Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 208 Frostflame Sacrifice Night
He turned to the second image, which was also a landscape with figures: a beautiful young woman sat on a rock in the sea, with a ferocious skeletal dragon behind her. The image was exquisite, but the theme remained purely monastic.

It wasn't until the third page that the shopkeeper finally noticed the cumbersome clothing on the figures had disappeared. But he was immediately disappointed to find that the shadows cast by the giant train and the bone dragon, the steam billowing from the locomotive, and the holy light emanating from the girl's hands completely obscured the core content!
Besides, the background elements are drawn with excessive detail. This is a battlefield where motorcycles use strange projection devices to slaughter enemies, and bone dragons summon corpses into skeletons to hunt them down.

The shop owner walked over, his eyes lighting up when he saw the painting. He immediately took the artwork, examined it closely, and quickly confirmed, "It's 'The Melancholy Cavalry'! This is the work of a master!"

The shopkeeper was surprised. "The painting skills are indeed superb, but the style is very different from the Cavalry Master's previous works!"

"No mistake, this brushstroke, this style!" the shop owner said confidently, then looked up at Qiluo, "May I ask who you are, Master?"

"It's me," Qiluo replied. She raised her elbow, only to find that she had accidentally cracked the elmwood cabinet surface, revealing the original wood color beneath the paint. "Oh dear, I'm sorry."

Even the slow-witted ones knew that what was in front of them was not human.

"Um, Melancholy Cavalry Master, are these drawings for us to publish?" the shopkeeper asked cautiously.

"of course."

The shopkeeper and manager carefully examined the drawings; the back was filled with war scenes and detailed storylines. After defeating the first wave of enemies, the motorcycle and the bone dragon encountered an ambush by a large enemy force in another valley. In the pitch-black night, the bone dragon and the motorcycle were surrounded by enemy artillery and trapped in a desperate situation. At this moment, several enormous blue ice dragons descended from the sky, unleashing a rain of meteors that destroyed the enemy's artillery positions.

The mysterious couple remained as bystanders throughout. Their expressions were ambiguous, but all the specific details were cleverly obscured by the artist using various techniques—it would have been better not to draw them at all!
"Master of Cavalry, why didn't you draw the main characters more clearly?" the shopkeeper asked, puzzled. The plot hole of the ice dragon breathing fire rain was insignificant; they weren't publishing serious storybooks.

Let's just consider it a metaphor.

"Have you forgotten Master Crystal Orchid's lesson?" Qi Luo retorted to the shopkeeper.

Crystal Orchid is most famous for his delicate and beautiful painting style, as well as his love for drawing inspiration from reality.

Legend has it that the master's stealth and concealment abilities were unparalleled. In her quest for materials, she didn't hesitate to use moon magic to bring her chosen target together, ultimately provoking the Shattered Light Sword Saint Atia, which led to her tragic end.

The shop owner's hand trembled slightly as he held the drawing, and he quickly asked, "Who are these two people in the drawing?"

"Does it matter who they are?" Qi Luo asked. "I've blurred them out so much."

“That’s true.” The shop owner nodded, then suddenly realized, “But would any customers buy it like this? Why not paint it like your previous work, ‘Phantom of the Temple’—”

"Shh!" Qi Luo quickly stopped him, "Don't mention that!"

This is because everyone is in the same boat, and individual styles cannot be hidden in the eyes of experts. Otherwise, Qiluo wouldn't even dare to reveal her pen name—who knows how much the bounty on her is now.

The shop owner immediately fell silent.

"Don't worry, just focus on publishing, there will definitely be buyers!" Qi Luo said confidently. "We can sign a revenue-sharing contract based on sales."

The shop owner did not refuse again. After discussing the details, he had the shopkeeper draft a confidentiality agreement, which was then signed by both parties.

Qiluo added an extra requirement: the earliest release date must not be earlier than one month.

In the end, she remembered what Su Ming had asked her to do: "Get me some printing paper, a few sheets of each type. And some ink."

"Ok!"

The shopkeeper didn't charge her, but took a few sheets of each kind and carefully rolled them up together. The shopkeeper also packed some of each type of ink, wrapped them in cloth, and handed them to Qiluo.

****
The Northern Branch Stronghold of the Temple of Light in Bubing City, the Church of the Silent Dawn.

Catherine sat upright in her office on the top floor of the small auditorium, intently reviewing various documents, the magical light casting shadows on her slightly hazy profile.

A priest respectfully presented a letter, “My lord, King Shariko has sent a message of condolence.”

