Chapter 408: The Chosen One

Chapter 408: The Chosen One

"You may not be aware, but a significant event is about to take place in the Imperial City of Tamriel."

"Perhaps with your strength, safety isn't an issue, but if your family is still in the capital, there's a higher risk. So, I suggest you consider sending your family to the Eagle Federation first."

Upon hearing Hamadi's words, Rain's first thought was that the Eagle Federation's intelligence department must have also learned about the cult's movements.

"Is it related to the cult, Lord Hamadi?" Rain smiled slightly.

"It seems you already know," Hamadi's eyes flashed with surprise, but he didn't deny it, nodding instead.

He had just received this top-secret information, and he hadn't expected the person before him to already be aware of it.

Apparently, the Swordbearer headquarters valued this person even more than he had initially thought.

The recruitment effort was going to be tricky.

After a moment's thought, Rain shook his head and politely declined, "Lord Hamadi, as an Imperial Swordbearer, it's inappropriate for me to send my family to the Federation."

It wasn't that Rain didn't care about his family's safety.

This time, he had accepted the arrangement of additional personnel sent by Luther and Halowen to reinforce the defense of his manor, precisely because of his family's safety.

Although the Empire had internal issues, and the conservatives even considered him an eyesore, the Swordbearer organization he belonged to held him in high regard.

With his status, if he were to go to the Eagle Federation, it would be a clear act of treason.

And most importantly, one of Rain's life principles was 'A nation treats me, and I repay the nation.'

Specifically, the Swordbearer organization treated him with the etiquette and benefits reserved for a national hero, and he would repay them in kind.

Additionally, his conversation with Lagrel the other day had reminded him that even if the situation deteriorated to the point where he had to send his parents to the Eagle Federation, he would first seek the opinions of his mother, Emma, and his father, Old Rain. After all, for them, leaving their homeland would be difficult.

Of course, Rain was declining politely, using the word 'inappropriate.'

Lord Hamadi hadn't expected to convince Rain in one go, and when he heard Rain say the word 'inappropriate,' his sensitive intelligence officer's instincts immediately understood.

His eyes flashed for a moment.

He had a lead!

"This matter doesn't require an immediate decision from Lord Rain, as the situation is constantly changing, isn't it?"

"That's right, I heard you joined the Bishou Armament Academy. You must be quite interested in automatons."

"Mhm." Rain glanced at Hamadi but didn't elaborate.

Apparently, the Federation's investigation into him was quite thorough, as they even knew this.

"Lord Rain, in that case, you should definitely come to the Federation. The Federation's research on automatons is more advanced than the Empire's."

"Oh? Could Lord Hamadi give a brief introduction?" Rain knew that the other party was baiting him, but he genuinely wanted to know some of the Federation's situations.

"I'm not too clear on the specifics, but I've heard that the Federation's Automaton Research Institute has successfully created a 'Hill Giant' type automaton nearly thirty meters tall."

After a mutual probing, Hamadi didn't stay long and instead bid his farewell.

As he left Rain's manor, a smile appeared on his face.

This trip had achieved several of his goals.

First, he had almost confirmed that Rain didn't have a strong aversion to the Eagle Federation, at least not an ideological opposition.

If they were to recruit an old noble of the Empire, this ideological difference would be a significant hurdle.

Secondly, it was a matter of preferences, which needed to be considered from two aspects.

On the one hand, from Rain's expression when he mentioned Envoy Trena, it seemed that Rain had a very favorable impression of her.

That kind of attraction to the opposite sex.

However, even if Rain was worth recruiting, it was impossible to use a noble female federal parliamentarian as a bait of seduction.

Hamadi had figured it out.

Rain was probably more interested in older women with higher status.

This was evident from Rain's interest in Baroness Crowley, Jennifer, when he was still a deputy officer of security, and his interest in Alena, the then-head of the Swordbearer department, when he was still an ordinary Swordbearer.

On the other hand, by discussing the Federation's automaton research, he had learned that Lord Rain had most likely already started working on automaton creation.

This indicated many things.

Automaton creation was generally a field reserved for Third Tier Crystalization Wizards.

It was unlikely for someone to be this knowledgeable about it if they had only observed from the sidelines.

Soon, Hamadi, who had figured it out in the carriage, arrived at the mansion of his superior, Marquis Rois.

He needed his superior's support for his next steps.

In the study.

"You're saying this Rain particularly likes Envoy Trena?" Hearing this, Marquis Rois was taken aback for a moment, then he showed a look of understanding.

"Very likely. Young people like mature temperaments. And for someone like you and me, who are older, we prefer the young and vibrant." Marquis Rois smiled and nodded.

"Exactly, Lord Rois, that's right." Hamadi also laughed.

Apparently, on this point, he had gained his superior's consensus, and the next step would be easier for him to make his request.

"So, Lord Rois, I have two plans."

"Oh? Please, go on." Lord Rois looked at Hamadi with interest.

"Well, I suggest choosing a woman with a mature temperament and a higher status within the Empire to be responsible for daily communication with Lord Rain. Of course, if she could infiltrate his inner circle without raising suspicion, that would be ideal."

