This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 36

The Intellect Puzzle.

When this term appeared in Matthew's mind, it shone as brightly as a newborn sun.

The haze of memory was swept away.

Parts of the knowledge that had been unclear before now became clear.

He propped his head up with one hand, wearing a contemplative expression.

"A ritual."

"I read in a book that evil organizations issue a challenge before invading a territory - this is the beginning of a ritual called 'Plunder.' This ritual originated during the Enlightenment era when the gods divided into two major factions, one of good and one of evil..."

The Enlightenment era.

That was the time when the gods ruled the human world with their great powers.

At that time, the conflicts among the gods were very intense.

They were generally divided into two factions, one good and one evil, and they attacked each other.

After many years of development.

The offspring of the good gods controlled the towns and villages, while the followers of the evil gods wandered in the wilderness and ruins.

The struggle between the two factions never stopped.

To please the gods they served.

The followers of the evil gods would often launch periodic attacks and plunder towns and villages.

Before that.

They would hold a grand "initiation ritual," which included spreading fear - sending a challenge to the target town and spreading rumors of imminent disaster.

Through this action.

They had the opportunity to disrupt the situation in the target town in advance, reducing resistance when they attacked. Even if they couldn't achieve this goal perfectly, they could still gain the favor of the god they worshipped through the ritual itself.

This would enable them to gain more evil power.

"So, is the act of issuing a challenge not just the beginning of the Plunder ritual but also a part of the initiation ritual?" Richard asked seriously.

Matthew nodded:

"If they are indeed imitating the followers of the evil gods from the Enlightenment era, then it's highly likely that they will do two more things to complete the initiation ritual.

First, they will create a 'signature event,' an event with a significant impact that is extremely tragic, preferably related to something well-known to the residents of the town.

Then, they will widely publicize this tragedy to spread panic."

"If they achieve this, the initiation ritual will be considered complete. During the Enlightenment era, the evil gods would then bestow a large amount of divine power as a reward and as a preparation for the subsequent 'Plunder ritual.'"

Richard approved:

"See, I knew you could figure it out. This information is extremely helpful. I'll go directly to Zele and inform him of this."

Matthew thought for a moment:

"If the Intellect Puzzle really exists, will you forget this information quickly?"

Richard smiled calmly:

"In theory, yes, but that's on a longer timescale. If we deliberately remember it, we won't forget it in the short term. The gods' curse isn't that strong, its insidiousness lies in its omnipresence."

"Furthermore, if something leaves a deep enough impression on you, so deep that you'll remember it for a lifetime, the curse won't be able to erase it."

"It's like I shouldn't remember the 'Intellect Puzzle,' but I know of its existence because... my impression of it is deep enough."

Matthew nodded thoughtfully.

He noticed an unusual glint in Richard's eyes when he said these words. While his tone was calm, there was always something special beneath the surface.

This was reminiscent of when he said, "This world is ultimately a world of spellcasters."

Matthew speculated that this enigmatic retired thief likely had a story related to spellcasters and the Intellect Puzzle that had left a lasting mark.

At the moment, the two of them continued to discuss the secrets that might be hidden behind the Plunder ritual.

Richard believed that the actions of the three major organizations were not just acts of homage. They were undoubtedly drawing power from the "initiation ritual."

As for the source of this power, it was difficult to determine whether it came from the "Void Master Y'krus" that Matthew had discovered in a secret message earlier or from an evil god who had suddenly resurfaced after years of laying low.

"At least we can anticipate their next actions in advance," Richard said as he stood up and tidied his attire seriously. "I'll go find Zele now, and if it's convenient for you, you should visit the Lord's Manor tomorrow to avoid the most extreme scenario - that both Zele and I forget about this matter."

Matthew agreed.

"But can I just waltz into the Lord's Manor like that? Won't Rega have any objections?"

He added another question.

Richard glanced at him:

"What objections can Rega have? Her daughter was pestering you to give her private lessons every day, and now it's changed to having you come to her place, which is much safer for him."

"As far as I can see, he'll probably end up paying you to be Siv's private tutor sooner or later. Consider it as getting familiar with your work environment in advance."

