"An epidemic?" Illmeda, upon hearing about the disaster in Norodon's territory, expressed deep concern and sympathy. She casually asked, "I wonder how the epidemic in your territory spread?"
Norodon replied with a sigh, "I was studying at Dongsheng Academy and was well aware of it. However, my faithful steward informed me that the epidemic was spreading through the dolls of the Willful children." Illmeda was shocked; could it be such a coincidence? Norodon was puzzled, "Viscount Feldkinsen, what's wrong with you?" Illmeda closed her wide-open mouth, which had turned into an "O" due to her surprise, and said meaningfully, "In that case, you should go and see Master Ge."
Ge extracted a black crystal core from the doll and prepared a potion to lift the curse. Although it was called a potion, it was actually an alchemical item that could be used. In Ge's view, such items could not be called "medicine."
There were medicines in this world, but Ge had not found a shortcut to maximize their effectiveness.
"It's you!" Dunk, upon seeing Dinora, smiled happily. He remembered her as his most significant customer. Dinora smiled at him, while Illmeda asked, "Where is Master Ge?" Dunk had never seen Illmeda, but seeing her in her luxurious clothes, he knew she was no ordinary girl. Illmeda's attendant said, "This is the heir of Wangshan City, Viscountess Illmeda, Your Excellency."
Dunk was stunned. In his whole life, the highest-level administrative official he had been in close contact with was the village head of Roland Village. Considering his poor arithmetic skills, he couldn't even count how many levels separated the village head from Lady Illmeda.
Hans patted him on the back, "Enough with the calculations, go and bring Master Ge out to welcome them."
A voice from behind rang out, "No need to bother, I have already come." Norodon was eager and quickly approached, "Respected Master, I..." Illmeda kindly interrupted him, "Respected Viscount, let me talk to Master first. I assure you that you will have an unexpected gain." Although Norodon was eager, he couldn't refuse Illmeda's good intentions, so he reluctantly took a step back. Illmeda whispered a few words to Ge in a hushed voice. Ge looked puzzled; could this be just a coincidence? But soon he eased his thoughts — regardless of whether it was a conspiracy or not, it had nothing to do with him. If someone paid, he would make more antidotes, and it wasn't a big deal. As for the old cliche of a great demon descending, or the world being destroyed, it had nothing to do with him. Sooner or later, he would return home. After a brief contemplation, Ge waved his hand to Norodon, indicating for them to follow him.
Behind the shop was his little courtyard with three rooms for the three people, himself and his servants. The remaining buildings included his alchemy laboratory, a raw material warehouse, and a finished product warehouse.
Ge took Norodon and Dinora to the finished product warehouse. The recent good business made the stock almost nonexistent. Along the east wall, there was a large cabinet with huge drawers on each shelf. Ge pulled out one of the bottles and handed it to Norodon, saying, "Let your people try this first." The latter took the bottle, feeling a bit puzzled. Illmeda stepped forward and said, "We have recently experienced a serious epidemic in Wangshan City!"
The city lord, Roling Guild, nodded slowly, "Alright, let me give it a try. But Master, I need a weapon as good as the Beheader's Sword….,"
Norodon, a student at Dongsheng Academy, believed that the best way to solve the crisis in his territory was to purchase an excellent weapon, win the academy tournament, and obtain the top-level healing scroll. Dinora, however, was very convinced of Ge. She urged Norodon, "Hurry back and try the medicine's effect. I will convey your request to the Master." Norodon sighed, "Alright."
The dragon stopped in the city lord's mansion's square, basking lazily in the warm southern sunshine. The natural dragon's majesty prevented any curious person from approaching within thirty meters of it. Due to the city's small size, the square was not very large, so the dragon's huge body crouched on the square, and an area of thirty meters was cleared around it, allowing people to only walk around the edges of the square to see the massive creature.
Norodon came out of Ge's alchemy shop, looked at the bottle of light purple potion in his hand, and wasn't very hopeful. He shook his head and casually put the potion into his sleeve. After all, the dragon was charged by the day, and he wouldn't spend much even if he went back again.
Seeing the employer return, the dragon, quite self-aware, released its majesty and opened a passage for Norodon to approach.
"Let's go, in the northwest direction," Norodon sighed.