Catherine unfolded the message, which read: Are you alright? Are you safe?

The official situation had already been reported via communications. Catherine didn't want to deal with the letter, but she remembered that nothing stays hidden forever. Besides, the Star Empire was far away, and the communication would have to go through multiple transfers before reaching here.

So she had to maintain appearances. She could only pick up her quill pen and say: My son and I are both well and safe, don't worry.

Just as he put down his pen, the head maid gently knocked on the door: "My lord, Iser and Gerus request an audience."

“Let them in,” Catherine said. She handed the prepared message to the priest and then gestured for everyone to leave. A moment later, Iser and Gerus entered the room and bowed politely.

Gerald turned and closed the door tightly, and Iser immediately threw herself into Catherine's arms.

"mom!"

Catherine gently stroked her daughter's hair and said softly, "It's alright, I'm fine."

Iser looked up and examined Catherine's face closely; she had sensed something was amiss as soon as she entered.

Catherine reluctantly dispelled the illusion, revealing six crisscrossing scratches on her face. The wounds were extremely gruesome, with the skin and flesh almost turned inside out.

Iser exclaimed, "Mom, you're so badly hurt!"

“It just looks scary,” Katharine explained. “It’s some kind of masterpiece by Pinkie Pie, and it takes a month to fade.”

Why not get treatment?

Catherine shook her head and smiled bitterly. She had already summoned several priests skilled in healing magic, but Violet's improved Dragon Claw spell remained unmoved by the powerful healing magic.

"Mom, what happened?" Iser asked. "How were you attacked?"

“We have some suspicions, and we're still investigating,” Catherine replied.

"So how did you escape? We chased them all the way from Zouma Slope, and there were large groups of pursuers everywhere—" Iser took out a crystal and a cloth strip with Su Ming's message from his pocket, "Mom, what happened back then? Was it this Graves who saved you?"

“Greyfus?” Catherine frowned slightly.

"An alchemist and gunslinger, isn't that him?"

“…No, it’s him,” Katharine said. “Graves is just an alias.”

This wasn't unusual in the adventure world, and Iser relaxed a bit. "What a strange gunslinger. I was worried he was just lying to me, but considering this guy was recognized by the unicorn—thank goodness you were really saved!"

"How did you two meet?" Catherine asked.

Iser then told Catherine about his encounter with Su Ming in Shafur Town and the rescue of Princess Daphne in Ries City.

"Graves made a sudden advance on us the first time we met, and then turned and left the second time we met," Isher recounted with great enthusiasm. "Is there something wrong with him?"

Catherine unconsciously clenched her fist, then relaxed it. She reached out and touched her daughter's head, letting out a long sigh. "What's wrong, Mom?" Iser asked, puzzled.

Catherine reached out and the Sword of Balance flew into her hand, which she then handed to her daughter.

Iser's face lit up with joy. "You got the sword back!"

But then she suddenly realized something: Catherine had just returned, and the fact that she carried a sword meant—

"You encountered Elisa and Ainz Ooal Gown!" she suddenly realized. "That means Graves is from the Bone Fortress!"

Catherine looked at her without saying a word.

“A strange alchemist, whose style of weapons and tools is completely out of step with this world,” Gerus said from behind Iser. “And he has absolutely no knowledge of the common sense of the Church of Light.”

Iser was struck dumb. She looked at her mother in disbelief, only to see Catherine with her eyes closed and her head bowed.

"me……"

The girl suddenly stood up and rushed out the door.

****
Just as Gerald was about to give chase, Catherine stopped her, saying, "Let her have some peace and quiet. She probably wants to be alone for a while now."

"...Yes, my lord."

“Iser isn’t that fragile; she’s just having trouble accepting the fact that Su Ming played her for a fool.” Catherine rubbed her temples, looking a bit of a headache.

“The necromancer who was second on the wanted list brushed past her without her even noticing,” Jelus said. “That’s even more of a blow to Iser.”

Catherine scrutinized Gerald, then suddenly frowned. "Is your situation worse?"

“Yes, my lady.” Jelus gave a bitter look. “Now, once I use Shadow Form, I have no control over the killing. But when I encounter a powerful enemy, I have no choice but to use it.”

Catherine immediately checked on Gerus's condition and was even more troubled. "A normal Mirror Soul Technique should have two symmetrical souls. How did you manage to make it white plus black?"

By dividing and folding the soul into symmetrical mirror images, the strength and resilience of the spiritual sea of ​​consciousness can be enhanced. However, this system is extremely difficult to master, requiring immense talent and perseverance, and few choose to pursue it.