...

Leaving the Artisans' Protection Association, Matthew was still savoring the knowledge he had regained. The feeling of potentially forgetting it at any moment was unsettling. He would need to write the term "Intellect Puzzle" in his daily manuscripts to reinforce his memory.

As he walked through the bustling streets, the crowds gradually thinned. Matthew arrived at a building in the northern part of the Artisans' district. Compared to the grand building of the Artisans' Protection Association, this one seemed aged and poorly maintained. It might have suffered a fire in the past, and the exterior walls bore dark, scorched marks.

Several ivy vines covered the walls, and white and pink flowers added a touch of vitality to the otherwise bleak building.

The wooden door was partially ajar. On the grassy patch in front of the door, there were a row of mailboxes and a tilted wooden sign:

"Veterans' Mutual Aid Society."

Matthew leaned forward. He pulled the copper bell a few times, but no one responded. Finally, he walked confidently inside.

Behind the door was a wide, dimly lit foyer. The air carried a faint herbal scent. Coarse stone pillars stood out, and the reception desk was unattended.

"Poor visibility," Matthew remarked. Even though it was broad daylight, the place felt like evening.

"Is there anyone here?" he called out in a hushed voice.

After a moment, he heard heavy footsteps coming down the spiral staircase on the side. A figure emerged at the bottom of the stairs.

The man had a head full of white hair, and he was of an advanced age, yet his strides were quick and steady. He was tall, requiring the support of the handrail to maintain his balance as he descended the stairs, but his posture remained impeccable.

"I am Elder Faron. Whom are you looking for?" The old man approached Matthew, his cloudy eyes scrutinizing the latter, his tone neither humble nor overbearing.

Matthew promptly handed over Richard's letter of introduction.

"I'm Matthew, and I've come to see you. My friend needs a pair of well-crafted weapons."

Elder Faron took the letter without a word. He swung the wooden door open to its widest extent, allowing more sunlight to flood in. He then produced a single lens, wrapped in layers of blue velvet from his coat pocket, and began to read the letter attentively.

"Mr. Matthew," Elder Faron spoke with precision as he stowed the monocle, "I am quite old, and I fear I may not have the strength to forge new weapons for your friend."

Matthew hadn't held much hope from the moment he laid eyes on Elder Faron. The man appeared to be at least seventy years old, clearly not fit for the kind of on-demand forging they required.

"However, in my youth, I collected numerous weapons. In consideration of Richard, I'm willing to sell one of them to you."

Elder Faron added, "The issue at hand now is that I need to know your friend's profession, usage requirements, and any specific preferences. It would be best if he could come in person, so I can assess his hands and choose the most suitable weapon."

Matthew considered and reminded, "My friend, he's not human."

Elder Faron's expression remained unchanging.

"That's not uncommon."

Matthew nodded. The man was a veteran who had fought his way out of hell with Rega in the past. He would surely possess experience and knowledge, not easily surprised by unusual occurrences.

He then inquired, "So, you're well-acquainted with sword dancers?"

Elder Faron pondered for a moment.

"I wouldn't say well-acquainted, but I once shared a beautiful time with an understanding sword dancer. Unfortunately, we couldn't be together in the end."

He continued, "Sword dancers are known for their grace and agility, but I've never seen a deathless being retain the skills of a sword dancer. It's truly incredible."

Matthew's heart lightened. He knew he was dealing with an expert. He quickly asked, "Are you familiar with sword dancing?"

Elder Faron thought for a moment:

"Not intimately, but I have some understanding of it. I've kept a few weapons from that time. If your friend comes by, I can help him select the most suitable one."

Matthew gave the order and summoned Albin.

A flash of the Covenant Light later, a silent skeleton shrouded in a dark red cloak appeared.

"A skeleton? Can it take a few steps?" Elder Faron's eyes brightened slightly with astonishment.

Matthew commanded Albin to cooperate.

The latter walked a few steps, seemingly struggling with the swaying of his pelvis.

Elder Faron couldn't help but mutter, "A sword dancer? This is the first time I've seen a deathless being retain the skills of a sword dancer. It's truly incredible."

