Chapter 288: Fusion

Chapter 288: Fusion



Not only was Rain concerned about the safety of his family in Minster, but he also felt the impact of the 'Malevolent Flame Mark' on himself.

During the recent battle, a subtle surge of ferocity rose within him, urging him to tear the enemy before him to shreds.

Fortunately, he quickly regained control and suppressed the urge.

Hence, Rain used a heavy fist combo instead of a rapid slash.

Otherwise, the man before him would have been reduced to mincemeat.

But it was a little too late.

The leather-clad man, whose role as an assassin or scout was unclear, had already been slain by Rain.

Rain realized he should have kept him alive for interrogation.

Furthermore, Rain was alerted by the incident, as the mark's influence on his mind seemed stronger than Princess Menia had described.

And this was just within a day.

Rain understood that as time passed, the negative impact of the mark might intensify.

It would be best to remove it as soon as possible, so he needed to return to Minster promptly.

Kraya, captivated by Rain's solemn expression, furrowed her brows slightly and asked, "Rain, do you need help?"

"There are some shops and personnel in Minster that you can freely mobilize. This is the family seal ring of the Habsburg clan, a symbol of their direct lineage, and proof of your authority."

Kraya took out a round, golden seal ring of the Kalia family and handed it to Rain.

"Thank you." Rain accepted it after a moment's thought, not refusing.

"By the way, there's no airship to Minster tonight, so it's better if you leave early tomorrow morning, Rain."

Rain nodded in agreement.

Without a military airship, even if he rode a swift black warhorse, it would still take half a day to reach Minster. So, leaving early the next morning wouldn't make much difference in time.

"Shadiya, please check the earliest military airship to Minster tomorrow."

"Yes, Miss Kraya." The maid in a servant's outfit bowed slightly and hurried away.

At that moment, Kraya bent down, and Rain couldn't help but stare at her taut, round buttocks.

"Rain, the opponent's weapon isn't ordinary; it seems to be an artifact-level dagger. Look at the inscriptions," Kraya said, but Rain didn't respond.

Kraya couldn't help but be curious, and when she turned around, she saw Rain staring at her raised buttocks, looking dazed.

Kraya's face immediately turned red.

As a hereditary countess, she had a more mature understanding of love than most, but having never experienced true love, shyness was still an innate trait of a young lady.

Seeing Kraya suddenly straighten up, Rain snapped out of his daze and noticed Kraya's slightly flushed face as she handed him a pair of daggers.

"Cough, daggers?" Rain asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.

But after a moment's thought, Rain realized that his urge to tear the enemy apart might have been influenced by the mark.

After taking the pair of daggers from the leather-clad man, Rain began to examine them closely.

Suddenly, Rain's eyes narrowed.

The daggers seemed to be made of mithril, and the intricate yet orderly lines of inscriptions caught Rain's attention, sparking a flash of insight in his mind.

He immediately recalled something—'Mithril Engraved Plate Armor'.

It was the last set of armor he had yet to craft from 'Crawley's Armor Crafting Techniques', and it had a special effect of subtly enhancing magic power.

"Kraya, you mentioned inscriptions. Do you have knowledge of inscriptions?" Rain asked, his eyes fixed intently on Kraya.

For Rain, the appeal of the mithril armor wasn't just in the equipment itself.

It might be crucial to his future job change as an 'Armor Craftsman'.

But to Rain's disappointment, Kraya shook her head and said, "I only have a basic understanding of inscriptions, enough to recognize them."

Kraya could tell that Rain was interested in inscriptions, so she added, "As far as I know, there are inscription masters in Minster, although their skill level might not be very high. But if you just want a basic understanding of inscriptions, it should be sufficient."

"There are inscription masters in Minster?" Rain's eyes lit up at this news.

"Of course. The difficulty in learning inscriptions lies in their high demand for mental energy, so if you want to learn advanced inscription techniques, you'll have to go to a Wizard Academy."

"Those who master advanced inscription techniques are usually official wizards of various wizard academies."

Hearing this, Rain immediately understood.

His previous search for inscription masters at the blacksmith shop was like seeking a fish in a tree. He had been searching in the wrong direction.

Back in the room, Rain suddenly remembered that due to the recent incident, he hadn't had a chance to ask Kraya about the Bloodline Breath Technique.

But after a brief thought, he felt that the Bloodline Breath Technique wouldn't affect his ongoing fusion of the two breathing techniques.

The reason was simple; the current fusion of the two breathing techniques resulted in unsatisfactory or conflicting effects.

Therefore, there was no need for Rain to learn the Bloodline Breath Technique.

However, if the fusion proved effective, he could further investigate the Bloodline Breath Technique later.

In other words, this fusion could serve as an experiment.

After making up his mind, Rain brought up the system prompt and reviewed it once more. Soon, he chose "Yes!"

On the Weapon Master (Legendary) panel, the level 18 Bear King Breath Technique flickered a few times before disappearing, replaced by the words 'Unknown Breath Technique'.

The level indicator behind it started to flash rapidly.

In a short while, the number stabilized at level 15.

