Chapter 90: Dragon King

Chapter 90: Dragon King



"Crackle..."

Karl's body trembled, his joints emitting a faint, crisp sound.

Immediately, his body seemed to shrink, becoming shorter, and his features coarsened.

He rubbed his forehead, and his mental power quietly subsided.

After changing into a long robe and hanging a long sword on each side of his waist, he was unrecognizable, even to those who knew him well.

A complete transformation, inside and out.

"The bloodline wizard's body modification, combined with the secret techniques of knight combat skills, indeed makes it convenient to alter one's appearance."

"Let's go!"

Picking up the package from the table, he donned a wide-brimmed hat to cover his cheeks and strode towards the island's exterior.

On the outskirts of the Black Swamp.

When he had last visited, it was just a small village, showing signs of expansion.

In just a few months, the place had undergone a significant transformation.

New buildings rose from the ground, long streets came into view, and estates were under construction.

The streets bustled with traffic, a constant flow of goods from various regions entering the Swamp Alliance through this hub.

A village?

It was now akin to a bustling town, gradually developing into a city.

Given time, it might even become as prosperous as Signo City.

After all, wizards were wealthy individuals, each one an extravagant consumer.

'I wonder how much land Heidi bought, but judging by the situation, this investment should yield substantial profits.'

'It just takes a long time!'

Karl stroked his chin and shifted his gaze upwards.

In the center of a newly constructed residential area, there was a special building with a tall, pointed spire, the Morning Star's main hall.

The sound of bells rang out,

Calming the mind and spirit.

A church!

'The Church never misses an opportunity to spread its influence, even near wizard strongholds.'

'The light of the deities...'

'So bright...'

Spreading their faith, they reached the doorstep of the unbelievers, but the Swamp Alliance members said nothing.

This alone demonstrated that even with a Second Circle Mage present, the Church felt no fear.

The Church must possess a powerful entity comparable to a Second Circle Mage.

Perhaps,

Even more formidable!

Shaking his head, Karl continued towards his destination.

Near the Black Swamp, there was a long, narrow, and shadowy street where wizards and ordinary people conducted their transactions.

"Alchemy potions, ten gold coins each!"

"Insect repellent pills, keep mosquitoes at bay during your travels and protect you from wild beasts in the jungle!"

"..."

Those doing business here were mostly servants of wizards, selling various wizard-crafted items.

Some items were common in the wizarding world but fetched high prices in the ordinary world.

There were also individuals like Karl, wizard apprentices who personally engaged in trade, usually with their faces concealed.

Karl found a spot and laid out his goods.

Three potions.

Two weapons.

Soon,

A figure wrapped in a cloak approached the stall and casually picked up a potion.

"Wisdom Potion?"

"Yes."

Karl nodded,

"Three doses per bottle, one magic stone each."

Potions that enhanced mental power were rare, and the Wisdom Potion was particularly effective.

Other potions were one magic stone for five doses, and he offered three doses for the price of one. This pricing strategy had been learned through trial and error.

"So, you're the mysterious alchemist they speak of." The customer nodded and took out three magic stones,

"I'll take them all."

Karl collected the magic stones, completing the transaction.

He came here monthly to exchange magic stones for potions, as his capital was insufficient otherwise.

Gradually, he had gained some fame.

Waiting for customers, Karl took out a high-quality insect repellent pill and swallowed it, refining it with the Forge Art.

His stomach churned as the pill transformed into a warm current, enhancing his physique.

"How much for this sword?"

"Seven magic stones."

"That's expensive!"

"It's an enchanted item with a petrification spell. Once activated, it can easily shatter an opponent's weapon."

"But it's too heavy for a wizard apprentice."

"It's meant for knights."

"Any discount?"

"No bargaining!"

Karl sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed, he explained his goods while continuing his cultivation.

After some haggling, the customer sighed in defeat,

"Seven it is, I'll take it!"

"Deal!"

