Chapter 491 - 461: Divine Remains Fusion Device

Chapter 491: Chapter 461: Divine Remains Fusion Device

Staring at the golden text in his field of vision indicating the number of his believers, Roland quickly calmed down from his initial astonishment, his mind racing.

’Another regional Reputation has reached ’Revered’... It seems this is a key threshold, as if I’ve unlocked some hidden permission and activated this... statistical function on the ’Faith’ level?’

He mused to himself, trying to understand the possible logic behind the system’s sudden appearance.

’As for the number of believers...’

Roland frowned slightly, thinking back carefully.

’The survivors at Sui Cang Hall, even if you count all the old, the weak, the women, and the children, only total around a thousand. There’s no way it could be over two thousand three hundred...’

’In that case, this ’Number of Believers’ isn’t just counting the survivors from Sui Cang Hall... It’s tallying up everyone who holds a ’Revered’ level of faith in me, regardless of where they are?’

So, besides Sui Cang Hall, where else could his believers be?

The soldiers and civilians of the Golden Valley Kingdom, whom he had saved from the Demons?

Or was it the Zor Elves, whose fates he had changed?

Or maybe...

in other places he didn’t even know about?

He closed his eyes and looked inward, performing an Introspection to see if he could Perceive any tangible feedback from this so-called number of believers.

However, just like with the Reputation System, he came up with nothing.

The number 2,314 just floated there quietly. Aside from conveying that one piece of information, it didn’t generate any clearly perceptible flow of Energy or change in his Attributes.

’Perhaps... it’s because the Resonance isn’t at one hundred percent yet?’

Roland refocused his attention on the "Faith" category.

’Maybe when the Resonance hits one hundred percent, the true effect of the ’Number of Believers’... will finally manifest?’

When that happens...

A few theories began to form in Roland’s mind.

Would he be able to truly draw upon the Power of Faith, like the Deities of legend, and convert it into his own Divine Spark or some kind of Immortal foundation?

Or could he forge some kind of "Authority" or "Divine Office" related to his chosen path?

For example, a Domain power related to "Guardian," "Struggle," or "Hope"?

Or could he transcend space to vaguely sense his believers’ prayers and hardships, perhaps even offering limited responses or interventions?

Or maybe it would act as a stable "anchor," making his very existence more difficult to erase.

Could it even provide an extra layer of protection against attacks involving Space-Time or causality?

No matter which of these possibilities was true, they all pointed toward a far grander and more mysterious Domain, one that transcended the ordinary system of Professions.

"Hey! Roland! Ow!"

Just as Roland was lost in thought, a pained grunt sounded by his ear.

He looked down to see Black Wind snort in annoyance. Its dark eyes rolled, filled with a look of injustice.

"Sorry, old friend. I was spacing out."

Roland apologized softly, easing the pressure of the brush in his hand.

He couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh as he watched the black horse, now docilely lowering its head to gnaw on a Rock Core Block.

This mount, a gift from Dalko, was a superior steed compared to ordinary horses.

But as Roland’s own power grew, Black Wind had gradually become unable to keep up with the intensifying pace of combat.

That, combined with the mount-buffing effect from his Resonance with the Knight’s Attendant Profession, had made Roland consider replacing his mount on more than one occasion.

However, his Animal Companion ability complicated matters.

Although Black Wind’s Spiritual Attribute was far less than Squirrel Qiao’s, they had forged a deep bond over their long time together.

’Taking him into battle would likely get him killed.’

’But if he abandoned him, he couldn’t think of a suitable place to leave him.’

Roland was torn by the dilemma.

"Roland! Qiao’s finally awake! He’s much more lucid this time. You have to come see!"

Avril’s bright voice called out from the ship’s cabin, interrupting Roland’s thoughts.

"Coming, Avril!"

After answering the Elf Maiden, Roland broke the Rock Core Block near Black Wind’s mouth into smaller pieces and tidied its thick mane.

’Oh, well...’

he thought to himself.

’If it comes to it, I’ll just let him stay by my side. He can be a mascot like Qiao. As for a new mount...’

Roland picked up a rag and wiped his hands.

His original plan had been to capture a highly intelligent Magical Beast.

A Griffin or a Unicorn, for instance...

