Chapter 533 - 532: Division of Property

Chapter 533: Chapter 532: Division of Property

Colin examined the items carefully underwater.

First was a Magic Scroll. It was tucked into a scroll case. Although the case had no lid, the Scroll itself was still intact.

He carefully inspected the Magic Scroll’s contents. Judging by the format and markings, it appeared to be a Scroll for the Tier Three Magic, [Keen Edge].

This spell could make a weapon exceptionally sharp, thereby enhancing its power.

’I can learn it as soon as we’re back on land. It’s a pretty useful spell,’ Colin thought as he put the Scroll back into its case.

Next was a folded Magic Robe.

The loose, long Magic Robe was covered in flowing elemental patterns. Upon closer inspection, faint Dragon Scale markings were subtly visible. It had a capelet over the shoulders, with fine tassels hanging beneath it.

[Dragon Patterned Robe / Non-Standard Level Magic Armor]

[Scale Armor Protection: The Dragon Scales on your body become tougher. Defense +1]

[Elemental Amplification: When you cast a Damage spell of the same element as your draconic bloodline, the spell’s Damage increases by 1-4 points.]

[Arcane Channeling: You can cast one additional Tier One Magic spell per day.]

This robe seemed to be designed specifically for a Dragon Vein Mage.

Based on her draconic bloodline, the Magic Robe should be able to enhance the Damage of her Flame Magic.

’But...’ Colin considered, ’she seems to have a lot of Magic that isn’t related to Flame. In that case, this robe might not be as cost-effective for her.’

Of course, no one else in the party was a better fit for this Magic Robe, so he would just give it to her.

Colin picked up the last of the Magic Items.

It was a short Dagger forged from refined steel. The blade was straight and symmetrical with a deliberate matte finish. The hilt was made of smooth black oak, wrapped with fine silver wire.

[Precise Dagger / Non-Standard Magic Equipment]

[Damage: 3-6]

[Exquisite Design: This weapon’s Damage and hit chance +1.]

[Fatal Blow: When the wielder attacks any opponent that is unaware of them, it deals an additional 1-6 Damage.]

A glance at its abilities made it obvious that this was perfect for Dorn.

After sorting out the two items, Colin and the others sent them up, along with the materials harvested from the Aboleth’s body.

Once all that was taken care of, the effects of the bends had mostly worn off. Only then did the group use the [Climbing Rope] tied above the fissure to climb up.

After climbing out of the fissure, they saw that the surrounding environment had indeed changed dramatically.

Although the overall shape of the terrain hadn’t changed drastically, some fundamental aspects of the environment were completely different from before.

The stone bricks around the reservoir looked much older, an underground river now ran alongside it, and a small bridge had appeared, connecting the path in the middle of the reservoir to the adjacent wall.

The stairs leading to the bottom of the reservoir were still in the same place, but they were now broken off near the ground.

If the group had just mindlessly walked over there a moment ago, they would have been in for a world of hurt.

Kase carried Dorn on his back while Ale supported Orelia, and the group followed the bottom of the reservoir toward an ascending stairway.

The interior had many stairs and small platforms for climbing up, likely for maintenance of the reservoir itself. It looked somewhat like an Indian stepwell.

Colin looked at Durkin beside him and asked, "By the way, how did you escape?"

"After I was captured, they put me in iron chains and had someone watch me every day," Durkin said. "But they didn’t expect me to have a piece of wire hidden in my mouth beforehand. When they opened the reservoir valve to come up and provide support, I easily picked the lock."

"Hmph, our men are admittedly a bit lacking in the professionalism department," Langgrin said with a chuckle.

Durkin glanced at Dorn on Kase’s back.

He asked, "How is Dorn doing?"

"He isn’t seriously injured. It’s probably because he pushed himself too hard using his Spiritual Energy, causing some kind of cerebral overload," Colin said.

However, Durkin didn’t ask any more about Dorn after that.

The group walked to the upper end of the reservoir, arriving at the side of the bridge that connected the island to the reservoir wall.

The Dwarves who had been mind-controlled were sitting listlessly by the bridge, apparently suffering from the aftereffects of the psychic domination.

"Hey, Colin! Have you dealt with things?"

Just then, Selan’s voice called out from near the fissure they had come from.

Colin turned and shouted back, "The Aboleth has been killed!"

Selan called back in acknowledgment, then approached with the other Fishman warriors.

From a distance, nearly all the Fishmen were wounded. Fortunately, their numbers hadn’t dwindled, so it seemed there were no fatalities.

"Lanser was right. You truly are powerful land-dwellers. To think you could slay a Demon of the deep with just a few people," Selan remarked with admiration as he drew near.

He continued, "With this, our mission is complete. We will return to our own reef. Is there anything else you need?"

"Actually, there is one thing," Colin said. "How do you plan to divide the spoils?"

"Whoever kills it, gets the loot, of course," Selan said, frowning.

Colin sensed that Selan probably thought he was trying to take advantage of them, like a typical "greedy human."

"I’m talking about the loot from the Aboleth itself, such as its treasure hoard."

"What’s in its treasure hoard? Are there any beautiful, lustrous pearls?"

"No pearls. There’s a lot of coin, two artifacts, and some Gemstones."

Selan asked, "By coin, do you mean those little metal discs? That stuff is useless to us. We only want iron weapons, food, and pearls."

"In that case, you can have everything from the Kuo-toa, and we’ll handle the materials from the Aboleth. Is that acceptable?"

After Colin finished speaking, Selan nodded readily and said, "My apologies. I thought for a moment you wanted to take everything for yourselves. I’m sorry."

"Uh... no problem?" Colin was a bit taken aback by his frankness and didn’t quite know how to respond.

’These fishmen are surprisingly easy to deal with,’ he thought. ’The Kuo-toa had almost nothing of value on them.’

Of course, to the Tritons, the food in the Kuo-toa’s lair was probably more valuable than Gold Coins.

"In that case, we should also pay you your reward," Durkin interjected. "I just didn’t expect us to run into an opponent like that."

"Tell me about it. I didn’t expect it either." Kase rubbed his arms as if covered in goosebumps. "I’m still feelin’ a little creeped out. That thing was just too unnatural."

"Have you appraised the total value of the loot in the Aboleth’s treasury in Gold Coins?" Durkin asked.

Ale glanced over the haul and said, "About twenty-five hundred Gold Coins, give or take some small change."

"To be honest, we’re a bit short on coin right now," Durkin said. "The most I can give you is two hundred Gold Coins each. As compensation, we will craft the materials from the Aboleth into corresponding Magic Items and Potions for you, and we won’t take a share of the Aboleth’s treasure. Is that acceptable?"