A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 1004

Chapter 1004: Chapter 693: Autumn Rest_2 Chapter 1004: Chapter 693: Autumn Rest_2 After all, an occupation that could elegantly perform music, cast magic to bewitch enemies, and engage in close combat seemed very elegant and beautiful.

Duanmu Huai had nothing against it, and since Arkham City was home to numerous bards, he introduced one of the most respected female bards as Mary's teacher, and Mary learned quickly.

The only flaw was…

“Unfortunately, I can't use illusion spells…”

Mary said, looking downcast. Her favorite thing about bards was their ability to create lifelike illusions while playing music, turning tune into tangible reality before the audience — a skill Mary greatly envied.

Unfortunately, Mary couldn't use any illusion spells.

Duanmu Huai of course knew why, as Mary's golden pupils were essentially an enhanced version of True Sight, making all illusions nonexistent before her. Thus, Mary was immune to illusion spells, and there was nothing she could do about it.

And naturally, she couldn't cast illusion spells either.

“But you're doing great in the energy shaping system, aren't you?”

“Mm… I don't actually like the energy shaping system very much…”

Seeing the frustration on Mary's face, Duanmu Huai burst into hearty laughter. He understood why Mary was complaining; the energy shaping system's simplicity and directness had led players to nickname it as the Cult of the Five Fireballs or barbaric shapers — essentially the barbarians among mages.

Of course, Mary didn't just mindlessly cast fireballs. She was also highly skilled in acoustics, capable of shattering stone and iron with a mere strum of her lute… well, if one were to take it literally, it's understandable why Mary was so self-conscious about this aspect. After all, wasn't it suggesting that her playing was unimaginably terrible?

Just like Huli, whose singing could shatter glass.

“By the way, Mr. Duanmu.”

After a little grumbling, Mary seemed to remember something and looked at Duanmu Huai with some embarrassment.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I was wondering… could I invite Shirley and Asherica to visit Tribunal Court?”

Mary said, her voice tinged with nervousness.

“Your two close friends? Why would you suddenly think of this?”

“Uh…because when we were having tea together earlier, they both felt that I had changed a lot, so they wanted to see exactly what I was doing…”

At this point, Mary looked down at herself, puzzled.

“But I don't think I've changed at all??”

“It's hard for people to see themselves objectively.”

Duanmu Huai chuckled, fully aware of what Mary was wondering. In her own eyes, she was still herself — cautious, graceful, and polite, mostly unchanged. But Duanmu Huai knew better. After all, Mary had followed him through numerous battlefields, confronted the Ancient Dominator, and even destroyed the core of the Reapers. If such a person claimed to be ordinary, then really, the ordinary people were just a bunch of bugs.

Mary might not have noticed it herself, but she had indeed acquired a bit of the iron-blooded demeanor and aura of the Tribunal Court. Unlike Ann or Greiya, Mary came from a relatively peaceful world where people usually didn't face dangers. And now, Mary could be considered a seasoned veteran, even if her demeanor appeared no different than before. However, the aura she emitted made her seem different.

This was like standing in front of an iron-blooded soldier. Even if they wore a smile, one could still feel uneasy.

Perhaps, in the daily teatimes with friends, she maintained her smile and polite manners. However, when danger loomed, her friends might tremble and collapse, while Mary could calmly draw her longsword to respond — that was the difference.

“It doesn't matter, you decide, bringing them to see Arkham City wouldn't be bad.”

“Ah… I still think Thornton sounds nicer.”

Upon hearing this, Mary immediately started complaining. Originally, Duanmu Huai had agreed to let Mary name the city, but after Mary had racked her brains to come up with a bunch of names, Duanmu Huai rejected them all. In the end, out of no choice, Mary had to comply with Duanmu Huai and still used the name Arkham City…

“It's just a name, it's not important.”

“But Mr. Duanmu, you didn't say that before…”

Mary slightly complained. Previously, when Duanmu Huai had entrusted her with this task, he had said that a name was the face of a city and told her to think carefully, not to disgrace the Tribunal.

Now that he had to use his own, it suddenly became 'just a name, not important'…

Sometimes, the sir's ability to shirk responsibility truly astounded her.

“Report.”

While Duanmu Huai and Mary were chatting, Mistelina walked in, first saluting them both before she spoke.

“What is it, Mistelina?”

Seeing the Forest Princess in front of him, Duanmu Huai also slightly adjusted his expression and sat up straight. After the initial chaos, Arkham City had now found its right track. Because the laws of the Tribunal were clear and stringent, added with the dual deterrence of the Night Guard and Angels, there were basically no one who dared to make trouble here.

So, after Duanmu Huai decided on the general direction, many things could be handled by Mistelina herself.

“There is a report from the Blade of Judgment.”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai perked up.

After the Tribunal gained this territory, naturally, locals were needed to maintain security, patrol, and fight. Thus, Duanmu Huai, referring to the structure of the Tribunal, had formed an army called the Blade of Judgment, serving a role similar to the Imperial auxiliary army. Their main task was to aid in guarding Arkham City and the entire territory of the Tribunal, while also investigating the surrounding areas to eliminate all evil threats to humans.

Mostly, the army was composed of Faelun locals, mainly soldiers from other territories, some adventurers, and holy figures from various temples, including Sacred Knights, Priests, and Priests. After all, although the Tribunal seemed a religious institution, they did not worship any deity, and Duanmu Huai did not need to draw strength from faith, so he and the Faelun God had no fundamental conflicts of interest.

This force, so far, seemed competent. The authority of the Tribunal was not to be underestimated, and in a world where actual deities existed, no one wanted their soul dragged into Hell after death. Additionally, with the Blade of Judgment offering high compensation, everyone was willing to stay here.

However, for Duanmu Huai, this force was more like Scouts, scouting around and then seeing what events could be triggered.

Now it seemed there was something to be gained?

“The fifteenth squad of the Blade of Judgment found a strange cult organization in the nearby mountains,” they believed their strength was limited and thus requested the support of the Tribunal.”

“Details?”

“Most likely, they have to face a True God.”

“Oh? That's interesting.”

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai's eyes lit up.

“Then I might as well go there personally to take a look.”

Chapter end

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