Karl opened his eyes.

His recent analysis of Serpenti had deepened his understanding of petrification spells, and his skill in enchanting items had improved.

Soon,

The second weapon was also sold.

...

The paddle stirred the water, propelling the wooden boat through the swamp mud at an astonishing speed.

After selling his goods, Karl didn't linger in the market, heading back the way he came.

He mentally calculated his profits.

In two hours of trading, he had earned seventeen magic stones, with a net profit of over ten magic stones after deducting the capital.

Enough to cover his expenses for some time...

Hmm? Spider Sense issued a warning.

Karl's eyebrows twitched, and his body suddenly levitated.

"Boom!"

The wooden boat beneath him exploded, flames erupting from the wreckage, their heat even affecting the swamp mud.

A wizard trap!

Who?

Karl rolled over and landed, not having the chance to observe his surroundings before a raging inferno rushed towards him.

After the flames, a figure wielding a massive axe appeared, striking silently and swiftly.

The axe weighed several hundred pounds, but the attacker handled it with ease, the sharp blade glinting with a chilling light.

Due to the flames ahead, no one could see this.

Zero-Ring Magic—Water Surge! A stream of water appeared out of thin air, forming a giant water ball that enveloped Karl, blocking the flames.

It was just a moment.

'Peng!'

The flames and the water ball merged, and amidst the mist, the axe fell silently from above.

The true killing move arrived.

'Die!'

The attacker's face twisted with ferocity, letting out a low, fierce howl, their killing intent palpable.

'What?'

Both Karl and the attacker showed surprise.

The attacker clearly hadn't anticipated that their chosen target would have such sharp senses, especially since they were a 'Magic-Martial Dual Cultivator' like themselves.

Karl hadn't expected it either, that someone would ambush him, and that they were also a 'Magic-Martial Dual Cultivator'.

A Grand Knight?

No!

It was just that the power displayed earlier was comparable to that of a Grand Knight.

Combat Technique—Bloom! The broadsword trembled, and in an instant, terrifying power erupted. The attacker struggled to withstand it, their body involuntarily leaning back.

How could this be?

The target was not only proficient in combat techniques but also a Grand Knight with strength far surpassing Karl's.

Damn!

The attacker's eyes showed panic, and they retreated forcefully.

He was just a Knight, although for a short time, his power burst was comparable to that of a Grand Knight through some means.

But ultimately, he wasn't a Grand Knight.

Run!

'Too late!'

Karl's voice turned cold as he crossed his swords and attacked.

Combat Technique—Gale Slash!

Instantly.

Countless sword shadows enveloped the area, like a dark cloud blocking all escape routes.

'Ding ding dang dang...'

'Puff!'

The countless sword shadows retracted, and the opponent spat out blood, stumbling backward. Before they could steady themselves, their head was sliced off by a sword.

'There's actually a killer and looter near the Black Swamp?' Karl sheathed his swords and searched the body, his expression changing:

'A Fire Thief?'

'Someone from Cologne!'

Fire Thieves weren't wizards, but the exceptional ones among them possessed the ability to control flames.

In this world, besides wizards, there was another group of people with extraordinary powers, and there were quite a few of them.

They were the followers of deities.

Priests!

Clerics!

Or,

Fire Thieves from Cologne!

...

Karl wasn't the only one ambushed; within half a day, there were over ten ambush incidents in the Black Swamp.

Among them,

Most of those ambushed died on the spot!

Several Wizard Apprentices were killed in one go, including two Intermediate Wizard Apprentices. Naturally, it caused widespread fear.

'The people of Cologne have gone mad!'

Siebel's face turned pale as she spoke with lingering fear:

'Luckily, I was traveling with several others; otherwise, Jesse would still be with us this morning.'

Apparently, she knew some of the victims.

'Cologne just suffered a defeat at the frontlines, so it's foolish to provoke the Swamp Alliance now.' Karl frowned in confusion:

'Regardless, it's best to stay indoors in the coming days and set up more wizard traps near the island.'

