Translator: CinderTL
Though Roland and his companions were currently far from the capital due to their relentless acceptance of commissions and monster hunts, their return journey was thankfully uneventful.
Aside from the occasional foolhardy demonic beast that dared to attack their campsite at night—easily dispatched each time—the entire trip back was smooth sailing.
However, Roland couldn't shake a growing unease. The number of mercenaries and adventurers they encountered along the way was noticeably higher than on their outward journey.
Through the carriage window, he saw a young mercenary boasting about his spoils by the roadside. Roland silently lowered the curtain.
"With the resurgence of the Magic Element, demonic beast activity is becoming increasingly frequent," he mused. "I must grow stronger quickly. If I struggle to defeat even a Bear Goblin—a creature whose strength is only middling according to ancient texts—even with my companions' help, what about the powerful demonic beasts that vanished from history due to the depletion of the Magic Element?"
Lost in thought, Roland listened to Theresa and Avril's conversation about food, then slowly closed his eyes.
Soon, his chest began to rise and fall rhythmically, his breathing even and steady. The fiery Battle Qi within him began to circulate in a controlled, predictable pattern.
They traveled in silence for the entire journey.
Under Galvis's skilled guidance, the carriage traveled day and night, reaching the capital in just half a month.
"Finally back!"
After passing through the city gate checkpoint, Avril was the first to leap out of the carriage. Stretching her limbs, she waved goodbye to Roland.
"Roland, I need to report to the Shadow Veil first. If all goes well, I'll be here tonight for your stew!"
Before her words could fade, the elf girl vanished into the bustling crowd like a nimble forest fawn.
Watching her leave, Galvis's tense posture visibly relaxed. Turning to Roland, he smiled.
"So, shall we—"
"Of course, let's go home."
"Alright!"
As the carriage moved forward, the familiar salty sea wind swept over them.
Though their time in the River Domain Nations had been brief, this familiar scent filled Roland with a sense of warmth and familiarity.
"I wonder if Mr. Bronson has been eating regularly..."
Thinking of the scholar who had become even more engrossed in his research after receiving funding, Roland couldn't help but shake his head.
Despite entrusting Hoby with his care before leaving, Bronson's obsession with experiments would likely even test the patience of the good-natured halfling.
But as the carriage slowly entered the courtyard, the scene before Roland completely defied his expectations.
A few sheets of parchment lay scattered across the small stone table, their ink still wet and faintly shimmering in the sunlight.
Usually at this time, Bronson would be holed up in his study, buried in research. But today, he stood beside the table, gesturing wildly and gesticulating with unusual animation.
His face flushed with excitement, droplets of saliva flying with each impassioned word.
Clearly, the scholar had been quite busy during Roland's absence.
His faithful listener, the halfling Hoby, sat upright on a stone chair, listening intently to Bronson's explanation while his quill flew across the parchment.
The goose-feather pen scratched ceaselessly against the parchment, barely pausing.
Only when the carriage came to a halt and Roland and his companions approached did Bronson finally snap out of his animated state. He scratched his head sheepishly.
But the next moment, his eyes lit up. He rushed forward in three strides, grabbed Roland by the shoulder, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"Roland! You're finally back! I have the most amazing news to tell you!"
"Good news?"
Seeing Bronson's excitement, Roland didn't press for details.
First, he nodded to Hoby, inviting him to stay for dinner. Then, with a gesture of "please, be seated" to Theresa and Galvis, he pulled Bronson into the room.
In stark contrast to its chaotic state before their departure, the room was now tidy and organized.
Scattered items were neatly arranged, and various research materials were categorized and placed on bookshelves.
"Looks like that little Halfling Hoby has been taking good care of Mr. Bronson," Roland remarked as he surveyed the surroundings. He then sat down on a wooden chair, his voice brimming with anticipation. "Mr. Bronson, have you made a breakthrough with your Magic Element fusion theory?"
He clearly remembered Bronson's earlier proposal: to fuse Magic Elements of different attributes through specific methods. If this theory could be put into practice, it would not only double the power of his Fire Arrow but also unlock a variety of new effects, significantly boosting his strength.
"Uh... not quite yet," Bronson said, scratching his head awkwardly. But then he pulled out a silver chain pendant from his pocket. The teardrop-shaped obsidian pendant, with its dark red veins resembling solidified blood vessels, shimmered in the sunlight. "Roland, do you remember this?"
"This is..."
Roland recognized the item at a glance.
It was a trophy from their battle against the Church of Truth's puppet master at Far Ocean Port.
Though they had suspected it was a Magical Apparatus at the time, they hadn't known what spell it was inscribed with, so they had entrusted it to Bronson for study.
"Roland, you'll never guess what spell is inscribed in this magical artifact!"
Bronson paused dramatically, but before Roland could ask, he eagerly revealed the answer.
"It's Death Immunity!"
"Death Immunity?"
Roland's pupils snapped shut.
As a fourth-circle spell, Death Immunity's effect was simple yet powerful: it could negate a single instant-death attack.
As long as the damage didn't exceed the limits of the laws of reality, this spell could save the user from certain death, effectively granting them a second life!
Thinking of this, Roland's breath quickened.
"Mr. Bronson, can I use this magical artifact to cast Death Immunity?"
"Of course!" Bronson replied decisively. "Magical artifacts were originally created to make spells easier to cast while minimizing mental power expenditure. However..."
He added with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"Like other magical artifacts, this one has exhausted its Magic Element after using Death Immunity once. However..."
The scholar hurried to the bookshelf, pulling a thick stack of notes from among the layers of parchment and placing them on the table.
"I've made a major breakthrough recently! While it's still theoretical, combining it with my previous research on Magic Element absorption patterns, I'm confident I can restore this artifact's functionality with more time!"
Bronson added with a hint of regret.
"Unfortunately, the artifact's material is too poor. Even if I succeed, it will likely only be able to cast Death Immunity one more time."
Roland felt no disappointment at this news. After all, this was a fourth-circle spell!
At his current level, normally, even with the aid of his Job Panel, it would take him a long time to access such power. Obtaining a one-time life-saving measure was already an unexpected blessing.
Seeing Bronson's confident demeanor, Roland chuckled and pulled a ring embedded with a cloudy crystal from his pouch, handing it to the scholar.
"Mr. Bronson, would you mind restoring this magical artifact as well?"
(End of the Chapter)
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