux of their decision stemmed from Liang En's cohesive vision for the Fate project that aligned seamlessly with theirs, earning him recognition from the Type-Moon duo.
At this juncture, Type-Moon wasn't the vast corporation Liang En had perceived. For the founders, compatibility weighed heavier than other aspects when admitting new members.
"Liang, it's been a pleasure getting to know you," ten days after their meeting, Taka and Nasu prepared to return to Japan. At the airport, they bid farewell, shaking hands.
Finding a kindred spirit in a distant land was incredibly fortunate, and parting ways now felt somewhat bittersweet.
"When you visit Japan, we'll show you around," Taka earnestly promised. "Just give us a heads-up, and we'll be there to welcome you."
"Don't worry, I'll notify you before heading to Japan," Liang En assured. "Given my profession, there might be opportunities to trouble you for that."
Initially intrigued by the idea of meeting Japanese individuals and perhaps gaining something, after almost two weeks of interaction, genuine friendship blossomed.
At this phase, the Type-Moon founders were not yet the future corporate giants. They were individuals striving for their dreams, leading to simpler interactions and the genuine establishment of friendship.
Returning to his ranch after leaving the airport, Liang En stopped by the local post office in Sword Town to inquire about his parcel.
Three days prior, the craftsman for the katana's scabbard had called, mentioning the completion and dispatch of the white sheath, a short distance that still required half a day for delivery.
"Ah, young Lawrence. Your parcel's arrived," as soon as Liang En entered, Mr. Joyce, the postal worker, greeted him. "Came in this afternoon from London."
"Thank you, Uncle Joyce," Liang En said with a smile after receiving the package. In a small town like this, everyone knew each other, especially long-standing residents.
Before Liang En's family immigrated from China to this town, Uncle Joyce had already been working at the post office, albeit as a rookie back then.
In the basement of his ranch, Liang En swiftly assembled the wooden scabbard onto his blade, finding the overall presentation quite impressive.
"It seems these traditional artisans truly have remarkable skills, justifying their high prices." Pleased with the assembled knife, Liang En nodded, then dialed the craftsman's number to inquire about the cost of a set of outdoor scabbards.
Compared to the white sheath, the price for an outdoor scabbard skyrocketed, and the crafting time increased substantially. These scabbards, designed for outdoor use, not only used pricier materials but also required more complex crafting techniques.
As the scabbards were tailor-made based on the blade's size, they were bespoke products starting from scratch upon receiving an order.
Especially those with lacquer artistry like the ones on these scabbards required slow, meticulous work, impossible to rush.
Fortunately, Liang En wasn't in a rush. Thus, he patiently awaited the completion of this artisanal set of scabbards.
After finalizing the scabbard's design online, Liang En paid the deposit as per tradition. The craftsman assured immediate commencement but mentioned the earliest collection wouldn't be possible for at least two months.
Thankfully, Liang En didn't need to invest a lot of time in waiting, given his packed schedule.
Apart from organizing his thoughts about "Grimm's Fairy Tales" and an ancient Egyptian dictionary, he focused on developing a segment of Type-Moon's Fate series background settings.
Additionally, since the first batch of new cheese, prepared following a Sudanese recipe, had completed its aging process and received favorable reviews from the farmworkers, Liang En planned to sell a portion through reliable channels to gauge public response.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 206: Unexpected Parcel
While it's commonly believed that ancient technology often falls short compared to modern advancements, the culinary gap between the two eras wasn't as vast as their technological differences.
Especially true for the food of ancient royalty, which, for the most part, had a favorable taste for the majority of modern palates, save for a few overly distinctive dishes.
The batch of cheese Liang En was currently selling was a prime example. Feedback from customers who received and tasted this cheese was overwhelmingly positive.
Compared to industrially produced cheeses of today, these traditional royal cheeses boasted richer textures and added more depth to culinary experiences.
Beyond just selling, he packaged a first batch to give to friends and acquaintances, not letting any opportunity slip by, even if it was just a casual acquaintance.
In Europe, cheese was a staple, a must-have in every meal. Sending half-pound vacuum-sealed cheese to familiar faces served as a subtle promotion for his shop's products.