"Mhm, and what's the second plan?" Lord Rois nodded, and several figures flashed through his mind.

"The second plan is to work with what we have. For example, we can approach Jennifer, who is currently assisting Lord Rain with the Chamber of Commerce. We can sway her to lean towards the Federation and send her to influence Lord Rain."

"A brilliant idea! However, according to the intelligence, Lord Rain is currently in Minster, and aside from Jennifer, are there any other suitable candidates?" Marquis Rois' smile grew even brighter.

He realized that he should have transferred Hamadi to the Imperial City earlier.

"The other candidate is a liaison from the Swordbearer Headquarters, and their sensitive identity makes it difficult to approach and even harder to turn. They are not an ideal target." Hamadi shook his head and said.

This candidate had already been carefully considered before his arrival.

"I understand."

"Did you have any other findings when you met him this time?" Marquis Rois asked.

"Yes, I further probed and confirmed that his identity as a Metal-type Wizard is indeed genuine."

"So, my idea is to find a suitable Metal-type Sorcery as soon as possible and offer it to him. Of course, this comes with conditions."

"It must be a unique combination of sorceries exclusive to the Federation, and one or two of these sorceries will be gifted to Lord Rain, but never the entire set."

Marquis Rois' eyes lit up, and he instantly understood Hamadi's plan, praising, "Well played!"

"However, Lord Rain specializes in Metal-type Sorcery, and you're asking for a combination of sorceries that is exclusive to the Federation. Satisfying these three conditions simultaneously will make such a combination sorcery extremely rare, even within the Federation."

"Marquis Rois, he is ranked third on the list, isn't he worth such an effort?" Hamadi smiled and said.

"I'll take care of this matter."

"Additionally, there are special potions for enhancing Mana that can be occasionally gifted, along with beneficial crystallization items or potions, but not too frequently."

"Maintain a good daily relationship?"

"Yes!" Hamadi nodded and smiled.

Previously, they had gifted a Soul Crystal, which helped maintain a certain level of goodwill from Lord Rain towards the Federation.

The next morning.

As Rain was about to set out for the Academy Base, a person he had expected arrived.

"Lord Rain, I heard about the incident where your liaison from the Swordbearers was kidnapped by the Black Flame Cult. I also heard that your family has arrived in the Imperial City. Do you need me to make any arrangements?" Buchanan smiled.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Buchanan, but I have already strengthened the defense of my manor." Rain politely declined.

"Hmm." Buchanan nodded, but his eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if sensing something.

"What about the previous invitation to join the Dragon Scale Brotherhood? Have you given it any thought?"

Rain already had an answer to this question in his mind.

He had been thinking about it these past few days, considering whether to play along for a while, but upon further reflection, he felt it was inappropriate.

"I'm sorry, Lord Buchanan, but after careful consideration, as a Swordbearer, I believe it's best not to join any secretive organizations of any nature."

Hearing Rain's words, Buchanan's expression darkened, seemingly surprised by Rain's outright refusal.

"Lord Rain, your decision is regrettable. Won't you reconsider?"

"I'm sorry."

"I hope you won't regret this, Lord Rain."

With that, Buchanan stood up and left, anger evident in his departure.

Buchanan, the second prince, had not anticipated Rain's refusal.

In his view, any normal person would know how to respond to an invitation from the Imperial Prince, but Rain had declined.

This setback hindered the Second Prince's plans from progressing further.

Meanwhile, at Duke Dram's Manor.

"Oh? It didn't work?" Duke Dram listened to the new steward's report, and his face didn't show much disappointment. Instead, a slight smile curved his lips.

Although the Black Flame Cult's plan to kidnap Rain's liaison hadn't succeeded, the effects of Rain's leaked battle records had already begun to surface.

This time, it was the Black Flame Cult, but what about the next time?

Perhaps the Viper Cult or the Sea God Cult, and most likely, they will come one after the other!

At this thought, Duke Dram's mood naturally improved.

"There's one more thing, my lord. According to a tip, Tide Sword Saint Karl was defeated by Lord Rain."

"Defeated?" Hearing the first half of the sentence, Duke Dram still held some expectations for the outcome.

After all, each formal disciple of the Tide Sword Saint was exceptionally skilled, surpassing his private son, Greenwood, by far.

In his opinion, it wasn't that Karl was guaranteed to win, but he would at least put pressure on Rain.

But upon hearing the word 'defeated,' Duke Dram had a bad feeling.

"Lord Karl was defeated in a single move." The young steward finished his report, and Duke Dram's eyes, already marked by crow's feet, twitched.

His greatest fear had come true.

Based on Rain's previous battle records, defeating the Sculptor Harold should have been a challenging, if not grueling, task.

But now, Karl, who was almost on par with Harold, had been defeated in just one move? How much time had passed since then?

Rain's strength seemed to have grown even stronger.

It seemed that some things needed to be done, and there was no room for excessive caution!

Half an hour later.

In the study of the Second Prince.

"Oh? He refused?" The Second Prince Everton held a white, cat-like pet in his arms, stroking it gently as he spoke calmly.

"Yes, Your Highness, and..." Buchanan hesitated.

