Chapter 268: Cultivation
Chapter 268: Cultivation
A few days later, Monica delivered a message.
Decades ago, a woman named Jenny had indeed performed at the National Opera House, and her singing talent was astonishing. In just a few months, she rose to prominence.
However, as she aged, her voice changed, and she gradually became an outcast within the theater.
Not long after, she left the Opera House.
Since then, she had gone missing, and according to the elders of that generation, Jenny had left the Royal City for another place.
"Alas!"
Karl sighed, "Jenny and I used to correspond, but she never mentioned these matters. She only talked about how well she was doing."
"She probably didn't want to worry you." Today, Sarah was visiting, and they were having a meal together at the table.
"It's chaotic now, and finding a long-lost acquaintance from decades ago won't be easy."
"Forget it." Karl shook his head slightly, "Everyone has their destiny, and even if I found her, I couldn't bring back the feeling of our youth."
"Yes, sir." Sarah responded, "Count, you mentioned wanting to find a butler for the manor. I suggest you place an ad in the newspaper."
"An ad?" Karl looked up, "Is that your newspaper's idea?"
"Yes." Sarah explained, "Our newspaper plans to develop new revenue streams. We will allocate a portion of the front page for advertisements, and for a small fee, the entire Royal City will know about it. Isn't that convenient?"
"Other newspapers have already made changes. If we don't follow suit, we'll be left behind."
"Hmm." Karl nodded, picked up a piece of wheat bread, chewed it, and savored the soft texture and the aroma of wheat.
"This bread is well made."
"Placing an ad is fine, but I prefer peace and quiet. Can your newspaper screen the applicants? I can't have just anyone coming here."
"Well..." Sarah thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, we can do that."
Placing an ad in the newspaper wasn't cheap, and as their first advertiser, she was willing to offer some preferential treatment.
She could set strict conditions, verify identities first, and then conduct interviews.
"That's good."
Karl wiped his hands with a handkerchief and stood up, "I'll be waiting for your good news."
Otherworld.
Karl appeared in the lower level of the Flame Palace, reached out, and grabbed a letter. He shook his head lightly after reading it.
"Assassinating a deity's devotee..."
"I'm currently injured and not in a convenient state to take action."
After such a long time without news, it seemed that Mevia was getting impatient, but Karl was indeed in a difficult situation.
He also wanted to hunt down the deity's devotee to increase his strength, but he felt powerless.
He replied to the letter, and Karl turned back to the Divine Realm fragment to continue cultivating the 'Source Sea Meditation Technique.'
Currently, his mental power was insufficient to support the construction of Third Circle spells, and he must first enhance his mental power.
Half a year later.
Name: Karl
Constitution: 40.3
Mental Power: 30
Source Quality: 0
Rank: Second Rank Holy Knight, Second Circle Wizard
Abyss Bloodline Fusion: 62%
Ever since being bitten by the Soul Centipede, in almost a year, his constitution hadn't improved by a single bit.
If it weren't for the Divine Realm fragment's absolute control over his physical body, it might have even dropped below forty.
As for his mental power, it had finally reached thirty.
"With the divine gift, I've gained insights into the power of water and the foundation of life, touching upon Third Rank knowledge in advance. I now have the foundation to construct Third Circle spells."
"The Source Sea Meditation Technique is not considered top-notch in the Six Circle Tower, but in the Magic Forest, it's one of the best natural school spell arts, directly aiming for the Fourth Rank, and to some extent, reducing the difficulty of constructing water-based spells."
"Additionally, with the absolute control of the Divine Realm fragment, I was able to construct the Life Spring in the Second Rank."
After some contemplation, Karl's expression turned solemn.
Begin! The minimum mental power required for a Third Circle Wizard is fifty, seemingly not much different from thirty, but in reality, the gap is immense.
The difference between the Second and Third Circles is enough to make one despair.
Like the present moment, even with the absolute rationality and control granted by the divine realm fragment, constructing the life source spring remains an arduous task. It's akin to weaving a soft and intricate garment with a wire thread, an incredibly energy-consuming endeavor.
Half a month later, Karl, with a blank stare, sits in the middle of the estate's flower garden, his mind wandering and his expression lifeless.
"Earl?"
Terry, the estate manager, is a man in his forties. His father was a baron, but the title was passed to his older brother, and since then, the brothers have not been on good terms, causing Terry to live away from home.
With his noble upbringing, familiarity with the lifestyle of the upper class, and his willingness to humble himself regardless of status, Terry is the perfect candidate for a butler.
In reality, Karl interviewed several people, and Terry's excellence far surpassed the others, successfully securing the position of estate manager.
"I'm fine," Karl says, coming back to his senses. "It's just that when you get old, it's inevitable to have some moments of distraction."
"Would you like me to call a doctor to check on you?" Terry asks quietly. "I know a priest from the church who is also a skilled doctor. His divine and medical arts are both remarkable."
"No need," Karl shakes his head. "I'll be fine after a rest."
"..." Terry doesn't insist. "The weather is turning colder. I'll have someone bring over a blanket so you don't catch a chill."
Terry is very satisfied with this 'master'.
Few tasks,
Plenty of money,
And a good temper.
Since coming to this estate, Terry's life has been more comfortable than ever before, and serving the Earl is not something to be ashamed of.
However,
Earl Karl has no descendants, and his body weakens day by day. He often sits or stays in one place for an entire day, which is quite worrying for his health.
Days pass one after another.
On this particular day, Karl puts down the bread in his hand and sighs.
"A new baker?"
"Yes," Terry nods.
"Temi, the previous baker, had to resign due to family matters. If you don't like this bread, I'll find another baker."
"Never mind," Karl waves his hand. "Have Bastian prepare the carriage."
"Yes, sir," Terry responds. "I heard that the exhibition hall will have many new items today, including a few divine artifacts."
"Perhaps..."
"I can sell them."
Karl's eyes flicker with interest.
His entertainment options in the royal city are limited, given his age approaching seventy, which makes many activities inconvenient.
His sole hobby is attending various exhibition events.
He particularly enjoys collecting all sorts of peculiar items.
This is quite normal.
Many nobles enjoy collecting antiques and artworks, but Karl's collection is relatively niche, mostly related to deities.
According to him, it's out of loyalty and faith in the gods, not wanting to see these items left unattended.
Angel Remiel scoffs at this explanation.
The real reason, of course, is the essence—some antiques contain it, and even a little is still valuable.
The carriage travels along the road.
Life has been comfortable, and Bastian seems to grow younger each day. He waves the reins and points to a shop along the street, saying, "Earl Karl, the previous chef at the estate learned her craft from this Baro Bakery."
"The old lady at the bakery has been making bread for decades."
"Stop the carriage!"
"Huh?"
"I said stop!"
"Yes, sir."
Bastian hastily halts the carriage and assists Karl in getting out.
"Baro Bakery."
Looking at the bakery before him, Karl's expression is complex. "So Jenny has been here all this time. Baro, she still remembers the past."
"The guidance of fate..."
"Aya, is this the blessing of the Goddess of Fate?"
The blessing of the Goddess of Fate guides him to meet those he wishes to see and do what he desires.
But is this truly a blessing?
Sometimes, forgetting is a blessing in itself.
(End of Chapter)
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