Chapter 25: Heading to the Dwarf Settlement
"Master, this is about my limit..."
In the west of the city, at the detached residence, in the second-floor bedroom.
Lin sat by the bed, holding the right hand of the silver-haired girl lying on it with both hands. A faint silver-gray light could be seen flowing between their hands. Catching his breath, the black-haired, golden-eyed youth frowned slightly and said softly, "The power within my sister is too inert. I can't extract much more. This level is already the limit."
"Then stop. Don't push yourself."
Joshua stood at the door, leaning against the wall, turning his head to look toward the bed. "At least the situation has indeed improved. Lin, you did very well, but be careful not to exhaust yourself."
"Mm."
Responding softly, Lin closed his eyes wearily and began to rest for a moment.
Joshua looked at his two Divine Mechanisms before him and nodded. Although Ying on the bed was still asleep, her complexion indeed looked much better than before. At least now, one could see her expression subtly changing, unlike before when her face seemed frozen solid.
As for Lin, after learning about the condition of his nominal 'sister' not long ago, he had voluntarily offered to help. The warrior, who had contracted him precisely for this purpose, naturally wouldn't refuse. However, the youth had only just succeeded in the contract and hadn't accompanied Joshua in any battles yet. His level hadn't increased, and his abilities were slightly lacking, so he couldn't achieve full success.
Turning his head, he looked at the red-black gem in his right hand. The Steel Crystal, isolated by Battle Qi, shimmered with a star-like light. Gazing at it, Joshua's expression grew serious.
"Steel Crystal... Is the world that mysterious power within it showed me real?"
Murmuring to himself, the warrior narrowed his eyes. "Or is it the world behind the Space-Time Gate? But it feels different from what I knew in my past life..."
Regardless, it was indeed possible. That oppressive aura and the feeling of impending destruction were very reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic world, almost exactly like the Mycroft Continent after the Abyss invasion in his past life, exuding a sense of deathly stillness everywhere.
Shaking his head, he stopped overthinking. Joshua put the gem back into his pocket, then turned to the youth and said, "Rest for a while, Lin. I'll explain the current situation to you later."
—A few days later.
Detached residence, second floor, Communication Array.
Since Nostradamus's last visit and before his departure, Joshua had asked the Empire's chief mage to set up a simple Communication Array in his detached residence. This was because the Lord's Manor wouldn't be fully rebuilt until spring arrived. Before that, the warrior couldn't keep going to Saint Lawrence Cathedral to borrow the Church's Communication Array. Not only was it too much trouble for the old priest Atanis, but it was also very inconvenient.
Now, Joshua was communicating with Nostradamus.
"...That's the situation. The method you suggested is effective, but not significantly so."
The warrior's voice was calm. "And I've also discovered some new information. The trigger for Ying's slumber was the energy feedback from my advancement, which caused her to start advancing. However, the stagnant Steel Force released by a strange Steel Crystal she carried halted this process, stopping her advancement. I believe this is likely the true reason for Ying's slumber."
"Is that so? It's good that the method works. That's really good news... As for the mysterious power in the Steel Crystal, to be honest, I don't have much information on such rare materials either."
Congratulating Joshua, the old mage on the other end of the Communication Array pondered for a moment, then suggested, "If it were alchemical materials, that would be one thing, but for rare forging materials like this, I personally recommend you consult the Rune Dwarves in your territory. They possess the most comprehensive mineral data on this continent and have a deep understanding of any rare material—far more than this mage who knows nothing about forging."
"Indeed."
The Dwarf clan produced the world's finest forging masters and ore appraisal experts. Hearing this reasonable suggestion, the warrior nodded. He decided to visit the Dwarf settlement in a few days to pay respects to that Rune Dwarf Grand Forger, Senior Moria Ironskin, who often wrote to him. "Then, thank you for your advice."
"Not at all."
The old mage's voice on the other end of the Communication Array sounded quite cheerful. "Helping a promising young man like you makes me very happy."
