Chapter 94: Supreme Seal - Earthquake Impact

Chapter 94: Supreme Seal - Earthquake Impact

"Grand Knight!"

The infamous Sea Serpent Devitt had just effortlessly slain a Peak-level Knight. His strength was now evident to all.

"Grand Knight!" This powerful pirate leader was indeed a Grand Knight.

There was a sense of surprise, but it was also understandable. Only a Grand Knight could easily defeat a Peak Knight.

However, Karl!

A mere alchemist. For over a year, he had kept a low profile, and many were unaware of his Breath Technique, but he was indeed a Grand Knight.

But now, was the title of Grand Knight so easily attainable?

"Karl, the alchemist, is a Grand Knight?"

With a clash that echoed like the sound of a mighty bell, the battle raged.

Devitt's ferocious battle aura tore through the ground, and the two combatants, at the center of it all, unleashed their power, causing a whirlwind of energy to surge in all directions.

The houses on either side of the street shook violently, and spectators were lifted off the ground by the sheer force, flying away in surprise.

"Grand Knight!"

"What immense strength!"

Sea Serpent Devitt's face revealed his awe and respect. His strange curved blade created countless afterimages as he swung it.

Combat Technique - Wave Surge!

"Is Karl the alchemist a Grand Knight?"

"Did Uncle Karl become a Grand Knight?"

"..."

Susan, Aya, and the others were equally astonished, especially Susan, who wore a look of disbelief.

It was Aya who had guessed that Karl was a Peak Knight, but she hadn't expected him to have already advanced to the level of a Grand Knight.

Combat Technique - Gale Slash!

Karl held a broadsword in each hand, swinging them to create a curtain of blades in front of him.

The terrifying power and howling battle aura caused all obstacles to shatter instantly, and even more trenches appeared in front of him.

"Excellent!"

"What formidable strength!"

Sea Serpent Devitt's expression turned to one of wariness as he backed away. The strange curved blade in his hand flashed with an eerie light, and his speed increased again.

Moreover, it was a sudden surge! The battlefield was filled with howling winds and swirling dust.

Within a range of several meters, the ground silently cracked, forming fissures. Bricks and wooden boards detached from the houses, and some of the closer spectators were blown away by the sword wind, turning into piles of flesh.

The surrounding onlookers wished they had an extra pair of legs as they desperately fled the scene.

The battle between Grand Knights was intense, and even the aftermath was not something ordinary people could withstand.

"Boom!"

The clash echoed once more.

Karl leaped, his two broadswords gleaming with cold, sharp light. Then, he suddenly descended, spinning the broadswords around him, creating a bright circle of sword shadows without the blades themselves.

Within his body, the battle aura erupted, instantly exploding into two intersecting crosses of energy.

The sword intent was fierce, dominating, sacred, and majestic.

It was like an execution from the heavens!

Combat Technique - Sacred Judgment!

"Crack!"

"Boom!"

The sound of ribs cracking was heard, and Sea Serpent Devitt stumbled and fell. His chest now had a cruel cross-shaped wound.

The wound had no blood, and the surrounding skin had already been petrified.

Karl's broadsword was an enchanted item, not only capable of changing size but also imbued with petrification magic.

The petrification spread from the wound, covering Devitt's entire body, and his face was filled with horror.

"How is this possible?"

"No..."

"Crack!"

As his chest completely petrified, his voice suddenly stiffened, and his body fell uncontrollably to the ground.

"Crash..."

Sea Serpent Devitt's massive body shattered into countless pieces, leaving only his head intact, filled with horror.

Karl bent down and picked up the head.

Sea Serpent Devitt was not weak, but Karl was stronger.

Devitt's physique approached a score of 4, and he had the legendary knight technique, Guardian's Circle, along with two enchanted broadswords.

Without using the Giant Transformation Secret Technique, he could easily overpower an ordinary Grand Knight.

However, Karl remained cautious.

