Treatise Of A Failed Knight

Chapter 344: Temporal Tunnel (Part 2)

Watching as the small crowd of people disappear into the gate before us, my lips curl up.

’I’m guessing this Temporal Tunnel is a Mini one... but considering how Kamala was established over a hundred years ago, maybe it used to be a bigger rift that has now shrunken to the size of a Mini Temporal Tunnel.’

I boldly conclude that this is likely to be the case, all things considered.

"I wonder how large the Temporal Tunnel will be. Since the distance we’re covering is still within this Kingdom, it might not be that large. Still..." A passing comment by Seth greets my ear, but I can’t help but chuckle at his statement.

"It doesn’t actually matter." Before I can say anything, Uncle Damon steps in to speak. "Although it is popularly believed that the size of Temporal Tunnels determines the distance that ought to be covered, there is still a major debate in the community regarding this."

Indeed... there is no consensus on this matter.

Apparently, many argue that no conclusive evidence has been found that this is the case, since there are too many exceptions that debunk this general observation.

"Hence, even Mini Temporal Tunnels have been documented to connect two Continents, while some Giant Temporal Tunnels only connect nations that have a drastically smaller distance between them." After explaining this point, Seth’s eyes widen in enlightenment, while Uncle Damon falls silent again.

Ciel keeps looking around, as though apprehensive of the many security officials.

Maybe it’s because they all openly wield their Armaments.

’Is she nervous?’ I quietly laugh.

As for Leon, I can tell he is trying his hardest to remain calm, but the experiences he has been exposed to these past months have been nothing short of extraordinary for him.

Although he is usually quite stoic, I can sense an abundance of emotions coming from him.

In the end, he is only a few years older than my current self.

This is to be expected.

Klein, unlike everyone else, remains perfectly composed despite the unfamiliar situation.

This must be due to his education and experience as a Noble.

Such composure is admirable.

"So size doesn’t matter in the slightest?" Seth asks, his gem-like blue eyes shining with curiosity as he stares at Uncle Damon.

"No, it does matter. Size has been confirmed to have a strong correlation with the longevity and maximum allowance limit of a Temporal Tunnel." My learned uncle answers immediately. "Er... Basically, the bigger the Temporal Tunnel, the longer it will last, and the more people or objects it can take in at a time before destabilizing."

"I see... What else do you know about Temporal Tunnels?"

Uncle Damon isn’t someone who likes to flaunt his knowledge, and due to his personality, he can be quite reserved on many occasions.

However, he also isn’t one to ignore someone who is curious about certain matters.

Especially if he has the answers.

"Okay, so there are seven cadres of Temporal Tunnels, from highest to lowest..." Uncle Damon continues telling Seth about Temporal Tunnels while I stare at the two with a broad smile.

Who would have thought these two different people could get along so well?

As for the cadres of Temporal Tunnels, I know about them.

The Mini Temporal Tunnel is the most common, having a size of about 5–10 meters in width. Its maximum allowance limit is only 50 people at a time, or an equivalent of 3,500 kilograms. After taking this load, it would require some time to stabilize.

It can also last for about a decade, though it’s usually less.

Small Temporal Tunnels are less common and are 50–100 meters wide. The maximum allowance limit sharply increases to more than 500 people at a time, or an equivalent of 35,000–50,000 kilograms. It lasts for about a century, usually less.

Following that are the Medium, Large, Massive, Colossal, and Irregular Temporal Tunnels.

Among them, the most special is the Irregular.

These tunnels are extremely rare phenomena that even experts have yet to unravel.

They are the reason why there isn’t a lot of conclusive data on Temporal Tunnels, as their very existence contradicts many theories regarding this phenomenon.

For example, their size varies.

They could even change size at any moment, going from big to small and small to big.

They also don’t have a fixed allowance limit.

This limit could change from just one person to millions of people.

As for the duration, it also varies.

Some Irregular Temporal Tunnels will only appear for a few hours or days before vanishing, while others could last for much longer.

Nothing is certain with them.

Because of their unstable and very unpredictable nature, these Temporal Tunnels are usually not open to the public and are typically only used for studies.

From what I know, Irregular Temporal Tunnels could even alter the destination they are connected to, and there is no way to predict this change. There was one that became identified as a one-way tunnel, allowing test subjects to travel to a destination and have no way back.

It is quite an interesting phenomenon that exists as an exception beyond rational scrutiny. Many brilliant minds have tried to comprehend it, but no one has fully comprehended its full scope.

This just shows how many unknowns are in this world.

’I wonder if the Leviathans have an answer. Maybe they are even the cause...’ I smile to myself, already wondering if I should ask my contacts in the Ouroboros Sect.

Speaking of the Sect, I wonder when I will be contacted for my initiation.

Maybe when I settle in Bawwal?

I still have a few months until we resume, after all.

....

Thirty minutes quickly pass, and it’s time for us to approach the gate.

At this point, even more people have arrived, either for the current appointment or the following one. Once the announcement is made, all six of us, as well as eight other people, approach the gate. We once again undergo clearance, and only after this is done are we permitted to step past the security officials.

Beyond the gate is an empty hallway, one that appears sanitized beyond description.