After discussing a few more issues, Joshua turned off the Communication Array and headed to his study.
The study was simply decorated. Although the warrior didn't oppose enjoying life, he was too lazy to bother with elaborate decorations. At this moment, at the black pinewood desk, a black-haired, golden-eyed youth was focused on reading documents and handling official business.
This kid Lin is truly reassuring.
Opening the door and seeing this scene, Joshua couldn't help but sigh and express his admiration.
Since contracting this Divine Mechanism youth, all the work over the past few days had been handled by him. As a result, Joshua was freed from tedious official duties and could focus on daily training and instructing other knights to build his own team.
It had to be said that Lin's database was exceptionally well-stocked, and his abilities were in no way inferior to those of professional administrative staff. Thus, he could easily handle all internal affairs of the territory without worrying about errors or omissions.
Not only that, but this Divine Mechanism youth was also proficient in all sorts of strange and obscure knowledge. Even Joshua, a reincarnated time traveler, felt that he couldn't match his new steward in certain niche fields. The youth was practically a walking encyclopedia, knowing almost everything.
Perfect at work, could cook, handled official business quickly, and even knew how to take care of horses!
Thinking of this, the warrior couldn't help but sigh again.
Just this morning, the black horse in the stable had inexplicably become agitated again. But this time, Joshua didn't intervene; Lin calmed it down. To do so, the youth even specially made a unique feed to soothe the black horse. In a sense, he was truly a jack-of-all-trades.
"Amazing, Lin. How do you know so much?"
Joshua couldn't help but exclaim.
"Haven't I told you? It's because your synchronization rate with me was originally over sixty percent, while with my sister it was only fifty percent. So, Senior Fan and the old Lord injected a lot of specialized knowledge into my memory core early on to help you handle daily affairs... This is something almost every Divine Mechanism has to do."
Shrugging, Lin sighed while looking at the documents in his hand. Over the past few days, he had also learned about his master's legendary experiences over the past few months. "Probably after you learned of the old Lord's death, your emotions fluctuated, changing the synchronization rate? Changes caused by emotional upheaval are indeed unavoidable."
He flipped through another document and reminded, "By the way, Master, there's a letter here from the Dwarves. They say the armor they plan to gift you is almost finished. If possible, they can deliver it in a few days."
"Oh? Is that so? What a coincidence."
Joshua looked surprised, but then smiled and said, "Great. I was planning to visit them in a few days anyway... No need for them to deliver it. I'll go pick it up myself. Lin, help draft a reply."
"Alright, Master."
Going to the Dwarf territory wasn't as simple as just saying it. In fact, there were many issues to resolve.
The Dwarf settlement was located in the southern corner of the Great Aias Mountains, the area closest to the underground lava reservoir. They built their homes in the rock and soil underground, using magma energy to power Rune tools and forge weapons. Although this place was indeed within the Moldavia Territory, it wasn't easy to reach. Even seasoned travelers and adventurers had to cross several small hills to find this Dwarf home, requiring many special preparations along the way.
Moreover, since it was a visit, gifts were necessary. For example, high-quality wine and well-textured ore were indispensable, and these weren't easy items to carry.
Of course, preparing these things naturally didn't require the Lord himself to do it.
Two days later.
Everything was ready.
However, just as Joshua was about to gather the team for final preparations before departure, he was informed that Claire had come to visit.
Joshua naturally wouldn't refuse. He received the green-haired Forest Elf in the guest room.
Today, Claire Wind-Song wore a purple woolen coat, looking nothing like the legendary Druid who melded with nature, but rather like a fashionable noble lady from the Imperial Capital.
She looked somewhat tired. Joshua knew that Claire hadn't rested recently; she had been inspecting the soil quality across the nearby land, collecting samples, and conducting certain special experiments. Joshua had originally thought this would continue until she began purifying the land, but he hadn't expected the Elf beauty to come and say she wanted to join the trip to the Dwarf settlement.
"Lady Claire, what about your purification work?"
