Chapter 39: Ying, Your Condition Is a Bit Strange
What exactly could make this inspector, who had witnessed countless events, so solemn?
A gift from the Imperial Emperor? No, it was definitely not just that...
Taking the redwood rune box, Joshua did not rush to open it. He placed the obviously precious wooden box into the pocket of his coat, his expression unchanged.
"Inspector Monst, I hope you can explain the cause and effect of this matter in detail. Your previous explanation was far too vague. Aside from the fact that some kind of plague is spreading in the Black Forest, I haven't obtained any useful information."
The black-haired, red-eyed warrior gazed into the middle-aged inspector's cyan eyes. His tone was like cold iron, devoid of any emotion yet harsh and firm: "Moreover, for something like this, the Imperial Capital could have simply sent a letter or package. There's absolutely no need to specifically dispatch you, who knows me... to have a Silver High-rank warrior stand in the freezing snow and wait for my return? I don't have that much face."
"That's precisely why I'm puzzled, and why I didn't know where to begin."
Facing Joshua's questioning, Monst understood the other's confusion, so he replied quickly. Frowning slightly, he said frankly: "Your title inheritance documents and noble title have already been approved by the Imperial Capital. They should arrive in a few days. If there was anything that needed to be handed over to you, there would be no need for me to make a special trip; it could have been sent along with the documents... As for the ins and outs of the matter, I truly don't know. However, that plague is indeed very peculiar."
"Peculiar in what way?"
The warrior continued to ask.
"It seems to have a source of infection, and that source... moves very quickly."
The inspector seemed to have prepared for this. He took out a map and used a black pen to draw a curve, explaining: "The plague first appeared near the coast of the Western Mountains, then in the Southern Black Forest. After that, the infected area curved in an arc and spread rapidly towards the northeast. Now it has been confirmed to have arrived in the Northern Lands."
At this point, Monst showed a rare look of confusion: "The local magical beasts and humans show no difference in normal times, but as soon as they fight, they quickly feel physically exhausted and easily fall unconscious. Those with weaker constitutions will convulse all over and suffer a serious illness, while those with stronger constitutions will undergo some kind of mutation..."
He suddenly fell silent.
Joshua looked at the serious-faced middle-aged inspector and quickly realized the reason he stopped speaking—a light, rhythmic sound of footsteps approached the reception room, and the door was opened.
The silver-haired Divine Mechanism girl walked in carrying two cups of hot tea, placing them in front of them.
"It's fine, go ahead. Ying is trustworthy."
Turning sideways to nod at the puzzled Ying, Joshua took a sip of the hot tea and said indifferently: "I trust her. No need to avoid the topic."
"In that case..." Glancing sideways at Ying, Monst also believed that this young girl who had confronted him at the door was loyal to her master: "Then I'll continue—stronger creatures undergo some kind of mutation. Their entire bodies turn dark purple, their eyes become bloodshot, and black powdery gas emits from their mouths and noses. Their strength greatly increases while they become mad and bloodthirsty, losing most of their rationality. When facing a threat to their existence, even if they know they can't win, they will desperately attack until death."
"Based on your description, this is very similar to an orc's berserk transformation."
Hearing this, Joshua also began to feel that this was troublesome. He looked at the map and said seriously: "This is a plague? For creatures with sufficient physical strength, this is clearly a forced berserk transformation."
"The Imperial Disaster Observation Council has already determined that this is caused by some object or creature spreading a substance that arouses bloodlust. The reason it's called a plague is because this condition spreads through creatures attacking each other."
Monst also took a sip of tea and thanked Ying. He reached out and heavily tapped the map at the Ural Fortress, shaking his head: "Currently, the noble private soldiers and regular armies in the affected areas are all desperately suppressing the Black Tide caused by these maddened magical beasts. Since it happened suddenly, the losses everywhere are immense. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, so no fortress has been breached."
Speaking up to here, the middle-aged inspector's tone softened: "Probably because of this, the Imperial Capital specifically sent me to remind you to be careful of this Black Tide, and to bring His Majesty's gift... By the way, Deputy Commander of the Black Vanguard, do you know what else I've brought for you?"
Saying this, the middle-aged inspector showed a rare smile: "This was specially prepared for you by your superior and colleagues."
"Could it be?"
Hearing this, the black-haired warrior immediately thought of something. He stood up, his expression delighted: "If you really brought it, then it's indeed a great gift."
Monst didn't say much. He also stood up, then took out two things that looked like models from his waist and placed them on the table.
They were a sword and a set of armor, each about the size of a human finger. Though tiny, they were extremely detailed, perfect even in the smallest aspects.
"After the battle at Thomas Canyon, your weapons and armor were completely destroyed. Coupled with the upheaval in your family territory, there was no time to wait for them to be reforged. You had to ride alone back here."
Monst explained to Joshua, who was also smiling: "Now, I've brought them all here... This reforged set of enchanted plate armor may not be as good as the rune armor meticulously forged by dwarf craftsmen, but it is undoubtedly one of the best Transcendent equipment sets."
Crude, Common, Fine, Transcendent, Legendary, plus special artifacts and combination equipment—these were the most basic classifications of equipment on the Continent of Strife. There might be further subdivisions, but they weren't very important.
Joshua picked up the two models on the table. A familiar touch came through, and a faint scent of blood spread. Smelling this nostalgic scent, the black-haired warrior couldn't help but recall the thousands of days and nights he had spent in the Black Crow Legion, dozens of bloody battles, and the final clash with the orc troops... It was these two pieces of equipment that had accompanied him, bathed in blood and fire, through that long journey.
Holding these two small models, he softly spoke the secret phrase he had set back then.
"The cold wind begins to stir."
With this short sentence, countless flowing runes appeared around the two small models. Then, light bloomed, and a faint ripple of space-time fluctuation occurred. In the black-haired warrior's hands, a huge blade and a set of black full-body armor suddenly appeared.
This was a greatsword slightly smaller than the Divine Mechanism that Ying had transformed into, but even so, it was as tall as a person. The black armor was plain and unadorned, yet it gave a feeling of hardness and strength. Vaguely, one could see a coiled carving of a Death-Announcing Crow on the right shoulder.
"Oh?"
A soft exclamation came from behind, but Joshua didn't pay attention. He swung the weapon in his hand, and immediately, magical patterns flickered on the blade. A strong wind stirred up indoors, causing the stone lamp made of Everlight Stone on the table to wobble precariously, and the unlatched wooden door to creak and rattle.
"How is it? This is based on the original Wind Pattern of your weapon, with an additional enhanced enchantment. The armor is the same, and even surpasses this greatsword."
Monst straightened his coat, which had been blown askew by the wind. He took out a pocket watch from his bosom, checked the time, then nodded to Joshua: "With a full set of equipment, your strength should be able to rise another level. I don't know what His Majesty gave you, but it should also help you deal with the Black Tide... My mission is complete, and I need to return quickly."
"Thank you. Do you need any supplies?"
The warrior was not one for excessive politeness. Since he could see that the other party truly had matters to attend to, he expressed his thanks and didn't bother with useless pleasantries like inviting him to stay for dinner.
Three minutes later, Joshua saw the fully prepared Monst out the door, watching his figure disappear into the dark winter night.
From the start of the conversation to the farewell, two straightforward and direct men had cleanly resolved the matter in ten minutes.
"...Hmph, other weapons..."
But just as Joshua was about to go back and see what was inside the red rune box, a voice tinged with a hint of sourness came from behind him.