Chapter 388 - 372: Ashes of Original Sin

Chapter 388: Chapter 372: Ashes of Original Sin

TAP, TAP, TAP...

Roland’s fingers tapped unconsciously on the tabletop, making a dull sound.

Hobbit’s description stirred a memory from deep within him.

It was a notice he had seen at an Adventurer Association he passed by after the Magic City Jiles incident, back when he was testing the efficacy of the Secret Imprisonment Dice.

[Abnormal cold light and unknown whispers reported in the deep mine shafts of Stone Furnace Castle. Those exposed are in an abnormal mental state. Requesting adventurers with relevant experience to assist in the investigation.]

’I can’t believe this phenomenon has worsened...’

"But you don’t need to worry, Mr. Roland."

Noticing the look in Roland’s eyes, Hobbit spoke up.

"Although the Dwarf Royal Family has sealed many of the mine tunnels, the Dwarves infected with the symptoms haven’t shown any other abnormalities besides the changes I described. In fact..."

The Half-Elf frowned slightly, recalling the rumors he had recently heard in the taverns.

"Compared to the normal Dwarves who get rowdy after a few drinks, the ones with Stone Speech Syndrome seem exceptionally withdrawn and indifferent. They cause far less trouble."

"That’s good."

Roland breathed a sigh of relief.

Although his strength still couldn’t compare to a top-tier Transcendent like Morne, if he went all out, he should be evenly matched with Graham in his prime. Ordinary Extraordinary Professionals were no match for him at all.

But his increase in strength couldn’t make up for his mental and spiritual exhaustion.

Enduring the Magic City Jiles incident in the River Domain and then the Abyss invasion in the Golden Valley Kingdom back-to-back had left him utterly exhausted.

He really didn’t want any more complications on this journey through the Rock Kingdom.

What’s more...

Roland’s gaze fell to the arm beneath his sleeve, wrapped in layers of bandages.

The price of using [Dragon’s Breath] at full power was far greater than he had anticipated.

Although his right arm wasn’t physically damaged and he could move it freely, the moment he tried to exert any strength, he felt a debilitating weakness, as if his muscles had atrophied.

The symptom was slowly healing under the influence of his [Giant Dragon Bloodline], but by his conservative estimate, it would take at least several months.

Shaking off these chaotic thoughts, Roland changed the subject.

"Thank you for all your hard work, Hobbit."

He untied the satchel on the table, revealing its contents.

A brand-new Longsword and a War Axe.

He had personally forged them on the way to Wuzhe Pass, using ore he’d purchased along the route.

Although the material was no match for Mithril, with his current masterful skill, the finished products were still of superior quality.

"Mr. Roland, this is..."

Hobbit’s eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the masterfully crafted Longsword, which glinted with a cold light.

"Of course, it’s for you and..."

Roland glanced at Freddy, still sleeping soundly in the corner, and shook his head with a sigh.

"And Freddy."

"This is too valuable!"

Hobbit hurriedly waved his hands.

Even though he knew nothing about smithing, he could tell just from its appearance that the Longsword was incredibly valuable. The sharp, cold light glinting from its surface made him gulp involuntarily.

It was a priceless treasure, the kind you couldn’t find on the market.

Even his older brother, Trevor, a well-paid ship captain, had never given him such a valuable gift.

"Take it, Hobbit. You’ve helped me so much; isn’t it only right for me to give you a Longsword?"

Roland placed the Longsword in the Half-Elf’s hands, a gentle smile in his eyes.

"Unless... you don’t consider me a friend?"

"H-How could that be! I understand..."

Hobbit hugged the Longsword tightly and nodded emphatically. His face beamed with joy as his fingers lovingly caressed the blade.

"And this."

Seeing how the Half-Elf couldn’t bear to part with it, Roland smiled faintly and took a stack of papers from his breast pocket.

"These are some combat techniques I’ve written just for you. They should help you improve your skills."

Thanks to his Trait, [A Knight Does Not Die Unarmed], Roland’s mastery over all types of weapons had reached a state of perfection. Designing a suitable set of fighting techniques for Hobbit was, naturally, a simple matter for him.

After the previous exchange, Hobbit didn’t refuse this time. He respectfully took the pages with both hands and was quickly engrossed.

Just then, a rustling sound came from the corner.

Freddy sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes. His red skin glowed faintly in the light of the hearth.

He looked dazedly at Roland and gave a good-natured grin.

"Good morning, Mr. Roland."

"It’s already evening, Freddy."

Roland corrected him, exasperated, and handed him a cup of warm water.

"Eve-Evening?"

The Beastman took the cup and blinked in confusion, clearly not fully awake yet.

Seeing him in this state, Roland shook his head in resignation.

Once Freddy was a bit more lucid, Roland sincerely thanked him, then asked what he and Hobbit planned to do next.

"Dean Graham is at Wuzhe Pass right now."

Roland suggested.

"I can ask him to send an escort to take you back to the River Domain."

Hobbit, however, shook his head, his expression grave.

"Mr. Roland, perhaps you don’t know, but the River Domain is in utter chaos right now."

"The head of the Merchant Faction, Mr. Derek, is acting as if he’s possessed. He’s moved all the main forces to guard the heart of the Royal Capital, ignoring everything else. The leader of the nobles, Mr. Marston, is extremely unhappy about this. The two factions are locked in open strife and veiled struggles, throwing the entire Kingdom into turmoil."

He sighed.

"On top of that, the war with the Golden Valley Kingdom drained the national treasury, and the Knight Academy has been disbanded. I’m planning to find my older brother, Trevor, and go to sea with him."

Freddy also spoke up, his voice deep and rumbling.

"I-I’m not going back either. I want to return to the Beastman Kingdom."

Hearing that the River Domain had descended into such chaos, Roland couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. He also finally understood why Graham was at this border fortress.

’He must not want to get caught up in the country’s internal power struggles.’

"In that case..."

Hobbit’s eyes lit up.

"Since you’re going to Roaring Harbor, Mr. Roland, why don’t we travel together? Once we get there, I can board my brother’s ship. Then..."

He turned to Freddy.

"My brother can give you a ride to a port in the Beastman Kingdom."

Freddy nodded in his usual good-natured way, agreeing to the arrangement.

After a bit more conversation, Roland informed Bronson of his plans as well.

The scholar merely looked up from his scrolls, gave a casual wave of his hand to indicate that Roland could do as he pleased, and immediately immersed himself in his research again.

Faced with this predictable reaction, Roland shrugged nonchalantly, then got up, left, and got another room at the inn.

As he lay back on the soft bed, a thought stirred in his mind, and a translucent panel appeared before his eyes.

[External high-purity Energy source detected...]

[Identified as: Nine Prisons Flame (Origin Fragment)]

[Host possesses Trait: Heart of the Furnace]

[Attempting fusion...]

[Fusion progress: 99%]

’It’s finally finishing...’

As he murmured to himself, the text before his eyes suddenly changed.

[Trait Acquired: Ashes of Original Sin]