Chapter 232: Chapter 34: Reforging the Flying Sword with a New Spiritual Material

"Yes, sir! I’ll see to it at once!" the Official Knight quickly replied. He then couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Sir, you... your injuries? Shouldn’t you rest first..."

"It’s nothing," Murphy cut him off, his gaze falling upon the massive monster’s corpse. "Also, there’s something unusual about this beast’s corpse. I need to examine it, especially the area on its chest that generated the shield. You all go about your business. Don’t worry about me."

The Official Knight immediately responded, "Yes, sir! Please, do as you wish. If you need anything, just give the word."

Murphy gave a slight nod and said no more, striding toward the giant beast’s corpse, which still radiated residual heat and the smell of sulfur.

As his gaze swept over the square again, his steps faltered slightly. His eyes lingered for a moment on the spots where the monsters had first swarmed out, as well as the location where the Giant Scorching Beast had burst from the ground, a thoughtful look on his face.

Then, he subtly cast his gaze toward the southwest.

That was also the direction of the old mining pit.

The night was deep, the firelight danced, and in the distance, there were only the silhouettes of rolling mountains against the profound darkness.

’So that’s how it is,’ he thought to himself again.

He subtly retracted his gaze and continued toward the giant beast’s corpse, his mind already racing with calculations.

’This mutated Giant Scorching Beast must be a powerful Extraordinary Creature from the Deep Red Wilderness. Powerful Extraordinary Creatures... or Demon Beasts, as they’re also known, sometimes nurture unique "Spiritual Materials" inside their bodies.’

’These materials are often closely related to the creature’s abilities in life.’

’This giant beast’s core ability was clearly related to the Energy Shield it generated at the last moment.’

’The area on its chest was the core region where the Energy gathered and the Shield was activated.’

’Perhaps I’ll find something.’

’Even if I don’t, a thorough examination will help me better understand the characteristics of this new type of monster and prepare for any future encounters.’

Murphy walked over to the giant beast’s headless torso and crouched down. Ignoring the still-scalding shell and the pungent odor, he extended a finger and gently brushed it over the lighter-colored, sparsely patterned area on its chest.

His fingertip met a hard, searing surface. A faint wisp of "Qi" flowed from his fingertip, slowly seeping into the shell to conduct a careful investigation.

After their initial ecstasy and emotional release, the survivors of Ximu Town, organized by the Official Knight, began to follow Murphy’s orders: cleaning the battlefield, treating their comrades, and extinguishing the remaining fires.

But their gazes would always unconsciously drift toward the center of the square, to the deep blue figure calmly investigating beside the giant beast’s corpse, their hearts filled with the relief of having survived and an inexpressible awe.

From the shadows of the old mining pit to the southwest, there came a faint, cold snort tinged with clear suspicion and uncertainty. Then, all fell silent again.

...

「In the darkest hour before dawn.」

Murphy’s figure reappeared before the quiet courtyard in Blackstone Fortress.

In stark contrast to his swift and composed departure, his return was a different sight. His deep blue outer robe was even more tattered, covered in dust and dark red, almost black, stains. Although the wound on his temple was no longer bleeding, the dried scab stood out starkly against his pale face.

His left arm seemed to hang limply at his side, while his right hand tightly gripped several sharp-edged, dark-red shell fragments roughly wrapped in a piece of torn cloth.

An Attendant had refueled the torches in the courtyard, which now blazed brightly again, casting a red glow on the surroundings.

Surprisingly, the courtyard was not empty.

Princess Elizabeth was not asleep.

She still wore her ink-black formal dress, though now with a thick woolen shawl draped over it. She stood alone by the fountain, staring blankly at the babbling water, her brow clouded with a lingering worry and fatigue that would not dissipate.

Not far from her, Captain Blake stood as straight as a spear in the shadows at the entrance to the cobblestone path. The mudstains on his Leather Armor were still visible, and his eyes were even more bloodshot. Yet, he forced himself to remain alert on duty, clearly waiting for news.

When Murphy stumbled slightly as he passed through the courtyard’s archway, both of them noticed at almost the same time and whipped their heads around to look.

Elizabeth’s dark eyes widened the moment they fell upon Murphy’s battered appearance. Her tightly pressed lips parted slightly, and she subconsciously took a small step forward.

Captain Blake’s expression changed drastically. He strode forward quickly, placing his right hand over his chest. "Governor! You... you’re injured!"

Murphy stopped, catching his breath for a moment before waving a hand to indicate he was fine.

His voice was lower and hoarser than usual, tinged with the exhaustion of a fierce battle. "The attack on Ximu Town has been dealt with. The monsters are eliminated. The townspeople suffered considerable casualties, but the core area was saved." He stated the results succinctly, his gaze sweeping over Captain Blake. "A Light Cavalry Squad is already there, but the subsequent cleanup and reconstruction will still require immediate support from the fortress."

Hearing this, a look of both relief and deep admiration flashed in Captain Blake’s eyes. "Yes, sir! I’ll coordinate it at once! Sir, your injuries..."

"Flesh wounds, nothing serious. I’m just exhausted," Murphy cut him off, slightly raising his right hand to show the shell fragments he was holding. "This mutated giant beast had a few tricks up its sleeve. I brought back some of its shell for research. Also..."

He paused, his voice growing deeper. "I fear the attack wasn’t a coincidence. There were medium-sized individuals among the monsters that understood simple coordination, and even a mutated giant beast that could activate a Talent Shield. This doesn’t seem like a random invasion."

Captain Blake’s expression immediately grew solemn. "You mean... it was guided by someone? Or commanded by a high-tier monster?"