Chapter 400 - 384: I am Rudolph?

Chapter 400: Chapter 384: I am Rudolph?

Shell Ship.

The term struck like a bolt of lightning, piercing the fog of Roland’s memory.

This knowledge didn’t come from this world, but from memories of a game he’d played in his past life.

It wasn’t a ship in the ordinary sense, but a living creation—a miracle born from the perfect fusion of Spiritual Energy and biotechnology.

They typically took the form of a massive, spiral shell. They could navigate the vibrant, distorted void of the Star Realm, effortlessly tearing through the barriers between planes to travel freely among countless worlds.

For the Heartstealers, Shell Ships were the foundation of their interplanar colonization, expeditions, and Plunder.

A thrill of excitement shot through Roland at the thought.

’If I could control a living ship like that, I would gain an unparalleled strategic advantage.’

’It’s not just about soaring through the skies; it’s about having the power to traverse planes and explore countless unknown worlds.’

’It would be an irreplaceable mobile fortress, a key to help me break free from terrestrial bonds and truly step into the Multiverse.’

However, Roland shook his head slightly, the fervor in his eyes slowly cooling.

Even if he could force the Shell Ship’s location out of this Heartstealer, and even if he got lucky enough to find it, that didn’t mean he could simply pilot it.

Piloting such a powerful, living creation of Spiritual Energy would undoubtedly require a massive and pure reserve of Spiritual Energy to act as both key and fuel.

Although he had now successfully become a [Spiritual Master], his Spiritual Attribute had skyrocketed, and he had a preliminary grasp of how to channel Spiritual Energy.

But compared to the Heartstealers, who were immersed in a sea of Spiritual Energy from birth and wielded it as instinct, his own Power was still insignificant.

As he was lost in thought, Duraga clapped him hard on the pauldron, producing a dull clang.

The battle-scarred face of the Gray Dwarf leader stretched into a grin that was almost savage.

"You’re the one with all the tricks, old friend!"

he praised in his gruff voice, his gaze sweeping over the Heartstealer still writhing in its Chains, his satisfaction unconcealed.

"This bastard’s mouth is tougher than a Mithril vein! I tried everything and couldn’t even get a groan out of it. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have seen this arrogant octopus-head beg for mercy!"

Roland didn’t react to the gruff praise, his attention focused more on Duraga himself.

Although they had only met a short time ago, the Gray Dwarf leader had not shown a single hint of malice in his words or actions.

He had led him here to find the Heartstealer, which in turn allowed him to become a [Spiritual Master] and gain a basic grasp of Spiritual Energy techniques.

The rewards had been substantial, to say the least.

Therefore, both as a matter of courtesy and logic, asking about the Shell Ship’s location for him was a small effort for Roland, and there was no reason not to.

But before that, there was a question that needed to be answered, one that had been lingering in his mind.

Roland looked at Duraga’s natural familiarity, his attitude like that toward a dear friend of many years, and finally spoke.

"I can help you find out the Shell Ship’s location."

He paused, his eyes locking onto Duraga’s, which remained sharp even in the dim light.

"But before that, Duraga, you have to tell me... what exactly is the relationship between us?"

Duraga was taken aback by the sudden question, but then a knowing, rugged smile spread across his bearded face.

He didn’t answer directly, however. Instead, he unhurriedly untied a weathered leather wineskin from his waist.

He pulled out the stopper, tilted his head back, and took a long swig. The rich aroma of alcohol immediately filled the air.

"Hah!"

The Gray Dwarf leader let out a satisfied, boozy breath and wiped his mouth with a thick arm. Only then did he turn his gaze back to Roland, a hint of playful, knowing mischief in his eyes.

"Still so impatient, old friend. But I figured once you were done with that octopus-head, you’d ask me this. Take a look..."

He shook the heavy wineskin in his hand, producing an enticing sloshing sound.

"I’ve even brought something to go with the story. You know I can’t be bothered to recall old tales without some ’Magma Blood’ to wet my throat."

