Chapter 342: Comprehensive Level 50, The Theocracy's Investigation Results
"Three thousand sets of magic armor and weapons?"
A look of astonishment appeared on the Green Leaf Witch's face. The White Mist Witch and Lizardman Kuru Xue were also stunned.
The atmosphere in the great hall fell silent.
"Is there a problem?" Tang Zheng sensed the strangeness and asked, puzzled.
"Master."
"This subordinate's understanding of crafting a magical item is not comprehensive, but I do know that it is quite difficult for even a skilled artisan to create a single magical item."
The Green Leaf Witch organized her thoughts and spoke respectfully, "To create 3,000 sets of magical items, even if those dwarves worked with all their might, it would likely take a very long time."
She could tell from her master's words that he seemed to want the magical items completed as quickly as possible.
Tang Zheng finally realized that his request was indeed a bit much for these ordinary dwarf artisans.
If it were just forging ordinary weapons, there would be no problem, but magical items were different. Calculating by value, the most common magical item costs around 500 gold coins.
The price for over 3,000 sets of magical items would be at least 1.5 million gold coins, an exorbitant expense even for the various human nations.
Thinking about it carefully, the elite troops in the human nations who wore magical items only numbered in the few hundreds.
"I see. It seems I'll have to take the elite route after all."
Tang Zheng thought to himself, looking at the Green Leaf Witch with some surprise.
"You actually know about this sort of thing?"
"When the Master had this subordinate sell magical potions with Enri, this subordinate became curious about the magical items sold in human item workshops and made a point to learn about them."
The Green Leaf Witch bowed slightly and spoke respectfully.
Tang Zheng chuckled lightly. He realized he hadn't really paid much attention to these matters before.
He truly didn't care much for ordinary magical items, having focused most of his energy on how to gain experience and increase his power.
"Have the dark dwarves and the dwarf artisans give me an estimate for the time it takes to forge a single magical item."
After some thought, Tang Zheng decided to first determine how long it would take this group of dwarves to produce one magical item.
The Green Leaf Witch responded, "Yes!"
"During this time, I will be staying in the depths of the southern mountains. If anything happens..."
As Tang Zheng spoke, he looked at Lizardman Kuru Xue beside him. "Use the fourth-tier magic, 'Cloud Manipulation', to get my attention."
"Understood, Master." Lizardman Kuru Xue lowered her neck, covered in fine white scales. She still sounded a little unnatural when saying the word "Master".
...
Using teleportation magic.
He returned to the depths of the southern mountain range. It was an area surrounded by mountains on all four sides, concealed by tall weeds and the canopies of trees.
It couldn't be easily discovered, whether by using 'Flight' or detection magic like 'Clairvoyance'.
Tang Zheng appeared before the dragonkin, Ladon, who was under the influence of charm, his desire to experiment surged.
"Although the value of this 'Heart of the True Dragon Lord' is very high, Item Appraisal can't detect any useful information from it at all."
"I can only experiment with it bit by bit. And then there's the dragon transformation ability... all in all, there's a lot to figure out."
Tang Zheng frowned; he had been studying it for some time but still had no leads.
However, one thing was certain.
This 'Heart of the True Dragon Lord' had replaced Ladon's original heart. Logically, given the other party's power, Tang Zheng should have killed him first and then used resurrection magic to de-level him to ensure complete control.
But because of this situation.
Tang Zheng couldn't be sure if Ladon's original heart would be restored during the process of being killed and resurrected.
If that happened, there was a possibility that the 'Heart of the True Dragon Lord' would be rejected, or some other accidental damage might occur.
"Transform into a dragon."
Tang Zheng spoke to the dragonkin, Ladon, before him.
"Roar!"
Ladon let out a subconscious roar. His weak body swelled at a visible rate, transforming into a 20-meter-tall golden giant dragon in the blink of an eye.
"His aura has grown a little weaker. The transformation must have some kind of cost." A gleam of magic power flowed in Tang Zheng's eyes as he carefully observed the entire process.
For the next few days.
Aside from activating 'Grand Ritual: Armageddon (Good)' at a fixed time each day to collect experience, Tang Zheng spent all his remaining time on research.
Four days passed in a flash.
Upper Wind Moon, April 23rd.
