The following morning, Noah left The Old Lantern Inn shortly after sunrise.
He had spent the previous evening studying the old journal and the map Elder Rowan had shown him.
The final key was supposedly located inside an eastern watchtower, but reaching it required investigating the ancient observatory first.
Noah adjusted his black coat and checked his Primordial Spatial Ring.
Everything was ready.
"Let's finish this."
He walked through Ashbourne's eastern gate.
Eastern Wilderness — Near Greywatch
The road gradually became narrower as Noah moved away from the village.
Tall trees surrounded the path, and rocky hills appeared between patches of dense woodland.
His Absolute Dragon Eyes occasionally detected magical creatures nearby, but none approached him.
After approximately forty minutes, he reached the location marked on the map.
A massive stone structure stood between two hills.
It was partially buried beneath vegetation, with several broken pillars surrounding its entrance.
The structure was circular, and a large metallic dome rested above its central chamber.
Noah stopped.
"So this is the observatory."
He approached the entrance.
Several strange symbols were engraved into the stone walls.
Unlike the dungeon inscriptions beneath Greywatch, these symbols appeared to represent celestial bodies and planetary movements.
[System Analysis]
Structure: Ancient Astronomical Observatory.
Civilization: First Architects.
Estimated Age: Unknown.
Current Condition: Damaged.
Internal Energy: 18%.
Security Mechanisms: Partially Active.
Noah examined the entrance.
A large stone door stood in front of him, with a circular mechanism at its center.
Seven small symbols surrounded the mechanism.
He placed his hand against the door.
Nothing happened.
Then he noticed a small inscription beneath the circular mechanism.
[Partial Translation]
"Only those who understand the order of the heavens may enter."
Noah looked at the symbols.
There were seven of them, representing different celestial bodies.
He studied their arrangement for a moment.
"An astronomical puzzle?"
He activated his Absolute Dragon Eyes.
The symbols immediately became clearer.
Faint energy lines connected them, forming a pattern that represented the movement of celestial objects.
Noah rotated the outer ring.
The first symbol aligned.
Then the second.
He continued adjusting the mechanism until all seven symbols formed a complete pattern.
[Ancient Mechanism Activated.]
A deep rumbling sound echoed through the hills.
The massive stone door slowly opened.
Noah stepped inside.
Ancient Observatory — Main Hall
The interior was much larger than the exterior suggested.
A circular chamber extended beneath the dome, with several floors connected by spiral staircases.
Ancient metallic instruments were positioned around the room.
Some resembled telescopes, while others looked like magical calculation devices.
A massive circular platform occupied the center.
Above it, a holographic projection displayed countless stars.
Noah looked around.
"These people were seriously advanced."
He approached the central platform.
[System Analysis]
Object: Celestial Observation Engine.
Technology: Ancient Civilization.
Function: Astronomical Mapping, Dimensional Observation, Celestial Energy Analysis.
Current Condition: Partially Functional.
Noah examined the projection.
Several constellations appeared above the platform.
Some were familiar, while others were completely unknown.
A large map of Aetherion eventually appeared.
But it wasn't an ordinary geographical map.
It displayed the planet, its moons, surrounding celestial bodies, and several enormous spatial regions beyond the atmosphere.
Noah stared at it.
"This is much more than an observatory."
He touched one of the projected symbols.
A new interface appeared.
[Ancient Celestial Archive]
Available Records: 37.
Accessible Records: 5.
Damaged Records: 32.
Noah selected the first accessible record.
"The First Architects were an ancient civilization that existed during the earliest recorded era of Aetherion. Their knowledge extended beyond conventional magic. They constructed dimensional gateways, celestial engines, underground cities, and mechanisms capable of storing enormous quantities of energy."
The record continued.
"They disappeared during an event known as the Great Silence. Their cities were abandoned, their machines fell dormant, and their knowledge was scattered across the world."
Noah raised his eyebrows.
"The Great Silence?"
He opened the second record.
[Historical Record — The Seven Seals]
"The Seven Seals were designed to protect the central inheritance of the First Architects. Each seal requires a unique key. Only when all seven keys are united can the central chamber be opened."
Noah smiled.
"So the dungeon really is their inheritance."
He continued examining the archive.
The third record contained a map showing several known First Architects' structures across Aetherion.
Most locations were marked as destroyed or inaccessible.
However, a few remained unidentified.
Noah saved the map.
[Ancient Map Acquired]
First Architects Civilization Map ×1.
Known Locations: 14.
Confirmed Active Structures: 3.
Noah stored the information inside his System archive.
He then began exploring the observatory.
Lower Floor — Research Chambers
The lower floor contained several rooms filled with broken equipment.
Noah discovered old research tables, metallic containers, and storage cabinets.
Most objects were damaged, but a few remained functional.
He collected:
- Ancient Energy Crystals ×14.
