Chapter 298: Chapter 60: Legend! Legend! (Part 8)

"I will." Murphy’s answer was concise and clear, without the slightest hesitation.

A flicker of light seemed to dance in Elizabeth’s eyes at his answer, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

She said nothing more, only nodding again, her gesture more solemn this time.

Then she turned, reached out, and pushed open the heavy oak door of her stone house.

Through the crack in the opening door, the warm glow of a hearth fire and the faint sound of a Maid’s greeting drifted out.

Elizabeth’s silhouette quickly vanished into the light, and the door closed softly behind her, shutting out the light and sounds of the courtyard.

...

The next day, contrary to many people’s expectations, the monsters of the Deep Red Wilderness did not immediately launch another large-scale assault.

The Plane Passage near Eagle’s Beak Peak continued to shrink. After last night’s rout, the remaining monsters seemed to have fallen into a state of chaos or dormancy.

Outside Blackstone Fortress, aside from a few scattered, wandering shadows, the defenders had gained a rare moment of respite. They began working at full capacity to repair the damaged fortifications, treat the wounded, and reorganize their remaining troops.

In the afternoon, the warm sun struggled to pierce the perennial gloom hanging over the Iron Ridge Mountain Range, gilding the fortress’s cold stone walls with a thin layer of pale gold.

In the courtyard, the fountain still flowed. The plants in the flowerbeds, having rested overnight, seemed to have regained some of their vitality.

Murphy spent the night and the following morning recuperating in his stone house.

The strain on his meridians and the soreness in his muscles—side effects from forcibly accepting the magical enhancement—had largely faded. While not yet at his peak, he was well enough to handle any ordinary situation.

KNOCK KNOCK!

The knock was steady and rhythmic.

Murphy opened the door to find Knight Armand standing outside.

The old Knight had changed into clean, common clothes and wore a dark blue hooded robe. His left arm was still in a sling, and his face was pale, but he seemed to be in decent spirits. His eyes were filled with gratitude and respect.

"Lord Melfield," Knight Armand said, placing his right hand over his heart and bowing deeply. "Allow me to thank you once again, and most sincerely. Not only for yesterday, but for... that bottle of Starlight Healing."

He looked up, meeting Murphy’s gaze directly. "When we traded potions, you chose to exchange the Starlight Healing for the Heart of the Fierce Sun. At the time, while I felt fortunate, I was also privately perplexed. With your foundation and foresight, why would you choose a Frenzy Potion that all but exhausts one’s potential?"

Knight Armand paused, a flash of understanding and emotion crossing his face. "It wasn’t until yesterday, when I personally witnessed your immense power as you stepped into the Legendary Tier... that I had a revelation. The Heart of the Fierce Sun may be poison to an ordinary Great Knight, but for someone who has already honed their foundation to an unbelievable degree, needing only a massive amount of Energy to ignite the final fire of transformation... it is nothing less than a custom-made treasure! You never needed Starlight Healing to stabilize your cultivation and seek a breakthrough. What you needed was the very thing the Heart of the Fierce Sun contained: the frenzied Energy powerful enough to ignite the flame of a Legend!"

He took a step forward, his voice filled with sincere admiration. "Your Lordship is a man of great foresight and Extraordinary vision. What seemed like a losing trade at the time was, in fact, the path you had to take to reach a higher tier. As for me..."

He shook his head with a wry smile. "Without that bottle of Starlight Healing to stabilize my foundation—which had been shaken by my age and old injuries—I doubt I would have survived the relentless, brutal battles in the Deep Red Wilderness. In a way, your choice indirectly saved my life. For this kindness, I, Armand de Laval, will be eternally grateful."

Murphy accepted his gratitude with a calm expression, stepping aside to let him into the house. "A potion is merely a tool. Its value lies in being used at the right time and place. You returned safely because of your own resilience and valor, Knight."

Just as Knight Armand stepped inside, the door to the neighboring stone house creaked open.

Elizabeth emerged.

She was clearly dressed with great care today.

Her soft black hair was exquisitely styled in a bun, secured at the nape of her neck with a silver circlet inlaid with tiny pearls. A few wisps of hair fell naturally, accentuating the elegant line of her fair neck.

She wore a perfectly tailored, pale-gold court gown. The hem was adorned with an elegant, subtle pattern, while the cuffs and collar were trimmed with delicate lace. The attire was at once dignified yet retained a youthful vivacity.

On her feet, she wore a pair of soft, deerskin ankle boots with matching embroidery on the vamp. Her stockings were of a nearly transparent white silk, offering a subtle glimpse of her slender ankles.

She wore a light dusting of powder on her face, concealing the fatigue of the past few days, and her lips were touched with a faint cherry-red. In the sparse afternoon sunlight, she looked like a budding rose—fresh and lovely. Her every glance carried the elegant grace of the Royal Family, blended with the vibrant charm unique to her age.

She didn’t seem surprised to see Murphy and Knight Armand. A perfectly measured smile touched her lips as she gathered her skirts and approached with a light step.

"Governor of Melfield, Knight Armand." Her voice was crisp and her bearing graceful. "I hope I’m not interrupting."

Murphy gave her a noncommittal glance.

Knight Armand, however, showed a flash of surprise that quickly turned to understanding. He bowed again. "Her Highness Elizabeth. You’re not interrupting at all, of course."

Elizabeth came closer, her gaze drifting between the two men as she explained with natural grace, "I heard that the Great Knights who have completed their missions and returned safely would be visiting Lord Melfield today. As the Princess of the Vilt Kingdom, I feel it is my duty to meet these distinguished Knights from across the Continent who have fought so bravely against evil, and to express the Kingdom’s respect and gratitude."