As Buchanan had been the second prince's butler for many years, he was naturally familiar with his master's habits, and the expression on his face was clearly feigned.

Because his Highness seemed to have a particular appreciation for Rain.

Perhaps due to age, or perhaps due to Rain's accomplishments, even though the dragon bloodline within Rain was mentioned as being significant, the second prince's strategy was primarily to win Rain over.

But Rain's attitude today made Buchanan a bit angry.

Of course, there was another reason for this, and that was that Duke Dram had contacted him twice, asking him to give Rain a hard time in front of the second prince at an appropriate time.

"And what?" Everton couldn't help but ask.

"And Rain's words and actions seemed to show a lack of respect for His Highness, and he was very suspicious of the purpose of the Dragon Scale Brotherhood."

"I'm worried that if we can't attract Rain to join us, as his status among the Swordbearers rises, it's very likely that the Imperial Swordbearers will become even more wary of the Dragon Scale Brotherhood."

Buchanan stopped speaking at this point.

As Everton listened, his hand, which had been stroking the white lynx, also stopped moving.

Because what Buchanan was talking about happened to be a point that Everton was particularly concerned about.

With Alfred in control of the Imperial Swordbearers for the past two years, this staunch progressive noble's attitude towards the Dragon Scale Brotherhood was not friendly.

No, to be precise, it was extremely wary.

If Rain continued to rise through the ranks, then with another high-ranking official in the Swordbearers who shared Alfred's views, it was very likely that this high level of wariness would turn into action.

"Your Highness, should we let Rain hit a wall during the Dragon Knight's preliminary trials?" Buchanan cautiously suggested, seeing that the prince had been silent for a long time.

"No, let him advance to the next round," Everton shook his head and said.

"This time, there are three members of the Dragon Scale Brotherhood participating in the Dragon Knight Cadet selection, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Tell them that in addition to extracting the essence of the Void Dragon's blood during this trip to the Forbidden Realm, they should add another task: extracting the essence of Rain's blood."

The other party's blood essence was unique, so Everton had originally planned to let Rain join the Dragon Scale Brotherhood and then, over time, slowly control him through elixir means, turning Rain into a long-term 'blood bag'.

But now it seemed that he could only be treated as a one-time 'blood bag'.

"Yes, Your Highness," Buchanan bowed and said, a smile appearing on his face as he looked down.

Bishou Armament Academy Headquarters.

With Rain's addition, the progress of the second Inferno Hellfire Enhanced was already half-finished in one day.

At this rate, the second Inferno Hellfire Enhanced would be completed two days later, before the Dragon Knight examination.

As night fell, Rain returned to his manor.

In the southeast of the Imperial City of Tamriel, at the famous Falling Star Lake scenic area, something was quietly happening.

As the name suggests, the 'Falling Star' in Falling Star Lake indicated its origin.

It was said that this lake was suddenly formed due to a meteorite falling from the sky.

Of course, this statement wasn't entirely made up.

Because many curious people had specifically measured the depth of the lake water and found that this inland lake had depths of over a thousand meters in several places, which was extremely rare.

Over time, the name Falling Star Lake was adopted.

Around the lake, there were numerous lake-view villas scattered like stars.

In front of a secluded lake-view villa, the lake water of Falling Star Lake was rhythmically hitting the shore like waves.

Under the starry sky, if one observed carefully, they would find that on one side of the villa, where it connected to the lake water, there seemed to be a sewer with a diameter of more than two meters.

Obviously, the nearly two-meter size of the sewer was a bit unusual.

At this moment, four bubble-wrapped figures were carrying a crystal casket from the sewer directly into the lake-view villa.

Soon, in an underground wine cellar pool, four hooded black-robed figures emerged one after another.

The four first carefully carried the crystal casket out and placed it to the side, and then respectfully bowed to a group of black-robed figures with various sea beasts on their robes, who had been waiting for a long time:

"High Priestess Caritas, the Chosen One has been delivered."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work." Caritas, the high priestess of the Sea God Sect, nodded, and at the same time, she focused her attention on the crystal casket.

Inside the crystal casket, a beautiful female with her hands placed on her abdomen and her fingers intertwined was sleeping.

If Rain were present and carefully observed her face, he would surely find an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Although she looked different from Sea Goddess Hela, the more he looked, the more he felt they resembled each other.

The Chosen One, also known as the Divine Elect, was someone with a special physique, born with a certain special ability. Of course, some physiques required adulthood or entering the Extraordinary realm before awakening.

But regardless, they all possessed unique abilities, which was why they were called the Divine Elect, the Chosen One.

However, for all sects, the greatest value of the Divine Elect was that they were the best vessels for deities to descend upon.

For example, Stavin, who had attacked Rain, had a physique that was relatively close to the Divine Elect, but only relatively.

If it were truly the Divine Elect of Spider God Niaubrekkan, then once the deity possessed their body, the increase in strength would be far greater than that of Stavin's vessel.

But the problem was that different deities favored the Divine Elect with different physiques, and it was naturally extremely difficult to find those who met the conditions in the vast sea of people, like finding a needle in a haystack.

Therefore, the preciousness of the Divine Elect before them was self-evident!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end