Chapter 325 323-Healing Daphne
A smile curled on Alvin's face, his golden hair cascading behind like splattered ink:
"Some Deity Keepers are indeed like that. Particularly in cities numbered 70 and above, the Deity Keepers' attitudes towards invaders can be quite hostile. I don't approve of their methods, but unfortunately, those territories are not under my control."
Alvin's words did little to ease Ethan's vigilance.
Phito's mental state was serene and warm, yet his actions were as devilish as could be, coveting the body of Daphne, whom Ethan deeply cherished.
Ethan had no desire for further dialogue with Alvin and went straight to the point: "Mr. Alvin, is it possible for you to awaken my friend?"
His eyes lingered on Daphne, sorrow etched on his face.
Alvin, observing Daphne, had a slight twinkle in his eyes -- the workings of his Power of Soul probing her body. "Yes, it's possible," he confirmed after a while.
Ethan was taken aback. "Just like that? What would be the price?"
Alvin, now bearing a sly, merchant-like grin, spoke mysteriously, "The cost depends on the value of this woman in your heart."
Ethan felt a twinge in his heart and cursed inwardly, "Is he trying to cheat me?"
Money was the least of Ethan's worries.
He began pulling out materials from his space, quickly piling them up into a small, vibrantly colored, magnificent hill in the study.
"This is all I own," Ethan declared solemnly. "Can you heal Daphne now?"
Alvin appeared uninterested in the treasure mountain, sighing instead, "So, this beautiful yet pitiful girl is Daphne. But what you have offered is still not enough."
Lana Mokos, staring wide-eyed at the heap of treasures, blurted out reflexively, "Even all this isn't enough? You're far too greedy!"
Alvin glanced at Lana Mokos, but paid her no heed, instead returning the parchment scroll to its place on the bookshelf.
In an astonishing display, the bookshelf magically extended a pair of hands, grasping the scroll and placing it elsewhere. Such a miraculous sight widened Ethan's eyes in amazement.
The Azure Empire was no stranger to magical objects: pens that wrote on their own, cups that sprouted legs, and more.
But none possessed the lifelike agility of Alvin's bookshelf, which seemed almost alive.
Observing his bookshelf spirit neatly organizing the scrolls, Alvin apologetically said to Ethan, "My apologies for the spectacle. Barlow can be a bit obsessive."
Ethan shifted his gaze from the bookshelf, bringing the focus back to Daphne: "Mr. Alvin, what exactly will it take to heal Daphne? I believe I have demonstrated sufficient sincerity."
Alvin, standing with his hands clasped, frowned slightly: "I do sense your sincerity, but these items are of no use to me. In the Deityforsaken Land, they are mere trinkets."
"Do you know why Deity Keepers exude a pride hundreds, thousands of times stronger than those in the outer world? It's because even the weakest among them wield demi-divine artifacts."
"What use have I for your Mithril, Argentum, Flamefruit...?" he questioned.
Ethan's pupils dilated in shock.
He considered himself wealthy as the lord of Dark Lord City, with the support of the Devil Guild and trading treasures in the world channel.
He thought he was affluent, but Alvin's words revealed to him the true definition of wealth.
Do Deity Keepers really wield demi-divine artifacts?
Lana Mokos wasn't as surprised by this revelation.
After all, the Demi-god of the Azure Empire had recorded that Deityforsaken Land was a land of treasures.
Despite the passage of hundreds of thousands or even millions of years, it remained a place where wealth was abundant.
Gold had become a mere adjective in this land, used to describe the most precious things of this world.
The records of the Demi-god who had returned from Deityforsaken Land mentioned someone even bringing back a deity's rib, which could be used as a divine artifact.
Ethan, immersed in his thoughts, finally spoke after a long pause. "I give you my word of honor that if you heal Daphne, I will bring you demi-divine artifacts, even fragments of divine artifacts in the future."
Alvin looked at Ethan as if he had just heard a child's naive promise. "Do people from the outside world really think so highly of themselves now? You are in a strange land; your word holds no value here."
"Then how about this," Ethan replied, undeterred and already thinking of a plan. "Give me a quest. I'll complete it right now, and the reward will be your help in healing Daphne."
Alvin seemed to see the depth of Ethan's feelings for Daphne.
He sighed deeply, "Ah, although the outside world cannot compare to Deityforsaken Land, such emotions are indeed something you'll never find here."
