Chapter 586: Chapter 576: The Title of Nobility
Fei Ling leaned close to the slightly glowing crystal board, but the flowing runes and data on it seemed like gibberish to her, leaving her utterly bewildered.
Only when the Vice President personally operated it, summarizing the complex detection information and finally engraving a clear conclusion on another blank card, did Fei Ling finally see those few words:
[Virtue of Sacrifice]
However, unlike Lin Jun’s panel which had explanations in parentheses, the information on this card was just that, without further explanation.
The concepts of "Great Sin" and "Virtue" are not considered secrets among the high ranks and scholar circles of major forces.
Indeed, there have been historically some legendary or infamous holders who left behind their stories.
But for ordinary adventurers like Vera, Fei Ling, and Fei Yin who have long been mingling in tasks and adventures, this was the first time they truly came into contact with this concept.
"Master," Fei Ling inquired, "so Vera lost her memory... because of this ’sacrifice’?"
"Just call me Sailun." The gray-robed old man stroked his beard, "Based on the current phenomenon and the results of the identification, its likelihood is extremely high."
"Why can’t it be confirmed? Didn’t you say that the association has relevant records?"
The Vice President Sailun shook his head:
"The effects of virtue are not static; even if different individuals bear the same named virtue, while their core has commonalities, the specific forms it takes, conditions for triggering, and the cost to pay often have slight differences."
"The last recorded holder of ’sacrifice’ existed around two hundred and thirty years ago, a Dwarf Warrior. His displayed ’sacrifice’ characteristic was the offering of his flesh to gain temporary explosive power. Moreover, this sacrifice was permanent; the sacrificed body couldn’t regenerate, and no healing potion or magic could restore it."
"Sadly, in that chaotic era, he couldn’t leave more records. In the end, during a fierce battle, to cover the retreat of his clan’s women and children and craftsmen, he faced the Demon Race army, opting for complete ’sacrifice.’ Based on sparse post-war accounts, he disappeared on the battlefield, leaving nothing behind but armor and weapons full of cracks."
"So..." Fei Yin’s voice trembled, her face instantly pale, as if she had already seen Vera left with nothing but an empty suit of armor, dissipating in the wind, "Will Vera end up with... nothing left?"
"No, child, don’t rush to the worst conclusion." Sailun immediately raised his hand, soothing their agitated emotions, "Based on Vera’s current performance, what he ’sacrificed’ is likely part of his memory. The worst development might be a living person with memories wiped clean like a blank slate, forgetting all past."
"Doesn’t that just make him a fool?!" Fei Yin covered her face and cried.
Fei Ling was slightly more composed, looking at Sailun, and asked a crucial question: "Mr. Sailun, you said this is the price to pay for ’sacrifice.’ So, does that mean... as long as Vera doesn’t proactively use this power, he won’t continue to lose his memory?"
Sailun nodded, affirming this: "Theoretically, yes, but the problem is, the virtue’s power is often closely linked to the holder’s will, emotions, and situation. There will always be times when one must use it, especially with the continent in its current state..."
Just as he finished speaking, Fei Ling had already dashed up to Vera, fiercely grabbing his collar, forcing him to bend down and meet her gaze. Her eyes were burning with anger and fear, her voice almost growling:
"Did you hear that?! No using! I forbid you to use that sacrifice! And I forbid you from forgetting us... or everything because you did! Did you understand me?!"
Vera stumbled as she pulled, quickly raising both hands in a gesture of surrender, smiling wryly as he pleaded: "Calm down! Fei Ling, calm down! I swear I didn’t intend to use it! Honestly, how this thing came to be, and how it triggered inexplicably last time... I’m still clueless myself!"
Sailun and Vera together carefully reviewed the previous encounter, ultimately determining that the time point when Vera triggered the "sacrifice" ability was most likely during the life-and-death battle against the Cultists, particularly when counterkilling the staff-wielding cult leader, turning the tide of the battle.
As for when he gained this virtue, that’s harder to ascertain.
It might have been while trapped in the fog, or even earlier, Sailun even considered that when saving them initially, this young man might have already possessed the virtue unbeknownst to both parties.
Listening to Vera calmly narrate the perilous journey and decisions made, Fei Ling and Fei Yin occasionally supplemented details beside him, and Sailun’s gaze towards Vera grew increasingly appreciative.
He didn’t doubt the authenticity of Vera’s described experience; obtaining "sacrifice" itself amounted to a recognition of Vera’s character by the world.
Though it isn’t "Honesty," the likelihood of lying is much less than others.
After understanding everything, Sailun handed the recorded information to his apprentice, a middle-aged scholar.
He then personally led Vera and the other two, setting them up in accommodations within the Relic Association.
Vera didn’t expect to meet another prominent figure the next day!