'Mhm.' Siebel nodded firmly.

The Swamp Alliance responded swiftly. The next day, they dispatched a patrol team led by a Full Wizard to search for the Fire Thieves hiding in the Black Swamp.

They also announced a series of rules.

'To ensure the safety of the Alliance wizards, strict screening will be implemented for entering and exiting the Black Swamp from now on.'

Siebel brought back news:

'Also...'

'The Alliance is forming a Wizard Patrol Team. Joining it will earn you a certain number of credits each month.'

'I plan to give it a try.'

'You?' Karl frowned:

'Joining the patrol team now is likely to encounter danger.'

'No way!' Siebel smiled and waved her hand:

'Each patrol team will have a High Wizard Apprentice, and the Fire Thieves from Cologne won't dare to act.'

'Just following along will earn a lot of credits; it's definitely worth it.'

'You...' Karl began:

'Are you...'

'Of course.' Siebel rolled her eyes:

'I have to feed myself and my family, and I'm also supporting Payne. Our master doesn't live with me either.'

'Right!'

Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she smiled:

'Payne has started meditation and mastered the Light Spell. Uncle, do you want to give him a gift?'

'So fast?' Karl was surprised:

'He's already mastered a spell?'

'Of course!' Siebel spoke enthusiastically about her apprentice:

'I think Payne's wizard talent, though not at the second-rank level, shouldn't be far off.'

'In the future, he will definitely become a High Wizard Apprentice.'

'He might even become a Full Wizard!'

'Congratulations.' Karl stood up and handed her a dagger:

'Congratulations on having a good apprentice. This dagger is imbued with Water Wave Shock and can easily tear through tough flesh.'

'Consider it my gift.'

No matter what precautions the people of Cologne take, Karl has decided to stay indoors for the coming days.

Until he runs out of savings.

After several months, Karl found himself in the Foreign World, at the Free Harbor. He accompanied Susan to the merchant guild's warehouse, navigating through the bustling crowd until they reached a secluded courtyard.

"Three Water Monkeys," Susan said, pushing open the gate and gesturing towards a metal cage in the yard. Inside, three adult Water Monkeys lay fast asleep, their sizes indicating maturity.

"We used a special sedative potion, and they won't wake up even if we dismember them. Go ahead and examine them," Susan instructed.

Karl inspected the creatures and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad."

"It's not difficult to secretly knock out a few and bring them back, as long as you don't intentionally provoke them," Susan smiled. "Miss Lula specifically asked me to give you a cost price—five hundred Serenity Coins per head. How does that sound?"

"Thank you," Karl replied, "and please convey my gratitude to Miss Lula."

"You should thank her in person; that would be more sincere," Susan waved her hand. "Come, let's go see the main attraction today."

Karl's eyes lit up, and he eagerly followed.

The Water Monkeys were his order, but they weren't the focus of this trip. The merchant guild had reaped a bountiful harvest from their latest sea voyage.

Among their catches was the capture and killing of a legendary creature!

They arrived at a heavily guarded courtyard, where they were granted entry after their identities were confirmed. Inside, a giant lion with wings lay on the ground, a massive wound on its neck serving as its fatal injury.

"The beloved bird of the sky, the lion blessed by the water god, a legendary creature with divine blood," Susan exclaimed in awe.

"The Windwing Sky Lion!"

The Windwing Sky Lion was not as large as Serpenti, but it was still over seven meters long and three meters tall, and its wingspan exceeded ten meters. Its corpse lay on the ground like a collapsed dwarf mountain, robust and solid. Even in death, every inch of its muscles seemed to be infused with endless power.

This was far beyond Serpenti.

The Windwing Sky Lion's head was enormous, with a wide and powerful nose. It was said that each breath it took could cause violent air vibrations, and its exposed fangs gleamed with a chilling light, striking fear into those who beheld it.

