The Greed Beneath the Sand

True to my passion for knowledge, true to... Ugh, what exactly does it mean to say stay true to it?

I am just an archaeologist! Passion has nothing to do with my studies!

That's an interesting take. Can you help me get what passion really means?

I am a researcher with the Imperial Branch of Archaeological Society of Atlasia. Lately, the research reports I've submitted keeps being returned with the same remark, no passion can be felt within.

Ugh... I just don't get what the investor want...

An investor who understands research? Since when does that happen?

Mr Qiu isn't just some investor. He is the investor who uncovered the century-sunken ships in the Republic of Luca, the ruins in Elysium buried for thousands of years, and the battlefield in Hyperborea lost to time. Each stands a milestone in the annals of archaeology.

Mr Qiu is the chief investor of Archaeological Society, as well as a renowned archaeologist and collector. Whispers persist that he is none other than a sovereign who walks within the "shadow" of Huaxu.

If it weren't for his backing, the Archaeological Society wouldn't have developed into such a a huge organization spreading across the continent today.

Ugh... He never really cared before, so why's he suddenly clinging to us now? Is life in retirement truly so idle in Huaxu?

Can I read your research reports?

Of course! A Brief Analysis of the Customer Flow in Icelake's Taverns, The Craft and Evolution of Drink-Brewing in Asphodel, or Observational Records of the Luno Naming Itself the Demon King. Which one would you like to read?

Well, what choice have I? Nothing lies beneath the snow of Icelake. Then how am I supposed to write a proper archaeology report?

Please don't give up on me!

This sewer is a real maze. I'd certainly get lost if you didn't lead me in.

Sometimes, even I lose my way.

If a phoxhunter like you can get lost, these sewers are truly vast.

By the records of the Hyperborean Empire's official chronicles, it was in Icelake that the nation first took root. Perhaps that's why the sewers here are almost as big as the city on the surface.

The walls here seem to bear a more ancient air.

Probably it was expanded with Icelake's growth. I heard that Icelake itself began only as a settlement of Charons.

Ah, you remind me. The buildings outside keep getting renewed. While the sewers beneath, because of the eternal frozen ground, may still remain in its old form.

Aaaahhhh, this is way too high! I can't tell if it's higher than the Hall of Adjudication in Huaxu... No, my fear of heights is back...

Don't look out there yet. Just stare at your feet and calm down.

Whew...Whew... Now I feel much better.

Seriously, what was the Empire architects thinking back then, making walls of such towering height?

Hmm?

Why is that? If I recall correctly, according to the official chronicles, Icelake started out as a Charon settlement.

The First Emperor, Dis Galea, known as Dis Ⅰ, came to this land after the Great Migration. At first, he hoped to seek peace with the Charon tribes dwelt here. But his brother was beguiled with a promise of a feast, and slain by the locals.

That's why Dis Ⅰ believed that Charons were demons, and led his knights to subdue them, declaring the so-called "Silverpeace."

But if so, against whom were these towering walls raised? Filthoids? Or perhaps Charons of that times were still resisting?

Got inspired again, did you?

Not exactly inspiration, but something just feels... strange. Mr Qiu always told us: let no moment of strangeness pass, for therein the truth may lie concealed.

Anyway, thanks a lot, truly! Now I feel ready to write a field report full of passion!

Without you, I'd probably still think Icelake held no archaeological values and write those superficial reports, like a fool overlooking all that matters.

How blind I was! Wait, could you be the true hidden archaeology master in Icelake?

Let me think... What reward would be worthy of a master like you?

I got it! Please wait for me at the city gate.

Woww... You really do have the aura of a master, no doubt about it!

Master, these are the latest volumes of the Official Chronicles of the Hyperborean Empire, Volume ⅩⅩⅩⅡ, newly received by the Archaeological Society. A humble token of gratitude, hope you won't find it unworthy.

Pipe No. 13 is under repair, blimey, it's swarming with rats in there.

Hey! That was a bit uncalled for. Comes with the territory when you work in sewers, doesn't it?

You might not believe it, but there was a time people respectfully addressed me as "Doctor Dutton".

You get what that title means to a Charon who's come up from the slums, right?

I've treated countless Charons at the central hospital; even the nobility sought me out for consultations.

Don't take my word for it, go ask the younger Charons. Their folks always told them to model themselves on me.

I was quite a stickler for cleanliness back then; a single speck of dust between the tiles would drive me nuts...

I used to patch up people, and now I patch up pipes. Not much difference, eh?

Picture this: a pedestrian collapsed from an acute condition right in front of a doctor, who heroically opted to save him.

Curious about what happened next? Hand me that wrench first...

