A large crowd had gathered in Ridderâs room.
By the bed, Elron was carefully examining the wound on Ridderâs arm. A medicine box sat at his feet, filled with the potions he had recently prepared.
"This appears to be a special kind of Energy."
Elron held Ridderâs arm, studying it carefully for a long while before giving his assessment.
He gently placed the arm back on the bed. "Since itâs an Energy, I can try using my Purification Skill to see if I can dispel this effect."
The Purification Skill was a form of Magic Elron had acquired upon becoming a Great Mage. It could be used to dispel Dark Energy and other negative effects.
Elron raised his hand, and a faint golden light began to shimmer on his index finger.
He quickly drew in the air, soon completing the Magic Patterns for the Purification Skill.
With a hum, the surrounding Light Elements were drawn in, surging toward the Magic Patterns to form a pale golden light that shone down upon the wound on Ridderâs left arm.
HISS!
Like the sound of a tire deflating, black smoke began to rise from Ridderâs wound under the light of the Purification Skill, as if it were being burned away.
Everyoneâs eyes lit up at the sight. No explanation was needed; they all knew the Purification Skill was working.
"My Fighting Qi can pass through the wound now!"
Ridderâs expression was one of pleasant surprise. The pain in the wound began to lessen; the effect of the Purification Skill was immediate.
"Elron, you truly are the Great Physician of our Wubei Territory! Thank you so much for this. Iâll buy you a drink later!"
In the room, the others began to praise Elronâs abilities as well.
In truth, ever since they learned Elron could produce Healing Spell Scrolls, they had all actively tried to get on his good side.
Now, seeing Elronâs new ability, the Great Physicianâs status in their hearts rose once again.
They were Professional Knights, after all. Who could guarantee they would never suffer a serious injury?
How could they not want to be on good terms with someone who could save their life at a critical moment?
Elron laughed and said, "One drink wonât cut it. You have to let me drink my fill!"
Ronin, standing to the side, laughed as well.
At every banquet, it was always Elron who drank the most.
On two separate occasions, Chahar couldnât help but marvel that while Knights were known for their love of drinking, how could a Light Attribute Mage love it so much too?
He even complained that Elron was drinking all the alcohol in the castle...
As they spoke, the Great Physician took out a small dagger and scraped the necrotic flesh from Ridderâs wound.
Thanks to Ridderâs formidable willpower, he didnât make a single sound throughout the entire process of having the dead flesh removed.
Following that, as several beams of light from the Healing Skill fell upon it, the fresh wound on his arm slowly stopped bleeding and showed signs of closing.
"This puncture wound is too deep; itâs damaged the muscle underneath. The effect of the Healing Skill will be diminished, but thankfully the wound itself isnât too large."
As Elron spoke, he took out a packet of medicinal powder from his box and sprinkled it on the wound.
"This is the Strong Birth Promotion Powder I recently concocted. It speeds up wound healing. However, itâs meant for Basic and Intermediate Level Knights; its effectiveness is diminished when used on Advanced Level Knights."
Ridder was a Silver Knight, so the Strong Birth Promotion Powder probably wouldnât have much of an effect on him.
"As long as it helps a little."
Ridder felt the stinging sensation in his wound. "Without that Energy bothering me, a wound like this will be mostly healed in about ten days."
Once that strange, bizarre Energy was dispelled, the rest wasnât a problem.
Roninâs worried heart could finally rest.
"Elron, stay in Black Earth Town for a while. The things in the northern valley are a bit strange. If they follow us back, your abilities should be able to counter them."
âThe Purification Skill can cleanse this Energy, but I wonder if it can kill those monsters directly?â
"My lord, we heard a general overview of the situation from George. What exactly is going on?" Elron asked.
Since George had already spoken, there was no need for Ronin to hide anything. Fortunately, everyone present was an insider.
"I need everyone to keep this matter a secret. Only our own people should know. Donât speak of it within the territory, and certainly donât let it spread outside."
If the common folk learned of this, it would surely cause a panic. If outsiders found out, it would only increase their curiosity about that valley.
Everyone present nodded silently. This was especially true for Krami. Not many people were in a position to spread this information, but she and Rogner had a motive to do so, since they had their families behind them.
However, since Ronin had said as much, she wouldnât speak recklessly.
âSince Iâve decided to pledge my loyalty to Ronin, I should put his interests first.â
Next, Ronin explained the situation as he knew it, while Ridder, who had recovered some of his energy, added supplementary details from the side.
As the one who had experienced it firsthand, Ridderâs understanding of those creatures was much deeper than Georgeâs.
And because of that, the mood of the crowd grew even more somber.
"Even though that valley is a bit far from us, and even though we have no plans to expand there in the near future, those bizarre things pose a serious threat to the territoryâs safety. We canât just ignore them and hope they donât come to us."
He had been a little hesitant before, but now Elron had given him confidence.
"Once Macken arrives, and after Ridderâs injuries have healed, Iâve decided to lead a team to purge that place!"
Ronin stated his plan, looking around at everyone present. "At that time, all Intermediate and higher-level Transcendants in Wubei Territory, hmm..."
He paused for a moment, then corrected himself, "With the exception of Krami, all other Intermediate and higher-level Transcendants will prepare to go."
As for Basic Level Knights, Ronin planned to take Tom, David, Grado, and Tomasz.
These four had performed the best among the Basic Level Knights and were worth cultivating.
Although they might not be much help in a fight, bringing them along would be good training and would broaden their experience.
"My lord!"
Just then, Krami stepped forward. "Why am I being excluded?"
Her question stunned everyone in the room for a moment.
Usually, Ridder and the others would accept such an arrangement without question, and those who had submitted to Ronin as part of the Wilderness Tribe probably wouldnât ask either.
This was the first time someone like Krami had directly questioned his orders.
Ronin didnât think she was being a troublemaker. On the contrary, if he were in Kramiâs position, he would have the same question.
Whether or not one would voice that question on the spot depended on their personality.
Some people are unwilling to express themselves and will just accept it quietly.
Others are more direct and might raise the issue immediately.
"If Rogner were here, I would be taking both you and him."
Ronin explained, "However, Iâve assigned him to other important matters. He likely wonât be able to make it back in time for this operation."
In truth, he was reluctant to let people like Rogner, Krami, and Grado take such risks. Getting injured was one thing, but if something fatal were to happen, their families would certainly come asking questions.
The reason he was willing to take Grado this time was mainly because the Basic Level Knights wouldnât be on the front lines.
But Krami was different. She was an Intermediate Knight. If she went, she would likely have to participate in the fighting.
And with Rogner absent, it would be difficult to explain if something happened to her.
The current arrangement was quite good: having Rogner run caravans and handle transport, while Krami maintained the peace in Swamp Town.
But Krami was unwilling to accept this.
In terms of strength, among the three Intermediate Knights in Wubei TerritoryâKrami, Horn, and Barringtonâshe was the strongest. Now the other two were going, but she was being excluded.
In terms of gender, Jenny was also a woman, and a Mage at that. If she could go, why couldnât Krami?
"My lord, since we chose to follow you, it means we are willing to fight for you."
Krami knelt on one knee. "Rogner is Rogner, and I am myself. Even if I die in battle during this operation, it will have nothing to do with you. Rogner certainly wouldnât see it as your fault."
She said in a low, firm voice, "I ask for your permission to join this operation!"
Ronin smiled. He hadnât expected her to be so eager, and her argument made it difficult for him to exclude her any longer.
"Alright. In that case, you can come along this time. Go and prepare yourself!"