During the battle, Karl had also deployed a Lesser Mage Field, which made it easier to deal with Devitt.

Otherwise, Devitt's incredible speed would have made it more challenging for Karl to land a decisive blow.

"Is he dead?"

"Sea Serpent Devitt is dead!"

As the fierce winds subsided, Susan cautiously approached, her face filled with astonishment as she looked at the body on the ground.

Sea Serpent Devitt, who had single-handedly overwhelmed everyone earlier, had now fallen to Karl.

(End of Chapter 94)

Only his head remained unscathed.

"It seems the Merchant Guild has run into some trouble."

Carl lifted the head of Sea Serpent Devitt, turned around, and looked at Susan:

"I want to see Miss Lula."

"Of course."

Susan quickly nodded, "I'm sure Miss Lula will be delighted to see you, ApothecaryCarl, or rather, GreatKnightCarl!"

...

Devitt's head was placed on the table, his eyes glaring fiercely, his expression full of disbelief.

"Excellent!"

The wife of Dragon King Zhaomuerman pounded her wooden staff and called out loudly:

"Killed well!"

As a woman, this Great Knight with wood elf bloodline was known for her fiery temper.

She stared at the head on the table and smiled:

"Those who offend theDragonKingMerchantGuild deserve to pay the price!"

"Carl."

"You've done well!"

"Mr. Carl," Lula spoke from the side:

"Who would have thought that you have already advanced to become a Great Knight. If we had known earlier, we should have discussed the reward again."

"Thank you for today!"

This was the core headquarters of theDragonKingMerchantGuild, as well as the residence of the Zhaomuerman family.

In the spacious hall, other servants were dismissed, leaving only the three of them.

Lula looked at Carl, her eyes complicated, her heart filled with mixed emotions, unable to settle her thoughts.

She had trained hard in breath techniques and combat techniques since childhood to gain the recognition of her parents. Although she ascended to the rank of Knight early, she had never broken through to the Great Knight realm.

And Carl...

This apothecary, whose name was not widely known, had silently become a Great Knight.

It was impossible to not feel envy and jealousy.

But now was a time when the guild needed capable hands, and he was one of their own. An additional Great Knight would be a significant boost.

"I just broke through."

Carl nodded:

"Coincidentally, someone came to cause trouble. As a part of theDragonKingMerchantGuild, I naturally had to take action."

"Recently broken through?" Lula mused:

"Mr. Carl is truly modest, to be able to kill the renowned Sea Serpent Devitt right after breaking through."

When recruiting Carl, she had conducted thorough investigations on this apothecary.

One of the main instigators of the chaos in theBlackCity, a Knight-level expert, skilled in the refinement of various potions.

That's right!

For him to lead a group out of theBlackCity, he must have been at the peak of the Knight realm at the time. Breaking through now isn't surprising.

It's just that Carl was too low-key, often not showing up for a month, making him easy to overlook.

"Madam, Miss Lula."

Carl looked at the two and said:

"Regarding the President, there are many rumors in the market recently. I wonder... how is the President?"

Lula's expression darkened.

"... " Emma gripped her wooden staff tightly and said:

"My husband, Zhaomuerman, has passed away, but no one can take what he left behind."

"No one!"

The lady's voice was hoarse, her attitude domineering, like a stubborn stone, just as the rumors suggested.

As for the news of the Dragon King's passing...

It couldn't be hidden any longer.

"Madam."

Carl nodded, confirming the news of the Dragon King's death, and said:

"The two Vice Presidents seem to not fully recognize Miss Lula. The Scythe Brotherhood and the Sea god association are also keeping a close eye on the guild."

"Today’s incident was no coincidence."

"If the guild cannot stabilize itself quickly, similar troubles are likely to occur again."

"It's fine." Emma spoke with a low voice:

"Lula has me and Crow. With two Great Knights, they won’t dare to make a move."

"Carl."