Joshua didn't beat around the bush and directly pointed out the issue. "If the Chaos contamination isn't resolved before spring, the farmers won't be able to plant crops. That surely isn't the purpose of your coming here."
"No matter. It's already handled."
The Elf Druid didn't seem to be a talkative type either. Hearing Joshua's question, she answered concisely, "I've planted Sun Vine seeds around the area. By collecting soil information from nearby, I specially modified them. This plant absorbs sunlight, balances the surrounding environment, and purifies the nearby Chaos aura... From now on, I just need to sow them everywhere."
"I see."
Nodding in understanding, Joshua naturally knew about Sun Vines. They were originally magical plants used to absorb sunlight and purify negative energy. But he hadn't expected that this ordinary, almost cheapest magical plant, after being modified by this Grand Druid, could become something capable of purifying Chaos power.
The power of magic was truly miraculous.
Since she had already done this much, there was no problem. Joshua readily agreed, "Very well. In that case, you can join our team to the Dwarf settlement."
Since the Chaos aura issue was already resolved, bringing her along didn't matter. Moreover, having a Gold High-rank Druid accompany them wasn't a bad thing. Even if he refused, she could go on her own, so there was no reason not to agree.
"...Agreed?"
After a moment of silence, Claire's expression seemed surprised. It didn't look like an act; she was genuinely taken aback. "I thought you would refuse, or we'd have to discuss it for a long time. I didn't expect it to be so simple..."
"Why would you think I would refuse?"
Hearing this, Joshua found it somewhat baffling. "People's actions are free. Even if you hadn't completed the purification task, for a Gold-rank Druid like you, going to the Dwarf settlement alone wouldn't be difficult. Besides, you've already fulfilled your duty, so why would I refuse your request?"
"Probably because of... your expression."
Claire tilted her head slightly and said in a calm tone, "You look like someone hard to talk to, a very fierce person."
"Expression... Listen, Claire, I never knew Elves judged by appearances!"
As if choked, Joshua felt he needed to defend his image. Frowning, he said in a deep voice, "Although I don't look like a good person and am not very amiable, I'm actually very easy to get along with. If ordinary people ask for help, I'll agree... What's with that expression?!"
"..."
Covering her face slightly with her hand, the green-haired Elf turned away without a word.
—The next day
Perhaps because they lived in the coldest regions, the people of the Northern Lands were either as swift as fire or as lazy as bears. But regardless, under Joshua's command, all preparations were complete.
Year 832 of the Falling Stars Era, February 24th, morning.
Outside the main city, on the ice field.
Twenty fully armed knights sat silently on their mounts, their backs straight amidst the swirling snow. White frost covered their silver armor with a layer of transparent ice, and their polished, gleaming spears stood upright, forming a neat formation.
Joshua rode his tall black horse, pacing back and forth before the knights. Beside him were Lin and Claire, each on their own horses. The warrior looked at the orderly formation before him and nodded in satisfaction.
"I won't say much else."
Using Battle Qi to amplify his voice, Joshua's voice cut through the wind and spread across the ice field. He shouted, "Knights, we are about to head to the Dwarf dwelling, the settlement of one of humanity's greatest allies. Therefore, at this moment, you represent the face of the Lord of Moldavia, me, Joshua, and uphold the glory of humanity. So, everything must be cautious, cautious. Maintain this state, and it will be fine!"
"Yes!"
The knights immediately responded loudly. The twenty voices answered in unison, as low and solemn as muffled thunder. They looked very excited, seemingly eagerly anticipating the upcoming trip to the Dwarf settlement.
"Very good."
Joshua looked up at the gloomy sky. The snow was getting lighter, and the temperature was no longer the bone-chilling cold of before. Now, winter was more than half over, and the early days of spring, when all things revive, were approaching.
"Move out!"
At his command, the knights and warhorses turned together. Hooves trampled the frost, kicking up snow dust as they galloped toward their destination.
(To be continued.)
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