The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 82 The Den of Extravagance and the Land of Gold (4.4k)

Ring of Glory:

legend.

It carries the soul of 'Sword of Dawn' Aye Dawn.

You can use the power of your soul to summon the ring's radiance. The effect is equivalent to the spell 'Light', which can dispel magical darkness.

You can also choose to easily crush it; she has given you that right.

Note: This is all I have for you.

Leaving the tomb and standing on the upper level of the temple, Tang Qi, who was reading by the moonlight, finally closed the pages of his journal.

"It seems she wasn't lying this time."

He put it back into his dimensional pouch, and then unconsciously looked at the platinum ring on his thumb again.
"We won't need to flaunt our torches so often anymore..."

"It's not like it's a proposal, why are you staring at that ring for so long?"

The sound of shattering stones pulled Tang Qi back to reality. Given how many jokes the foul-mouthed poet had told earlier, the dwarf wouldn't miss any opportunity to annoy him.

He gripped his deep throat, deliberately crafting a high-pitched tone:
"I'm willing to give everything I have~"

Tang Qi shook his finger:
"Very well, I accept your allegiance. When will you give me the ring?"

"Get lost! You're willing to be protected by a woman? Don't you feel ashamed at all?!"

"Then don't come to me when you need the [Resurrection] spell in the future."

"Ha, you know I'm joking. Have you forgotten? We've been through thick and thin together!"

Shattered Stone had witnessed the effects of the [Resurrection] spell.

Back when I was a meat shield for the [Minions of Sandalwood Forest], I faced real death several times.

Thanks to the priest Falto in the team, he was repeatedly saved from the scythe of death.

In over two hundred years of adventure, he only lost one eye—after all, it was just a third-circle spell, only able to revive those who died within one minute.

But Tang Qi gleaned even more information from this "Resurrection Technique".

As divine spellcasters, priests tend to be more pure and generally master third-circle spells earlier.

A paladin capable of casting [Resurrection] would only be of a higher rank...

This means that Dawn has already reached the level of being called a 'hero'.

And this is only the result of her losing her original body and forgetting most of her past, which weakens her.

She had personally killed a 'false god' before her death.

Perhaps it has already touched the boundaries of 'legend'?

Both her inherent abilities and the captivating story behind her are the reasons why Tang Qi is willing to keep her in the team.

If you truly experience her legend firsthand, you can uncover the history and truth behind it.

Tang Qi believed that the reward he would receive would be much greater than that for 'leading three hundred people to escape from Xingmei Town'.

"It would be better if I weren't a burden to this body."

Looking at Chenxi's broken hand, he couldn't help but sigh. He then took out a small bottle of white, viscous paste from the necromancer's legacy.

【Reconstructive Gel】is a new drug that helps flesh and blood fuse together.

Its scar-removing and limb-regenerating effects are even superior to those of potent treatments.

As he poured out the paste-like substance, it felt sticky like snot, and he felt as if there were small insects wriggling inside.

After applying the ointment to the broken opening in the morning light, he asked:
"Does anyone know how much this thing actually costs?"

"All I know is that it's not cheap."

The gravel muttered.
"Those nobles who lie on soft beds and spend their days painting their faces will never understand that scars are the true badges of honor for them!"

These valuable items still needed to be identified by nobles.

Melard raised his hand and answered:

"A whole bottle costs around a thousand gold coins."

"How many!?"

Tang Qi quickly stopped and wiped the excess paste from Chen Xi's hand back into the small bottle.

The rubble then roared:
"This little bit of stuff costs a thousand gold coins?!"

"These goods were acquired through maritime trade with the Tyran Empire, and the high price itself includes sea and land transportation costs, etc..."

It's generally used for scar removal, so a small bottle is enough for a long time. However, if it's used for limb restoration, the required dosage is uncertain.

Tang Qi opened his mouth, unable to speak for a long time.

Indeed, the beauty industry is an extremely profitable industry in any world.

Looking at the paste smeared on the severed hand now, it was slowly but effectively binding together the flesh and blood—

It can even adapt to the condition of the limbs.

For example, although Chenxi's body is made up of different limbs, the presence of the [restoration glue] makes her skin look delicate, smooth, and flawless.

But he still couldn't help but say with deep sorrow:

"I thought I'd recruited a Supreme Slash launcher, but it turns out I've invited a money pit!?"

He looked at the dawn, his expression as serious as a staid miser.
"You are not permitted to use any divine power unless absolutely necessary."

It seems to take a lot of effort to convey the voice of the soul to everyone's ears.

Therefore, Chenxi still only transmitted her voice to Tang Qi:

"Then I won't be able to use any power."