He jumped onto the dragon's back, where there was a basket-shaped dragon saddle. Once seated, he felt a sudden push under his buttocks, as the hole in the basket-shaped saddle's airflow surged like countless whistles in his ears. Riding a dragon looked majestic, but it was very uncomfortable.
It wasn't a long journey for the dragon from Wangshan City to Roling Guild; it could be reached in half a day. Norodon departed from Wangshan City at noon, and the mountains and rivers flew past under his feet. After two hours at nightfall, he arrived at his territory.
...
"Master, our request is quite simple. Just make a weapon as excellent as this Beheader's Sword. Its level cannot exceed that of a magic weapon! Also, my little brother's physique isn't as strong as mine, so it can't be too heavy." The assertive warrior displayed her biceps to emphasize her strength, a gesture typically found in male adventurers with yellow beards and huge eyes.
After hearing her narrative, Ge nodded and quoted a price, "Four thousand gold coins." Dinora was surprised, "Why is it a thousand coins more expensive than the Beheader's Sword?" "Because this is a custom order."
"Master!" a shout, followed by a loud crash as a person fell from the sky, smashing Ge's already shaky roof, creating a hole. A gust of wind blew in from the hole, dispersing all the smoke and dust, causing Ge and Dinora to cough. A dragon's figure soared away in the distance through the gaping hole.
"Master!" The unexpected arrival of Viscount Norodon, in a sorry state, shook off his already tattered clothes and knelt on the ground, "Master, please save my people!"
Saving people was akin to extinguishing a fire. There were over ten thousand sick people in Roling Guild, and Norodon couldn't wait for the dragon to land. He had located Ge's alchemy shop with the dragon's help, lowered the dragon's height, and jumped directly from the dragon's back. Although Norodon didn't understand why the potion of Wangshan City was effective in Roling Guild, he knew it was the fastest way to save his people. Finding a remedy sooner would save thousands of lives!
Illmeda watched the hustle and bustle from the side: at first, you didn't believe in our potion's effectiveness. Now, what do you think? Have you come to beg for help?
Norodon realized that he had been somewhat cavalier, so he was willing to trample on his nobility and simply knelt before someone who did not hold any title! Dinora was taken aback; being a native of the Starforge world, she was well aware of what it meant when a noble knelt — if another noble found out, he would never lift his head again in his lifetime! In front of royalty, one can only submit to the king.
"Master, here are five thousand gold coins, which is all of my wealth. If it's not enough, I can give you an IOU. Regardless of the amount you ask for, I'll accept it. I only beg you to save my people!"
If he had asked Ge to "save my city," Ge would have felt that five thousand coins were too cheap. But when he asked Ge to "save my people," Ge felt obliged to help.
The potion in the finished product warehouse was the remnants of Wangshan City, with each bottle being a dose for one person, and there were still over three hundred bottles left. This amount was too little for a city. Ge found a black crystal plaything core that he had already depleted from his raw material warehouse and plunged into his laboratory using alchemy.
With the flames of magic burning and under the control of the Fire Cloak spell, Ge began the meticulous process of preparing the antidote. Time was of the essence when saving lives, and he exerted his greatest effort. Within half a day, he had prepared enough potion to save the entire city, and it took another two hours to concentrate the potion using alchemy methods, making it easier to transport.
"Lie in the well so that all the people can drink it, and they will be cured in three days." When Ge handed the tube-sized vial of medicine to Norodon, he looked visibly exhausted. Such rapid large-scale alchemy had been Ge's first time in this world. Even if Wangshan City's curse hadn't erupted on a large scale, he had had enough time to prepare, so it hadn't been as exhausting.
Noland's eyes were a little moist as he took the medicine. He was not the kind of person who would express gratitude openly. The Viscount put away the medicine and searched for a while inside his storage ring. He then handed a golden plaque to Gedao Gezheng, saying, "This is the lord's token of our Loringel City, passed down through six generations in our family. In the future, whenever you have any needs, regardless of who you are, as long as you hold this token, Loringel City will spare no effort to repay you!"
Noland left, leaving Dinora behind, who was understandably ignored by the Viscount at this moment. For Dinora, though, it was bad news - she had hoped to see another magical weapon that reached the level of a magic spirit equipment, but Noland had clearly run out of gold coins. It was time to leave as there was no point in staying here.
