Chapter 129: Chapter 102: Bronze Knight Advancement Method

"If they meet low-Tier Beasts on the road, they might engage. But if they encounter a higher-Tier Beast or a Demon, a lone hired Demon Hunter would have no chance of survival unless they were part of a Demon Hunter team of three or more."

’According to the monster classifications I learned from Zod, Beasts are monsters that appear with the fog on a Foggy Day.’

’They can only move within the fog, and they melt like snow when sunlight appears.’

’And Demons, according to them, are Beasts that have been tainted by the aura of a corresponding Law and infected by it.’

’Their power is far greater than that of an ordinary Beast. For example, the Dream-eating Beast Baron encountered that night in Mundra, which could devour people’s memories.’

’Based on Baron’s later speculation, it must have been tainted by the second law in the sequence, the Law of Oblivion.’

Baron grew thoughtful.

’It seems that life for the lower class in Prole is much worse than I saw or imagined. Then the sacrificial incident back in Wisemo Village in Mundra...’

’No, it would be more accurate to say that it partially explains the spontaneous sacrificial incidents that often occur in some villages in Prole.’

’After all, asking a Demon Hunter for help costs money, while a sacrifice to a God just requires everyone to wave their pots, pans, ladles, and forks, shout a few words, and conveniently take care of the surplus population...’ Baron suddenly thought of the village chief who had adopted Olivia and Sessi.

According to Olivia, the chief of Wisemo Village was overwhelmed with guilt after learning of Sessi’s death. Fearing the Blood God’s potential punishment, he held another ceremony and sacrificed himself.

’A hardcore guy, to be sure.’

Thinking of this, Baron suddenly remembered something important. He lowered his voice and asked Morey, "Mr. Morey, are you a Contract Knight?"

Morey didn’t deny it, only saying softly, "Are you asking me how to become a Bronze Tier Contract Knight?"

Baron was a little surprised—surprised that the deepest thought in his mind had been so easily seen through and drawn out by the Blood Loss Knight.

He then grew wary. ’My current cover is that of a Silver Demon Hunter. For a Silver Demon Hunter to ask about a Knight’s method of promotion... it’s hard for that not to seem suspicious.’

He wanted to deny it outright but was afraid of making it seem like he was hiding something. In the end, he just shrugged. "Just curious."

In response, Morey just expertly stamped out his rolled cigarette on the ground like one of those old chain-smokers from the Inner Side and exhaled a puff of bluish smoke.

"Because when I first noticed the signs of Contractual Assimilation in myself, I was just like that Knight friend of yours. I had a Demon Hunter friend of mine go find a Knight who looked really weathered—weathered enough to seem worldly and wise—and ask the very same question."

(PS: Contractual Assimilation refers to when a Contract Knight begins to show traits of their Contractor—for example, a Dragon Knight growing Dragon Scales or a Griffin Knight growing griffin feathers. This is a manifestation of the Contract Knight having already accumulated the Spiritual Power required to Promote.)

Before Baron could say anything, Morey said bluntly:

"Promoting from Black Iron to Bronze only requires three things: First, drink the blood of your Contractor. This marks the beginning of the promotion ceremony."

’Like Carmen’s blood?’ Baron thought of the day he signed the Knight Contract, when the Witch bit his lip.

"Second, the Contractor’s acknowledgment. This manifests as the person or Beast of your contract giving you an item that represents their approval.

"It could be scales, feathers, Sharp Claws... After you drink the Contractor’s blood, these things will be smelted onto your body."

’Does the Red Dragon Scale count?’ Baron thought, but didn’t say it out loud.

"Third, and this is the most rigid requirement," Morey said. "After completing the first two steps, the opportunity to promote must, without exception, be found on the line between life and death."

He spoke those last two words, "without exception," with absolute finality.

"The method for a Contract Knight to promote to Bronze is actually common knowledge these days. You could find out just by joining any Knight Order. No need to thank me. Consider this my payment for presumptuously interrupting you and Miss Olivia."

