novelraw Chapter 20 No time to explain, get on the bus!
Chapter 20 No time to explain, get on the bus!
The light blue curtains swayed, and the grandfather clock on the wall chimed; it was four o'clock in the afternoon.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled patterns on the waxed wooden floor. Dust motes danced in the beams of light, creating a beautiful scene.
Emilia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze blank.
The master of the Fire Palace has passed away.
Everything she had just seen seemed like an illusion, but a gentle touch lingered in her mind and heart.
That is the place touched and comforted by the Lord.
Emilia rested her cheek on her knee, a faint smile on her lips.
Sieg's judgment was correct.
The infighting and persecution within her family shattered her defenses.
Losing her mother at a young age did not make Emilia strong.
Her family is extremely wealthy.
The Blackscale City Lord did not dote on her, but he was not so beastly as to ignore her completely, and he never shortchanged her materially.
"Care" and "companionship".
These words were completely foreign to Emilia.
She learned from the way others described their mothers, treating everyone with gentleness.
Even though she is the eldest daughter of the Blackscale City Lord's family, she is not arrogant or domineering at all. Whenever something happens, she immediately tries to see things from the other person's perspective.
She is always considerate of others.
Even when faced with her stepmother and Ethan, who were clearly malicious, she could still put on a polite smile and get along with them patiently.
But her forbearance was not rewarded.
A vicious murder.
An absurd trial.
As for the final outcome, I know it's difficult for you and for me, so we'll make do with what we can. You've always been a kind child, and you don't want to drive your stepmother to her death, do you?
The veil of tender affection has fallen, leaving only a despairing pretense.
Emilia clearly realized...
Nobody was on her side.
But now, she is no longer lost. The brand on her back is burning hot, and the feeling of isolation and helplessness has flown to the horizon. A firm belief fills her heart.
Even if abandoned by the Wood family, she can still wholeheartedly serve the Lord of the Fire Palace and find peace in doing so.
"Young Miss, there is a letter for you."
The servant knocked on the door and handed over a letter.
Emilia accepted it; it was sent by someone named "Grapefruit".
A brief recollection—
Morning Star's youngest daughter?
We're just nodding acquaintances, why did you write a letter?
Upon opening it, I was even more surprised.
Morning Star's youngest daughter actually invited her to join her team...
What kind of approach is this?
After the news of Oz's ascension to godhood spread, the value of first-tier experts skyrocketed, and those with even a little skill could see their fees increase five or six times.
Now, let alone Blackscale City, where in the entire border region are there any first-level experts left?
Some students come from families that lack the resources to recruit top talent, so they have to band together to form a team that is reasonably decent.
This isn't about money.
A first-tier adventurer, a short-term employee, would only need ten or twenty gold dragon coins even if the pay was increased five or six times, which wouldn't cost much.
The small family wasn't short of money, but rather lacked fame.
The Morningstar family and the Wood family are both renowned and powerful forces in the border region. They have many skilled individuals willing to serve them, and they have abundant resources, so there is no need for them to cooperate.
Emilia put down the letter, somewhat puzzled.
"Miss Emilia, excuse me. We may have found the person you are looking for."
Just then, a shadow flowed like water, crept into the room along the wall, and stood upright in front of Emilia.
They are members of the Thieves Guild.
She said, her face covered, "Recently, a man named Sig did come to Blackscale City. He makes a living at the docks as a porter."
"?"
porter?
On the dock?
Such a niche profession. What does this guy, Seager, do?
The thief added, "Someone saw him riding in a carriage with the youngest daughter of the Morning Star family. The specifics still need to be verified, but what is certain is that he is definitely not just a dockworker. He could be the Seager you are looking for."
Sig...
Riding in the same carriage as Chenxing's youngest daughter?
What a coincidence!
Emilia looked at the letter on the bedside table and said, "Thank you for letting me know. I will check it out."
"It is my pleasure to serve you, Miss Emilia. If needed, please send a demon messenger to inform us."
Emilia nodded, watching the thief cast a spell and disappear in a long, thin shadow.
……
……
Grapefruit is indeed generous and treats Seager as someone important.
I'll offer you a monthly salary of 20 gold dragon coins. How about that?
What else is impossible?
Only the top eight first-tier adventurers in the annual border region martial arts competition are eligible to receive this salary.
Sieg may have the ability, but he lacks the prestige to back him up. Grapefruit, on the other hand, provided it directly, showing great sincerity.
Cat Team Headquarters.
Activity room.
Wearing blue pajamas, Xiyou nestled on the soft sofa, reading and laughing as she held a popular novel.
"We need to figure out a way to lure this person to the 'Crimson Fortress'."
Sieg sat opposite Grapefruit, his mind filled with wicked thoughts!
"For an extraordinary individual to become powerful, a profession is one thing, equipment is another, and 'essence' is yet another. The path to godhood is certainly not to be ignored, but it's better to consider this when you have 'half-step into the second tier' strength."
"Professions and equipment can only be acquired gradually; there's no rush."
"The essence needs to be prioritized in the schedule."
【The Essence of Monsters】
All monsters in the Fire Palace have a chance to drop essence.
Further analysis reveals three categories:
Professional essence;
The essence of attributes;
The essence of the skill.
A first-tier transcendent can only absorb one essence; a second-tier can absorb two, a third-tier can absorb three, and so on.
Among these, the essence of a profession is the most unique.
It doesn't count.
Sig can now absorb one more essence.
He also had a plan for what he would smoke.
Within the Crimson Fortress, there exists a monster called the "Absorbing Worm," whose essence can grant adventurers a skill:
[Malicious link].
The effect of this skill is to absorb some of the target's attributes and forcibly bind the target to oneself.
The physical distance between the two parties cannot exceed three meters. If it exceeds this number, the malicious link will "pull" them together, forcing them to move closer to each other.
Sieg thought it was fantastic.
With the blessing of [Body of Burden], he is now a numerical monster.
Numerical monsters are only afraid of being pulled.
What's the use of high attack power if you can't hit anyone?
Malicious links can solve this problem; once the leash is on, nobody can leave today.
Sieg looked at Grapefruit: "When will the next operation begin?"
"Wow, wow, you're really motivated!"
Grapefruit grinned: "But I don't know. I've already said we need to follow Ms. Lala's instructions; she's the instructor."
"Don't you have any influence?"
"What are you doing? Trying to sow discord?"
Grapefruit frowned.
She didn't like Sieg's tone.
Sieg pressed his palms together and said, "What I mean is, could you suggest to Ms. Lala that we go to Scarlet Fortress? Scarlet Fortress has the essence I'm looking for, and it's also a Chosen Fortress."
Grapefruit frowned: "How do you know that Crimson Fortress is the Chosen One's Palace?"
"If you don't even know this, then you might as well quit. The first-tier Chosen Palace is no secret."
"...What's with the way you talk? Isn't it normal for you to not know that Crimson Fortress is the Chosen Palace?"
Grapefruit grumbled under its breath, clearly very dissatisfied!
She got up from the sofa, stretched, and her fair abdomen was exposed to the air, her abs clearly visible: "I'm going to change my clothes, then we'll leave."
Sieg paused, startled: "Where to?"
"Crimson Fortress, weren't you going there? The new round of the Crimson Palace event starts today, so we can catch up while it's still fresh."
"??"
Sieg asked curiously, "Why are we going to the Fire Palace so soon? At least plan it out!"
A smile played on Xiyou's lips, her bright red eyes brimming with laughter: "No need for planning, let's just set off. Miss Xiyou's favorite thing is to make decisions on a whim!"