История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Глава девятнадцатая. Новые препоны на пути домой Героя Королевы Эльфов

Chapter Nineteen: New Obstacles on the Elf Queen's Hero's Journey Home

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:33

* * *

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:33

Almost two dozen humans and non-humans lined up in a semicircle around the three-dimensional and schematic image of the vault, looking at it attentively and tensely. At the same time, they all stood so that they could at least see the entrance to this very vault out of the corner of their eye. Cyrill projected this image, gradually made adjustments and corrections to it following the instructions of First, who constantly checked his diary. At first, the rather simple image became more and more detailed, acquiring schematic signs or notes. When the dark elf considered it detailed enough, he put the diary away and said in a calm but extremely serious voice:

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:15

"So, listen very carefully. If we want to get out of here, we need to get to the vault itself."

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:35

The round room in the very center, where the side passages converged in the shape of a cross, was illuminated more brightly by a mental command from Cyrill, who poured an additional drop of strength into the three-dimensional image.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 20:54

"This is where the Chief Keeper's post is located, from which the entire storage facility is controlled."

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:35

The schematic image of a bearded smiley face in a crown located in the very center of the round room began to glow brighter. Shinda-Bah, who was carefully examining the schematic map, turned his gaze to the dark elf and asked:

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:03

"Is that true, venerable First? Wouldn't it be wiser to place such an important place as far from the entrance as possible?"

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 20:50

"Absolutely right," the dark elf nodded affirmatively. "As our would-be saviors explained, it could not have been placed anywhere but in the center. Placing it anywhere else would have made the tricks with castling space impossible. And they are precisely our first and, perhaps, main problem on the way to the storage."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:04

Making a gesture, First pointed to the side of the cross that led from the entrance to the round room in the center.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 20:50

"In order to get to the center, we need to overcome this section."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 20:51

Cyrill highlighted the two parallel corridors indicated by the First, each divided into ten segments.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 20:52

"The distance from the entrance to the center is relatively small, but our opponent can instantly swap any of these twenty segments with any other segment in any other corridor."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:04

At First's direction, Cyrill illuminated the other three sides of the square, which were also divided into equal parts of ten segments.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:04

"This is the biggest problem for us, as it allows him to impose the terms of the fight on us. However, there is a possibility that everything is not so bad."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:05

Everyone gathered around the projection of the storage looked expectantly at First, and he explained:

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:05

"Our would-be rescuers from Undermountain have thoroughly rummaged through their archives from the time of the fall of Kardarot and have found something. According to their records, in the last days of the city, the dwarves, fearing a possible breakthrough by the Horde warriors and the capture of the vault, reinforced it with an additional garrison. Because of this, the section of the vault opposite the entrance..."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:06

The indicated side of the cross is highlighted on the diagram.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:06

"... was urgently adapted for barracks, additional supply depots, and a hospital. To avoid possible problems and accidental tragedies, most of the defense systems were removed from it and distributed to other sides of the storage facility. Thus, there is a chance that the number of places our opponent can throw us is reduced by at least a third. However..."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:07

And then First looked at everyone with a very expressive glance:

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 20:52

"Personally, I wouldn't count on it, considering how much time he's had to fix it. He could very well have set up that area as a trap for intruders again."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:08

"Even one such move would be a big problem," Fekhtan said in a thoughtful and gloomy voice, scratching his chin. "If I were our enemy, I would throw us into the very depths of one of these areas at the first opportunity. And when we had covered most of the way to the center, I would transfer us to the next one."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:09

"A very logical tactic," nodded First, "but fortunately, our saviors also reported good news regarding this problem. And it is that the trick with instant transfer is a very, very complicated thing. Our bearded saviors stubbornly refuse to provide any details regarding the principles of its operation, but claim that with a huge degree of probability, our enemy will not be able to use it too often. There are two reasons. The first is the centuries that have passed without proper maintenance of the equipment or artifact that allows this trick to be performed. According to the master architects of Undermountain, it is simply amazing that anything in the storage still works."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:16

"I suppose," Diantrel interjected, her voice clearly tinged with a quiet mockery, "they did not miss the opportunity to emphasize this as proof of the incomparable skill of their ancestors."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:09