"You needn't bother with all that. The real treasure is already within Daphne's body."
Ethan jolted in realization, "Are you referring to Phito's demonism?"
"So, it's Phito's demonism that invaded Daphne's body," Alvin finally looked at Ethan with some respect. "You actually know about this? With your seemingly weak Power of Soul, I'm surprised you could discern that!"
Ethan's facial muscles twitched involuntarily.
His Power of Soul, which he took pride in within the bounds of Azure Empire, was being judged so casually by Alvin.
But he found himself without a rebuttal.
Naturally, he chose not to elaborate, vaguely responding, "I came to know through certain incidents I encountered."
Alvin didn't press further but spoke more relaxedly, "Since you're aware of the reason behind Daphne's slumber, I'll spare the details."
He outlined the treatment plan, "I will draw out Phito's demonism from Daphne's body and then engage in battle with it. Phito likely possesses the strength of an early 10th-rank, but given his demonic possession, it's not impossible for him to erupt with the power of a late 10th-rank. Hence, I'll need your assistance."
Without hesitation, Ethan declared, "No problem at all. We will act as necessary."
Alvin seemed unconcerned about Ethan's sincerity; after all, if Ethan was negligent, Daphne's life would be at stake.
Alvin continued, "You'll assist from the sidelines, seizing opportunities to strike. If I manage to subdue Phito, then his demonism will be mine."
"Agreed," Ethan said eagerly, anticipating Alvin's gaze.
"But if Phito escapes, you'll need to complete a quest for me," Alvin added swiftly after Ethan's agreement.
Ethan's expression twitched slightly, feeling a tinge of discomfort. Alvin really wasn't willing to take any risks.
"What if Daphne dies due to your mishandling?" Ethan asked coldly, his face expressionless.
Alvin shrugged nonchalantly, "I assure you, Daphne's life will be my priority. That's my promise."
The word "promise" echoed in the void, as if being absorbed by the sky like radio waves. Alvin's statement seemed to have garnered the attention of the deities themselves.
Ethan's expression darkened.
Previously, Alvin had dismissed his credibility as worthless, so what made Alvin's any more valuable?
Lana Mokos interjected, "Ethan, if Alvin has made a promise, then there should be no problem. Deity Keepers bear strong imprints of law and divinity. Failing to fulfill a promise would bring divine retribution upon them."
"This beautiful lady seems quite knowledgeable about the Deityforsaken Land!" Alvin said, wearing a gentleman-like smile. "May I invite you to spend the evening with me?"
Ethan, taken aback by Alvin's boldness, paused.
"Do Deity Keepers always flirt so blatantly?"
Lana Mokos' expression shifted slightly as she declined, "Mr. Alvin, mind your words please. I am not a Deity Keeper. I'm not fond of your kind."
Alvin shrugged nonchalantly, "My apologies, beautiful miss."
Ethan shook his head, redirecting everyone back to the matter at hand, "Mr. Alvin, this is not the time for such distractions. Please focus on dealing with Phito."
Acknowledging this, Alvin nodded and asked Ethan to place Daphne in position. Standing beside her, he slowly closed his eyes.
Suddenly, seven tentacle-like extensions appeared behind his head.
Lana Mokos' throat moved as she communicated through soul transmission, "Such a powerful Power of Soul.
Not only can he manifest it physically, but it's also incredibly robust.
It's said that Deity Keepers' souls are bathed in the laws of the Deityforsaken Land and suppressed by divinity.
Their souls are extraordinarily strong, and it seems these tales are true."
Ethan too gazed at the unfolding scene, his pride deeply shaken by Alvin's formidable power.
Despite their bizarre appearances, the Deity Keepers' strength was not to be underestimated.
Alvin's Soul Tentacles, resembling suction cups, attached themselves to the back of Daphne's head.
Phito's demonism unfurled naturally, spreading across the ground like ink, darkening the earth beneath.
The demonism, upon contacting Ethan and Lana Mokos, instinctively began to seep into their bodies.
Ethan only realized what was happening when half of his foot had already turned black.
Amidst this, Alvin still had the composure to caution Ethan and Lana Mokos: "Be careful, don't let the demonism climb any further."
Ethan, with the Power of Soul in full operation, defended against the demonism of Phito.
Both his and Lana Mokos's Powers of Soul were formidable, and it didn't take long for them to completely dispel the demonism from their bodies.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