Everything about her stems from the fire of her soul, 'faith'.

Therefore, regardless of which school of magic she uses, it is sacred to her.

"So you're a blank slate warrior."

During normal times, she can only fight using her own martial arts skills, unlike Shattered Stone who possesses the "Tidal Wave of Movement".

But when it comes to getting serious, it's like a 'glass cannon'.

Tang Qi felt even more regretful:
"In any case, we should use it sparingly. We're poor and can't afford to waste it."

This is no joke.

Although the necromancer had previously vowed to buy Catherine's head for 5000 gold coins.

But after Tang Qi actually looted the place, he discovered that the value of the 5000 gold coins should include the skull he used, which was enough to form a [zombie flesh mass].

During his five-year stay at the temple, in order to study the mysteries of the soul, Des sold almost all the treasures in the tomb, obtaining a large amount of funds to prepare for the Dawn, the [Fleshly Golem].

Even with a monopoly on magic, he managed to find a way to learn a fourth-circle spell and successfully advance to the next level...

This has left Tang Qi with only scraps and leftovers:
Three bottles of [Stress Potion] worth 100 gold coins, a necromancy spellbook, several blank scrolls with spells yet to be copied, over 300 gold coins, and jewelry worth a total of 500 gold coins—they'll probably be sold for half their original value.

Some adventurers' equipment, such as armor and bows, actually have some value.

But they didn't have any packages to hold these supplies.

"Kuru, I'll keep this book for you. I'll give it to you when you've finished learning all the spells you have."

Tang Qi called out to Kuru, who was studying the new spell nearby.

A sorcerer's spellbook is often more valuable for study than the sorcerer himself.

Only a brand-new spell could serve as the carrot dangling from above, making this inherently timid kobold more loyal to stay in the party:

"Kuru, I like it, I'll learn it!"

After it finished "Rua", it immediately threw itself into studying magic.

It seems that the necromancer served as a point of comparison, making it acutely aware of its own insignificance and lack of magic.

All that's missing now is a pair of thick reading glasses, making him look like a rigid old scholar.

"As for you..."

Tang Qi looked at Chen Xi, who had no head and whose body was temporarily covered by a white cloth, and couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.
"Find a set of plate armor, the kind with an iron helmet."

You have to pretend you have a brain.

Although he had already gained some prestige in the camp, it was best to avoid unnecessary trouble and explanations.

When Chenxi had donned her rusty armor and her head was covered by a huge, can-like helmet, Tang Qi realized that they only had one last problem left:
"Three horses, plus one extra person, how are we going to get back?"

The gravel clutched its rumbling stomach and complained loudly:
"I'm so hungry I could eat goblin meat, I don't want to walk back!"

Although their makeshift team was quite eccentric and possessed unique skills, spending several hours traversing the Dusk Forest, especially when their energy was low and they had to deal with complex wild creatures, was indeed quite troublesome…

While Tang Qi hesitated, Chen Xi answered in her mind first:
"Let me do it."

Immediately outside the temple, a golden light was summoned.

"No!" Tang Qi tried to stop him.

But just as he shouted, Chenxi let out a muffled groan, her hand slamming to the ground—

Outside the hall, on the lawn bathed in the glow of the morning and evening flowers, the phantom of a jet-black warhorse was clearly visible.

It failed to solidify completely, resembling more of a spirit formed from dark lines and mist.

[Find a Mount], a second-circle spell for paladins.

Therefore, the higher the ring position used, the greater the burden on the body?
Although he remembered this characteristic, Tang Qi couldn't help but recall the [Restoration Glue] he used when reattaching Chenxi's hand.

He muttered something resentful:
"What a waste! Whose horse is worth 500 gold? All the money I just looted is gone..."

"I'm willing to pay 500 gold for this horse!"

Merard's eyes lit up, clearly amazed by the appearance of the dark horse.

"The landlord's foolish son."

Tang Qi took a deep breath and began searching through the textbooks of the Poets' Academy, trying to find a book titled "Methodology for Scamming a Nobleman's Last Gold Coin," so that he could pluck the little white pig's hair bald when he went to the city in the future.

But the academy didn't seem to be thriving and was going against the nobility, which made him come back to his senses in disappointment.

"sorry."

Chenxi thought she had done something wrong and sincerely apologized.

"I thought you needed a horse."

Tang Qi sighed deeply, finally shook his head, and used the other half of the [Restoration Glue] to glue her palm back together:

"Well, this is a spirit warhorse that can be summoned at any time, so a price difference of 100 gold coins is barely acceptable."

Rather than worrying about gains and losses, it's more important to get back to camp and write in my journal right now.

