Chapter 401 - 385: The Shell Ship’s Whereabouts

Chapter 401: Chapter 385: The Shell Ship’s Whereabouts

Galvis had once said the name "Rudolph," with its unique connotations, was a favorite among human nobility and often bestowed upon their children.

However...

Thinking back to what Duraga had said when they first met, and his familiar reaction when faced with the Dragon’s Might Roland had unleashed...

Roland was almost certain he knew the identity of the "Rudolph" this Gray Dwarf leader was talking about.

Someone who possessed the Giant Dragon Bloodline and also happened to be named Rudolph could only be the hero from the *Heroic Epic* who fought the Eye of the Abyss alone.

’But I’m Rudolph? Did I travel through time? No...’

The [Time Traveler] Trait flashed through his mind. For a moment, Roland felt he had grasped something, but he immediately dismissed the thought.

’Impossible.’

Because...

The words of the Giant Dragon from Wuxi Town now echoed clearly in his mind.

"Human who understands my tongue... It seems... thou art a descendant of Rudolph..."

"It must be fate..."

"By my pact with Rudolph, it... shall be thine."

He had successfully become a [Dragon Descendant] entirely thanks to the drop of golden liquid the Giant Dragon had bestowed upon him—a condensed form of the Giant Dragon Bloodline.

The dragon had only been willing to grant such a precious gift because it had mistaken him for one of Rudolph’s descendants.

’If I were Rudolph, would that mean the cause and effect of all this...’

’...all points back to me?’

"A closed time loop..."

Roland murmured, then gently shook his head.

If that were true, he’d be trapped in an inescapable paradox of Space-Time.

’A more reasonable explanation would be that this body I’ve transmigrated into does, in fact, carry Rudolph’s blood.’

’As a direct descendant, not only did I inherit my ancestor’s Dragon Blood, but fate has also woven a destiny for me, granting me abilities similar to Rudolph’s.’

’But...’

’All of these coincidences are just too astounding.’

’After all, the Giant Dragon had identified me as Rudolph’s descendant mainly because I used the [Animal Companion] Trait to understand and speak the Dragon Language, not because this body possessed the bloodline of a Dragon Descendant from Rudolph.’

’Besides, there’s another point of doubt I can’t ignore.’

’If I really am Rudolph, then why did I use the alias "Rudolph" back then, instead of my own name, "Roland"?’

’So what is the truth...?’

’What is it, really?’

Just as Roland was lost in thought, Hobbit’s urgent calls echoed from outside the cave again, mingled with the warning shouts of other Gray Dwarves.

Duraga clapped Roland heavily on the shoulder.

"Old friend, I have to go check on the situation outside. As for news about the Shell Ship... I’m counting on you."

With that, the Gray Dwarf leader hurried away, his footsteps heavy.

The cave instantly grew quiet, leaving only the sound of the Heartstealer’s agonized moans.

After a long moment, Roland shook his head, setting aside his speculations about Rudolph for the time being.

’In any case, Rudolph was a figure from a thousand years ago.’

’Even if there really is some connection between us, it has nothing to do with the current situation.’

’Or rather...’

’...I have no way to prove any of my theories right now.’

’Wait a minute...’

As his mind raced, Roland had a flash of inspiration.

’Galvis once said that his master has been recording events related to Rudolph.’

’And according to Galvis, a Minstrel’s lifelong goal is to choose a hero and complete an epic tale. That means... Galvis’s master must have a very deep understanding of Rudolph.’

Thinking of this, Roland curled his fingers and tapped his forehead lightly.

’If I’d known this would happen, I should have gone back with Galvis and asked him more about it. Oh well...’

Shaking off these useless, hindsight-driven thoughts, Roland focused his attention back on the Heartstealer.

An orange-red Flame ignited on his fingertips once more, illuminating the Heartstealer’s face, which was twisted in Fear.

"Now, let’s talk about the Shell Ship."

Tormented by the [Ashes of Original Sin], the Heartstealer, who could no longer endure the pain, quickly confessed the truth.