Originally busy supervising the construction of new defense lines at the border, Duke Lorenzo, upon learning the news of a holder of sacrifice virtue showing up, surprisingly set aside his pressing official duties and personally rushed back to Oath City.
Accompanying him were No. 9, Fifteen, and the Duke’s second son.
Before speaking upon their meeting, No. 9 and No. 5 had already jumped off their mounts, greeting each other with mushroom caps touching on the ground.
Then No. 9 extended mycelium tendrils, familiarly wrapping around No. 5, beginning to excitedly recount its achievements of the time.
How they braved dangers with Shi Wu, battled cultists fiercely, and wiped out mountain bandits...
Of course, in its own story, it is always the mighty protagonist slaying enemies, while Shi Wu is merely a tag-along "picking up scraps, helping out," barely qualifying as a suitable steed.
No. 5 felt its mycelium tremble slightly just from imagining those gruesome scenes.
Sailun glanced at No. 5 inadvertently, a trace of contemplation flashing across his eyes.
Although Vera and the others had gained some understanding of the [Virtue of Sacrifice] yesterday, they still didn’t anticipate that the Kingdom’s dignitaries would value it so highly.
In the past, meeting a big figure like Seren, the vice president, was rare enough, but now they were appearing in clusters!
Not to mention Duke Lorenzo, even Shi Wu, the Sword Saint’s disciple who followed alongside the Duke, was considered a big figure in their eyes!
Even more unexpected to them was Duke Lorenzo planning to confer a title on Vera!
"Viscount? Me?" Vera was dumbfounded, almost thinking he had misheard. After a brief shock, he shook his head and refused, "Being granted a title merely for a virtue... that’s unreasonable."
"Such a rare young man!" Duke Lorenzo not only wasn’t displeased but rather showed a relieved smile, "Rest assured, this is not an unfounded grant. Aside from your numerous contributions in the fall zone in the past, just successfully preventing the mist from engulfing Golden Valley City’s citizens yet to evacuate is merit enough for you to deserve this honor."
Duke’s second son who followed chimed in softly at this moment, "Father, the matter of repelling the mist currently relies solely on their verbal account, without formal verification..."
Not that he disliked Vera, the Duke’s second son was merely stating the normal procedure.
Unexpectedly, Duke Lorenzo smacked the back of his head, not lightly, making the young man stagger.
"You fool! If you can get your old man a virtue, I’ll believe whatever you say!"
The second son rubbed his head and closed his mouth awkwardly.
Vera spoke again, still sincere in attitude: "Duke, repelling the mist... was likely mostly due to our missing elf teammate’s efforts; we just luckily survived."
But Duke Lorenzo waved his hand broadly: "You are the one who led the team into the perilous situation attempting to stop the mist. This responsibility alone is worthy of honor."
His attitude was firm, as if determined to confer the title no matter what.
After several rounds of persuasion and urging, Vera was ultimately unable to decline this high-ranking Duke, and finally agreed to accept this sudden conferment.
...
In a secret room deep underground of the Relic Association, isolated from prying eyes.
"Phew! Good heavens, trying to hand out a title, almost didn’t manage to do so... What a situation!" Duke Lorenzo loosened the top button of his collar, complaining somewhat sullenly, his voice particularly clear in the enclosed stone chamber.
"That child is, after all, a bearer of virtue, not the Seven Sins; having principles in heart is normal," Seren, the vice president, calmly explained for Vera.
"I understand, I understand, just saying," Lorenzo waved his hand, his expression turning serious, "On to business, did you notice the Puki beside him?"
Seren nodded: "I noticed it the first time we met."
Duke Lorenzo pondered: "Over with the Elf Race, the previous Captain of the Guard also had a Mushroom Race companion. Nowadays it seems they always appear around various crucial figures or event junctures... This might not be coincidence."
"They are consciously integrating on a broad scale across different races," Seren’s tone was grim, "The question is whether this is a blessing or a curse."
"Whether a blessing or a curse, we can’t choose right now." Duke Lorenzo sighed, "There’s no news from the Hero’s side either; if the worst-case scenario occurs... we can only hope these Puki ultimately side with humanity."
"Options are few, yet not completely non-existent." Seren’s gaze shifted toward the ground under their feet, where an enormous and extraordinarily complex Magic Array was inscribed, with the faint flow of magic power meandering slowly through its channels, "Let’s just hope... we won’t be forced to make that choice."
His gaze finally settled on the center of the Array.
There, a large, light blue crystal hovered, glistening and translucent.
Inside the crystal lay an elder with white hair, serene in appearance.
One of the seven pinnacle combat powers still existing among humans, due to extreme age, has experienced Life Force decay to the limit, requiring him to seal himself in this state for preservation.
The president of the Relic Association.