She looked at him with sharp eyes:

"Will you help Lula? If you agree, we can offer you a position."

"Mother!" Lula's face changed.

Emma was powerful, but she was not a competent merchant and should not be so rash in making offers.

Moreover,

Carl was indeed a Great Knight, but he specialized in potion refinement, not leadership. He might not be the right fit for a Vice President.

"I'll pass on the position of Vice President," Carl waved his hand.

"What?" Emma's face darkened:

"Are you refusing to help us? Are you going against us?"

Carl was speechless.

This woman's temper was indeed as fiery as the rumors suggested. No wonder no one would submit to her.

"Mother!" Lula sighed, placing a hand on her forehead:

"Mr. Carl, please don't misunderstand, my mother has no ill intentions. We sincerely invite you to formally join theDragonKingMerchantGuild."

"Conditions can be discussed!"

The current state of theDragonKingMerchantGuild, though not on the brink of collapse, was not far from it.

The two Vice Presidents each had their own agendas, with two Great Knights supporting each side.

If Carl joined, Lula’s side would have three Great Knights, giving them more room to maneuver.

Facing the covetous eyes of other forces, they would have a better chance of resistance.

Conditions?

Carl smiled lightly.

He had come here with the purpose of discussing these very conditions.

"I want a Supreme Seal, a Divine Blessing, and a Legendary Creature. If you can provide these, I’ll consider it."

"What?"

"Ahh!"

Both women were shocked.

Fortunately, their status and position meant that while these items were rare, they were not unheard of.

"Mr. Carl."

Lula's beautiful eyes flickered:

"Your strength is enough to earn a Supreme Seal, but the guild’s Supreme Seals are limited. If we were to distribute one without a significant contribution, it might cause discontent among others."

"You should know that even after serving in the guild for over a decade, a Grand Knight still couldn't obtain a Supreme Seal."

"As for the Divine Blessing..." She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Although the Divine Blessing is extremely rare, it's merely a valuable collectible. What do you need it for?"

"I have my reasons." Karl said.

"How many Divine Blessings does Miss Lula have?"

Lula thought for a moment and replied, "Many years ago, Archduke Ferdinand used all means to retrieve the scattered Divine Blessings, and now they are rarely seen in the outside world."

"The Merchant Guild should have over a dozen of them."

Over a dozen! Karl's expression remained unchanged, but his heart raced.

As expected!

Cooperating with a major power is the right choice. How could I gather so many Divine Blessings on my own?

Even if I were to join the Scythe Brotherhood or the Sea God Guild, it wouldn't be easy.

These two powers are very stable and don't lack Grand Knights. Even if I wanted to negotiate, it would be troublesome.

The Dragon King Merchant Guild is the perfect choice!

"The Divine Blessing is not just a collectible; it's also a necessity to exchange for a Supreme Seal with Archduke Ferdinand," Emma spoke up. "It can't be given to outsiders casually."

"Can the Divine Blessing be exchanged for a Supreme Seal?" Lula was clearly hearing about this for the first time, and she couldn't help but show her surprise. "I thought..."

"What did you think?" Emma coldly hummed. "Otherwise, why would the Divine Blessing be so rare and precious, and why would it be snatched up by major powers as soon as it appears?"

"And there are also legendary creatures..."

"Many Grand Knights have died hunting them."

"Yes," Karl nodded. "Whether it's the Supreme Seal, the Divine Blessing, or the legendary creatures, they are all very rare. Of course..."

"I'm not asking for it for free."

"Miss Lula, have you ever wondered why I was able to advance from Knight to Grand Knight so quickly?"

Hmm? Lula raised her eyebrows, her expression changing.

"I have a potion," Karl said.

"Rampage Potion!"

Night.

The conference hall of the Dragon King Merchant Guild was bathed in the soft moonlight and the warm glow of candles, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

The intricate carvings on the tall, arched windows were barely visible in the moonlight.

