Mercenary Wars

Chapter 207 Resurrection
The sheer scale of the commotion startled even Gaucano.

He looked in that direction.

Andrew was stomped hard into the rock wall, but he did not die. Instead, he struggled to get out from under Cassandra's giant foot.

"Hmph!" Cassandra snorted coldly, flames encircling her body, and her snow-white giant feet exerted force once more.

"Boom!"

Andrew screamed again as he sank deeper into the rock face, his face almost crushed.

Cassandra pounded it a few times with force.

Andrew convulsed, but could not utter a scream.

After a while, when Cassandra retracted her snow-white giant foot, Andrew was no longer moving, only black blood slowly flowing down the pit in the rock wall.

Cassandra's feet were also stained with blood.

She immediately commanded the flames to burn until the bloodstains were reduced to ashes, then with a flick of her giant foot, she became pure white.

Gaucano watched from behind, somewhat stunned.

He didn't understand why Cassandra's strength had suddenly become so great. With just one kick, she crushed the dragon-like Andrew, leaving him powerless to fight back, and then crushed him to death.

Resurrection comes with an upgrade?
And he was promoted several levels in a row?
Phoenix is ​​being far too generous to its benefactors!
No, it should still be related to the altar.

Gao Jiano quickly realized that even the most righteous god wouldn't do a losing deal.

Cassandra was able to be resurrected and her strength increased dramatically only because Phoenix received enough benefits—sacrifices.

In this resurrection ritual, the altar is the offering.

The wood that made up the altar was of at least level eleven, and was undoubtedly a precious offering. Burning it was a sacrifice to Phoenix.

Thinking about this, Gao Jiano couldn't help but let his mind wander.

If I were to become a benefactor of Phoenix and have an altar, would I also be able to be resurrected and level up several times like Cassandra?

Of course, he knew that this idea was just wishful thinking.

Becoming a favored one of Phoenix might not be too difficult, but there might not be another ancient altar like it in the entire world of Farallo.

As Gaucano was lost in thought, Cassandra turned around.

The flames on her body had been extinguished.

Her snow-white skin was on full display.

On the other side of her, Gaucano was in a similar situation—Andrew's black flames burned off his clothes.

The two then became completely open with each other.

Gaucano was a little embarrassed.

His burns had been healed by Blood Regeneration, but he still looked terrible, and his hair was like a charred mess, making him look horribly ugly.

Before this, Gaucano had fantasized about being honest with Cassandra, but he never imagined it would turn out like this!

Compared to the distressed Gaugano, Cassandra seemed much more at ease. Perhaps this was because the reborn Cassandra was in her most perfect form; not only had her past scars disappeared, but even the blemishes on her skin had vanished under the phoenix's grace, making her look like a goddess sculpted by an artist from the purest Patrick marble.

The pristine white Cassandra looked at the disheveled Gaugano before her, her eyes flickering slightly as if she were considering something.

After a while, a slight blush rose on her face, and she said, "Wash it clean."

Gao Jiano was taken aback: "Huh?"

Cassandra didn't explain; she simply lowered her head, her face slightly flushed, and brushed her hair aside.

There was no verbal communication.

But Gaucano felt as if he had heard a divine message from the goddess of life.

He instantly became excited, his blood boiling, and without hesitation, he quickly cast a water-washing spell on himself, sweeping away the scorched earth and dust from his body.

He also wanted to wash his charred hair.

But Cassandra didn't give him that chance.

Just as he was about to use the water-washing technique on his hair, Cassandra walked towards him with heavy steps, looking like a warrior going into battle!
"Wait a moment--"

Before Gaucano could finish speaking, Cassandra's large hand had already pushed him forward.

Gaucano is nearly 1.9 meters tall with well-defined muscles. Compared to ordinary people, he is undoubtedly a tall and strong man with a robust physique.

But compared to this Valkyrie who was over 2.2 meters tall, he still looked as small as a child.

Thus, under the gentle push of the snow-white hand, he was almost powerless to fight back and was immediately pushed to the ground.

The process that followed was somewhat arduous.

Let's leave the details aside.

Gaucano's biggest feeling was that he had no special skills.