These creatures, renowned for their intelligence and potential as mounts, should have been ideal choices.

But precisely because they were so intelligent, they knew how to avoid danger.

Despite Roland’s extensive inquiries, he had only come across vague rumors and had never found any definite tracks.

’If all else fails, I’ll just capture a Shadow Wolf after we leave this place.’

He turned and headed for the ship’s cabin, still thinking.

’Its intelligence and power might be a notch below Legendary Creatures like Griffins, but it’s still a significant improvement over Black Wind...’

The moment he stepped into the cabin, a furry shape leaped into his arms and nuzzled affectionately against his chest.

"Hey, Qiao!"

Roland smiled, stroking the squirrel’s increasingly glossy, yet slightly stiff, fur. He let out a breath of relief and carefully cupped the creature in his palm.

If his strength hadn’t increased so much recently, he’d likely have trouble holding the little guy in one hand.

Seeing that Qiao was noticeably chubbier, Roland asked with concern.

"How are you feeling now, old friend?"

The squirrel’s black eyes, lively as ever, darted about like obsidian beads. It let out a cheerful squeak that sounded like it was humming a little tune.

It scratched its head with a tiny paw and spoke.

"I don’t know why, but since we came to this land, my head hasn’t felt so muddled, and I don’t feel nearly as sleepy."

"That’s good."

As Roland spoke, he used his keen Perception to carefully inspect the condition of Qiao’s body.

He was finally able to relax after confirming that not only was the little guy fine, but his Life Energy was more vigorous than ever.

The two of them and the squirrel began to chat leisurely.

While feeding Qiao a Rock Core Block from his pack, Roland asked the Elf Maiden.

"Avril, how are you coming along with that book I gave you? The one on the Ranger techniques from the Crystal Era."

At the mention of the book, Avril, who had been teasing the squirrel, immediately lit up.

"The things written in that book are incredible."

Her voice was filled with irrepressible excitement.

"Even in the ancient records of the Elf Race, I’ve never seen anything like it. Those techniques for Natural Resonance and Elemental Harmony..."

She shook her head gently, an entranced expression on her face.

"That knowledge has opened up a whole new world for me."

"Honestly, this book has elevated my understanding of the Ranger’s path to a whole new level."

Just as Avril was about to show Roland the techniques she had learned, a flurry of hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation.

The cabin door was thrown open, and Galvis burst in, his face flushed and his eyes gleaming with a fanatical light.

The Minstrel strode up to Roland and spread several thick tomes and a few pieces of parchment across the table.

Judging by the wet ink on the parchment, they were clearly... his freshly written reading notes?

"Galvis!"

Avril frowned in displeasure.

"Can’t you knock first?"

The Minstrel, who had been on a high, instantly deflated like a punctured balloon. He sidled up next to Roland with an awkward smile, cleverly avoiding the Elf’s annoyed glare.

"Please forgive my rudeness."

he said, lowering his voice.

"But I’ve discovered some shocking records."

"According to the *Chronicles of Silver Radiance City*, the research conducted by the sages of that era went far beyond our imagination. They not only created the wonders we’ve already seen, but they also..."

As he spoke, the Minstrel pointed out his discoveries from the books one by one, his voice full of excitement.

But Roland simply flipped through Galvis’s manuscripts, his expression calm.

Judging from the ruins he had explored previously, the technological level of the Crystal Era was truly astounding, so these discoveries didn’t come as much of a surprise.

After chattering on, Galvis pulled a piece of parchment from Roland’s hands and pointed to a specific passage.

"And that’s not all, Roland! According to the *Forbidden Techniques Examination*, they even attempted to analyze the very essence of the Gods, create a power to rival them, and ultimately, to replace them."

"To that end, they created a... uh... a device? A machine? Anyway, they tried to peer into the very source of the Divine Attribute."

As Galvis finished speaking, Roland’s gaze fell upon the passage he had indicated, and his brow slowly furrowed.

"A Divine Remains Fusion... Device?"

The densely packed notes on the parchment revealed that the ancient scholars had conducted a series of disturbing experiments.

Not only that, but it also briefly described the structural principles and operational logic of the massive device.

The arrogance and danger permeating the text sent a chill of unease through Roland.