[Experience Pool: 6,000,000 / 360,000]
Tang Zheng shook the bloodstains from his hand and sat impassively on a rock, chewing on a piece of wild boar hind leg meat.
His hair was a mess, and his once-clean white cleric's robe had turned gray and dusty, stained with grime and blood.
"I cooked it a little longer on purpose, but it's still a bit tough."
Tang Zheng chewed a few times, swallowed the wild boar meat, then picked up his water pouch and took a gulp of water. He glanced at his current appearance.
"If I'd known, I would have spent a skill point to learn the 'Clean' magic."
He shook his head helplessly.
He had made some small gains over the past few days.
"I have enough experience points. It's about time I raised my level." Tang Zheng's gaze fell upon his experience pool, his eyes brightening as he thought to himself.
*Vmm!*
A powerful fluctuation of aura erupted from Tang Zheng's body once more, surging higher and higher. An invisible airwave spread out, blasting away the weeds and rotten leaves beneath the rock.
His cleric's robe fluttered without any wind, letting out a crisp sound!
Tang Zheng once again felt the sense of power that came with an increase in his life level, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes.
—The rapidly growing aura came to a halt!
...
[Ability Stats]
Comprehensive Level: 50Lv
Experience Pool: 1,720,001 / 780,000
Skill Points: 109→133
Class:
Basic Job Class: Genius 10Lv (Warrior...)
Intermediate Job Class: None
High-Tier/Special Job Class: Magic Swordsman 5Lv, Ninja 5Lv, Holy Lord 5Lv, Lord of Corruption 5Lv
Curse Knight 5Lv, Valkyrie 5Lv
Mad Mage 5Lv, Magic Transcendent 5Lv
...
[Attribute Stats]
Karma Value: 20 [Neutral]
HP: 655→795 (61%)
MP: 568→718 (55%)
Physical Attack: 438 (34%)
Physical Defense: 380→520 (40%)
Agility: 448→348 (26%)
Magic Attack: 498 (38%)
Magic Defense: 525→675 (52%)
Overall Resistance: 445→585 (45%)
Specialty: 670→730 (56%)
Total: 407%
...
He stared at the information on the panel, waiting quietly.
"Huh?"
There was no reaction.
A look of surprise appeared on Tang Zheng's face, and he continued to wait.
A minute passed.
The status panel still showed no notification about triggering a class build.
"What's going on? The two high-tier classes, 'Holy Lord' and 'Lord of Corruption', have already reached max level."
"According to the normal class build process, it should have triggered a new class. Why hasn't one appeared?"
Tang Zheng's previously casual attitude vanished, replaced by a look of puzzled surprise. He raised his hand and pointed forward.
"'Luminous Sword'!"
A two-meter-long longsword radiating a holy light materialized out of thin air and plummeted from the sky.
*Boom!*
The luminous sword exploded the moment it touched the ground. The holy energy covered everything within a 15-meter radius, blasting all the shrubs into dust.
As the light faded, a deep crater was left in the ground.
"'Sinking Aura'!"
Tang Zheng's eyes narrowed. A dense, black negative energy overflowed from his entire body, forming a visible tide-like wave.
The surrounding shrubs, grass thickets, and rocks were all corroded and eroded by the negative energy. Even the sturdy stone Tang Zheng was sitting on became brittle and loose in an instant, crumbling into a pile of rubble with the slightest pressure!
"There's no problem using the skills. Two similar classes should be able to build into a stronger one."
"Was my assumption wrong? Is the class build in YGGDRASIL more complicated? But why wasn't there a problem before?"
Tang Zheng stood up and raised his hands. Using the techniques of a 'Magic Swordsman', black negative energy and holy energy surged in his palms respectively. The look of confusion in his eyes deepened.
"Or am I missing some kind of condition?"
With no immediate answer, Tang Zheng could only set the matter aside for now.
He had originally planned to de-level after triggering the special class, then take on other intermediate classes to acquire new high-tier classes.
The current situation, however, temporarily extinguished this idea. He had to figure out why he couldn't trigger a special class.
Slane Theocracy.
Divine Capital.
The first light of dawn dyed the spire of the high tower in the city center a golden yellow, followed by the clear chime of a bell.
*Dong.*
A dull yet piercing sound echoed through the sky.
The clock at the top of this massive church was one of the oldest structures in the entire Theocracy, said to have been built according to the will of the God of Light.
