In the center, four circular holographic projection bases were symmetrically arranged, each with an unactivated arcane crystal in the middle, faintly glowing blue.
Nefarian raised an eyebrow: "Holographic archives? Looks like I'm in luck."
A hint of expectation rose—
Perhaps his father's undisclosed plans were hidden here, or clues as to why he had fallen. He raised a claw and activated the first base.
The crystal in the center of the base lit up, slowly rose into the air, and projected an arcane beam.
A familiar figure appeared in the beam—the Highborne form of the Blue Dragon Aspect, Malygos!
This image was younger and more imposing than Nefarian knew, though its posture was somewhat stiff, making it look like a statue.
Nefarian did not hesitate and immediately activated the second base.
Hum! The image of the Green Dragon Aspect, Ysera, appeared!
The third! The Red Dragon Aspect, Alexstrasza!
The fourth! The Bronze Dragon Aspect, Nozdormu!
The images of the four Dragon Aspects stood silently, as if awaiting instructions.
Nefarian's brows furrowed, his mind filled with questions.
What did this mean? Did it require more identification procedures? Or—?
He tried injecting more magic into the base, but the device was unresponsive.
He then issued a command in Draconic: "Activate!"
Still no response.
Just as he was pondering, perhaps because the four bases were simultaneously activated, fulfilling a certain condition, or perhaps the preset time had arrived—Hum!
The energy field in the center of the side room subtly fluctuated.
The images of the four Dragon Aspects seemed to receive a silent command, instantly "coming to life"!
They all turned in unison towards the empty space in the center of the room.
Immediately after, arcane radiance erupted again.
A much taller image materialized in the center—a cloaked, upright Neltharion!
This time, the arcane energy also rendered a background, seemingly a blurry starry sky and abstract battlefield light and shadow.
Then, the holograms moved—first the image of Malygos. His tone conveyed deep gratitude, but his voice was flat, lacking inflection: "Neltharion, thank you for saving all of us. You are incredibly brave."
The image of Ysera had a gentle expression, but her eyes seemed vacant: "And especially heroic."
The image of Alexstrasza wore a standard, curved smile: "And especially dashing."
The image of Neltharion nodded slightly, attempting to appear humble, but his movements were somewhat stiff: "Thank you, you are all too kind."
The image of Nozdormu spoke steadily, his gaze fixed on the void ahead: "And especially humble."
The image of Neltharion seemed to have been triggered by the word "humble" in its programming, and then turned to a grander topic: "Since we have already defeated—"
"Zzzzt—!!" The image of Neltharion's words and the entire scene flickered and distorted violently as if the signal had been interrupted, emitting a harsh noise, and then all the images instantly vanished without a trace.
The side room returned to silence, with only the four crystals emitting a faint glow.
Nefarian stood still for a full ten seconds.
His dark red vertical pupils stared at the spot where the images had disappeared, then slowly swept over the four bases.
He had expended energy, deciphered traps, and with full anticipation, found a crucial clue—
Only to watch an awkward "ode" his father had written and directed, with his uncles and aunts acting as puppets reading lines?
What was this? A narcissistic souvenir hidden at the core of the vault?
Nefarian felt an itch in his dragon claws, a strong urge to destroy these unsightly bases completely with a few swipes.
Ultimately, he simply took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the feeling of absurdity, and coldly squeezed out a word through gritted teeth:
"—I'll endure."
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