Unexpectedly, three days after sending these parcels out, Liang En received a package from the University College London.
"Looks like you've been making quite a name in academia," Uncle Joyce handed Liang En the parcel. "Always getting packages from various scholarly institutions."
"Mostly because some of these institutions are quite traditional. They'd rather send me various copies of documents than directly transmit them via computer," Liang En shrugged in resignation.
In pursuit of compiling a dictionary of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Liang En had requested access to documents from numerous schools and libraries. The original texts contained significant gaps, requiring thorough research beyond his memories left by Shang Bolang, to ensure a comprehensive compilation.
While most of these institutions embraced modernity and transmitted data electronically, a few traditional ones persisted in sending physical copies through mail.
Almost every other day recently, Liang En had received parcels from various schools or libraries. The postman, Uncle Joyce, had become familiar with these packages.
"In reality, using the internet for transmission would be faster. Sadly, some British institutions cling to antiquated ways of handling affairs, resorting to posting letters like they did a century ago."
Liang En grumbled about certain Brits' archaic attitudes, accepting the package. However, as he progressed, a furrow formed on his forehead. He didn't recall making such a request to University College London.
Back home, Liang En opened the package and found, besides a well-packaged bundle, a letter inside.
After reading its contents, he understood the purpose of the package: It contained materials related to ancient Egypt, unrelated to his prior work.
The package was from Daniel, the Coptic individual whom Liang En and Fan Meng had rescued from a group of racists some time ago. Since then, they had established a nodding acquaintance.
Given Daniel's Coptic heritage, conversations between him and Liang En mostly revolved around matters related to ancient Egypt. Liang En also inquired about the surroundings of Daniel's home, seeking information on local legends about ancestors and the content around ancient Egyptian ruins.
In this regard, Daniel had been immensely helpful. Living in a village for centuries rather than a city, Daniel's homeland preserved several ancient legends.
While these legends were scattered and contained inaccuracies, careful analysis still revealed valuable insights.
For instance, according to a folk song, Daniel's ancestors arrived in the area, finding traces of prior human activity before their arrival.
The core of this song narrated the tale of exiles entering the desert in search of a new home, stumbling upon ancient village ruins and a water source in their despair.
Daniel mentioned that the well in their village had been there for ages, even before their arrival.
Appreciative of the assistance, when Daniel sought a guiding job to gain experience after graduating, Liang En used his connections through Pierce to secure him a position in a reputable tourism company.
Daniel, in turn, appreciated Liang En's previous help. Hence, on the day Liang En sent him cheese, Daniel promptly sent a series of photographs and samples concerning artifacts near his hometown.
"That's thoughtful." Observing the neatly arranged box and photos, Liang En smiled sincerely before delving into the contents.
Compared to artifacts in museums, Daniel's submissions appeared rather dull, with many lacking information due to amateur photography.
Yet, among the discernible photos and trinkets inside the box, Liang En discovered incredibly valuable information.
For instance, several photos seemed to overlook a constructed road in a valley from a small hill.
Another photo clearly displayed an ancient, weathered Egyptian shrine by a dried-up riverbed. Unfortunately, erosion had erased most of the deity's features, leaving faint traces.
Most importantly, a small box contained fragments of turquoise. According to the letter, Daniel's surroundings had no turquoise, and these pieces were collected from a dried riverbed.
From these clues, Liang En deduced that there likely existed a copper mine from the ancient Egyptian era near Daniel's hometown. Historical records indicated that Egyptian pharaohs had dispatched troops and craftsmen to the Sinai Peninsula for various mineral extractions.
This discovery held immense value as, according to Liang En's research, no ancient Egyptian ruins had been discovered near Daniel's hometown to date.
"Seems like there's a place to explore once the Sinai Peninsula excavation permit is in hand." Grinning at the heap of information, Liang En immediately connected it to his previous permit application.
After all, given the vastness of the Sinai Peninsula, pinpointing a target wasn't simple. Especially for those uninterested in excavating old ruins, finding an ancient Egyptian site amidst the desert wasn't straightforward.
Hence, compared to excavating known ruins or aimlessly wandering in the desert, a copper mine associated with an Egyptian pharaoh promised significant excavation prospects.
