Chương 1293: [1209] - Y06.109 - Gold Port V

Unity Blade (+2) Requires Attunement Deals 2D6 slashing + 2D6 psychic damage. Once per day you may cast Psychic Blast. Psychic Blast. Each creature within 10 metres must make a DC 16 Wisdom Save, taking 8D6 psychic damage on a failed save, or half damage on a success. After using Psychic Blast, the slashing and psychic damage dealt by this weapon increases by 1D6. In the hands of one who is worthy, this weapon is empowered.

'What does that mean?' Adam thought, feeling the blade's magic run through his hands.

"It is a blade used by the Guardians of the Union of Emerald and Copper," Jurot said within their tongue, noting the shock upon the half elf's face, for he had understood the blade, and how he was unable to conceive the depths of the blade.

"It's an amazing sword, I mean, it does what my axe does, but always, and it does so much more." Adam stared at the blade, beginning to understand more about the word of magical weapons.

'The Psychic Blast is amazing, but to think that it grows stronger after using it…'

"Only those truly worthy of the blade can draw out its secret abilities," the Iyrman said, noting the way Adam stared at it. Not even for a moment did Adam seem to covet the blade, but it made sense, since the half elf was a Chaos Enchanter.

"I get that it's amazing, and man, is it amazing, but…"

"It is because it belongs to the Guardians," Jurot stated, his voice low and heavy, and though he continued to speak in their tongue, he was still careful.

"Who are these Guardians?"

"Like those of the Order of the Wings, but more secretive, and it is thought, more powerful."

"Damn," Adam whispered, swallowing lightly.

"So, we can't use this blade?"

"No. We must return it."

"I guess so. Five thousand gold for this kind of blade is a great deal, but if we have to give it up, then we have to give it up."

"We will earn a great favour with the sword."

"Oh yeah?"

"Once it is returned, it will confer upon us a great favour with the Guardians."

"What kind of favour?"

"A favour," Jurot replied, saying no more of the topic, for it was dangerous enough to speak of the Guardians, even in hushed whispers, and in a language others could not understand.

"They are assisted by, it is assumed an emerald dragon, but also Slumber Claw."

"Oh!" Adam raised his brows in shock.

"The ancient dragon that likes dragonchess?"

"Yes."

"He assists them?"

"Yes."

"Damn." Adam didn't know much about Slumber Claw, the ancient brass dragon, except for that he loved dragonchess a lot, kept out of the world, and slept so much they called him Slumber Claw, and also he was considered almost an equal to Jaeryael.

'Damn!'

"Did he speak of the blade to you?" Dunes whispered once Adam surrendered it back to Bael, who eyed it up with greed, but wrapped it away without a word.

"Yeah."

"If you…" Dunes paused a moment to think.

"If you are willing to gift it to Black Mountain, we can steal away Korin and Sara too."

"This blade is worth that much?"

"Yes."

'Damn!' Adam thought. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"If only we could speak more privately," Dunes whispered, his eyes darting to the walls, unsure of how many were listening in on their conversation.

"Do you speak elvish?"

"No."

"What a shame. Dwarven?"

"Yes?"

"You do?"

"Yes." Dunes sat up straighter.

"I had forgotten you also spoke the good salt tongue!"

"Yeah, me too," Adam replied awkwardly, hoping Dunes hadn't caught on to what he really meant.

"So…"

"Adam, I can speak with the Priest Commander, and with this blade, we can ask for a great favour. Perhaps it may not be enough, but I should be able to convince the Priest Commander to concede in some way. No, no, it is certainly enough, he isn't that prideful."

"Hmm." Adam rubbed the side of his neck.

"Well, I guess we only got it because of you, but the Iyr was the one to pay for it, I mean, they helped pay for it, and he trusted Jurot with it, so… I don't know, it feels awkward just to give it up to your Order, but if it means we can steal you away, then that's fine."

"It is truly that great," Dunes said, glad Adam had talked himself into it.

"If the Priest Commander asks for my life, it could save me."

"What?"

"You do not have to worry, for I doubt it will come to that, but just in case," Dunes joked. Adam's heart pounded harder in his chest.

