Chapter 39: The Elixir of Life
Chapter 39: The Elixir of Life
"Nearly a twenty percent increase in strength, skin becomes tighter and more resilient, enhancing resistance to strikes. A slight boost in speed, and an improved recovery rate after injuries."
Karl clenched his fist, silently feeling the changes within himself.
"Additionally..."
"Negative emotions like caution, fear, and worry are weakened, making one bolder."
These transformations occurred in an instant.
Impressive!
Is this the power of divine spells?
While it couldn't directly harm enemies, it significantly boosted their allies' combat strength and morale.
Moreover, it wasn't a single target blessing but a large-scale one.
If used on the battlefield...
Turning the tide of battle would be effortless.
Karl was amazed by the priest's abilities, but not surprised.
In a world with extraordinary power, the Church held authority beyond secular realms. How could it rely solely on intangible faith?
Without immense strength, it was impossible.
"Charge!"
At the priest's command, two muscular men burst from the crowd, charging towards the wall ahead.
"Boom!"
The brick wall, constructed like a pile of tofu, crumbled before their might.
Instantly, two human-sized holes appeared.
Knights!
Fully armored knights.
The strength of a formal knight could crush ferocious beasts. Their weapons alone weighed several dozen pounds, and in the wilderness, a single knight could slaughter an entire pack of wolves.
Their heavy armor made them impervious to ordinary attacks.
The two knights charged into the estate, unleashing a one-sided slaughter amidst the flames, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake.
By the time Karl rushed in with the crowd, the battle was almost over. Blood flowed on the ground, and not a single survivor was in sight.
"Even the elderly and children were not spared?"
The sight of the corpses weighed heavily on Karl's heart, giving him a deeper understanding of the Church's ruthless methods.
"Don't just stand there."
Dana patted his shoulder.
"Let's move to the next location."
"Yes."
Karl snapped out of his thoughts and nodded in agreement.
Perhaps the Church's power was too overwhelming, as today's operation felt anticlimactic.
Except for some resistance at a suburban estate, they faced little opposition, sweeping through like a plow, with no significant obstacles.
By evening, it was over.
Suppressing the fatigue from a day of exertion, Dana straightened her clothes and, guided by others, entered the grand hall.
This was the Assembly Hall.
The three most influential figures in Sigono City were the Bishop, the Mayor, and the Elder of the Noble Assembly.
The Elder had been in poor health for years and had not participated in affairs for some time. Most matters were handled by Speaker Frank, a virtuous and respected Viscount.
"I never imagined that followers of the Dark Goddess Ilis would be hiding in the city. We were fortunate you discovered them in time."
As Dana entered, Frank waved for the others to leave and praised her:
"Viscount Sassoon should be proud to have a daughter like you."
"Thank you, Speaker," Dana placed her hand on her left chest, bowed slightly, and asked, "Have there been any leads from yesterday's incident?"
"Hmm..." Frank frowned.
"According to the investigation, the Fire Stealers are likely responsible for killing the Dark Goddess's followers. There were distinct traces of flames at the scene."
"Fire Stealers?"
Dana unconsciously furrowed her brows.
"Indeed."
Frank nodded.
"Previously, when you investigated the mummy case, Ilis's followers intentionally led you to a Fire Stealers' hideout, resulting in its destruction. This time, it seems like their retaliation."
"Even among the followers of the Dark Goddess, there is discord."
Dana slowly nodded.
This made sense, but if the Fire Stealers were responsible, why didn't they kill her when they had the chance? Instead, they freed her from the spider silk bindings.
She was the one who had destroyed their hideout.
"Speaker,"
Dana spoke up,
"Based on our findings, in addition to those killed yesterday, there should be a mastermind behind them."
This person holds a certain social status and frequently visits high-end venues. He is the one to select the target."
She continued:
"Today's operation didn’t catch him, right?" Frank nodded after touching his chin:
"I understand. Someone will continue investigating this matter. Now, let’s talk about your case."
"Considering your actions align with the principles of a knight—upholding justice and protecting the weak, and showing fearlessness in the face of death—the Assembly has decided to reward you with a Life Elixir."
He took a vial from the drawer and handed it over:
"Congratulations!"
"I hope you can truly become a knight. The nation and people need someone like you to protect them."
6◇9◇Book◇bar
Life Elixir!
Dana’s heart raced, her hands trembling slightly as she carefully accepted the vial, momentarily forgetting all her doubts about the case.
"Speaker, I... I will definitely do it."
"Hmm."
Frank nodded with a smile:
"Go on. Take good care of yourself for a while and prepare for the elixir. I look forward to the day you become a knight."
"Okay."
Dana nodded firmly.
...
Watching Dana leave the hall, Frank’s smile gradually faded, leaving his face ashen as steel.
He turned and entered the side hall.
Someone was already waiting there.
"You gave our enemy a Life Elixir." The man waiting in the hall grumbled when he saw Frank enter:
"This might become a weapon to kill us."
"Hmph."
Frank grunted coldly:
"A Life Elixir's distribution is not solely my decision, and if you had been more discreet, it wouldn’t have come to this point."
"Discreet?" The other party sneered:
"Taking someone’s life will please the Mother Goddess, but the one who needs the Purity Elixir is not us, but you."
"Virgin blood can maintain eternal youth, and the noble ladies in the city can afford to kill many people for their beauty."
If Dana had heard this conversation, she would have been shocked.
The respected Speaker Frank, who was actually colluding with the believers of the Dark Goddess, and even though he knew what they were doing, he did not stop them but chose to let them be.
" Forget it."
Waving his hand, the bald man with tattoos on his arm grumbled:
"I want to know who killed Jeff!"
" There are no leads yet." Frank shrugged:
"Are you sure it wasn’t the Fire Thieves?"
"Of course."
The bald man narrowed his eyes:
"I am very familiar with them, and if they did it, there’s no reason they’d let the girl go."
" Perhaps..."
He looked at Frank and slowly said:
" A wizard?"
"Wizard?" Frank’s face changed, seemingly very wary of these two words. He subconsciously shook his head:
"Even the Church can’t control them. Don’t expect me to investigate. They are a group of faithless ones."
"I know." The bald man asked:
"But which wizard apprentices are inSigono city? You should have some idea, right?"
"..." Frank hesitated for a moment before nodding:
"I do know some, but none of them seem to have the ability to cast flames."
"They usually hide their means." The bald man, equally troubled by the wizards, shook his head and changed the subject:
"The frontline has been decided, and you should make your decision."
Frank’s face darkened.
The Great Duke of Saxony, who had been fighting in the Siege of Korb, died a few days ago. The frontlines have collapsed, and the enemy’s main force is rapidly advancing into the Gando Kingdom. This is the latest news from the front, and it hasn’t been announced to the public yet.
" Sigono City is not the frontline."
Frank said:
"We may not necessarily lose."
"Hah..." The bald man sneered coldly:
" Best you pray it turns out that way."
(End of Chapter)
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