Particularly considering the Egyptian reverence for deities, the vicinity of the mine might yield intact shrines or even miniature temples.
"Good deeds do bring rewards." Liang En smiled at the data. "Looks like the next big puzzle is solved."
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 207: Emergency Support
Daniel's letter had been a tremendous help to Liang En, but the next day, Pierce's call wasn't quite the same. Just as Liang En finished breakfast early in the morning, he received a call from Pierce.
"Why are you calling me so early? Is something wrong?" Liang En sounded groggy after checking the phone number.
"I recall you've been gathering a team recently to dig for modern treasures in Poland. Did you happen to unearth the Nazi gold train?" Pierce asked.
Before Liang En headed to the Philippines, Pierce had led a team to Poland in search of valuable items. Thanks to Liang En's investment in his shop, he finally had some liquid assets to take the initiative this time.
The choice of Poland was due to its policy of requiring 90% of discovered treasures to be surrendered but allowing finders to keep historically less significant items instead of mandatory cash conversions.
"I wish we'd found the gold train. Unfortunately, the places rumored to have it are tightly controlled by the Polish, far from our reach as foreigners," Pierce's voice sounded resigned, a tone Liang En could easily imagine him conveying over the phone.
"We were planning to explore sites near Krakow related to World War II, but what we unearthed is entirely different from what we expected."
"What do you want me to do?" Liang En asked, puzzled. "We both studied archaeology, right? You should be able to handle any trouble we encounter."
"In theory, yes, but what we've found is just too bizarre," Pierce admitted, aware of how embarrassing it might sound but unsure of other options.
"This venture involves your stake too. So, if you can spare the time now, it'd be best to come and help. Otherwise, our first proactive exploration might end up a total loss," Pierce urged.
"Alright, I'll try to make it." Liang En pondered briefly; his ongoing work seemed manageable, offering him a window to make the trip.
Equipped with everything Pierce had prepared, Liang En and Fan Meng took a flight that afternoon with minimal luggage, heading first to Warsaw and then catching a connecting flight to Krakow.
Unbeknownst to Liang En, as he left Sword Town carrying a small suitcase, on another bus traveling opposite to his, someone clumsily checked their phone.
Had Liang En been on that other bus, he'd have noticed an electronic map displaying his ranch as the destination. However, focused on their own journey, this coincidence escaped his notice.
Due to the late arrival of their flight, Liang En's team didn't venture to the excavation site in the outskirts that night. Instead, they stayed in the city and arrived at the village mentioned by Pierce early the next day after breakfast.
Then, carrying walking sticks, they followed the village roads toward a spot not far beyond the village, marked distinctly by two tents.
"Good morning, Pierce." After exchanging greetings and a brief hug with Pierce from inside one of the tents, Liang En quickly turned the conversation to the excavation site.
"This dig was prompted because I bought a Soviet-era map indicating a minor conflict in this area during World War II," Pierce explained as they walked toward the site.
According to him, after confirming this place as a wartime zone without intense battles, he chose it as their excavation target.
"The Soviets moved swiftly in the later stages of World War II, often leaving battlefields uncleared, leaving behind many valuable items," Pierce explained, arms spread wide.
"However, since this area wasn't intensely fought over, the number of diggers here is limited, and there aren't many dangerous explosives—"
"But it seems you've stumbled onto the wrong place," Liang En interrupted as they arrived at a trench, noticing something amiss.
Inside the trench, there was a row of wooden supports clearly not from the WWII era, instantly recognizable to professionals. Moreover, the trench's width, depth, and cross-section didn't resemble modern military trenches; to Liang En, it looked more like a moat from an ancient castle or fortification.
"Indeed, we've gone astray. These woods' history likely exceeds 300 years," Pierce nodded. "This place seems like a settlement from the 16th or 17th century."
"And the reason I called you here is to see if you can help determine what this place truly is. If it's just an ordinary village relic, we can inform the Polish authorities," Pierce explained further.
Under Polish law, the rewards for discovering a village and other discoveries differed significantly. If this turned out to be a monastery reported as a village, their gains might be meager, perhaps not even covering their expenses.