Fortunately, with their combined efforts, Gao Jiano managed to pass the test.

afterwards.

“Cassandra, do you need a healing spell?” Gaucano took out a spell scroll.

Cassandra blurted out in a relaxed tone, "It's nothing, just a minor injury!"

"..." Gao Jiano silently put away the spell scroll.

He thought to himself that he would choose another holy name that could increase his physique in the future!
The air was quiet for a moment.

Gaucano asked, "Cassandra, are we lovers now?"

“I don’t think I’ve ever considered such a thing, especially after I grew into this size.” Cassandra thought for a moment, then smiled slightly. “However, if I need a lover or a husband, you are obviously the only possible candidate, and you are also the only one who knows my full holy name.”

"Oh, by the way, I have a few more holy names now." She told Gao Jiano about the holy names she had added.

In return, Gaucano also told Cassandra his full holy name, adding, "You are also the only one who knows my full holy name."

He had actually considered that more friends should know his full holy name.

After all, there are advantages to this.

Many salvation rituals—including resurrection rituals—usually require the full name of the saved person to be recited in order to be performed. Like Cassandra's resurrection ritual, it would have been impossible to complete without her recitation of the name herself.

For example, the Fossil Potion; the simplest way to break free from the fossilized state is to recite the full holy name before a statue. Gaugano recalled the petrified drow elf he had encountered in the Underdark; he would probably never be saved, after all, drow elves in the shadows usually have no true friends.

Since no one knows his full holy name, it means no one can perform a rescue ritual for him, nor can anyone break his petrification. If he were to drink the fossil potion in a desperate situation, the only outcome would be to remain motionless and wait to die, eventually turning into a guardian stone to be discovered and sold by a lucky adventurer. However, the habits and consciousness formed in the church since childhood make Gaucano extremely wary of the risk of his holy name being revealed, and he always refuses to disclose his full holy name.

Therefore, apart from Cassandra, he could not think of anyone else suitable to know his full holy name.

The two talked for a long time, their tone still like that of friends.

After all, from a subjective perspective, what I just experienced could hardly be described as any kind of sexual pleasure.

Especially when Cassandra casually placed her hand on his shoulder during the conversation, Gaucano even had a fleeting illusion that the two had just completed a sworn brotherhood ceremony...

Although there was little romantic element involved, the two did become very close and had almost no secrets from each other.

Of course, it's only almost.

Gaucano didn't reveal his identity as a transmigrator. He didn't know what "transmigration" truly meant, since none of the magic, mysticism, or mythology he knew had ever addressed such a question. It might be a grave taboo—perhaps even attracting the interest of the gods. To be on the safe side, it was best to keep it buried deep within his heart. Moreover, as he became more integrated into the world of Farallo, some details from his past life's memories had gradually faded, only his deeply ingrained values ​​and ways of thinking remained unchanged. In a way, Gaucano felt more like a Farallo person with unique ideas.

When he asked Cassandra about her next plans, she didn't reveal much, only saying, "I originally wanted to take revenge on Lucius, but as the price for my resurrection, I now need to prioritize fulfilling Phoenix's oracle, otherwise I will never receive His favor again."

Gaucano wasn't surprised: "The oracle of Phoenix... can I help?"

Cassandra shook her head: "This is a difficult task."

She pointed to Andrew's corpse in the corner: "The enemies we need to face to complete the oracle are probably all as powerful as this guy. Phoenix granted me even greater power specifically for this purpose."

As she spoke, she took out a set of clothes from her storage ring and put them on.

Gao Jiano was taken aback: "You're leaving now?"

“Yes,” Cassandra said as she dressed. “In fact, I should have left as soon as I was resurrected, but I thought I couldn’t just leave like that. I had to…do something.”

After saying that, she leaned closer to Gao Jiano and kissed him: "I will come to find you after I complete the oracle."

"I'm sure you'd already mastered how to make Titan's Elixir by then!" she said with a smile before turning and leaving.

Titan's Elixir...

Titan's Elixir can also increase body size.

Gaucano has added another item to his future plans.

After Cassandra left, Gaugano sat on the ground and pondered for a while.