With that, Morey turned and left. From beginning to end, he never asked who Baron’s non-existent Knight friend was, or what kind of Magical Beast he was contracted with, even though Baron had just decided to have his imaginary friend, "Nikola Dingzhen," be a Snow Leopard Knight for the occasion.

...

Arriving at the dining hall, Baron found Zod and Maguire in a corner, eating the church’s "Demon Hunter Special Breakfast."

Rye bread with slices of beef, butter, and cheese, sprinkled with crushed roasted parsnips, paired with a cup of hot milk with coffee—this was Maguire’s special meal.

Zod had the same rye bread, but his hot milk was replaced with the ale that the old drunkard loved most.

Of course, unlike usual, there was also a cup of coffee next to his ale.

The "Hunting Bell" rang in the middle of the night, and since the two had joined Yalian’s Rose Hunting Group, they were naturally required to take part in the Foggy Europe hunt.

As a result, they hadn’t gotten enough sleep. Although Law Enforcers were physically superior to ordinary people in many ways, they weren’t Supermen. Sleep was still a necessity for them.

They didn’t need much sleep, but they did need some.

Judging by the blood on the corners of their clothes, they must have just finished a hunting mission not long ago.

Baron also got breakfast from the Nun in charge of the dining hall. Just as he sat down, Maguire leaned over enthusiastically.

"I heard from Lady Yalian that you, L, will be representing the Fude City Demon Hunters in the Hunting Competition later?"

Baron nodded. Maguire said excitedly, "Then I’m putting all my money on you... Zod made a killing betting on you last time... I’m betting on you this time, too."

Baron was just about to say, ’A little gambling is fun, but a lot is bad for you. Could you place a small bet on me, too?’ when Zod spoke up, dropping a bombshell.

"Allen was found dead on the outskirts of Fude City a short while ago."

Baron froze. Zod took a sip of ale. "From the time and manner of death, it looks like he was killed by a Beast after the fog rolled in. However, given that the person who found the body was an employee of a shop under the Iron Thorn Gang’s jurisdiction..."

Zod trailed off, saying no more.

He’d said just enough.

’The Iron Thorn Gang...’

Baron was of course aware of this imminent threat, but he didn’t know what the situation was with Faraday.

’After the final day of the Hunting Competition tomorrow, I might have to use the Copper Bell he left me to get in touch.’

’To be on the safe side, I should probably bring Zod and Maguire along. And Morey...’

Baron thought of the Blood Loss Knight’s seemingly prophetic words, and his mood grew heavy.

He wasn’t a fool. The other man had likely seen something about him. Not mentioning it could be a tacit understanding between them, or it could be another form of threat.

But considering the Blood Loss Knight’s actions so far, Baron weighed it in his mind for a long time and felt that perhaps he could try trusting him, just a little.

Finishing his breakfast in a few quick bites, Baron said goodbye to the two of them and left.

He planned to use the time before the Hunting Competition to go to the Blood Church’s library and look for more clues about the "Traveler’s Journal" and "Contract Knights."

Things had happened so suddenly last night that there was still a large, unexplored section of the library waiting for him.

"L is even stronger than when he beat up Sevi in Mundra."

Maguire mused, "I can’t stand that guy Andre, but I have to admit, if I’d gone up on stage, I’m afraid I would’ve taken an even worse beating than Gray did."

"I’m putting One Gold Coin on L this time. What about you, Zod?"

Zod took a sip of his drink, watching Baron’s departing figure.

"I hear that among the entrants from the Glorious Knight Order this time is someone named Lanni. L might not be able to win."

"Lanni? Who’s that?"

"A Bronze Contract Knight. He’s supposedly contracted with a Fire Dragon Subspecies. Although he can’t use his Promise in the competition, a higher Tier means greater combat experience and skill."

"So, Zod, you’re..."

"I’m betting One Gold Coin on L," Zod said. "As for the rest... I’ll decide after I see Lanni in person."