Without Noland's flying dragon, the poor female warrior had to rely on herself to return to Delson King City. It was already late, the merchants had long left the city at first light, and there was no one to accompany her. Dinora shouldered her sword alone and set off on the road, indifferent to her solitude.
The night seemed to be a kind mother, draping a black veil over the city of Hope Mountain. The bustling streets gradually quieted down, the merchants closing their shops, and candlelight gleaming through the windows. The crows on the eaves shrank their necks and fluttered up to their nests on the high branches. In the distance, the sound of horseshoes shattered the tranquility of the night.
Iremida sat in the carriage, with a large wooden box tied to the back, surrounded by thirty guards from the lord's mansion. The sound of hooves suddenly stopped, and the coachman called out from outside, "Miss, we have arrived." Iremida responded but did not step out. The coachman put down his whip, stepped down from the carriage, and stood at the door, loudly announcing, "The heir of the City of Hope Mountain, Viscount Iremida Felkinsen has arrived!"
Gedao Gezheng stretched lazily. Another batch of storage magic weapons had been produced since he lifted the curse disaster of Hope Mountain City. The business at the alchemy shop had improved, and the wealthy in the city, even if they did not need it, would come to the store to buy a few storage magic weapons as decorations. Now, Gedao had to work late into the night every day to ensure a continuous supply.
Iremida was dressed very formally today, representing her father's reward for saving the City of Hope Mountain. Her golden hair was gathered at the back of her head, hidden under curly wigs. The light blue viscount's dress and the slightly raised chin, swaying in the candlelight, gave a sense of majesty and charm.
"Mr. Ge, this is the three thousand gold coins my father has given you. I represent the entire City of Hope Mountain in thanking you for everything you have done for us!" Iremida said sincerely. Unlike shallow politicians, her congratulations and thanks were not indifferent, and even when expressed with sincerity, they did not seem arrogant.
Gedao Gezheng's eyes lit up, not because the three thousand gold coins were a huge sum, but because with these coins, he could leave and open a shop in a bigger city. So, he readily accepted them, saying, "Thank you, my lord." Gedao did not bother with the usual pleasantries. Iremida found it difficult to grasp Gedao's character: his eyes lit up at the mention of the three thousand gold coins, indicating he was greedy. But his words of thanks were simple, and it seemed that he did not care too much about the gold coins.
Iremida was determined to defend her home and country. She firmly believed that an annual protection fee of one million gold coins could not guarantee the safety of Hope Mountain City. Once their own interests were involved, the Serran Kingdom would undoubtedly abandon Hope Mountain City without hesitation. The city's safety could only rely on themselves.
But with a small population and limited resources, Iremida could only rely on alchemy to ensure the city's safety, as only alchemy could produce powerful weapons to deter and strike the enemy.
"Mr. Ge, I still have some doubts about that day and would like to ask you," Iremida inquired about the magical alchemy weapon that had surpassed the level of spirit equipment. The weapon seemed invincible, yet Noland had clearly run out of gold, and there was no point in staying here. Without Noland's flying dragon, the poor female warrior had to rely on herself to return to Delson King City. It was already late, and she set off alone.
"...The night seemed to be a kind mother, draping a black veil over the City of Hope Mountain. The bustling streets gradually quieted down, the merchants closing their shops, and candlelight gleaming through the windows. The crows on the eaves shrank their necks and fluttered up to their nests on the high branches. In the distance, the sound of horseshoes shattered the tranquility of the night.
Iremida sat in the carriage, with a large wooden box tied to the back, surrounded by thirty guards from the lord's mansion. The sound of hooves suddenly stopped, and the coachman called out from outside, "Miss, we have arrived." Iremida responded but did not step out. The coachman put down his whip, stepped down from the carriage, and stood at the door, loudly announcing, "The heir of the City of Hope Mountain, Viscount Iremida Felkinsen has arrived!"
Gedao Gezheng stretched lazily. Another batch of storage magic weapons had been produced since he lifted the curse disaster of Hope Mountain City. The business at the alchemy shop had improved, and the wealthy in the city, even if they did not need it, would come to the store to buy a few storage magic weapons as decorations. Now, Gedao had to work late into the night every day to ensure a continuous supply.