"Haven't you surveyed it yet?" Liang En gestured at the barren land. "From the manpower and equipment you have, waiting for me seems unnecessary."
"Come on, work costs money," Pierce shrugged. "And you have a sixth sense; you should be able to conduct this search with the least expense."
"Fine, let me give it a try," Liang En sighed, realizing that some of his previous actions had deeply influenced Pierce's opinion, even prompting him to summon Liang En directly from England for this.
Luckily, Liang En didn't have to start from scratch. Pierce had already excavated and sampled the entire barren land, leaving Liang En to perform a simple analysis on these samples.
However, meticulously analyzing over a hundred samples with a microscope wasn't easy. Normally, it might take two to three days to finish everything. Hence, Liang En decided to take a gamble.
Taking a backpack containing these sample jars to an unrelated barren land, he pretended to inspect the bottles while subtly activating his "Detection (N)" ability.
As he suspected, a beam of light emanated from one of the jars among the hundred-plus. Pouring its contents onto a testing paper, he quickly identified what it contained.
The glowing substance was a small coin-sized metallic sheet that appeared to be copper with a gold layer, sparkling after wiping off the dirt—a fascinating find.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 208: The Blacksmith Shop and the Military Camp
Examining the copper piece in hand under the sunlight, Liang En realized it was likely a decorative metal piece intended for a specific location.
The piece was adorned with seemingly simple patterns, hammered onto it, and featured a small circular hole in the middle, likely meant for securing it in place with a nail.
"Could you tell me where the items in this bottle were excavated from?" After a quick check of the other bottles, confirming no more valuable finds, Liang En entered the tent holding the bottle and the copper piece.
"Wow, your intuition is incredible." Pierce, engaged in conversation with Fan Meng, widened his eyes as he saw the shimmering trinket in Liang En's hand. "This is the most valuable thing we've found in the past week."
"What were you all doing before this?" Liang En pondered for a moment, recalling the cleared trench. "Don't tell me you've been digging only that trench apart from sampling!"
"Though I hate to admit it, that's exactly what happened." Pierce sighed, looking at Liang En. "We thought it was a World War II infantry trench, so we kept digging along it."
"It wasn't until yesterday when we unearthed those pieces of wood that we realized our mistake. That's when I called you for help, and then you flew in directly."
"Okay," Liang En nodded. It was clear that Pierce, handling field excavations for the first time, lacked significant experience, leading to such a basic error.
The reason for the call made sense since Liang En was now a shareholder in the Emerald Gem Curiosities shop, making it partly his concern.
While chatting, they followed a path across the trench and reached an area covered in shrubs and weeds.
"This is where that thing was excavated from." Pierce pointed at a small patch of ground. "See, the sampling pit is still here, and this bottle's dirt came from that pit."
With a rough location in mind, Liang En's team brought out a metal detector and started scanning. The detector immediately buzzed upon activation.
"It seems there's something here." After a brief search, they discovered a significant amount of metal reactions in an area with a radius of seven to eight meters underground.
However, upon a thorough inspection, they realized it wasn't a large metal object but rather a dense spread of metallic fragments.
"It doesn't seem like a treasure trove." Fan Meng murmured. "If it were, the area of metal distribution would be smaller, but the depth would be greater."
"You're right; the probability of this being a treasure trove is low." Liang En agreed, a straightforward judgment for someone with professional training.
Confirming this with another high-end metal detector, they found the underground content consisted of ordinary metals like copper and iron, dispelling hopes of a hidden treasure trove.
While disheartening that it wasn't a treasure hideout, the significance of the metal reactions here might surpass what the previous trench offered.
"If we can't find gold and jewels, stumbling upon a complete human relic isn't bad either." With a grasp of the probable items underground, Pierce smiled, relieved.
As these underground relics held historical value, the Polish authorities were willing to pay a cash reward, especially considering Liang En's involvement, likely being more generous.
After outlining the excavation area with white lime on the ground, Liang En and local workers started digging. Given the shallow depth of this site, they unearthed a pile of scrap metals within half an hour.
"What are all these?" Fan Meng tossed a palm-sized iron piece aside, complaining. "We've dug up at least forty to fifty pieces like this."
