NOVPUB
Chapter 780: 792
Hearing this, the companions exchanged glances before Lancelot decided how to respond, but it was the baroness who continued:
"In Chadegory Town, there are two madams, one of whom is me, and the other you must have already met. Don’t be nervous, Medusa is not my friend, though we also have no public conflicts." The noblewoman delicately wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, "Few people know what lies beneath the headquarters of the Eternals Alliance, but I happen to be one of them, and those who come out alive from there are not ordinary individuals. So the conclusion is quite clear, you must have just arrived in these lands, and as for your motives... when you entered, there was only one dwarf in your party, not two, and from where I sit now, the two of them look quite alike."
"That is Barrend Frostforge, and beside him is his son, Bruto Frostforge, two brave and experienced dwarf warriors." Lancelot nodded and began introducing his companions, "Beside me is Kalalin, a scholar well-versed in the lower planes; next to her is Tanya, also an excellent warrior; and the elegantly poised elf across from me is Alamir, who, madam, you may have noticed, is the priest of the fiery lady Shuni."
"Good morning, you look absolutely lovely, madam," Alamir praised sincerely, "Even if a goddess herself were here, she would say the same."
"Heh, that does sound sweet," the baroness smiled slightly, "Unfortunately, your god can’t enter this place. However, as powerful adventurers like you, you must be thinking about how to cross the boundary mist and leave this cursed land, right?"
"You guessed correctly."
"There’s no need to guess." Giselle shrugged her shoulders, "If you want to leave, then there are some things you need to know..."
"Ladies and gentlemen, the second course has arrived," the butler’s voice sounded behind Lancelot, "May I..."
"I am speaking," the baroness glared sternly at her servant, and Lancelot keenly caught a fleeting fierceness in her eyes, "Just put the plates down. Where was I?"
"About certain things we must know."
Lancelot replied, while turning his head to thank the serving maid. The plate in front of him contained a piece of fish that resembled toast, apparently some kind of carnivorous fish from its texture. This white ingredient seemed to be cooked in a thick soup over a low fire, and Lancelot could smell garlic, parsley, goblin vine, and brandy; these flavors combined in a strangely appetizing way.
"Ah, yes, about the political situation of this land," the baroness picked up her knife and fork and began cutting her food, "Before it was forgotten by the world, this land was known as the Derrick Kingdom, and its rulers were a family of wizards named Derrick. The last king from that family, also the most outstanding and powerful wizard in history, Peyton Derrick, shortly after ascending the throne, discovered the secret of immortality and transformed himself into a lich."
"But something went awry during the transformation ritual, and some dark energy leaked from the ritual, contaminating the land. Shadows enveloped the skyline, and a fog sealed the kingdom’s borders. The people found they could no longer leave, not even in death—whether by suicide or homicide, whether drowned, burned, run over by a carriage, crushed by stones, or even sliced into countless pieces by a sharp blade, they would soon wake up naked in a secluded forest... at least most of the time."
"Most of the time?"
"Yes, but occasionally, some people disappear completely after they die as if devoured by the dark powers of this land," the Baroness put a piece of fish into her mouth, making a somewhat uncomfortable chewing sound, "Although those inside cannot leave, those outside can come in. Some adventurers with noble beliefs have tried to rescue this land from Peyton’s curse, and they indeed succeeded once."
"I have heard of it," Lancelot also swallowed a piece of fish, "but that was over a hundred years ago."
"Unfortunately, what’s worse is that the king was resurrected after that, and he became even more powerful," the Baroness shrugged again, placing the last piece of fish from her plate into her mouth, "This completely shattered the will of the people. The Lich is indestructible, and they realized resistance was futile."
"That’s not true." Kalalin, sitting next to Lancelot, shook her head, "Liches aren’t truly indestructible. If you destroy their phylactery..."
"What if I told you that Peyton’s phylactery is this very land? Even those resurrected, their bodies have become part of the phylactery?" Giselle’s face revealed a mocking smile, "What would you do then? Destroy this land and all the civilians living on it?"
The group exchanged incredulous looks, suddenly finding the dishes less appetizing.
"So, esteemed Madam..." Lancelot crossed his arms, covering most of his face, his deep blue eyes barely narrowing as he looked towards the alluring noblewoman, "What about that temple you mentioned earlier? What’s special about it?"
"I appreciate your keenness, Sir." Giselle raised her chin, presenting her perfect jawline to Lancelot, "If the intelligence is correct, our king acquired the knowledge to become a Lich there. Perhaps, you could also find a way to end all this. Oh, our main course has arrived."
"Double-smashed wolf meat, heavily seasoned with peppers and chili powder, accompanied by an exquisite Red Dragon sauce from the Wizard’s Winery," Coke Fror, with his grey hair, respectfully introduced, "Medium rare, which is the best texture, please enjoy."
"Thank you, Coke," the Baroness sweetly said, as though the rebuke from earlier had never happened, "So, what do you think, Sir?"
"We are... somewhat interested," Lancelot leaned back in his chair, "However, is there anything else we need to know about this kingdom’s history and current situation?"
"That is all," the Baroness fixedly stared at Lancelot, her right hand adjusting the collar of her dress, "Perhaps there’s something else you’d like to ask?"
"Of course." Lancelot struggled to hold back a laugh, "You’re generously willing to disclose such a crucial location to us, what kind of reciprocation do you hope to receive?"
"Ahahaha!" The Baroness suddenly threw back her head, a sharp laugh bursting from her mouth, "My freedom, isn’t that enough?"