Jelus has great talent, but for some reason, her training went completely astray.

“We can’t let this continue.” Catherine thought for a moment. “In a few days, I’ll seal your shadow abilities, and then you can become a healer.”

Gerus bit her lower lip tightly; she was extremely unwilling to give up on something she had been working so hard for all this time. But the problem she was facing now was a reality.

Lady Catherine is right.

"Thank you, Your Excellency," said Gerus.

“Only those who endure the darkness of eternal night will know that frost is the gentlest ribbon of God,” Catherine encouraged.

****
After handling a few more tasks, Su Ming disconnected the mental link and stretched his stiff limbs. Outside the window, the sun had already set halfway down.

"What would you like to eat for dinner?" Su Ming asked Zi Jin.

The scholar put down the half-finished magic crystal core and array sketch, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm just doing it casually."

Su Ming headed towards the kitchen. Although the lunch he had prepared was plentiful, it had all been devoured thanks to the presence of that certain beast.

Zijin wanted to continue carving, but then put down her carving knife. "Su Ming," she hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I want to go and see that village nearby."

Su Ming turned his head, only then belatedly realizing what he had overlooked. The Frostflame Festival Night in the other world was similar to New Year's Eve in his hometown; even villages would definitely have celebrations.

Violet chose to stay on the Bone Train, but today was a special day, and she couldn't help but have all sorts of feelings.

"Sorry." Su Ming tapped his head, feeling a bit dizzy from being so busy these past two days. "Let's go together."

The village is twenty kilometers away, and the Bone Train is equipped with a mix of magical and modern security measures, so there's not much to worry about in terms of safety.

"Is your work alright?" Zijin asked.

“It’s done,” Su Ming said. “You can rest for the rest of tonight.”

"It would be good to go for a walk together," said Violet. "We'll be busy from now on."

"Ah."

****
Su Ming went to the kitchen first, chopped some minced meat, and then went to the storage compartment to feed the snow eagle.

After capturing it the day before yesterday, Su Ming entrusted it to Yunier's care. At that time, the snow eagle was quite energetic, but now, when Su Ming looked at it, he found that the snow eagle was listless and its feathers were disheveled. Su Ming tried to feed it food and water, but the snow eagle curled up and didn't move, let alone open its mouth to eat.

“These birds of prey are very difficult to tame,” Zijin’s voice came. She didn’t come over, but her eyes followed her. “We’re not professionals, we can’t keep them alive.”

Su Ming originally intended to release the snow eagle, but seeing its condition and considering that it was the dead of winter when finding food was difficult, he figured it would just be a waste of its life.

"Why don't we bring it along?" Su Ming picked up the cage containing the snow eagle. "There should be hunters in the village; we can ask them how to raise it."

"That is one way."

The snowmobile was driven away, and coincidentally, several Frostmane Giant Wolves were captured in the battle two days ago. Violet pulled one over for Su Ming to try, and as expected, Su Ming had no idea how to control it. In no time, he fell off the wolves' backs, which were bouncing around.

Zijin chuckled and reached out to pull Su Ming up from the ground. "Let's not bother anymore. I'll carry you there on a broom."

Zijin summoned a broom, then pulled Su Ming along and flew off. Having some experience, Su Ming was now able to sit quite steadily while holding onto Zijin. To minimize the risk of accidents, both of them wore magic-banned cloaks, so Zijin installed magic crystals on the broom, using their magic to power it.

Watching the dozen or so gold coins worth of crystals being consumed so quickly, Su Ming felt that the planes in this other world were really expensive.

As dusk settled, a cold wind swept across the snow-covered plains, whipping up a thin mist that swirled in the low-lying areas. The distant mountain ranges blurred, like ink wash paintings, merging seamlessly with the grey sky.

But Su Ming was in a good mood. For the first time in a long time, he finally felt real support from his hometown, which gave him more confidence for the challenges ahead.

But more importantly, the heavy burden that had been weighing on my heart for so long has dissipated considerably.

The snowfield gradually fell silent in the afterglow of dusk. The last trace of orange-red on the horizon was swallowed by the gray-blue clouds, and the fine snow fell silently, shimmering with a faint silver light in the dimming light.

A returning bird swept across, casting a fleeting shadow across the vast snowfield. Silence enveloped the land, broken only by the low murmur of the wind, as if telling of the desolation and eternity of this frozen land.

(End of this chapter)