On both sides stood armored warriors, exuding a chilling killing intent, guarding the honor and secrets of the organization.

"Tap..."

"Tap!"

Footsteps approached from a distance.

Two knights clad in soft armor entered the hall and knelt on one knee before Lula and Emma.

"Maki!"

"Odysseus!"

"We've met the Guild Master's wife and Miss Lula."

Maki was tall and muscular, with well-defined muscles and a deep, rugged face. His thick beard resembled thorns in a deep forest, and his eyes held a dangerous wildness.

His weapon was a massive battle-axe, which he held in his hand even as he knelt.

In contrast, Odysseus had a fair face and bright eyes. He was a handsome man with golden hair and blue eyes, possessing a unique wisdom and intelligence.

His soft armor was beautifully crafted, adorned with gems and pearls, and his weapon was a sharp, elegant, and deadly longsword.

These two knights were as different as could be, both in physique and aura, but they shared the same peak-level status as knights.

"Mr. Karl," Lula nodded at the two knights and turned to Karl. "Maki and Odysseus are both solid and reliable Peak Knights with the potential to break through to the Grand Knight realm.

"What do you think?"

Karl sat in a chair on the left side of the hall, surrounded by darkness, like a shadow hiding in the shadows.

Karl?

The alchemist?

The two Peak Knights instinctively looked up at him.

Although it hadn't been long since the Sea Serpent Devitt incident, news of it had already spread throughout Free Harbor.

Alchemist Karl!

A mysterious and powerful Grand Knight!

In a short time, his name had become well-known within the Dragon King Merchant Guild, and it had even attracted the attention of major powers, causing them to dispatch investigators. Even operations targeting the guild had been temporarily put on hold.

Karl spoke up. "They're the ones."

"Yes, they are," Lula nodded. "They are trustworthy."

Now that the secret of Dragon King Zhaomuerman's death had been leaked, members of the guild were choosing sides.

The two knights before them were loyal followers of Lula faction.

"Yes," Karl nodded and waved his hand, and two bottles of potion appeared on the table in front of him. "For a Knight to advance to Grand Knight, the life essence must extend to every corner of the body."

"Other parts are fine, but some delicate blood vessels and dormant organs are hard to nourish with the life essence."

"So, this process is slow and..."

He paused, his voice turning solemn. "My Rampage Potion can greatly enhance the life essence and open up the usually blocked passages."

"If you can grasp this opportunity, you'll be able to successfully advance to Grand Knight."

"Hiss..."

"Ah!"

The two Peak Knights were surprised by his words but quickly fixed their gazes on the Rampage Potion.

"Remember!" Karl said sternly. "This potion can increase your chances of breaking through, but it will also drain your potential. If the potion's effects wear off before you break through, you must quickly retract the life essence, or you'll suffer from minor organ damage at best and possibly threaten your life at worst."

"Maki, Odysseus."

Lula spoke up, "Currently, only Karl the Apothecary has taken the Rampage Potion, so... you should consider carefully before making your choice."

It wasn't that she didn't trust Karl, but it was important to clarify the situation, a responsibility to her subordinates.

The two Peak Knights exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

"I'm willing!"

"Willing!"

They had been stagnant for too long, and even if the chances were slim, they were willing to give it a try.

Moreover, Karl was a successful example.

"Good!"

Lula stood up, her expression solemn:

"I've prepared two secret chambers in the back, with the necessary items for your breakthrough. Each of you will have a potion."

"I wish you success!"

"If you succeed..."

"As Grand Knights, the rewards the Dragon King Merchant Guild can offer will far exceed your imagination!"

After addressing their concerns and promising great rewards, with their unwavering loyalty, they no longer hesitated. Each took a potion and headed towards the prepared secret chambers.

Time passed slowly.

Karl sat in a large chair, his eyes closed, his body shrouded in darkness, and his breath restrained.

He hadn't moved for a long time.

