GDK 484: Running into Sophie
Kasi Empire, Ciro City.
Ciro was the capital city of Kasi Empire, with a population size ranging in the millions. It was a big city that enjoyed a great reputation. Ciro City possessed beautiful landscapes and represented the unique cultures of Kasi Empire. At the same time, it was a city that promoted martial spirit.
Every three years, a large-scale auction sale would be held at Ciro city center. Over at the auction sale, one could buy truly rare and precious treasures. Everytime it was held, it never failed to attract all of the city bigwigs. So much so that even certain wealthy figures from surrounding countries would travel long distances to attend the sale.
During past auctions at Ciro City, not only did all sorts of treasures frequently make appearances, even divine weapons showed up twice. Divine weapon ‘Starry Sky’, which was currently in Phoebe’s possession after it was obtained from Celt, had previously appeared at such an auction. It was repeatedly resold before Celt managed to acquire it.
This festival was a true spectacle. Other than just auction sales, there would also be all kinds of unusual items up for sale. Those who knew what was what could always be sure to walk away with whatever goods they desired.
Everytime such a large-scale auction sale was held, it attracted people from all walks of life, and this time was no exception. Even when Han Shuo heard about the grand occasion of the auction from Icicle City, he spent three thousands gold coins, and, through some illicit methods, managed to use the magical transportation array there to travel to Ciro City.
Han Shuo, whose injuries had yet to fully recover, on one hand, needed not only some materials to forge Gilbert’s body, but also to ask about the recent situation over at Lancelot Empire. That was why he came to the capital city of Kasi Empire, Ciro City.
Compared to Ciro City, Icicle City was just a small town along the borders of Kasi Empire. Dark Mantle footholds had yet to extend to this area. Therefore, in order to get accurate information about the Lancelot Empire, Han Shuo had to make a trip to a city of great significance to the empire, such as Ciro City.
The previous day, soon after Han Shuo arrived at Ciro City, he managed to get in touch with Dark Mantle members in Ciro City, and through their messages, he found out about the current situation in Lancelot Empire.
Just as Jack the little fatty said it would, Brettel City operated as usual then even without his presence. During this period, the army of Brettel City commanded by Dorcas, in addition to elite troops dispatched by King Lawrence of Lancelot Empire, officially launched military operations against the seven grand duchies.
Dorcas’ outstanding talent, alongside the full backing of the empire, was a deadly combination.
In just the short span of a little more than a month, under Dorcas’ command of an incomparably valiant army, and the seven grand duchies in the dark, they easily occupied the Bavenden Duchy. Then, with Bavenden Duchy as their military base, they successfully crushed the hastily united army of Bonton Duchy and Etman Duchy.
As Bavenden Duchy was located far from Brettel City, and Dorcas gave no warning before attacking, Bavenden Duchy had never expected that the Lancelot Empire would first go after the further duchy instead of the closer ones, and go far afield to take them down first. Caught off guard, they were in no condition to organize any effective resistance. In just one week’s time, the military force of Bavenden Duchy was swept away, with Grand Duke Alec Ambridge killed in action.
Bonton Duchy and Etman Duchy in the surrounding areas, upon learning of the situation, immediately formed an alliance to resist, but nevertheless suffered a big defeat in their very first battle. And now, while the two duchies held fast to their city gates, they began making contact with the other few duchies at all costs, intending to join forces to deal with Lancelot Empire’s ferocious invasion.
Of the remaining four duchies, Helen’s Helon Duchy and Burt Zili’s Boulet Duchy were effectively allied with Han Shuo. After Nehem Beige was killed by Han Shuo, Bisli Duchy sank into a great mess, and suffered disastrous damages under Burt Zili’s attack. They wouldn’t be able to put up any measurable resistance.
All that remained was Benedict Sackville’s Narsen Duchy, which could be considered as having some military capability. However, with Helen and Burt Zili causing mischief in the dark, Han Shuo could be almost certain that this time, Benedict Sackville would not be able to escape from misfortune.
After Han Shuo learned of the circumstances and progress made in the assault against the seven grand duchies, he truly put down the rock in his heart. With the full support of Lancelot Empire, without Stratholme the old monster’s hinderance, and with Helon Duchy and Boulet Duchy secretly assisting, this time, there would be no escape for the seven grand duchies.
Everything remained unchanged in Brettel City, and it became the supplier of weapons and foodstuffs to fuel Dorcas’ war machine. When Dorcas prevailed over the enemy, he would utilize the powers in Brettel City to seize that country’s resources and regime, simultaneously containing the situation and effectively administering the territory.
The situation was absolutely fantastic. This was the moment that Lancelot Empire would begin soaring.
While Lancelot Empire was carefreely invading, the Brut Merchant Alliance, however, was very much in a headache. As for lightning sacred magus Reynold, the late protector of Brut Merchant Alliance, his death brought the union losses beyond measure. What caused even greater headache for the Brut Merchant Alliance were the magical beasts flooding in from Tarrag Canyon. These beasts caused havoc in the cities surrounding Tarrag Canyon, destroying everything in their paths and attacking every human in sight.