Its dark golden fur was unique, exuding nobility and mystery, no wonder it was beloved by the deities in legends.

The most striking feature was its wings, which were sharp as blades, unlike the usual soft and flexible wings.

Karl had no doubt that each feather on these wings could be a lethal weapon.

It was somewhat similar to the legendary griffin but with distinct differences.

"These creatures inhabit the deep sea islands. They can enter the water but mostly soar through the sky, living on uninhabited islands," Susan explained.

"They only enter the water to give birth to their young, and the offspring live underwater until their wings are fully developed."

"Its speed is like lightning, and it possesses the power to control raging winds. Its body is as hard as a diamond, making it the most dreaded creature for sea merchants."

"This time, even the guild leader personally took part in the kill."

"Oh!" Karl exclaimed in surprise. "Can the guild leader kill a legendary creature?"

As far as he knew, the Dragon King Merchant Guild's leader had not achieved legendary status and was only a peak-level Great Knight.

In the entire Free Harbor,

only the lord of the city, Sodan, was a legendary knight!

"Some can, some can't," Susan said. "Legendary creatures have some intelligence, but they can't compare to humans. With the right conditions, there's still a chance to kill them."

"Of course..."

"Direct confrontation is out of the question. Even a legendary knight couldn't possibly withstand a legendary creature head-on."

"Besides, humans can use weapons, powerful seals, and helpers. They wouldn't fight them alone."

Karl nodded slowly.

"I want some materials for research."

He gently caressed the corpse before him, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

"Blood, feathers, meat, and if possible, eyes, teeth, and a portion of its internal organs."

Analyzing this legendary creature would significantly boost his bloodline wizard experience, and he should be able to attempt modifying his body the next time.

Robert had studied the Spider Woman for over a decade to accumulate enough experience, but Karl might not even need that long.

This was the difference between analyzing a legendary creature and a common magic creature.

"Tsk tsk..." Susan shook her head. "I really don't understand. The flesh and blood of a legendary creature, I get, but what use do you have for the other parts?"

"But it shouldn't be a problem."

Dividing some feathers and teeth from such a Windwing Sky Lion shouldn't be an issue, and others wouldn't want them anyway.

"Sister Susan!"

As they spoke, a girl in a green dress rushed over.

"Little Jasmine!" Seeing the newcomer, Susan's eyes flickered.

"What brings you here? Did Miss Lula send you to find me?"

Little Jasmine was Miss Lula's assistant and rarely left her side unless it was urgent.

"Sister Susan," Little Jasmine whispered, pulling Susan to the corner of the courtyard.

"What?"

"How could this be?"

Hearing something, Susan's expression changed, glancing at Karl before her eyes flashed.

"Karl."

She hurried over, her expression serious.

"Come with me."

This was a heavily guarded courtyard, located in Free Harbor, away from the coast. The nearby residents were either wealthy or influential.

Karl didn't know the owner, but he could guess they were no ordinary person.

"Remember." Susan whispered as she hurried along, her voice low. "Whatever you see or hear next, act as if you didn't see or hear anything."

"I'll explain later," she added.

Karl nodded slowly, having already been instructed on the way here. The repeated emphasis suggested that this was indeed an unusual situation.

As they walked down a corridor, they spotted Lula with a solemn expression.

"Susan!"

"Karl, the Apothecary."

Lula nodded at the two of them and gestured, saying, "This way!"

"Yes!" Susan hurried to catch up and signaled to Karl not to ask any questions.

Lula led them to a room filled with medicinal ingredients, the air thick with various scents.

In the center of the room was a large bed, with a curtain hanging above it, obscuring the figure within.

Only a pale, sturdy arm protruded from the curtain, dangling lifelessly over the side of the bed.

The sight of the arm gave the impression that a dead person lay on the bed, exuding a morbid atmosphere distinctly different from that of a living person.

"Karl, the Apothecary."