Iremida was dressed very formally today, representing her father's reward for saving the City of Hope Mountain. Her golden hair was gathered at the back of her head, hidden under curly wigs. The light blue viscount's dress and the slightly raised chin, swaying in the candlelight, gave a sense of majesty and charm.
"Mr. Ge, this is the three thousand gold coins my father has given you. I represent the entire City of Hope Mountain in thanking you for everything you have done for us!" Iremida said sincerely. Unlike shallow politicians, her congratulations and thanks were not indifferent, and even when expressed with sincerity, they did not seem arrogant.
Gedao Gezheng's eyes lit up, not because the three thousand gold coins were a huge sum, but because with these coins, he could leave and open a shop in a bigger city. So, he readily accepted them, saying, "Thank you, my lord." Gedao did not bother with the usual pleasantries. Iremida found it difficult to grasp Gedao's character: his eyes lit up at the mention of the three thousand gold coins, indicating he was greedy. But his words of thanks were simple, and it seemed that he did not care too much about the gold coins.
Iremida was determined to defend her home and country. She firmly believed that an annual protection fee of one million gold coins could not guarantee the safety of Hope Mountain City. Once their own interests were involved, the Serran Kingdom would undoubtedly abandon Hope Mountain City without hesitation. The city's safety could only rely on themselves.
But with a small population and limited resources, Iremida could only rely on alchemy to ensure the city's safety, as only alchemy could produce powerful weapons to deter and strike the enemy.
No one knows that the continent once walked on the brink of danger and was pulled back.
...
Aoba City, the royal city of the Maris Principality, Ge Zheng passed here when he went to the Khan Wasteland, but honest Dunk was visiting such a big city for the first time.
The tall and heavy city walls seemed like a giant beast crouching on the plain in the twilight. Four wide roads, like four yellow ribbons, extended outside the four city gates. The city gates were closed, and looking at Aoba City, which was still a distance away, the desert elf waved his fist in annoyance, "Damn, am I only going to sleep at the city gate recently?"
"Clank, clank, clank..." A rush of horseshoe sounds approached from a distance. When it got closer to the three individuals, the knight on the horse showed no sign of slowing down. A horse about half the height of a person carried a whirlwind as it swept past Kongmings, almost knocking him down. The desert elf, furious, pointed at the swiftly departing knight and cursed loudly, "Blind Piggish, do you want to kill your elf grandpa?"
"Whoosh..." A dragon's cry, and the cold light in the twilight became even more dazzling. Kongmings was startled and quickly rolled on the ground. When he rolled into the roadside ditch, he finally saw that the cold light was not emitted by the knight but was shot from behind him.
The cold electric light did not pause at all as it swept over the heads of the three, chasing after the knight ahead at the fastest speed. The knight's horse tumbled at a rapid pace, but it was still caught up by the knife-wielding person, demonstrating the astonishing speed of the knife-wielder!
"Swish," the knight twisted on the horse like a python, and the single-handed cross sword hanging on the saddle had somehow already been drawn in the hand, and like a viper, it darted towards the cold light.
"Clang, clang, clang..." A continuous series of sharp metallic sounds, the knight let out a cry, and the cross sword, along with his arm, fell to the ground, blood splattering on the yellow earth, creating dark spots in the twilight. The knight was strong in himself, but unfortunately, his opponent was stronger!
"I am the captain of the Royal Knight of the Maris Principality. Whoever helps me enter Aoba City will receive the most generous reward from the grand duke!" This statement was undoubtedly shouted at the three of Ge Zheng, as there were only the three of them on the road in the twilight.
Ge Zheng was considering the likelihood of his own victory if he took action—after all, the knight's offense just now displeased him, and intervening at this moment was entirely for the gold coins.
Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly darted out from the roadside grass, even faster than the previous cold light. Turning back to look, Ge Zheng indeed recognized the familiar face: the female warrior Dinora who had come with Norodon before.
The person who was pursuing earlier suddenly spoke, "We cannot let him enter the city. He carries the curse of the demon god and will bring catastrophe to the entire continent!"
Volume 3: Aoba Double Moon