- Celestial Metal Ingots ×23.
- Ancient Research Tablets ×9.
- Spatial Glass Fragments ×17.
- Sealed Data Capsules ×4.
The System analyzed each item and recorded its properties.
One of the research tablets contained information about dimensional energy.
Another described a method for stabilizing spatial gateways.
Noah stored everything for later study.
As he approached the final chamber, a faint mechanical sound echoed behind him.
A metallic sphere emerged from the ceiling.
It had a single glowing blue eye and four mechanical limbs.
[System Analysis]
Object: Ancient Observatory Guardian.
Classification: A-Rank Construct.
Core: Celestial Energy Crystal.
Function: Research Facility Protection.
Current Condition: Damaged.
Noah looked at it.
"A-rank? That's stronger than anything I've encountered so far."
The guardian scanned him.
[Foreign Lifeform Detected.]
[Unauthorized Access.]
Its four limbs unfolded, revealing several magical cannons.
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I suppose we should settle this peacefully."
The guardian fired.
A concentrated blue beam shot towards him.
Noah casually raised one hand.
A golden barrier appeared in front of him.
The beam struck the barrier and dispersed.
"That was the peaceful part."
He moved two fingers.
A thin lightning blade appeared in the air.
It crossed the chamber and struck the guardian's central eye.
The construct shook violently.
However, it remained operational.
[Guardian Defensive System Activated.]
Several metallic plates unfolded around its core.
Noah smiled.
"Durable little thing."
He increased the lightning blade's power.
This time, it pierced through the protective plates and destroyed the central core.
The guardian collapsed.
[A-Rank Construct Defeated.]
[Rewards Received]
- Evolution Points ×2,500.
- Celestial Energy Core ×1.
- Ancient Alloy Plates ×24.
- Mechanical Guardian Components ×12.
Noah collected the materials.
He examined the destroyed construct.
He would have liked to study it, but repairing it would require more knowledge.
He stored the usable components.
The Observatory's Hidden Chamber
At the back of the room, Noah discovered a narrow passage concealed behind a damaged wall.
He removed the loose stones and entered.
A small circular chamber was hidden behind it.
Inside stood a pedestal.
A white crystal rested on its surface.
Noah's eyes brightened.
[System Analysis]
Object: Ancient Dungeon Key — White.
Origin: First Architects Civilization.
Grade: Epic.
Energy Signature: Celestial.
Compatibility: Confirmed.
[Mission Progress Updated]
Ancient Dungeon Keys: 7/7.
[Mission Objective Completed!]
Noah picked up the crystal.
The moment he touched it, all seven keys inside his ring resonated with each other.
A golden notification appeared.
[Seven Ancient Keys United.]
[Ancient Dungeon Access Confirmed.]
Noah smiled.
"Finally."
He stored the white crystal alongside the others.
However, before leaving, he noticed another object beneath the pedestal.
A small metallic disc.
He picked it up.
[System Analysis]
Object: Celestial Archive Access Disc.
Grade: Legendary.
Function: Unlocks Additional First Architects Records.
Condition: Functional.
Noah turned it over.
Several tiny symbols were engraved on its surface.
"Another useful discovery."
He stored it.
[Mission Rewards Received]
- Evolution Points ×5,000.
- System Gold Coins ×100,000.
- Ancient Treasure Chest ×1.
[Updated Resources]
Evolution Points: 129,500.
System Gold Coins: 1,452,000.
Noah summoned the treasure chest.
[Ancient Treasure Chest Opened!]
Rewards:
- Celestial Storage Bracelet ×1 — Epic.
- Ancient Mana Condensate ×10 Bottles — Rare.
- First Architects Research Manual ×1 — Legendary.
- Celestial Gold Coins ×2,000.
Noah examined the bracelet.
[Celestial Storage Bracelet]
Grade: Epic.
Storage Capacity: 5,000 m³.
Special Property: Automatically organizes stored objects by category.
Noah looked at his Primordial Spatial Ring.
The bracelet was useful, but his ring was far superior.
Still, he decided to keep it as an additional storage device.
The ten bottles of Ancient Mana Condensate were also interesting.
According to the System, each bottle contained concentrated mana suitable for restoring magical energy and assisting in cultivation.
He stored all the rewards.
Before leaving, Noah returned to the main hall and looked at the celestial projection one final time.
The Great Silence.
The First Architects.
Their abandoned cities.
And an inheritance protected by seven keys.
He had only uncovered a small part of their history.
Noah walked outside.
The sun was still high above the hills.
He looked towards the eastern watchtower marked on the old map.
Now that he had found the final key, there was no reason to visit it immediately.
The more interesting destination was beneath Greywatch.
He opened a spatial portal.
"Time to see what's behind those seven seals."
The golden portal appeared.
Noah stepped through.
End of Chapter 12