And as Roland used the [Domain of Honesty] to confirm the information, he couldn’t help but feel a little surprised.

’The Shell Ship... is underground here?’

His eyes were full of confusion.

’This doesn’t make any sense.’

The Shell Ship was a voyager of the Star Realm, able to soar freely through the void between planes. How could it possibly be buried deep in the sunless earth?

At this thought, Roland’s will stirred, and the glow from the [Ashes of Original Sin] intensified. The Heartstealer convulsed in its Chains, writhing in agony.

"Why is the Shell Ship deep underground?"

Roland’s voice was as cold and hard as iron.

The Heartstealer’s swollen head heaved violently, its tentacles drooping limply.

When it spoke again, its intermittent voice was filled with pain and submission.

"Many years ago... our vessel... was attacked... A group of unknown creatures ambushed us. The hull was severely damaged... forcing us to find the nearest material plane for an emergency crash-landing."

As it recalled the memory of the Shell Ship trailing a plume of Spiritual Energy Flame, struggling to tear open a rift before plummeting into a desolate region of this world, the Heartstealer’s eyes filled with hatred.

"We chose this region... and were preparing to begin repairs, but..."

Its tentacles trembled violently.

"The nearby continent... was wracked by a violent tremor. The geology became extremely unstable... and the entire region began to collapse."

"By the time we realized the danger... it was too late. Landslides and tectonic shifts buried the vessel completely... deep beneath this very mountain range."

It paused for a moment, its voice growing even more strained.

"I spent hundreds of years... just to pinpoint its exact location again. Only recently... did I finally survey the area."

"But when I arrived here... ready to reactivate the ship..."

A clear resentment filled the Heartstealer’s telepathic voice.

"Those Gray Dwarf bastards... they ambushed me. If the ship hadn’t been damaged, severing my Spiritual Energy connection... I never would have been captured by these lesser creatures..."

Just then, heavy footsteps sounded again, and Duraga’s familiar, tall figure reappeared at the cave entrance.

Only now, his clothes were stained with fresh flecks of blood.

"What happened outside?"

Roland asked.

Duraga waved his hand dismissively and grinned.

"Just a few unruly young Dwarves who thought they’d take the chance to stir up trouble. They’ve been ’persuaded’."

He glossed over the details of the suppression and eagerly asked.

"So? Old friend, did you manage to pry the Shell Ship’s location out of that monster’s mouth?"

Roland nodded and repeated the precise location provided by the Heartstealer.

"Excellent! Praise be to the Heart of the Furnace in the depths of the earth!"

Upon hearing this, Duraga’s eyes lit up with ecstasy. He pounded his chestplate, producing a resounding CLANG.

"With this, our Stone Heart Tribe can finally escape these barren tunnels! We can travel between planes, seek out the legendary Forging Fire Realm where eternal Magma flows, and rebuild our glorious Fortress! The glory of the Gray Dwarves will be restored by my hand!"

His mighty voice echoed through the cave, filled with aspiration and Power.

After venting his excitement, he turned to Roland, his tone softening slightly.

"By the way, old friend, judging by the looks of it, I’m guessing you didn’t come all this way just to find me, did you?"

"I’m planning to take a ship from Roaring Harbor to Aiselon."

"Aiselon?"

Duraga stroked his coarse beard, a trace of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.

"Ah... I remember now. You said you were from there. Going back for a look might actually help you remember a thing or two. But... your information is a little outdated, old friend."

He sneered, his tone full of disdain.

"Expecting those pleasure-addicted Surface Dwarves—whose Forging Furnaces have all but gone cold—to build ships capable of crossing the great ocean? Hmph!"

"Their skills rotted away long ago! You could probably wait ten years and still not get a single rickety plank that could make it to Aiselon alive."

He clapped Roland firmly on the shoulder with a dull THUD, a confident and magnanimous smile spreading across his face.

"But don’t you worry, old friend! Once we find the Shell Ship and I get it running again, I’ll take you there myself!"

"Travel through the Star Realm is much faster than bobbing around on the sea, and it’s completely safe! I, Duraga Stoneheart, am a Dwarf of my word!"