Chapter 101: Herbie Hermes’ Reward

After a night of research, the scholars specifically dispatched by [Hermes’ Travel Hat] deduced the time it would take for the Curse to take Effect.

In about a week or so, the Silver Blood would fall completely dormant and return to mundanity.

However, judging from the fact that Silver King Lycan still possessed an incredibly strong Divine Body even after transforming into a Human form, highly concentrated Silver Blood would retain a certain degree of Power even when dormant.

"All that’s missing now is the Secret Medicine to awaken the Silver Blood. We might have to wait for the Foreigners to return before we can formulate it."

Blaze searched through the ruins of the Silver Castle for the room where Belcimann once lived. Belcimann didn’t have a Blessing and might not know the Effect of the Silver Flower, but he must have researched methods to awaken the Silver Blood. Unfortunately, the Silver Castle had collapsed before they even had the chance to search it.

"The first task I gave them was to explore the Arcadia Territory and collect the materials for the Secret Medicine to awaken the Silver Blood. This won’t be difficult for them, considering they possess a Blessing."

Herbie squatted not too far away, trailing behind Blaze and picking up all sorts of little trinkets from the spots he had dug up. Once her arms were full, she cheekily asked Blaze to put the items into his inventory, stating with utmost seriousness that this was also part of the commission and would be rewarded.

"Blaze, I want to personally express my gratitude to you."

"I know." Blaze lifted a fallen wall, revealing several beautiful candlesticks underneath. He pulled them out to show Herbie, who inspected them and nodded in approval.

The two of them maintained their taciturn yet synchronized exchange. Herbie knew that Blaze didn’t need any extravagant rewards or overly earnest thanks. And Blaze knew Herbie’s style: business was business. Regardless of how close they were, if she received something, she insisted on giving something in return.

"So, what about the intel on the Golden Country?"

"Hmm, the thing you’ve been keeping a secret all this time?" Herbie stroked her chin, a conflicted expression appearing on her small face. "That’s a tough one. I knew half a month ago that the Foreigners were searching for the Golden Country, but based on current historical records... it seems to belong to a Divine Era that predates Human history. The Elves might have some intel, but it appears something has gone wrong in the Golden Tree Sea—the Elves have all vanished."

Then, muttering to herself, Herbie showed the exact same expression Audrey had worn back then. "Just how old are you, anyway!?"

"If I were older, would you treat me with a bit more respect?" Blaze offered a different response this time.

"Nope," Herbie answered decisively.

Blaze rolled his eyes and continued digging through the ruins. Suddenly, he felt a sudden weight on his back, as if something had been placed upon him. Judging from the light, airy weight, it was most likely Herbie sitting on his back.

"How about I give you a verbal promise?" Sitting on Blaze’s back, Herbie crossed her legs and leisurely leaned back with her hands clasped behind her head. "Even if I have to kneel on the ground and scream at the titular partners of [Hermes’ Travel Hat] that this is the one great gamble of Herbie Hermes’ life, I’ll still help you swindle and steal whatever you need."

"That’s so Heavy."

"As long as you know. So make sure you pick a good opportunity to use it."

Blaze lifted a brick. Perhaps completely unable to stand them playing around like it was a Taobao game, a Werewolf arm made entirely of Shadow reached out from the darkness. Its massive palm gripped a gigantic book bristling with all sorts of bookmarks and tabs. It was the Werewolf Shadow Summoned by the [Shadow of Filth]—a Guardian sent by Belcimann, who also served as a Supervisor.

Although Blaze didn’t know exactly what kind of existence the Werewolf Shadow was, he could tell it was extremely impatient as it slapped the book into his hands.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?"

"No... I just found something, that’s all."

*[Notes Recorded in an Ancient Language]*

This book was an experimental log written by Belcimann in a special language. It was interspersed with his research on the Silver Blood and his attempts to reconstruct the culture of the Silver Race.

Even if Blaze entered his Werewolf state, his Intelligence and Faith would still be insufficient to understand this book. However, Audrey easily comprehended most of its contents, likely thanks to her Profession as a [Moon Priestess]. From the name alone, one could tell that this was a Profession that held supreme authority within the Silver Race, a people centered around their culture and Faith.

"Hmm... the Silver Blood will resonate with four types of flowers: [Purity], [Friendship], [Love], and [Faith]. Is this the language of flowers?"

Audrey nodded thoughtfully, earnestly flipping through every page and occasionally transcribing excerpts. Later, these notes would be compiled into an easy-to-understand [Tutorial] to be provided to the residents of Arcadia. Considering that some of the materials grew in dangerous areas, acquiring them would have to be commissioned to the Foreigners or handled by powerful Silver Believers.

"The only question now is how to concoct the Secret Medicine."

Blaze shook the Silver Snow Lotus in his hand. He didn’t know much about [Pharmacists]. The only thing he knew was that it was a Profession related to [Alchemists], and depending on the Effect, the finished products were divided into two types: [Solid] and [Liquid].

"We will keep trying. This little setback is nothing compared to what Arcadia has endured all this time."

Audrey closed the notes and hesitated for a long time. Finally making up her mind, she turned to Blaze and said, "Thank you for all your hard work along the way."

As long as she didn’t say those words, she could keep Blaze by her side using the excuse that the commission wasn’t over yet. Blaze was a good person who always managed to find places where his help was needed. This commission could be endlessly extended, one task after another. But that wouldn’t do. Only by cleanly ending the past could a brand-new future begin.

"The Curse of Arcadia has been successfully deciphered, and the materials for the Secret Medicine to awaken the Silver Blood are being collected by the Foreigners. There might be other potential troubles, but they won’t be major issues.

"Arcadia is finally on the right track, so this commission is officially over."

Audrey finished her sentence in one breath, as if terrified she might regret it. But at the very end, she couldn’t resist playing a little trick. "However—as you can see, everything in Arcadia is waiting to be rebuilt, and there’s nothing worthy of being given as a reward for your rough journey. So, how about I owe you for now? Once I’ve prepared a proper reward, you can come back and collect it."

In the end, unable to bear entirely abandoning the past where she relied on Blaze, she secretly clung to a single thread of it. While it appeared as though she were pulling away, in reality, she was astutely and leisurely trailing him from afar. Pulling away was merely preparation for her next successful pounce.

"Alright," Blaze agreed without overthinking it.

The moment he nodded, Audrey lunged forward and threw herself at him. It was an impossibly close distance. The girl was like a small furnace; her fervent emotions pierced right through his Armor and reached his chest. A soft whisper brushed against his ear, accompanied by a faint scent of Incense.

"Blaze, thank you."