The level 18 Bear King Breath Technique had dropped by a full three levels after the transformation.

Rain felt a slight twinge of pain, knowing that these three levels required 3 Golden Skill Points to raise.

However, upon sensing it, Rain realized this was a good thing.

At this moment, he didn't experience the awkward bodily sensation from practicing the Fire Lizard Breath Technique in the morning. Instead, he felt a subtle warmth in certain parts of his body, mainly in the small muscle groups and fascia of his calves and the fascia in his waist.

At the same time, a vast flood of memories regarding the practice of the Unknown Breath Technique began to pour into Rain's mind, making his head feel a bit swollen.

Rain felt as if he had been practicing this Unknown Breath Technique in some mysterious space for decades!

After absorbing this flood of memories, a system prompt appeared:

【Do you want to rename the new breath technique?】

After some thought, Rain chose 'Yes'.

"Fire Bear Breath Technique!"

"Since it's a fusion of the Fire Lizard Breath Technique and the Bear King Breath Technique, I'll take the first character of each and rename it."

"After all, this new breath technique has completely transformed, and it's very different from the original Fire Lizard Breath Technique and the Bear King Breath Technique."

Naming it was a minor detail, and Rain was more concerned about the effects.

The system's fusion seemed to be a combination of strengths and weaknesses.

Not only did it preserve the advantages of the Bear King Breath Technique in strengthening power and physique, but it also incorporated the merits of the Fire Lizard Breath Technique in enhancing agility and triggering extraordinary traits.

Rain reviewed the new breath technique's movements in his mind, now totaling twenty-four.

Upon closer inspection, these movements bore traces of both the Fire Lizard and Bear King breath techniques.

A few minutes later, two more system prompts quietly appeared:

【Congratulations! Your Physique attribute has increased!】

【Congratulations! Your Agility attribute has increased!】

Rain's eyes lit up in surprise.

"The effects are showing!

"If I integrate other breath techniques as well, is it possible..."

"But I should first incorporate excellent-tier breath techniques to see more noticeable improvements."

"After all, it consumes 4 Golden Skill Points each time, which is not a small amount."

"As for excellent-tier breath techniques, although Kraya doesn't have them, the Swordbearer Division must have some."

---

Minster.

Inside a noble manor.

"Stanley, even if this Rain is your subordinate, your attitude just now was a bit much, wasn't it?" Drake couldn't help but feel a bit displeased.

At the same time, he became more convinced of his inner suspicions.

This new Swordbearer, Rain, had likely accepted the recruitment offer from his old classmate.

"My subordinate?" Stanley burst out laughing.

"Haha, Drake, I can only tell you that Rain is a rising star in the Minster Swordbearer Division, and even Admiral Edward highly values him."

"Admiral Edward?"

Drake's expression froze, and he began to ponder.

No one would want to offend an Imperial Admiral for no reason; it would be both troublesome and foolish.

However, the problem was that his nephew, Melvor, urgently needed a pair of Ancient Golem Fangs for his upcoming bloodline awakening ceremony.

Moreover, his brother, Marquis Aurentz, had already sought help from many others in the past few days but couldn't find a suitable pair of Ancient Golem Fangs within a short time.

So, even if it meant offending Admiral Edward, there was no other choice.

After weighing his options, Drake looked at Stanley and said firmly, "Even if it means offending Admiral Edward, I think I have to continue."

"Foolish! Don't you want to know why Rain is so valued by Admiral Edward?" Stanley was even more infuriated, feeling a sense of frustration.

Hearing this, Drake paused and thought for a moment before asking, "Why?"

"Well, I can't tell you that," Stanley began, but then he suddenly shook his head.

He realized that this matter was classified and the details were not to be disclosed.

"Stanley, are you playing me?"

"No, it's just that this information is classified. Let me tell you what I can, and you'll understand," Stanley said after some thought.

"You know about the Imperial Guardian, Dragon Knight Princess Menia, right?"

"Get to the point, Stanley. Do you think I wouldn't know about Princess Menia? Don't tell me, this Rain is Princess Menia's bastard son," Drake said, giving Stanley a disapproving glance.

He had already reviewed Rain's resume, and the young man was born in a small town in Mayerst County, Minster Province, far removed from the so-called 'Red Queen' Princess Menia.

He couldn't believe there could be any connection between the two.

"Princess Menia gave Rain a Red Dragon Scale. The rest, I don't need to spell it out for you, do I?" Stanley said, looking intently at Drake.

"What?!" Drake exclaimed, his face turning pale as he stood up abruptly.

Princess Menia's Red Dragon Scale was not something she handed out casually.

Only those she particularly admired might have a chance to receive one.

Looking across the entire empire, the number of young people who held this honor was extremely limited, and most of them were either royalty or children of royal in-laws.

Now, if he were to harm Rain, and this news reached Princess Menia's ears, it was likely that the entire Orland family would be reduced to ashes by a dragon's breath.

The next moment, Drake immediately headed towards the door.

"Mr. Freeman, didn't I tell you not to come before midnight?" asked Ekster as he returned to the house in the north corner of the town, seeing the lights were still on.

