Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 299 Ah Tui, Driven by Interest

At the base of the most severely damaged section of the city wall, there is a huge hole, almost big enough for a person to crawl through.

The edge of that hole didn't look like a simple crack in the brickwork.

It was completely filled and wrapped by a strange thorn that was black and had a texture like dried flesh and blood.

The thorns twisted and coiled, almost blending into the city wall's bricks. At the time, he only felt strange looking at them, but he couldn't sense any unusual energy fluctuations.

At that time, he was too weak and his perception of the world was limited. He couldn't tell whether it was a naturally growing plant or a physical manifestation of some terrible force.

He took it as proof of Stoneville's ancient decay, or some strange ecology of a border region he didn't recognize.

Now that I think about it carefully, perhaps this "source of pollution" has existed for a long time, and may have even started to radiate to the surrounding area through the city walls.

Lu Mingfei stroked the ominous shield in his hand, the cold touch on his fingertips making him frown.

"This thing feels similar to 'dead root', but upon closer inspection, it's not quite the same."

He looked up at Roger:

"Will it cause any real harm to people? Like, causing my soldiers to suddenly die?"

Roger shrugged helplessly:

"To be honest, I may not know more than you do."

The only thing that can be said for sure is that it is inextricably linked to 'death'.

The specific consequences can only be determined by finding the source.

"Death Rune..."

Lu Mingfei tapped the table thoughtfully:

"If this thing can kill even a demigod, it's probably only a matter of time before it works on ordinary people."

He leaned closer to Roger and lowered his voice:
"So where do you think this thing originated?"

Roger smiled slightly and elegantly tapped the table with his fingertip:

"Don't you already have the answer in your heart?"

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Lu Mingfei suddenly grinned:

"Underground in the west city wall, right? How about it, interested in coming with me, the city lord, to check the water meter... uh, I mean, to investigate?"

Roger was clearly stunned; he hadn't expected the city lord to accept him, the "intruder," so easily.

He subconsciously adjusted his hat:
"You trust me that much?"

"trust?"

Lu Mingfei raised an eyebrow:
"I'm conscripting men. After all—"

He drew out his words and brandished the shield in his hand:
“You’re the only ‘expert’ who can smell that something’s wrong with this stuff.”

But Lu Mingfei immediately stopped smiling and said seriously:
"However, there's something I need to figure out before I leave."

Roger raised his head slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Lu Mingfei looked directly into Roger's eyes, his gaze intense:
"Why do you, a wandering scholar who sits around a round table in a hall, have to get involved in such head-threatening troubles?"

Don't tell me it's for academic research. I've been in the Round Table Hall too, and I know what kind of people most of those who have faded into obscurity are.

Admittedly, the people who have faded from the face come and go there in all shapes and sizes, and their numbers are by no means small, but only a handful of them are people whose faces he can remember or who he is even willing to stop and talk to.

It was a place filled with all sorts of scheming and desires.

The Faded Ones can become sworn brothers over a piece of information about a relic, but can also turn on each other the next second over a dispute about how to divide the spoils. Lu Mingfei is not so naive as to be ignorant of the ways of the world.

He knew perfectly well that in this decadent world where the legal system was broken, laws were in disarray, and order was nonexistent, the law of the jungle and the pursuit of profit might be the "correct" logic that best guaranteed survival.

To survive, to become stronger, and for that unattainable Elden Throne, abandoning useless moral and emotional ties and fighting and killing like wild beasts seems to be the survival rule that most of the Faded Ones tacitly agree on.

He understands this "correctness," but he refuses to agree with it.

The cold and utilitarian atmosphere that permeated every corner of the round table hall made him feel more oppressed than when facing a powerful demigod or a ferocious monster.

He would rather trek alone through the perilous wilderness, fighting clear-cut enemies, than entrust his back to those "compatriots" whose true intentions were unknown behind their smiles.

As Roger listened to Lu Mingfei's pointed questions, the composed smile on his face faded slightly. He shook his head gently, the blue feathers on his hat brim swaying as he spoke, a hint of sigh in his voice.

“You’re right, Sir Lu Mingfei. The Round Table Hall… is indeed a chaotic and cruel place. Ideals and ambitions, cooperation and betrayal are often separated by only a fine line.”

"However, I must say that I am not pursuing these things for myself. I have people I want to help, and I have dedicated myself to this path in order to find the right way."

Lu Mingfei stared at him for several seconds, as if trying to determine how much sincerity was in his words.

The room was completely silent, except for the clear sound of the wind howling outside the window.

Is there anyone you want to help?

Lu Mingfei repeated the sentence in a low voice.

These words stirred a ripple in his heart.

In this era where everyone is preoccupied with their own survival and even fighting against each other, those who are willing to get involved in huge trouble in order to "help others" are either extremely foolish or... still retain some kind of outdated brilliance in their hearts.

It seems this guy does possess some of the heroic spirit of a "true faded one".

Lu Mingfei muttered to himself.

He had sensed this quality in a few people, such as "Big Horn" Terragus, and... Emiya Shirou.

His tense expression eased slightly, and the sharpness in his eyes softened a bit.

Lu Mingfei looked at Roger, his voice unconsciously softening:
"What you're saying reminds me of a friend of mine."

"He is a guy who embodies 'justice' in every way, and he is always on the path of helping others."

"Is it?"

Roger smiled, adjusted his hat, and bowed to Lu Mingfei with the elegance of a true aristocrat.

"It was an honor."

Then, Roger straightened up and said frankly:
"However, I don't think my actions can be called 'just'."

I did all this purely out of selfishness; it was simply because I wanted to.

Lu Mingfei patted Roger on the shoulder:

"Well, we actually get along quite well, after all, I'm also a fading artist driven by interest..."

Stop with all that "jazz" stuff. Aren't you tired of bowing all the time? We don't do that here.

He stood up, stretched his neck, making a slight cracking sound, and his golden eyes shone brightly once more.

"Since we have the same goal for the time being, and you are an 'expert' in this area."

He pointed to the ominous shield on the table:
"Well then, Mr. Roger, let's officially begin our cooperation. Pack your gear, and let's head to the west wall to see what's causing this damage to my castle."

(End of this chapter)