Money is something outside of our body.

The reward he gained from the story was what he was after on this trip.

So they didn't delay any longer, quickly assigned the horses, and mounted their saddles.

But then I suddenly realized that the moonlight that had been spreading over the morning and evening flowers on the open ground behind me was quietly fading away.

In the time it takes to breathe, the bright morning sun shines through the gaps in the thin mist, making even the morning and evening flowers, which exude a soft glow, seem more vibrant.

"This kind of scenery is rarely seen in the Dusk Forest."

Tang Qi sat in front of Chen Xi, holding the paladin's helmet to prevent it from making a jarring noise during the bumpy ride.

The dawn's inner voice sounded like a bitter smile:
"It's as if they'll see the light as soon as I leave."

Tang Qi turned around and looked at the dilapidated sanctuary covered in golden light.

Now, the moss on the stone steps and the vines on the gray walls seem to have turned emerald green.

Even the aging 'hero' seemed to be reborn.

Why isn't it 'Dawn' bidding farewell to [Dawn]?

The headless knight did not answer him.

On the contrary, the black mist on his neck appeared to be surging eerily as if it were about to erupt.

Tang Qi couldn't discern what kind of complex emotions this represented.

All I could hear was her voice trembling slightly.

As if saying it hesitantly:

Actions speak louder than words.

The significance of the ray of sunlight behind her does not depend on what she said.

It all depends on what she's going to do.

Tang Qi didn't care about her obsession; as long as it was generally beneficial to him, she was worth using.

But just as he was telling Dawn to follow closely behind Merad, who was riding at the very front, he heard the paladin suddenly ask:
"Why are you still using this kind of construct after all these years?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not being sarcastic. I just subconsciously believe that times will move forward."

After all, the magic array in the tomb, and the 'soul research' I pretended to promise the mage, were all created by the [Golden Kingdom].

But in reality, it seems that this is not the case…

"Wait, wait."

Tang Qi blinked, and asked in surprise,

"Have you seen that 'eye'?"

"Although my memories are somewhat hazy, seeing familiar things still brings back some memories—in the Golden Kingdom, they are considered relatively common artificial life forms."

Tang Qi felt his breathing becoming heavier.

Because he had previously reviewed the log and confirmed the existence of the El Dorado through the notes on the Snoopy pen:

"When a slave possesses inexhaustible labor power, he will become the first slave in history—the ruler of the Golden Kingdom, the 'greatest pioneer' Sultan Ayder."

However, the historical year it represents can no longer be verified.

Even the two-hundred-year-old gravel had never heard of this name.

The dwarves have an extremely slow rate of evolution, and the long-lived ones can even live to be four hundred years old.

To completely erase this country's past, it would conservatively require three iterations, tracing back to more than a thousand years ago.

That was an era before the Lost Calendar even began recording years.

Now, Dawn is certain that the bottled eyeball is a 'common' technique from the [Golden Kingdom] era.

Does this mean that over the course of a thousand years, people's mastery of magic, and even other skills, has actually 'regressed'?
But what cannot be recorded is clearly 'history' itself.

Even if it's just passed down orally, many techniques should be able to be inherited, carried forward, and even improved.

Many famous spells have been passed down in this way...

As he pondered, Tang Qi sensed something unusual:

What is the connection between the "Duchess" who controls the bottled eyeballs and the "Golden Kingdom"?
What connection do those orcs who suddenly appeared in the Dawn Forest have with the Golden Kingdom?

At this point, to dismiss them as mere coincidences would be no different from self-deception.

Compared to the unease felt amidst the perplexing conspiracy.

Tang Qi, on the contrary, somewhat enjoyed the pleasure of being in the midst of it all, trying to unravel the mystery.

The reward for recording the entire story of the Golden Kingdom...

Do you know what your expression looks like right now?

The pebbles interrupted his reverie, and he suddenly shouted.
"You're laughing like one of those little brats about to have their first taste of meat! You know what kind of meat they're talking about, right?"

Tang Qi glanced at the rubble with disdain:

"The reason I laughed was simply because I suddenly came up with a slang term that I planned to include in my collection of stories."

The latter then felt a chill down his spine.

Having spent so many days together, he knew all too well what Tang Qi was about to say:

"I'll never joke with you again, can you just shut up?!"

"A dwarf on stilts—deceiving himself."

"screw you!!!"

　The editor messaged me saying this book has passed the competition and will be published on Sanjiang on Sunday!

　　Therefore, it has been confirmed that the product will be available next Wednesday, and we will notify you in advance of the time.

　　Thank you all for your continued support!

　　I will present even better stories to everyone.

　　Love you all!!!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)