Matthew was pleased, realizing he was dealing with a true expert. He asked, "Are you familiar with sword dancing?"

Elder Faron thought for a moment:

"Not intimately, but I have some understanding of it. I shared a beautiful period with a sword dancer who understood me well. Sadly, we couldn't end up together."

He added, "Sword dancers are known for their grace and agility, but I've never seen a deathless being retain the skills of a sword dancer. It's truly incredible."

Matthew nodded, glad that he was dealing with an expert. He promptly asked, "Are you well-acquainted with sword dancing?"

Elder Faron pondered:

"Not deeply, but I do have some knowledge. I've kept a few weapons from that time. If your friend comes in person, I can assist him in selecting the most suitable one."

He seemed to notice the curiosity in Matthew's eyes and volunteered more information.

"Blademasters are a unique profession in the Thousand Sails Archipelago. These dancers there perfectly blend dance and swordsmanship to create an incredible art of killing. Most of the time, blademasters are advanced by women, but their leaders are usually men. From what I remember, the leader of the blademasters possessed almost legendary strength."

Matthew asked with curiosity, "And what's the other one?"

"Ninjas," replied Elder Faron.

A peculiar sound escaped from the old man's throat, and he continued, "Just like blademasters, ninjas are a profession created by islanders to protect themselves. A few decades ago, you could encounter quite a few blademasters and ninjas in Gemstone City and Dragon's Bay. However, since the 'Sinister Dragon of the Seas' incident, their islands were overturned or submerged by endless waves. Now, it's hard to find these two advanced wanderers."

Matthew made a mental note of this information.

Albin, who stood nearby, showed no reaction to the old man's account. He continued twisting his hips.

Twisting, twisting...

And then, his figure suddenly disappeared in place.

If Matthew hadn't ordered him to reappear, Albin might have twisted his way to the backyard.

"That's a deeply ingrained instinct. He must have been an exceptional blademaster in his previous life, possibly someone I knew."

Elder Faron sighed with emotion.

With Matthew's help, he examined Albin's hands closely.

"I know what weapons to choose for you. Follow me."

Elder Faron led Matthew up the stairs. After taking a couple of steps, he stopped and asked, "You can summon a skeletal soldier with blademaster heritage and have a letter of recommendation from Richard, the 'Deathless Mage with a Bone Dragon,' am I right?"

The speed of these people's reactions was remarkable.

Matthew nodded, admitting it. "You saved Siv, and for that, I'm grateful. I was frustrated when Rega refused to tell me your true identity earlier."

Elder Faron said earnestly, "Come on, lad. I have a gift for you."

...

Matthew followed Elder Faron to the third floor.

As they passed the second floor, the herbal smoke became heavier.

There were several rooms on the second floor, and the smell seemed to be coming from them. Matthew glanced at a few figures reclining on wicker chairs.

"They are survivors from the Serpent Hunt decades ago. Over two hundred knights and squires, including us, ventured into the Winter Serpent Valley. In the end, less than fifty survived. Over thirty of them, after settling in Rolling Stone Town for less than five years, passed away one after another. Now, there are less than twenty of them left."

Elder Faron explained, "The venomous mist of the Hellfire Serpent is formidable. They only encountered the edge of the venomous mist, but it planted a lifelong ailment in them. Thankfully, Rega is a good man and is willing to support them. These herbs won't cure their condition, but it alleviates their pain somewhat."

While they talked, Matthew heard some forlorn, muffled cries from behind those closed doors.

He hesitated and asked, "Can't even Archmage Ronan do anything?"

Elder Faron gave him a look. "Ronan is a good man, but he doesn't have to involve himself in every single issue."

Once they reached the third floor, Elder Faron led them into a spacious conference room and then left.

After about twenty minutes, the sound of creaking wooden boards came from the stairs. Matthew turned to look and saw Elder Faron coming up with two heavy boxes.

Matthew wanted to assist, but the old man used his eyes to stop him. He placed both boxes on the floor and opened one, revealing two finely crafted, elegantly curved daggers. "Try them."