"These are incredibly valuable." Liang En picked up a rusted iron piece from the freshly dug pit, noticing small marks along the edges. "This seems to be a scale from a coat of mail."
Holding the rusty piece in hand, Liang En continued, "Considering the decorative gilded copper piece we found earlier, this likely belongs to cavalry armor."
"Could this place be an armory?" Excited at Liang En's explanation, Fan Meng hoped to find some uncorroded treasures if it indeed was an armory.
"Not very likely." Liang En shook his head, pointing to a weak wall foundation nearby. "Ancient armories focused heavily on defense; fragile walls like these wouldn't house weapons."
"Just as I finished explaining about ancient armories," Liang En remarked, "there seems to be something here! Come help, everyone!" Pierce, a few steps away, suddenly exclaimed.
Responding to his call, everyone quickly gathered, finding a small pit around thirty centimeters deep beneath Pierce's feet, seemingly containing a sizeable stone component.
Pooling their efforts, they excavated the object in about five to six minutes, uncovering a stone disc approximately thirty centimeters in diameter and five centimeters thick.
In the center of the stone disc was a hole, showing traces of organic material decay. Recognizing it immediately, Liang En and the team realized it was a granite grindstone.
Ancient people used this stone by fitting it onto a foot-operated grinding machine to sharpen various tools' blades. Such large items typically appeared in blacksmith shops.
"It seems we've found a blacksmith shop belonging to the military." Confirming their find with the excavated grindstone, Liang En and the team identified the unearthed item.
This discovery boosted everyone's morale. Compared to symbolic rewards from finding ordinary villages, uncovering an ancient military camp promised much greater financial returns.
Expanding their search, they unearthed more items proving the site's worth. Apart from the grindstone, they found over thirty kilograms of metal tools and artifacts.
However, due to prolonged burial, these items were entirely rusted, requiring post-excavation processing to discern their original forms.
Yet, even in this condition, everything they found affirmed this wasn't an ordinary village site but a forgotten 16th or 17th-century Polish military camp.
This revelation was enough to confirm the success of their first excavation organized by the Emerald Gem Curiosities shop. According to their prior findings, the reward for a military camp would more than cover their costs.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 209: Winged Cavalry
"Ah, this dinner tonight is the best one I've had since arriving here," Pierce sighed contentedly after taking a bite of his bread with spoonfuls of shredded pork.
As darkness fell, everyone wrapped up and returned to their tents for dinner. Fan Meng, having purchased raw materials from a nearby village, took charge at the large pot, showcasing his culinary skills.
Though not fully inheriting his father's culinary prowess, Fan Meng, as a chef's son, combined with camp life, had mastered the art of cooking in large pots.
With everyone pitching in, they prepared a sumptuous dinner for a dozen people in just an hour.
"What were you all eating these past few days?" Liang En asked, sipping mushroom cream soup after hearing Pierce's satisfaction.
"We heated up those canned goods in the pot and made do with bread toasted near the fire," Pierce gestured to the tin cans in the nearby metal trash bin.
"Sometimes we'd stuff the canned contents into bread or biscuits and wash it down with bottled water. Looking back, those days were truly awful."
"With this many people, you should have hired a cook," Liang En remarked. "Instant meals work for a day or two, but they don't hold up in the long run."
"It's because I got played before," Pierce said helplessly. "I asked some of our suppliers, and they said relying on these instant meals during field excavation would suffice, maybe heat them up at best."
"Your suppliers seem to operate in a gray area, more like opportunistic excavators," Liang En realized the issue upon Pierce's explanation.
"Since their actions blur legality, they naturally minimize fires and any suspicious activity that might arise among locals."
"In this scenario, they opt for heating packs rather than cooking over fire. But you, as legitimate excavators, could easily cook for yourselves."
Legitimate public excavation and clandestine digging were vastly different, even apparent in simple matters like cooking.
Of course, it made sense for Pierce's group not to hire locals as cooks. The excavation work had confidentiality requirements; unreliable individuals weren't suitable for chef positions.
After the delicious dinner, Fan Meng arranged night watch duties, and the others retired. Liang En and Pierce went to a small tent nearby to review the day's findings.
Most of the discoveries held little value for Liang En's group, such as several iron bars likely used by a blacksmith.