"Seriously, Dunes, you're going to be the death of me."

"I do not wish to hear that from you!" Adam chuckled lightly, falling into thought about the blade. He wasn't sure how he felt about handing over the blade as part of the negotiations. It felt too transactional, though that was how their relationship would be with the Order. However…

"Let's hand the blade over to them right away, and then you can discuss with the Priest Commander," Adam eventually said.

"That would also be a good way, but you should keep it until the end. I believe I can convince him without the blade, and then we, the United Kindom, may be able to earn the favour." Adam remained silent for a long while, causing Dunes' smile to fade, for he could see just how deeply the half elf was contemplating the matter. It was rare to see Adam so serious, the half elf letting out small sighs as he continued to think.

"Dunes. I have no greed for the weapon, or the favour. I just want you, Korin, and Sara. We can keep this blade, but I would feel like I betrayed you, and Black Mountain. Do I want to pay the coin for you and your friends, and then be done with Black Mountain? Can we deal with it so cleanly? What about Ranya? Won't you want to take her to Black Mountain? What about our business? Couldn't we work closely with Black Mountain? I'll pay whatever I have to if it means both Black Mountain and you can be at ease.

If it costs me this sword and the favour, that's fine by me. If it costs me a hundred thousand gold, that's fine. If it costs me a million gold, I'll work that hard during all this Chaos, and I'll earn the coin to make sure Black Mountain is satisfied giving up one of their own.

There's still going to be some resentment from their end, since their pride will be hurt, but if I pay enough coin, they'll look the other way, and once I become strong enough, they'll have to put in the same effort to make sure I don't resent them too." Adam's ramblings came out with half thoughts, but Dunes could understand each thread, and though it looped around, the Priest understood what Adam was talking about.

He hadn't expected Adam to think so far ahead, since what Adam was thinking of was not the United Kindom and Black Mountain of today, but the United Kindom and Black Mountain of tomorrow.

"I did not think you wanted such a relationship with Black Mountain."

"Then you don't realise how much I owe Lady Arya," Adam said.

"No, is it just because I owe her? The Iyr, they respect Black Mountain. You're from Black Mountain, your wife's from Black Mountain. Korin, Sara, well, not Sara, but doesn't Korin have family too?"

"Lani."

"Right, Lani, so it's not like we should just cut our relationship off. We need to cultivate it with them. Hopefully they'll accept us, and we'll do our best on our side, and I know you're stressing out on your side, so you'll probably speak with your mentor to try and smooth things over.

I'm already prepared to give up as many Basic, Greater, Basic Enhanced, Greater Enhanced, swords, other weapons too, but I assume swords, because, you know, as many as I need to in order to make sure no one bullies my little Ranya when she goes back in about twenty years after I've trained her into a Master, but what am I saying? She'll never grow up since she behaves so well."

Dunes had realised in their conversation just how seriously the half elf was taking this, but not just that, how much it was stressing him out. To see Adam take it all seriously, even so much as to only joke towards the end once it had overwhelmed him, the Manager smiled slightly.

"Adam?" Dunes called in the Aldish tongue.

"Yeah?"

"When we are in Aswadasad, we should buy books for the children," Dunes said.

"The paper from Al Tasad is wonderful for writing, for ones hand will glide upon the page, and I am sure Ray Vonda will wish for books from Zufar, for colour is not colour without Zufar."

"I don't know what that means, but…" Adam paused, checking his journal, finding which type of paper Vonda had asked him for.

"Oh, yeah. Al Tasad and Zufar. I wrote that they were expensive and underlined it a few times."

"It won't be as expensive in the capital, and there are plenty of other books with quality paper," Dunes assured, reaching up to place a hand on Adam's shoulder.

"Leave your worries to me, Adam."

"It's why I pay you the big bucks," Adam said, rubbing his forehead.

"I should pay you more, but I'd feel too guilty."

"Then hand over-," Dunes began, realising he was making a great mistake.

"You pay me well enough." Adam warned Dunes, for if given the chance, he would crush the Aswadian under a mountain of silver and gold.