As he finished speaking, Duraga’s rough fingers gently brushed the wineskin. His gaze grew distant, as if lost in a faraway memory.

"We met in Echo Canyon, in the geothermic fault zone. That was at least seven or eight surface years ago. Things weren’t so... dilapidated back then."

"My Hunting Team was being surrounded by a pack of Magma Salamanders when you suddenly appeared from the shadows along the rock wall."

A genuine smile touched the corners of Duraga’s mouth.

"You could have just walked on by, but you chose to help. Your Swordsmanship... it was terrifyingly precise. Every strike aimed for a vital point."

At this, the Gray Dwarf leader kicked the still-moaning Heartstealer to clear a space and then plopped himself down unceremoniously.

"After the battle, you rested at our camp for three days."

"We drank three whole barrels of ’Magma Blood’ together. The stories you told... they made even a Dwarf like me, who’s never set foot on the surface, yearn for it. We went through a lot together after that, and you helped me out plenty. I have to say..."

Duraga took another swig of his drink and let out a hearty belch.

"That time was one of the few truly happy periods of my life."

"And what happened after?"

Seeing that the nostalgic look on Duraga’s face was not faked, Roland’s brow furrowed even deeper.

"After?"

The Gray Dwarf leader frowned, pondering for a moment before gloomily tapping his solid forehead with a thick finger.

"Sorry, old friend. Just like you, my memory’s also got some... gaps. I only remember... you came to the underground looking for something, trying to save your companion’s life."

His low voice, tinged with uncertainty, echoed through the empty cave.

"In the end... you found what you were looking for. It’s just..."

Here, Duraga’s gaze fell upon the Secret Silver Longsword at Roland’s waist.

"Your companion’s body was already on the verge of disintegrating."

"Left with no other choice, I used a technique passed down in my clan for a thousand years to seal its soul within the Secret Silver Longsword in your hand. It was... another way to let it continue on. And after that..."

It seemed his fragmented memories grew clearer after this point, as Duraga’s narration became much smoother.

"You left the underground and told me that you would appear here at this time—right now—and promised to help me with one thing, no questions asked."

"That’s it?"

"That’s it."

Frowning, he thought hard for another moment. After confirming he hadn’t missed anything, Duraga nodded firmly.

"You’re not like those other high-and-mighty Earthlings. You never looked down on us Gray Dwarves, so..."

The Gray Dwarf leader stroked the Iron Glove on his right hand, a friendly grin spreading across his face.

"Even though I was woken up a bit hastily this time, I can still more or less remember everything about you."

"Then..."

Despite all the information Duraga had revealed, Roland only grew more confused.

Because nothing the Gray Dwarf leader described left the slightest trace in his own mind.

’So, either I’ve truly forgotten a part of my memory, or this Gray Dwarf leader has mistaken me for someone else.’

But looking at Duraga’s utterly convinced expression, Roland shook his head slightly and continued to press.

"Then... what was my identity at the time...?"

"You introduced yourself as a Mercenary Corps Leader. But strangely enough..."

Duraga slammed his fist into the head of the Heartstealer beside him, abruptly silencing its pained moans, before he continued.

"You didn’t have a single companion with you back then. You were all alone."

Just then, Hobbit’s voice came from the cave entrance.

"Mr. Roland! Mr. Duraga! There’s movement in the tunnels outside!"

"Stay alert!"

Duraga first shouted toward the entrance, then turned to Roland and said teasingly,

"Roland? You go by Roland now? That’s a lot easier on the ears than your old name."

Hearing the jab, Roland met his gaze and pressed on.

"What did I tell you my name was back then?"

"Rudolph."

Duraga answered without a moment’s hesitation.

"Honestly, that tongue-twister of a name didn’t suit you at all."

"Rudolph?"

The moment he heard the name, Roland felt his body go rigid, his eyes wide with shock.

’I’m... Rudolph?’