Lula watched the pendulum swinging beneath the clock, her gaze flickering, occasionally glancing towards Karl.

Her emotions were visibly fluctuating.

There were ways to enhance a Knight's breakthrough to the Grand Knight level, but each was extremely precious.

If the Rampage Potion truly worked...

The Free Harbor had never lacked Peak-level Knights, and the Dragon King Merchant Guild also had many such experts.

"No need to rush."

Emma's voice was muffled:

"The path to the Grand Knight realm isn't quick. You should remain calm like your father."

"Yes." Lula took a deep breath:

"Mother."

Emma seemed to have a short temper, like a lit firecracker, but it was just her straightforward nature.

When faced with important matters, she could indeed stay calm and composed.

"When..."

The clock chimed melodiously, and the dark night outside began to reveal a faint morning glow.

"Bang!"

A loud noise came from behind.

"Report!"

A messenger rushed in.

"Who is it?" Lula stood up abruptly, her face flushed with excitement:

"What's the situation?"

"It's Machi."

The messenger shook his head:

"He failed to breakthrough and is suffering from the drug's backlash. He's currently unconscious, but it's not life-threatening."

"Like this." Lula's excitement gradually faded, and she nodded:

"Have the physician treat him. After he wakes up, arrange for him to rest well, and don't worry about the rest."

"Yes."

The messenger acknowledged.

Karl opened his eyes, his expression unchanged.

The Rampage Potion only increased the chances of a breakthrough, it wasn't a miracle drug, and it had significant side effects.

Failing the breakthrough was entirely normal.

Just as the messenger was about to leave, another person rushed in.

"Madam! Miss!"

"Success!"

The person was overjoyed and shouted:

"Odysseus the Knight took the potion and successfully broke through. He's now... a Grand Knight!"

"Swoosh!"

Lula's figure flickered, appearing in front of the messenger:

"What did you say? Say it again!"

"Miss." The messenger's face turned pale, and he stammered:

"Odysseus the Knight took the potion and successfully broke through. He's now... a Grand Knight."

"Good!" Before Lula could respond, Emma, sitting in the back, shouted with joy and laughed heartily:

"Haha..."

"Yes."

Lula's body trembled slightly, and her voice was hoarse:

"It's truly wonderful!"

"Huff..."

Taking a deep breath, she spoke softly:

"Let Odysseus rest and stabilize his Grand Knight realm. Don't rush him."

"Mr. Karl."

Turning around, Lula's eyes lit up:

"We should have a good talk."

...

The Dragon King Merchant Guild possessed three Supreme Seals.

The strongest among them was the Dragon King's Wrath, a seal that belonged to Dragon King Zimorman.

Once activated, this seal greatly enhanced the user's strength, allowing them to easily defeat opponents of higher levels.

Zimorman's strength alone had brought the Dragon King Merchant Guild to become one of the three major powers in Free Harbor, and the Dragon King's Wrath played an indispensable role in this achievement.

Of course,

This Supreme Seal couldn't be given to Karl.

The second Supreme Seal was called Storm, and there was also only one of them.

This seal could summon storms with an extremely wide range of attack, but its killing power wasn't as great.

The last one.

Earthquake Impact!

It could cause the earth to shake, creating a certain range of thrusts, equivalent to a combination of Earth and Gravity Magic Spells.

The killing power of this seal was closely related to the user's strength; the stronger the user, the more powerful the seal.

Lula took out a crystal-carved jade box and placed it solemnly in front of Karl.

At the same time, she picked up a bottle of Rampage Potion.

"Go!"

Emma waved her hand:

"Whether you succeed or not, as long as you try your best, you won't regret it."

"Yes." Lula nodded:

"Mother."

Her hand tightened around the potion, and she slowly stepped back.

Karl looked down at the jade box, a special container designed to preserve such seals.

Supreme Seal: Earthquake Impact!

This was his choice.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end