True to my passion for knowledge, true to... Ugh, what exactly does it mean to say stay true to it?

I am just an archaeologist! Passion has nothing to do with my studies!

That's an interesting take. Can you help me get what passion really means?

I am a researcher with the Imperial Branch of Archaeological Society of Atlasia. Lately, the research reports I've submitted keeps being returned with the same remark, no passion can be felt within.

Ugh... I just don't get what the investor want...

An investor who understands research? Since when does that happen?

Mr Qiu isn't just some investor. He is the investor who uncovered the century-sunken ships in the Republic of Luca, the ruins in Elysium buried for thousands of years, and the battlefield in Hyperborea lost to time. Each stands a milestone in the annals of archaeology.

Mr Qiu is the chief investor of Archaeological Society, as well as a renowned archaeologist and collector. Whispers persist that he is none other than a sovereign who walks within the "shadow" of Huaxu.

If it weren't for his backing, the Archaeological Society wouldn't have developed into such a a huge organization spreading across the continent today.

Ugh... He never really cared before, so why's he suddenly clinging to us now? Is life in retirement truly so idle in Huaxu?

Can I read your research reports?

Of course! A Brief Analysis of the Customer Flow in Icelake's Taverns, The Craft and Evolution of Drink-Brewing in Asphodel, or Observational Records of the Luno Naming Itself the Demon King. Which one would you like to read?

Well, what choice have I? Nothing lies beneath the snow of Icelake. Then how am I supposed to write a proper archaeology report?

Please don't give up on me!

This sewer is a real maze. I'd certainly get lost if you didn't lead me in.

Sometimes, even I lose my way.

If a phoxhunter like you can get lost, these sewers are truly vast.

By the records of the Hyperborean Empire's official chronicles, it was in Icelake that the nation first took root. Perhaps that's why the sewers here are almost as big as the city on the surface.

The walls here seem to bear a more ancient air.

Probably it was expanded with Icelake's growth. I heard that Icelake itself began only as a settlement of Charons.

Ah, you remind me. The buildings outside keep getting renewed. While the sewers beneath, because of the eternal frozen ground, may still remain in its old form.

Aaaahhhh, this is way too high! I can't tell if it's higher than the Hall of Adjudication in Huaxu... No, my fear of heights is back...

Don't look out there yet. Just stare at your feet and calm down.

Whew...Whew... Now I feel much better.

Seriously, what was the Empire architects thinking back then, making walls of such towering height?

Hmm?

Why is that? If I recall correctly, according to the official chronicles, Icelake started out as a Charon settlement.

The First Emperor, Dis Galea, known as Dis Ⅰ, came to this land after the Great Migration. At first, he hoped to seek peace with the Charon tribes dwelt here. But his brother was beguiled with a promise of a feast, and slain by the locals.

That's why Dis Ⅰ believed that Charons were demons, and led his knights to subdue them, declaring the so-called "Silverpeace."

But if so, against whom were these towering walls raised? Filthoids? Or perhaps Charons of that times were still resisting?

Got inspired again, did you?

Not exactly inspiration, but something just feels... strange. Mr Qiu always told us: let no moment of strangeness pass, for therein the truth may lie concealed.

Anyway, thanks a lot, truly! Now I feel ready to write a field report full of passion!

Without you, I'd probably still think Icelake held no archaeological values and write those superficial reports, like a fool overlooking all that matters.

How blind I was! Wait, could you be the true hidden archaeology master in Icelake?

Let me think... What reward would be worthy of a master like you?

I got it! Please wait for me at the city gate.

Woww... You really do have the aura of a master, no doubt about it!

Master, these are the latest volumes of the Official Chronicles of the Hyperborean Empire, Volume ⅩⅩⅩⅡ, newly received by the Archaeological Society. A humble token of gratitude, hope you won't find it unworthy.

Pipe No. 13 is under repair, blimey, it's swarming with rats in there.

Hey! That was a bit uncalled for. Comes with the territory when you work in sewers, doesn't it?

You might not believe it, but there was a time people respectfully addressed me as "Doctor Dutton".

You get what that title means to a Charon who's come up from the slums, right?

I've treated countless Charons at the central hospital; even the nobility sought me out for consultations.

Don't take my word for it, go ask the younger Charons. Their folks always told them to model themselves on me.

I was quite a stickler for cleanliness back then; a single speck of dust between the tiles would drive me nuts...

I used to patch up people, and now I patch up pipes. Not much difference, eh?

Picture this: a pedestrian collapsed from an acute condition right in front of a doctor, who heroically opted to save him.

Curious about what happened next? Hand me that wrench first...