Chapter 434

The elves couldn’t believe their luck, Ajax couldn’t either so he triple checked the arch but it was a Crystal mana arch. If they got lucky enough that even a single creature could be taken out of the dungeon they might have access to a massive amount of level one hundred and fifty mana crystals. 

“Good luck.” Aranor wished the ranger squad before he, Ajax and the prince all exited the dungeon. Both Aranor and the prince were skipping out on clearing the final floor as they both had a lot to report to their respective kings.

“Looks like my boon does have some downsides compared to the regular one.” Ajax lamented right before they exited the dungeon.

Ajax had the important parts of all the creatures he had killed on floors nineteen, eighteen, seventeen and the blacksmithing set from floor sixteen. With the non-solo boon however he would have been able to just take part in killing any crystal monster on this floor and take that with him. 

“Oh chin up, I’m sure you’ll find more crystal floors in the future.” the prince said as he patted him on the back. “Now here, hold this. It’s yours after all.” 

With that the prince passed Ajax the massive staff belonging to the ettin. Ajax had no issue with the weight of the staff, the massive metal bar he was bringing his father was much heavier and had a larger total volume than the staff, it's just the items' unseemly length that posed an issue. The staff was covered all over with the tents the group had brought with them, this was simply done so that nobody could identify the object as they moved it through the street. 

“Hold it right there…” The guards outside the dungeon were quick to spring into action as soon as they noticed Ajax exit the dungeon, he was the last of the three to do so but the massive staff in his hands and on his shoulder quickly drew their attention. The guards were just as quick to stop in their tracks as they saw Aranor. “Champion Starfury, reporting sir!” 

“Let the boy pass with his spoils.” Aranor waved them off casually.

The guards were a little starstruck to see the elven champion. They were all elite soldiers but just barely their levels having just passed one hundred. To them Aranor was a living legend having hit his peak right as they were growing up around two hundred years ago. 

“...Sir, is… is that a staff?” One of the guards managed to get the courage to ask as Ajax was slowly making his way away from the dungeon with care, the logistics of moving through the streets with his new family treasure slowing the process a little. At Aranor’s slight nod the guard continued. “And is the head a single massive managem?”

The massive mesh of tents covering the staff was pulled tight so as to not allow any identification attempt through, the downside of this was that the outline of the staff made it perfectly clear what it was. 

Passing through the streets on the way to the embassy was difficult and took close to an hour. While a lot of guards approached the trio they quickly backed off as soon as they saw the sigil on Aranor’s robes. That however didn’t stop a few of the more daring merchants from attempting to buy the staff, they were all quickly turned down but just their presence in the road made the travel slower.

“I always knew you were a blessing but sometimes I can’t help but wonder if you were also a test from the Gods.” Silvia from the door of the embassy as she waited for Ajax, her anxiety eased now that he was done with the dungeon. 

“I made plans for how to load our worms on the way home, you know.” Alana complained. “We’re leaving in two days and you drop that in our lap and we’re just supposed to find a place for it?” 

Aranor chose that moment to add insult to injury as he quickly dumped out a sizeable pile of loot from his own storage ring as soon as he stepped inside the embassy. “I can assure you the royal family will be very interested in seeing if you are willing to part with any four of the hound teeth.” Aranor said knowing the value the innate curse infused weapons could provide for one of the ranger commanders before he quickly took his leave. 

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Lexi said as she drew Ajax into a deep hug as soon as he placed the staff down. She then proceeded to lightly punch him in the stomach.

“What was that for?” Ajax complained as he rubbed him abdomen mostly out of habit rather than any pain. 

“For making me lose one hundred gold to Arianwyn in a bet.” Lexi said as she ran her arm through his and pulled him deeper into the embassy. 

“You got off cheap.” Alana joked. “I think I'm going to lose twice that just making space for that thing.” 

“Well that thing is easily worth fifty thousand gold so I wouldn’t be complaining if I were you.” Ajax’s words caused everyone to freeze, their eyes the size of dinner plates as they focused on the wrapped up staff.

“We could be convinced to pay twice that if you even think about selling it.” The prince was quick to back Ajax up in shocking everyone. 

“You shouldn’t just say that out loud.” Alana warily eyed everyone present, most of the people here with them strangers who were at the embassy and not part of their group. 

“I doubt that’s something someone is going to try and steal from here.” Ajax laughed as he imagined a thief trying to make a quick get away with the staff in hand.

“Is that a blacksmithing equipment set?” Silvia asked curiously. Once she was sure her son was fine she gave him a hug before starting to inspect the pile Aranor had left behind.

“Yeah, a really good one too.” Ajax said with a wry smile. “Unfortunately we might need to sell or at least rent that out for a while. I doubt dad will be able to properly use it for a few decades.”

With that Ajax joined his family and friends for a nice meal to relax for the evening. The prince had quickly excused himself to make a report to the king, once he returned he came with a royal order. 

“Ajax, it's official.” the prince said in a serious and official tone. “The crafting use of [Empowering Restriction] can be shared.” Left unsaid was clearly that the other use of the skill was clearly off limits.

The following day was the group's final day in the capital so Arianwyn, her cousin, Elara and even the king and queen came to pay them a visit. Arianwyn and Elara would be joining them to the final dungeon but it was a very public endorsement of Gryndor for the king and queen to visit them at the embassy a day before they left. 

“So this is it for you for now?” the king asked Ajax. 

“For now.” Ajax agreed. “Once I have time to get used to my increased Stats as well as practice my Skills some more as well I will be looking to push further than level one hundred and forty but that will be a couple of years I expect.” 

“Is that really your staff?” Arianwyn’s cousin asked after he spotted the wrapped up weapon.

“Well I remembered you telling me that any good mage had to have a staff, so I went and got one.” 

The prince nearly did a spit take as he heard that any mage needed a staff that big was laughable but for Arianwyn’s cousin he simply nodded in understanding and agreement. 

Silvia and Alana both had the chance to negotiate with the king directly for a few of the spoils Ajax had managed to bring out of the dungeon. In the end the elves had ended up buying six of the hellhound teeth, not only that but Alana had also worked out a deal for House Hearthbound to work as an intermediary between Sylvanthal and whoever the smith that would end up buying or renting the smithing setup as well. 

“Is that going to be an issue?” Ajax whispered to the prince as he pointed towards the corner of the room. 

In the corner of the room sitting closely together on an ornate loveseat were Xavier and Arianwyn, both of whom had had a little to drink that night and both of whom were getting along almost a little too well.

“I don’t know.” the prince said with a sadistic grin as he imagined the headache this would cause his father and younger brother. He was truly glad not to be the one who needed to work out this potential political alchemical bomb. “It’ll end up being something really good, or a total disaster.”