Analyzing these bars in a metal lab could determine their probable origin by assessing the elemental ratios. But for those unversed in such analysis, their only value lay in exchanging them for money or favors with professionals.
Thankfully, not everything unearthed was unremarkable. Liang En found several elongated copper pieces that, when pieced together, formed a single unit.
"I think we've found something quite intriguing," Liang En tapped Pierce's shoulder, pointing at the copper pieces assembled to resemble a hook on a white cloth before them. "That military fortress is more significant than we thought."
"Just from these elongated copper pieces covered in green rust?" Pierce, perplexed, looked at the corroded object.
"Indeed, these aren't ordinary copper pieces," Liang En smiled, pointing to the hooked end resembling a fish hook. "This metal reinforces the framework and feathers of the wing for the cavalry."
"The Winged Cavalry!" Pierce's eyes widened instantly; he knew of this distinct unit from Poland's heyday, cavalry adorned with wings charging with long spears, often symbolizing the country's military strength.
Historical records depicted this cavalry as a fusion of Eastern and Western cavalry elements, combining local traditions with contemporary innovations.
They were both heavy and light cavalry, their armor sturdy yet agile, adapting tactics swiftly as per the changing battlefield.
In an era where Western cavalry relied on rigid tactics of firing weapons in rows and reloading behind, the bold charges of the Winged Cavalry often routed their opponents.
Simultaneously, they could easily defeat Eastern cavalry due to their speed and maneuverability, surpassing them in armaments and having firearm support.
"Exactly, when connected, these copper bars form the shape of those wings. And the holes are for inserting feathers," Liang En explained, meeting Pierce's gaze.
"But what about those scale armors we found earlier? If I recall, Winged Cavalry armor was either the Western-style full breastplate or a combination of linked rings or chainmail," Pierce queried.
"You've been influenced by inherited oil paintings. In reality, the Winged Cavalry's armor was quite eclectic," Liang En observed intently.
"Because these troops weren't like modern armies; they were mainly prosperous peasant-farmers and small landowners, led by landlords and nobles. So, most equipment had to be self-provided."
"Under such circumstances, soldiers used whatever equipment they had. Some wealthier ones might have purchased Western breastplates, but others with lesser means were left with chainmail or scale armor."
"This is why these cavalry were dubbed 'Winged' because, if there's anything common among them, it's these winged back frames and their long spears."
"So, by the time of the Napoleonic Wars, the descendants of these Winged Cavalry formed the Polish Lancers," Pierce raised an eyebrow. "That might be the Polish signature."
From the next day onward, they unearthed more evidence at the blacksmith's remnants, reinforcing their speculations. For instance, they found a mace, evidently used by a Winged Cavalry officer to breach armor, and an exquisite gold-plated lance.
Moreover, the charred wood around the blacksmith's area indicated the place was likely abandoned after a fire, burying the ruins and remnants of Winged Cavalry equipment together.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 210: Unexpected
Once they confirmed the general layout of the blacksmith shop, Liang En and his companions expanded their search area. After about a week of searching, they discovered various remnants of structures at the campsite: stables, dormitories, a command post, and peripheral fortifications.
Judging by the scale of the ruins and the artifacts left behind, it seemed that around three to four hundred individuals had been active at this camp, although not all of them were soldiers.
Considering a traditional winged cavalry unit consisted of around 150 to 200 soldiers and required an almost equal number of logistical support personnel, Liang En speculated that this camp they found belonged to a winged cavalry unit, likely a semi-permanent or permanent one.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, during the height of the powerful Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Krakow was the capital. Even after the capital shifted to Warsaw, this area remained a significant stronghold. Therefore, it made sense for elite forces like winged cavalry to be stationed in the vicinity.
Items unearthed, like a silver coin from 1660 in the German region and several 17th-century Russian five-kopeck copper coins, further confirmed that the camp likely operated until the late 17th or early 18th century before its abandonment.
It was easy to deduce the reason for its abandonment—Poland started declining in the 18th century, culminating in its partition by Austria, Prussia, and Russia, leading to its dissolution.
However, due to continuous human activity in the region, including the blacksmith shop, most of the architectural remains had been disturbed over time.