"Our mission has failed, High Priest," a disheveled figure emerged from the shadows of the unlit room, none other than Freeman, who had fled back from Mayerst in a sorry state.

His eyes and forehead bore bloodstains, his black robe was torn and tattered, and his arm was bandaged, still seeping blood.

He was a far cry from the confident man who had awakened the ancient hero Mong, more like a lost and broken dog.

Ekster was taken aback by Freeman's disheveled appearance and decided not to press the issue of his deputy's violation of their agreement by arriving before midnight.

"Red tea or Bordeaux?" Ekster asked, motioning for Freeman to sit down as he headed towards the liquor cabinet.

"The task failed? Freeman, which task are you referring to?"

"All of them! Laksur is dead too," Freeman replied dejectedly.

Hearing this, Extrester's hand trembled slightly, causing a few drops of the amber-colored Bordeaux to spill onto the table beside the glass.

"Didn't the Snake Cult come?" Extrester placed the Bordeaux in front of Freeman and sat down on the nearby sheepskin chair.

"Yes, they came. The Legendary Earth Serpent was successfully controlled, and they even helped us dig an underground tunnel leading to the center of Mayorst County City," Freeman said, knowing what his High Priest wanted to find out.

If the task had gone well, he wouldn't have wanted to seek out the High Priest of their church.

For years, the High Priest had not been managing the church affairs in the Minster Province, delegating most of the work to Freeman and another person.

Most of the time, the High Priest stayed in Balinton Town, serving as a town clerk.

At the time, Freeman had thought the High Priest's decision was incomprehensible.

But one day, when the High Priest became furious, Freeman realized the truth—the High Priest was striving for a higher level.

According to the current power of the Great Hunting God, it was rare for the god to directly enhance the strength of its followers.

Especially for those seeking to please the god through sacrifice and ascend to the Legendary Tier, the required sacrifice ritual would have to be earth-shattering.

As time went on and the empire's situation became more turbulent, perhaps it would be possible.

But currently, it was still not feasible.

The High Priest before him, however, had managed to reach the level of a Tier 3 Crystal Wizard through his own strength, and Freeman didn't know what to say.

"Don't resist."

Before Freeman could react to the meaning of these words, Extrester suddenly pointed at him.

"Dark Healing!"

A black stream of energy enveloped Freeman, and within two or three seconds, all his wounds were completely healed without a trace.

"A near-instant Level 1 Shadow Magic spell."

"High Priest, you..." Freeman's face was frozen in shock.

"Yes, I just successfully became a Crystal Wizard a few days ago."

Seeing that the High Priest had indeed reached the Legendary Tier through his own strength, Freeman's heart was filled with disbelief.

At the same time, he felt a deep sense of dismay.

Previously, he had once thought of replacing the High Priest, but now it seemed like a joke.

The High Priest had never considered him a worthy opponent.

After some thought, Freeman proceeded to tell Extrester about the situation in detail.

"What? Ancient Hero Mong died, killed by a young Empire Swordsman?" Extrester was also shocked upon hearing the reason for the failure.

He was well aware of Ancient Hero Mong's strength, one of the seven Ancient Heroes in the history of the Darkflame Church, even though his power had diminished and he had fallen from the Epic Tier.

But regardless, he should still possess Legendary-tier strength.

".How do you feel about this Rain's strength?" Extrester asked, frowning.

"He's a Grand Knight and a First Rank Wizard, but the strength he displayed has already reached the Near-Legendary level," Freeman affirmed.

"Perhaps, this Rain is the illegitimate child of some great noble in the Empire," Extrester said.

"Do you mean he possesses some kind of bloodline? Is he the offspring of a Bloodline Noble?"

"Yes, from what you described about his body enlarging, at least three Bloodline Nobles in the Empire have this characteristic when their bloodline talent erupts."

Freeman was surprised but quickly nodded, understanding.

"No wonder, this explains why Rain's combat power is so strong!"

"As for the ability you mentioned, where he can harm souls, I suspect it's a special effect from a Magic Scroll. You know, these noble offspring always have some hidden tricks up their sleeves."

Extrester pondered for a moment before speaking.

"It's very likely. High Priest, what should we do next?"

The death of Ancient Hero Mong had affected the church's subsequent plans.

"As allies, Freeman, please communicate with the Snake Cult and inform them about the death of their two messengers."

"Also, with the situation in Minster Province in turmoil, Freeman, seize the opportunity to hold a Blood Sacrifice Ritual and collect Blood Crystals. It's almost Enfeoffment Day."

"Enfeoffment Day?" Freeman was taken aback by the first part of the sentence, but the second part left him confused. What did Enfeoffment Day have to do with them?

"Every year, on the last Sunday of Grass Moon, newly appointed Barons and Viscounts from all over Minster Province come to the provincial capital, Minster, for their official enfeoffment."

"At that time, I want to hold a high-quality sacrifice ritual," Extrester said with a smile.

Freeman looked at his High Priest in shock, and it was then that he understood the magnitude of the High Priest's ambition.

Was this to please the god and ascend to the next level?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end