The Brut Merchant Alliance was a nation constituted of multiple major merchant guilds. Visiting and returning from all sorts of regions and countries, conducting commerce activities with them, those were the channels through which they reaped huge amount of profits. However, as magical beasts roamed throughout the land, all those merchants had no choice but to stay home. This caused insurmountable losses for the Brut Merchant Alliance, a country that relied mainly on trade.
Therefore, although the Brut Merchant Alliance was aware that the Lancelot Empire was infringing upon the seven grand duchies like wildfire and enjoying the spoils of war to the fullest, due to domestic disorder, they were fully occupied and had no time to deal with other matters. All they could do was to helplessly look on as Lancelot Empire constantly expanded its territory.
Han Shuo understood that the problems Brut Merchant Alliance would be confronted with weren’t merely so. For the time being, those of the Soul Race inside Tarrag Canyon had yet to make a move. But this was likely because their six-horned tribal king was injured during the battle with the Saintess of the Church of Light. Once this six-horned tribal king recovered, the Brut Merchant Alliance would undoubtedly weep at least a few tears.
Standing on a harmonious street, Han Shuo stopped contemplating and carried on examining vendors’ booths for goods that fit his needs.
It must be said that this so-called auction sale indeed owned a well-deserved reputation. Before the real auction sale had even started, among the various kinds of materials in the market, Han Shuo had procured two worthy items.
Weeping Wood. A close look at this wood revealed grain patterns that looked like tear stains. By grinding the wood into fine sawdust and then refining it with a few medicinal herbs, he could manufacture medicinal pellets that pacify the heart.
Vermiculite. When refining certain magical weapons that needed to be pliable but tough, Vermiculite could be utilized for constructing a weapon that possessed extreme toughness. In reforging Gilbert’s body, this would have the same effect as well. If Gilbert’s bones were mixed with Vermiculite, his bones would become tougher and more durable.
Those were the two things Han Shuo got hold of in that morning. Vermiculite would prove especially useful for Gilbert.
If Gilbert had chosen bone dragon as the way to reborn, Han Shuo wouldn’t have needed to spend as much time and effort. Placing Gilbert’s soul into the netherworld and helping him reconstruct his skeleton with bones would suffice. However, since Gilbert had chosen to be a devil, Han Shuo had to spend a lot more energy. With his original skeleton as the foundation, he had to throw in all kinds of rare and precious materials to assemble him a new body.
As Han Shuo felt guilty for Gilbert, he made a firm resolution to make it up to Gilbert by forging his new body perfectly. That was why he went over there to gather these uncommon materials. He wanted to forge a body that would not only give him strength and energy, but also possess a demonic body with unlimited possibilities in his evolution.
“Huh? What’s this? Can I have a look?” Walking down the street, Han Shuo constantly looked in all directions, seeking materials suitable for Gilbert. At that moment, he saw a deep black, unreflective stone the size of palm. From his consciousness, he felt faint traces of bizarre energy, and therefore inquired.
At the helm of the stand was an aged woman. She looked on dreamily at the traffic of people walking past. When she heard Han Shuo’s inquiry, her attention immediately fell onto Han Shuo. From his outstanding physique, combined with his out of ordinary clothing, at first glance, she could tell that Han Shuo was liberal with his money. Especially seeing the space ring on his hand, which further testified to his wealth.
“Of course!” The old woman put on a fawning smile, and took the initiative to respectfully hand the stone to Han Shuo.
Holding onto the stone the size of a palm, his demonic yuan and consciousness entered the stone at the same time. After a round of analyzing with his eyes squinted, his eyes suddenly shone. Looking at the old woman with all smiles, he asked, “Ma’am, how much is this?”
“That, my grandpa accidentally obtained that thing. It’s been quite a long time. Since you want it, five gold coins then,” the old woman answered after thinking for a while.
Pa! A bag of gold coins flung out from Han Shuo’s hand, and he bluntly said, “Here’s one hundred gold coins. I’m taking this!”
“Thank you, thank you!” The old woman was pleasantly surprised and quickly grabbed onto that bag of gold coins. Looking left and right, seeing that no one was watching, she hurriedly put away this bag of gold coins, closed up her stand, and left.
She had absolutely no idea of what use that stone was. The price of five gold coins was just a number she made up in her mind. One hundred gold coins was definitely a huge amount for her. It was for the fear that Han Shuo might renege on the deal that she so pressingly left.
Holding the Yuan Storage Stone, Han Shuo’s was rather satisfied. He carried on looking in all directions strolling randomly.
Suddenly, Han Shuo was startled, and looked ahead somewhat astonished.
He saw that a youthful, beautiful young lady, wearing a faint, tranquil smile, was looking around full of zest in front of a vendor’s booth. Shockingly, it was precisely the same beautiful young lady that went through the misfortune with him in Dark Forest – Sophie!