He didn't come to his senses until some light shone through the passage, indicating that it was already another morning.

The surroundings are still very chaotic.

Although there was only Andrew's body, various belongings were scattered everywhere, and with the signs of battle, it was a complete mess.

Gao Jiano then tidied up and collected all the items belonging to the Black Dragon followers.

Gold coins, potions, scrolls, miscellaneous equipment... most of them are not unusual.

Among the items was a Nidhogg oracle chest, which he wanted to destroy. However, oracle chests were almost indestructible, and forcibly destroying them might invite divine punishment. He also did not want this kind of oracle chest belonging to an evil oracle to circulate—after all, he had already learned his lesson once, so he could only keep it for himself.

While taking inventory of Andrew's belongings, a seemingly ordinary lantern caught Gaucano's attention.

He reached out and touched it.

[Item: Magic Breaking Lantern]

【Level: 9】

[Effect: Lighting the lamp oil creates a "spell-breaking" effect within the illuminated area.]

A magic-breaking lantern! A level nine magical item!
This diagnosis surprised Gao Jiano.

He had heard of the legendary Magic Lantern. As a high-end magical item, it was made of rare materials and had a complex manufacturing process, making it difficult for ordinary people to obtain.

Considering that Andrew has the surname "Novak" and is knowledgeable enough to recognize Blood Regeneration, it is clear that his identity is extraordinary, and he is most likely a member of the nobility.

While the lantern used for breaking spells is precious, the lamp oil is even more crucial, directly determining the effectiveness of the spell-breaking process. Without lamp oil, this thing is nothing more than a decoration.

So Gaucano searched again.

He soon found half a small bottle of lamp oil among Andrew's belongings.

[Item: Spell-Breaking Lamp Oil]

[Level: Unknown]

[Effect: When burned in a Spellbreaker Lantern, it dispels magic of level 9 or lower than the lamp oil. Can only be burned in a Spellbreaker Lantern of level 9 or higher.]

A magic-breaking lamp oil of unknown grade! Looking at the lamp oil in front of him, Gaucano couldn't help but feel a little excited.

Although it's only half a small bottle, it can definitely be very useful in a critical moment!
After collecting all his spoils, Gaugano immediately began his return journey, leaving the Kiso Mountains.

Back in Nanhai Town.

Gaucano first went to Hicks' house.

Before he died, Hicks instructed him to take the collar to Blackie. Although Hicks didn't finish his sentence and he didn't understand the meaning of doing so, he felt it was necessary to see Blackie, at least to inform him of Hicks' death.

The Hicks' house was in a remote corner of the eastern part of Southshore. Gaucano had walked along the road for a short while when he heard a heavy croaking sound.

"Huff... Huff..." Without a doubt, this deep and heavy breathing sound came from Black Bear Xiao Hei.

At this moment, the black bear is fast asleep in the courtyard, its enormous size visible from outside the wall.

Gaucano climbed over the wall and entered.

The black bear, which seemed to be fast asleep, suddenly woke up, sat up, and let out an alert growl: "Roar!"

"Little Black, it's me!" Gao Jiano said quickly. He and Hicks were quite familiar with each other, and Little Black recognized him.

Xiao Hei leaned closer and sniffed, its hostility lessening slightly, but it was still a little impatient: "Roar."

It wasn't until Gao Jiano took out a large piece of fresh meat and handed it to it that its attitude became friendly, chewing while showing a questioning expression: "Huh?"

"You eat first." Gao Jiano didn't say anything, but instead took out a lot of fresh meat and handed it to Xiao Hei.

He was, after all, going to inform Hicks of his death. To prevent Xiao Hei from overreacting, feeding him beforehand and incidentally building some goodwill was clearly the safest option.

Once Xiao Hei had finally eaten its fill and was lying lazily on the ground, looking drowsy, Gao Jiano began chanting the spell and casting the magic—Animal Talk.

As the animal communication spell took effect, Xiao Hei's growls finally took on a meaning he could understand.

Xiao Hei probably realized that Gao Jiano could talk to him now, and slowly said, "Short but generous human, is there something you need from me?"

(End of this chapter)