The floors are glass-like, shining with an unbelievably glossy hue.

I can even see my reflection!

Everything is clean and tranquil, but we cannot stop to appreciate this serene atmosphere.

After all, another gate exists in front of us.

Beyond it is our destination.

—The Temporal Tunnel!

Without wasting any time, I quicken my pace, and the rest follow suit.

Soon, we reach the gate, and it automatically opens up to let us inside. This sends a slightly blinding light spreading toward us, forcing our pupils to constrict before dilating.

Only after acclimating to this setting are we able to open our eyes...

...to witness it.

The Temporal Tunnel, which stands at an approximate size of nine meters, appears to be a blob of distorted purplish-white space.

It has the resemblance of mirror-like water, constantly gushing and folding into itself.

"Beautiful..." I listen to Ciel’s soft whisper with a smile.

Without saying a word, I nod in agreement.

She is right.

’This is indeed wonderful!’

I was correct about the Temporal Tunnel being a Mini one; however, it must not have started out that way. This means that the further Temporal Tunnels are utilized, they will shrink and degrade, lowering their cadres until they become a Mini Tunnel.

After about a decade, such a Tunnel would then collapse.

’Interesting...’

"Please step into the Temporal Tunnel in an orderly fashion. There’s no need to rush, as your destination is already right in front of you." The same autonomous voice echoes. "Your luggage has also been sent ahead of time, so once you arrive at your destination, all of your possessions will be returned."

’How professional,’ I chuckle, while also realizing another thing. ’This must be why, even though the maximum allowance limit is fifty people or an equivalent of 3,500 kilograms, not more than twenty people are allowed. In fact, it’s usually about fifteen at most.’

The last batch only allowed a dozen people.

As for our number, we’re only about fourteen.

The Temporal Tunnel can surely take in more people, so why doesn’t it?

’They’ve taken our luggage into account. The kilograms and everything else must actually be factored into the travel. By calculating our weight and the luggage we carry, they must have calculated the limit for each trip...’ I immediately nod in understanding. ’This is also why those with excess luggage, like Leon, are charged more.’

Thankfully, the price wasn’t very excessive, and since he is worth hundreds of thousands of Ecliptics, he can afford such a cost.

This Temporal Tunnel is indeed very pricey, costing about 500 to 1,000 Ecliptics depending on traffic, but for the quality and ease of transport, it’s only fair.

In fact, I’d call it very affordable.

’Since we’re traveling in the New Year season, we had to pay a premium price. As for Leon, his fee was a staggering 1,200 Clips—200 higher than ours... hehe! That’s what you get for carrying so many things with you.’

Without wasting any further thought, I follow the orderly line that has formed and join my comrades in entering the Temporal Tunnel.

Right as I am about to enter the Temporal Tunnel, a sudden thought manifests in my mind.

’Will my presence as a Leviathan change anything?’

After all, even though Temporal Tunnels operate based on weight limit, all of this still amounts to the nature of the Existence itself. I’m certain that Magivores or Special Resources, when they are transported, must have a different metric when it comes to allowance limit.

In that case, what about a Leviathan?

As a Leviathan, my Existence is much more defined than regular people.

Will my presence in the Temporal Tunnel cause any instability to occur, leading to an eventual collapse?

Although this is only a passing thought, I feel a sudden fear grip my heart.

However, I am already in front of the rift.

I can’t turn back now.

Not when my comrades have already crossed to the other side.

’Whew...’ Heaving a loud sigh and closing my eyes, I step into the water-like distortion, feeling a quiet wave course through my body. A formless sensation fills me up, and although I feel a slight air resistance brush against my skin, I enter the portal with little difficulty.

Then, I reach the other side.

Only then do I open my eyes and view a much different room in front of me.

I also see my comrades standing a short distance from the portal. They were clearly waiting for me to come out.

"You surely took your time..." Ciel mutters as she stares at me with a stoic demeanor.

Then, she gives me a knowing smile.

’Did she also have the same worry as me?’ I quietly wonder before it hits me. ’Hold on, she’s a Seeker. She could use Prophecy to determine the safety of such a venture. Since she entered the rift before me, I should have figured that it would be safe. Yet, my fear impeded my thoughts....’

I am still too inexperienced.

Who would have thought someone who faced a Rank 3 Leviathan would suddenly find himself so befuddled in the face of a Mini Temporal Tunnel?

It seems I was a lot more nervous than I previously thought.

"Javier, were you scared?" Seth teasingly smiles at me. "Who would have thought!"

"I-I wasn’t—!"

"Pfft..." Leon stifles his laughter, not willing to mock his master.

As for Uncle Damon, he joins Seth.

So my uncle has decided to betray me, whom he has known for many years, for someone he met only recently. The two only started getting along, yet they have already formed an alliance.

Klein maintains his composure, while Ciel maintains her knowing smile.

Won’t anyone defend me?

It appears no one here is actually on my side!

"Let’s just get our luggage..." I mumble, leaving the platform before I impede the others who will soon appear behind me.

As we head to the luggage section, Klein draws close and whispers, "It’s perfectly normal to be afraid, you know?"

I shut my eyes and quietly lament, feeling an even greater sting of betrayal.

’Not you too, Klein!’