It was called "John's Bell." Although no documents explained the meaning of the name "John," over the hundreds of years it has been passed down, the name itself had long since taken on a sacred meaning.
Beneath the bell tower.
Several Clerics in white robes arrived at its base. The Priest at the front held what appeared to be an infant.
The Priests stopped, looking up at the high bell tower, then towards the pale light of dawn rising in the east.
A sigh was heard.
The Priest holding the infant walked forward, gently placed the baby on the ground, and then knelt before it.
The other Priests behind him did the same.
The low sound of prayer, akin to confession, slowly began to rise.
"Gurgle." The baby let out a soft gurgle, waving its tender hands.
"May God bless you!"
The Priest kneeling before the infant raised his head, carefully picked the baby up, and stood with the other Priests before hurriedly departing.
In the deepest part of the Theocracy.
Within the sacred and inviolable Conference Hall.
This was already the second meeting held this month, and the third Cardinal conference of the year.
The previous two meetings only had six Cardinals present, though the meetings were of high importance. This time, however, even the Supreme Cardinal was present, which was a very rare occurrence.
"The meeting will now begin!"
"The first agenda item: the loss of the 'Magic Sealing Crystal'." The Water Cardinal, Sinedine, acting as the moderator for this meeting, was the first to speak gravely.
"Ahem."
The Wind Cardinal, Dominic Ihre Partouche, coughed lightly and leaned forward to explain, "Nigun has been resurrected. You have all seen the detailed report. The power of the Zuranon Alliance Leader exceeded our expectations, which is what led to this significant loss."
As the former captain of the 'Sunlight Scripture', he had personally promoted Nigun, so he bore a certain amount of responsibility for such a grave error.
"What is the point of saying that now?" The Light Cardinal, Ion, snorted, his gaunt face impassive.
"A loss and error this great can erase any prior contributions!"
"Just follow the regulations. Revoke Nigun's position as Captain of the 'Sunlight Scripture'."
"Seconded!"
Voices rose one after another; there was no room for leniency in this matter.
"The second agenda item: whether the Alliance Leader of the evil society Zuranon is dead, and the possibility that the missing 'Magic Sealing Crystal' is in their possession."
The Water Cardinal Sinedine spoke again.
The discussion among the cardinals was much more intense this time.
"The 'Magic Sealing Crystal' is an extraordinary item; location-type magic is completely ineffective on it."
"Does that mean the Alliance Leader might not be dead?"
"That possibility certainly exists. Based on reports from all sides, everyone only saw the Alliance Leader being sent flying by the Dominion Authority. Whether they died cannot be confirmed."
The cardinals debated heatedly for a while and finally decided to closely monitor any movements from Zuranon.
"The final agenda item."
As the Water Cardinal Sinedine said this, a flush of revitalization appeared on his ashen cheeks, which were so aged his true age was indiscernible.
"Regarding the research results of the 'Integration Potion.' Here is all the data. Please review it."
The cardinals, their faces filled with doubt and astonishment, took the documents being passed around the table and began to read them seriously.
"This..."
"How could this be!"
"Impossible!"
"To think such a potion exists."
"...!"
Voices filled with shock and disbelief rang out around the conference table.
The Supreme Cardinal, who had been sitting at the head of the table without speaking, was the first to rap his fingers on the table, silencing the room.
"What are the results of the investigation into the 'Free Will' squad?" the Supreme Cardinal asked gravely.
"The investigation is complete."
The Water Cardinal Sinedine nodded and replied, "Aside from the demi-human member, for whom we have no further detailed information, the remaining two adventurers have been fully identified."
"Enri Emmot, a commoner from Carne Village in the border region of the Re-Estize Kingdom. No abnormalities."
"Tang, a commoner from Stone Rock Village, a border village on the northern border of the Re-Estize Kingdom, at the junction with the Council State. No abnormalities."
Upon hearing the words "Council State," the expressions on the faces of all the cardinals present changed.
The Supreme Cardinal nodded lightly.
"You have all seen the true effect of the 'Integration Potion.' I trust you understand what this means for the Theocracy... no! For all of humanity!"
"Send someone to invite this Tang to our Theocracy. This time, we must invite him, no matter what. This concerns all of humanity."
The Supreme Cardinal raised his arm and pressed it on the table, his grave and earnest voice landing with heavy finality.
(end of chapter)