Fortunately, despite this, they managed to deduce the purposes of most buildings based on the surviving remnants and items found in the vicinity.
Just as Liang En and his companions confirmed that the camp was a winged cavalry unit's stationed ground, four new cards appeared in his mind.
Unfortunately, despite the significance of this winged cavalry unit, it wasn't prominent in history, so the given cards were rather ordinary—a couple of Detection (N) cards, an Appraisal (N) card, and a Repair (N) card—all common consumable cards.
"Well, we can call the Polish team now that we have these cards," Liang En said to Pierce after obtaining the cards, indicating that they probably wouldn't find anything more valuable in this area.
So, in the afternoon of the same day, Polish archaeologists arrived from the city to take over the excavation of this site. They assessed the historical value of the site to determine the final reward for Liang En and his team.
"These Polish folks are too greedy," Liang En said with annoyance the next morning, having finished breakfast and working on illustrations for "The Devil's Three Golden Hairs," when Pierce abruptly entered the tent.
"Weren't you discussing the reward with those Polish folks? Did they withhold the reward?" Liang En inquired, lifting his gaze after making a stroke on the paper.
"Worse than withholding the reward. They don't intend to give us the 50,000 to 70,000 euros," Pierce said, taking a seat across from Liang En. "They plan to offer us 10% of the spoils."
"That's unethical!" Liang En widened his eyes. Local laws indeed permitted excavators to receive a reward—either 10% of the items found or 10% of their total value—but the difference was substantial.
In their current situation, the reward in cash was most beneficial for Liang and the team. Payment based on the overall value was next, while receiving 10% of the spoils was the least valuable option, as this military camp would likely yield only scrap metal or ancient coins of little worth.
"These folks are behaving unfairly," Liang En shook his head in resignation. Though legal, this approach was clearly taking advantage of Liang En and his team as foreigners.
"This is partly my fault for not investigating thoroughly," Pierce sighed. "My colleague had warned me about these people's unreliability, but I didn't inquire further—"
"The situation is as it is now. Moreover, these things have little significance," Liang En gently waved his hand. "Let's focus on how to salvage the situation."
Apparently, Pierce might have mentioned Liang En during the negotiation. Unfortunately, for those from the local archaeology department, Liang En's reputation wasn't enough to make them incur greater costs.
Because, regardless, these individuals were operating within legal bounds, unafraid of what an outsider like Liang En, a scholar with no local connections, could do to them.
"Meaning, we might have to wait a while longer for a small, measly sum," Liang En realized that following the proper channels might mean accepting this loss and looked at Pierce, who seemed even more troubled.
"Worse than that," Pierce sighed. "They're offering us 10% of the area demarcated within the ruins, and everything excavated there would belong to us."
"It's not that they're making it difficult for us; they believe asking for money afterward would be too challenging, so they're resorting to this method to ensure we don't return home empty-handed."
"Okay, we might be occupied for a while then," Liang En said, realizing that aside from the core areas of the blacksmith shop, the arsenal, and the commander's residence, everything else was open for excavation.
Judging by their friendly gesture of only marking off a few areas as prohibited, it wasn't the local archaeology department making things difficult; it was the financial department causing the trouble.
"So, which area do we want?" Pierce asked, displaying a drone-captured map on his tablet. "I think the dormitory area might yield something valuable."
"No, we want this area," Liang En pointed to a large oak tree not far from the commander's residence. "This oak tree looks to be about four to five hundred years old, meaning it was here during the time the winged cavalry operated around it."
"Typically, small military encampments like this wouldn't have any trees due to fire and safety concerns. So, this lone oak within the entire camp's range is peculiar."
"Moreover, Poland has a tradition of celebrating the Midsummer festival, especially focusing on trees, particularly massive oak trees. Hence, I suspect this oak tree was likely an important part of the camp."
"That makes sense; we'll go with your choice," Pierce nodded, redefining the excavation zone, encompassing the oak tree and its surroundings.
"Alright, let's go with this plan. Hope your intuition works as well as it usually does," after finalizing the mapped objectives, Pierce walked over to the group of archaeologists with the completed map, ready to mark the excavation boundaries and commence work.
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