Elder Faron skillfully used his index fingers to pick up the two daggers. In the next second, he flicked his fingertips. The daggers spun through the air toward Albin.

Albin appeared clumsy at first, but at the moment the daggers neared, his hands grabbed them securely.

He held the two daggers and swiftly retreated several steps before involuntarily breaking into a rhythmic dance.

...

"Your summoned creature, Albin, really loves the weapons you gave him. His loyalty to you has increased to 115!"

...

"Thanks to your generous gift, Albin has shared his 'Step Back' ability with you!"

...

"Step Back: Through a tactical movement, you can quickly retreat from your current position to escape from an opponent's grasp."

...

This skeleton is already attached to these weapons? Matthew couldn't help but find it amusing.

He hadn't even paid for them yet, and Albin was already sharing abilities. It was like "act now, ask questions later."

"It seems he really likes them," Elder Faron said, sounding content. "These daggers are named 'Firefly' and 'Moonbeam.' Crafted by a skilled dwarven artisan, their previous owner was an exceptional elven assassin. She was an impressive woman."

Matthew watched him thoughtfully. "You're quite familiar with her, aren't you?"

Elder Faron replied calmly, "Not exactly, but we spent a beautiful time together once. Unfortunately, we couldn't be together in the end."

Matthew had an eerie sense of déjà vu.

Elder Faron continued with the introduction, "While 'Firefly' and 'Moonbeam' don't have any exceptional enchantments, their quality and sharpness are outstanding. In capable hands, their killing power rivals even that of legendary artifacts. 'Firefly' enhances stealth time and attack speed when used against enemies. 'Moonbeam' provides additional damage when the combo is active."

"In short, they are my finest daggers. If it weren't for Richard's recommendation and your help saving Siv, I wouldn't sell them to you."

Matthew was taken aback by the price when he asked for it.

This old veteran, who maintained an air of discipline and professionalism, suddenly exuded a bit of a merchant's aroma.

"800 gold coins, and the price is not negotiable."

Matthew shook his head slightly.

The price was far beyond what he could afford. He had allocated 200 gold coins for Albin's shopping. The difference was threefold.

"You can also rent them," Elder Faron suggested. "I understand that the price is high, but the weapons of wanderers are not cheaper than what you mages have. These items are not easy to find in the market. Even if you go to Rolling Stone Town, Riverflow City, or White Rock City, you might not find weapons of similar quality."

"Renting them would cost you 10 gold coins per month. You'll need to pay two years' rent upfront, but you can pay the rest over time. We'll need collateral—either a land deed or a property."

Matthew discreetly took the daggers from Albin's hands.

"I'll need some time to consider," he said, placing the daggers back in the box. "No hurry, I have time to think about it."

Elder Faron replied, "I would have liked to give them to you at a lower price, but as you can see, our situation isn't great here, and I can't keep asking Rega for money every year."

Matthew nodded in understanding.

Elder Faron opened the other box, revealing a long, slender whip inside. "Take this."

"This is the gift I mentioned earlier. It represents my gratitude."

Matthew accepted the whip and ran his hand gently over the scales that covered it. As he did so, new information flashed before his eyes.

...

"You have obtained the 'Lash of Ussul,' a unique weapon for Deathless Mages."

...

"Lash of Ussul (Whip):

Description: This whip is typically used against undead creatures.

When wielded against enemy undead creatures, it applies the effects of 'Undead Dispel' and 'Soul Repulsion' to the target, with a high priority for dispelling undead creatures. When used on allied undead creatures, your undead units will lose a small amount of soulfire but gain a random powerful buff.

Note: Some undead creatures may become addicted to whipping, so use with caution and monitor their soulfire status to avoid negative consequences."

...

Matthew was slightly overwhelmed. It seemed he had acquired a significant new weapon. "Thank you. This is an impressive gift."

Elder Faron smiled. "It's the least I could do for the 'Deathless Mage with a Bone Dragon.' However, you should be aware of the responsibilities that come with this weapon. Don't misuse it, especially against the undead. There are consequences."

Matthew nodded and thanked the old veteran once again.

Chapter 37 >>

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