Lula struggled to keep her emotions in check, but her voice still trembled slightly as she gestured and said, "Please examine this patient's condition."

A patient? Who was it?

Karl's face remained composed, although he had some suspicions. He sat down on a chair by the bedside.

Then he reached out and grasped the protruding arm.

Analytical Technique!

Hmm?

A chilling, deep, and terrifying aura appeared, causing Karl's expression to change drastically.

Instinctively, he let go of the arm.

"Karl!"

"What's wrong?"

"..." Karl's face grew somber as he shook his head. "I've never encountered such a situation before. Miss Lula, it's best to consult a more skilled healer."

"Oh?" Lula's eyes dimmed, clearly disappointed but not unexpectedly. She nodded and said, "Thank you, Karl, the Apothecary."

"Karl!" Susan exclaimed. "What's going on? Miss Lula already had a physician examine him, but they found no clues."

"This..." Karl hesitated for a moment before saying, "I can't quite explain it, but it seems this patient is infected with the Water Plague, and it's more severe than usual."

"It does seem that way."

"The Water Plague?" Susan frowned. "Only ordinary people can be infected by the Water Plague. Knights are immune, let alone..."

"Yes, that's the theory," Karl agreed, equally puzzled. "In any case, I'm afraid I can't be of much help here."

"It's alright." Lula forced a smile. "Susan, please see Karl, the Apothecary, out."

"Yes."

Susan complied.

After Karl left, the room felt empty. Lula's body swayed, and she almost collapsed.

"Stop being so weak!" a cold voice rang out.

Accompanied by heavy footsteps, a tall woman with a wooden staff approached.

"Your father isn't dead yet. Even if he were, do you think crying will bring him back to life?"

"Mother..." Lula took a deep breath, wiping away the tears in her eyes, and nodded. "Yes."

"The Water Plague?" The woman drew back the curtain, revealing the silent figure on the bed. A fleeting trace of unnoticeable sorrow flashed in her eyes. "How could it possibly be the Water Plague?"

The patient on the bed was none other than the President of the Dragon King Merchant Guild, known as the Water Dragon King of the Endless Sea, Zhaomuerman.

And the woman who drew back the curtain was his wife, the Great Knight Emma, who possessed the bloodline of a Wood Elf.

"Mother," Lula said, her voice trembling. "I asked Uncle Raven, and he said that on this voyage, Father's ship was once caught in an Endless Whirlpool."

"Later, the merchant ship managed to escape, but Father's mental state has been somewhat abnormal ever since."

"Someone said they heard Father mumbling in his sleep about a demon god, telling it to get away, and that he wanted to go back."

"A demon god?" Emma's cheek muscles twitched slightly. "What demon god?"

"This matter must not be known by others, especially those two Vice Presidents. We must keep it a secret!"

"Yes," Lula said, her face turning solemn.

Suddenly, Zhaomuerman's body on the bed began to tremble, his limbs convulsing wildly, and white foam spilling from his mouth.

"Father!" Lula hurriedly took a step forward.

"Gurgle... Pff..." Zhaomuerman's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, and a jet of water shot out from his mouth.

Then, small squids, crabs, and shrimp began to pour out of his mouth, quickly covering the floor.

The creatures that came out of his mouth were still alive, scurrying across the floor.

"Go!"

"Gurgle..."

Zhaomuerman glared and growled, "Leave... go... to Free Harbor..."

"Demon God!"

"Gurgle..."

Countless aquatic creatures continued to spew from his mouth, yet his stomach didn't seem to shrink at all, as if there were another space inside him. The scene was eerie and terrifying.

Before long, the entire floor of the room was covered with fish.

The air was filled with a fishy smell.

"Go?"

Emma's eyes showed a hint of sorrow as she watched her husband's body convulse wildly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Where else can we go from here?"

"To Lady Mewaya's Necropolis?"

"My love, don't you understand? Ever since this world lost the protection of the deities, we... all of us have no way out."

Please collect! ! !

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end