Steam Age: I Fight Against Divine Authority with Otherworldly Tales

Chapter 45 Sacred Artifacts

"Aksha artifacts?"

The professor's voice still echoed in the room. Suren's hand holding the necklace paused. He looked at the professor opposite him, whose calm and gentle face was now filled with shock, as if he had seen some strange object.

Realizing his lapse in composure, the professor took a deep breath, straightened up, and adjusted his glasses, but his face remained grave.

The laboratory fell silent for a moment.

Suren looked at Professor Derwent and asked, somewhat puzzled, "You recognize this item?"

Professor Devon glanced at Suren, then turned his gaze back to the necklace.

"Those who practice 'equivalent exchange' have a fundamental ability called 'value insight,' you should know that, right?" The professor didn't answer directly, but instead asked Suren a question.

Suren nodded. After all, although the Libra Church's superhumans were packaged into three professions by the church, the ability of "value perception" was fundamental. Only by using this ability could one assess value and thus measure whether a transaction was equivalent.

Su Lun wasn't entirely clear on the specific operational logic. It might be an objective judgment of the laws, or it might be the subjective perception of both parties in the transaction. But in any case, "value insight" could be said to be the foundation of the extraordinary ability of "equivalent exchange".

The professor rubbed his temples, pressing his fingertips against them, as if organizing his thoughts.

"The reason I can tell that this item of yours is not an ordinary 'blasphemous creation' is because it has no value." The professor lowered his hand, looked at the necklace again, and his gaze was somewhat complicated. "You know, the value displayed by 'Value Insight' is a fixed numerical value. It represents the objective value of things, but there are only two kinds of things that do not display value."

“‘Aksha Relics’?” Suren blurted out.

“The Akshasa Relics and life,” Professor Devont added, emphasizing each word. “Both.”

"Life?" Suren repeated the professor's choice of words, pondering the meaning behind the term.

The professor noticed his confusion and continued, "That's right, it's not about killing someone or saving someone, but about the value inherent in life itself."

Upon hearing the professor's explanation, Suren nodded thoughtfully; he understood somewhat.

Since the value of life is immeasurable, it means that life cannot be created. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he asked, "What if we directly use our abilities to create organs?"

Professor Devonte paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"Your idea is very good." His tone carried a hint of admiration, followed by a touch of regret. "Unfortunately, any transformation or alchemy involving life cannot be carried out, and may even cause serious consequences. This is also a prohibition of the Church."

Suren nodded, not dwelling on the matter. He picked up the necklace and shook it, then asked about the so-called "Aksha Relics": "So what exactly are the 'Aksha Relics'? And why can't we see any value in them?"

The professor rested one hand on the lab table, his fingers tapping incessantly, as if organizing his thoughts.

"This is actually the first time I've ever seen the 'Aksha Relics,' which also has an ancient name—'Sprout of the Sacred Relics.'"

Upon hearing the term "Sprout of a Sacred Relic," Suren raised an eyebrow. The professor, seemingly oblivious to Suren's subtle movement, continued, "I read this in an ancient book. It is said that 'Aksha Relics,' through special methods, can grow into legendary sacred relics, possessing godlike power."

Suren frowned, looking at the "Tears of Ellie" in his hand, feeling somewhat incredulous.

"Professor, the origin of this necklace is actually quite ordinary." Suren shrugged helplessly. He still didn't quite believe the so-called holy artifact claim. He had a helpless smile on his face. "It's just a drop from an ordinary Level I 'evil spirit'."

Hearing Suren's words, the professor was not annoyed. He smiled gently and said, "That's why I only call it the 'Aksha Relic.' Although the 'Aksha Relic' is rare, it's still possible for the entire Protected Continent to produce one every few decades."

The professor suddenly glanced at Suren and asked, "Let me guess, an ordinary person was turned into a demon by the backlash of the ritual, and then you killed it and obtained this necklace, right?"

Suren paused for a moment, then nodded subconsciously.

"The ordinary person who becomes a demon must have died with extremely twisted and intense emotions," Professor Derwent sighed. "These are the conditions for the formation of the 'Aksha Relics'."

Suren couldn't help but recall Ellie's tearful eyes, and he murmured, "Intense and twisted...?"

Seemingly sensing the weight behind the chain, the professor continued his narration without pausing:

"It's not much different from a regular 'blasphemous creation' in terms of ability, except that it lacks those annoying negative effects. Instead, the user will be affected by the emotions of the deceased."

Suren tilted his head; he thought it sounded a lot like the Spirit Bridge.

"I know what you're thinking. It does sound a lot like the Spirit Bridge." The professor shook his head, seemingly seeing through Suren's thoughts. "But the two are very different. According to limited records, the emotions contained within the 'Aksha Relics' cannot be removed by any means. There is even a theory that the souls of the dead are sealed within the relics."

Suren's pupils contracted as she looked at the necklace in her hand, her expression somewhat complicated.

"The process of turning an 'Aksha Relic' into a sacred object is extremely complicated. It not only requires constant nourishment with various materials, but also the completion of a series of extremely difficult rituals or the fulfillment of strange and unusual requirements."

When the professor mentioned the strange requests, his lips twitched, as if he had recalled some absurd record. He continued, "As far as I know, no one has yet successfully transformed it into a 'Holy Relic.' Some even suspect that the 'Holy Relic' is just a deceptive facade, believing that the 'Aksha Relic' has no value because it has no value to begin with."

Suren looked down at the "Tears of Ellie" in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Professor, do you know the steps to make it into a sacred artifact?"

"I only know that different levels of 'Demon Hearts' are one type of feeding material. As for the others..." Professor Derwent shook his head. "You'll have to figure it out yourself, although I don't recommend you do that."

Suren nodded. This was within his expectations. If it were that simple, there wouldn't be a single "sacred artifact" yet.

Suren searched his mind for relevant information, and after thinking it over, he realized that only the "Manuscript of the Truth Speaker" was a possibility. However, not only would that manuscript contain many pitfalls, but its length also made it impossible for him to ask overly complicated questions.

Thinking about this, he suddenly had an idea: Could the "Manuscript of the True Words" itself be improved?

"Professor," Suren carefully chose his words, "I actually have another 'blasphemous creation,' but it has a limited number of uses. Do you know how to remove this limitation? Or rather, what other value does it retain after it's been used?"

The professor chuckled, his smile containing no mockery, but rather a hint of appreciation and curiosity.

"Honestly, Suren, sometimes I really wonder if you really only recently became a 'Seeker of Reason'? The way of thinking you exhibit is something that even many experienced 'Filthy Ones' can't do."

Suren didn't reply, but quietly looked at the professor. Meeting the professor's gaze, he smiled and nodded, saying calmly:

"Everyone has secrets, including you, Professor."