"Four times, and that's just in correspondence with me," nodded First and continued, "So using this technique too often can simply lead to our opponent losing it altogether. The second reason why our opponent won't be able to use this trick too often is that it's very energy-consuming. Our opponent must have problems with energy. True, this doesn't lead to the most comforting conclusions..."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:19

Turning to a couple of his rescued relatives, who were standing slightly apart from the rest of the fugitives, almost at attention, listening to his every word, First, in a gloomy voice, said:

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:10

"There are no natural sources of magic in this spatial lacuna by definition. Previously, all the storage weaves were powered by crystal storage devices. They were changed by charging them in Kardarot, in addition, the storage had a constant supply for a week of autonomous operation. In case of unforeseen circumstances, there were also several generators using alchemical fuel, their resource should have been enough for several more weeks. But..."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:20

"But after the city fell, there was nowhere to replenish supplies... the spawn of darkness and the abyss..." whispered Litsana, her red eyes wide open.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:11

Her brother cursed under his breath, his face noticeably darkening. The first, with an equally dark face, nodded:

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:11

"Exactly. Our saviors' analysts, having carefully considered everything, agreed that one of the reasons why it makes sense for our enemy to lure living guests to him is to use them as a source of energy. This is also supported by the fact that he tried to capture you alive." First nodded his head at the wreckage of the golem destroyed by Снrill.

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:21

"Puts them under the knife? Sacrificial practices?" Diantrel asked in a cold voice.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:11

"Most likely. Or some other way to use living beings as a source of energy, without which this place would have simply collapsed long ago."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:12

“And why else would the local enemy need the living?” asked the old shaman, who had also noticeably darkened after First’s words.

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:21

"Food, if our enemy needs it at all,” the dark elf shrugged, surprisingly indifferently.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:12

"The Senior of our squad is gifted," Ilidris said slowly, with a thoughtful expression. "She is not nearly as strong as you, venerable one," the dark elf nodded towards Diantrel, "but she is far from being an apprentice. She has studied the magic more than diligently..."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:23

"Then there is hope that she is still alive. Although it may well be that she is not too happy about it. I cannot vouch for the rest of the hunters in your squad."

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:23

"I suggest we return to discussing the obstacles on our way to the center of the storage facility," Diantrel returned the conversation to its previous course.

Camrad_RIP 26.05.25 в 21:24

First nodded and said:

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:44

"Agreed. So, in addition to spatial castling, another problem we will certainly encounter is the doors between sectors. Some, according to you," First turned to his rescued kin, "were destroyed. But some survived. And our enemy has definitely fenced off the approaches to the center of the storage facility with segments with doors."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:37

Without waiting for a sign from First, Cyrill highlighted the necessary sections on the diagram. Those segments of the side passages of the cross that adjoined the central round room.

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:43

"Couldn't he have blocked them off completely, by filling them up and sealing them, thus leaving only one way to the vault from one of these sides?" asked Shinda-Bah, pointing to the three dead-end sides of the cross.

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:39

"That would be the most reasonable option if our opponent didn't have energy problems and could easily move his golems and other constructs between the sides using spatial castling," the dark elf shook her head, "And he almost certainly does, so he can't completely deprive himself of the ability to move freely between sectors. So there are definitely passages there. But I seriously doubt our opponent will be kind enough to keep them open. And that's a problem."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:40

"While we're trying to get through some locked doors, he can throw us to the other side of the vault."

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:41

"Exactly," nodded First, "not to mention that I seriously doubt his constructs will stand aside. Not to mention the stationary defense systems and traps."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:41

"In that case," said Litsana, folding her arms across her chest, "there is no point in going straight ahead. The enemy will simply wear us out with constant redeployments. But we," at that moment she looked meaningfully at First, "can try to secretly penetrate the storage facility and seize the post of the Chief Watcher."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:42

First looked at her in response with some strange expression and said:

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:41

"Right. We can try to penetrate. And with a high degree of probability, our attempt will end at the first tightly locked gate between segments. Which will need to be opened, and it is very unlikely that we will be able to do this unnoticed. And as soon as we reveal ourselves, we will immediately be thrown under attack by the constructs."

Camrad_RIP 28.05.25 в 11:43

These words caused a barely noticeable annoyance to flash across the dark elf's face. Her brother asked:

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:40

"Are we sure there's no way to sneak in?"

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:40

"In response, First shook his head:"

Camrad_RIP 25.05.25 в 17:38