Chapter 73: Suicide Attack

At some point, fire thieves from Colon infiltrated the banquet. While everyone’s attention was drawn to the speech, they suddenly launched a suicide attack.

The banquet host’s guards and the Church knights had no time to react before the attackers rushed towards them.

As the fire thieves charged forward, they tore off their clothes, revealing flesh that should have been normal but was eerily crimson like fire.

It was as if…

There was a raging flame hidden within their bodies, ready to burst forth.

The next moment.

After approaching the crowd and their target, the fire thieves roared loudly, their bodies exploding with a thunderous boom. Countless flames surged from within, sweeping in all directions.

The violent explosion instantly tore apart the guests who were within close proximity, sending burning flesh and blood flying in all directions.

Several meters away.

A fire thief hidden among the crowd looked up at the sky with a fanatical expression and roared:

“For the Father God!”

These words acted as a fiery fuse, and a surge of fanatical energy suddenly erupted from his body, followed by an immediate explosion.

“Be careful!”

Karl retreated rapidly.

Those in the hall who couldn’t dodge in time were directly caught in the explosion. Some died instantly, while others were blown away by the shockwave, their fate uncertain.

This power…

Karl’s eyes narrowed.

So strong!

Even a knight, if caught at the core of the explosion, would have little chance of survival.

The fate of ordinary people was even more tragic.

Flying limbs and flesh, burning flames, transformed the peaceful and harmonious venue into a living hell in an instant.

Chaos!

Pandemonium!

Utter chaos!

Screams, roars, and cries of pain mingled together. The pampered and privileged guests, who had never encountered such a situation, fled frantically like headless flies.

“Audacious!”

“Courting death!”

Count Barrow on the platform roared angrily. He too was caught off guard by the sudden attack.

However, he was a Grand Knight, always protected by knights. He had quickly dodged when the situation turned dangerous and was unharmed, though inevitably startled.

Now, regaining his composure, he was filled with rage.

“Boom!”

The platform beneath his feet shook violently, and Barrow used the force to leap into the air, shooting towards the fire thieves in the hall like a grey lightning bolt.

“Swish!”

The longsword at his waist was unsheathed, and his Battle Aura howled as it surged forth, killing a fire thief from five or six meters away.

The fire thief didn’t even have time to self-destruct.

Battle Aura was merely energy, naturally dissipating after leaving the body. Only Grand Knights could solidify their Battle Aura, allowing them to kill from a distance of several meters.

Meanwhile.

After the brief chaos, the others in the hall also reacted.

Princess Duna of the Kingdom of Sark, her face grim, retreated under the protection of her guards. She didn’t take the initiative to fight; with her noble status, protecting herself was paramount.

Others charged into the fray.

“God, bless you!”

A priest raised his staff, lightly tapping a Church knight, then looked at the approaching fire thieves.

“God!”

“Punish you!”

Divine Technique ━ Weaken!

Divine radiance descended, and the fire thieves’ bodies stiffened, their forward momentum suddenly slowing.

An overwhelming fatigue emerged from their hearts.

“Swish!”

A Church knight seized the opportunity, charging forward and sweeping his greatsword, cutting the fire thief in half.

The area where the merchants were gathered was also attacked by the fire thieves. Robert, frowning, lightly clenched his fingers, and an invisible force field appeared.

Gravity Protection!

This wasn’t a spell he cast but an effect from a magic item.

He wore four rings on his hands, each a magic item, each imbued with a powerful spell.

The effect of Gravity Protection was to create a gravitational field around him, preventing others from approaching.

Even explosions would struggle to get close.

So while the fire thieves’ self-destruction caused heavy losses to the merchants, he himself remained unscathed from beginning to end, even assisting others in slaying the attackers.

Karl, witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement, shaking his head speechlessly.

Four magic items?

He must be the only one among Intermediate Wizard Apprentices with so many.

So rich!

“Ah!”

A scream came from not far away.

It was the band!

Karl’s eyes flickered, and he dashed forward, his body skimming the ground.

Combat Technique ━ Eagle Strike!

As he charged, the rapier hidden within his cane sprang out with a clang, thrusting towards a fire thief.

“Thud!”

His movements were swift, and the rapier even sharper, piercing directly through the target’s head from the back to the forehead.

He then quickly withdrew before the attacker could self-destruct.

“Boom!”

The splattering flesh and blood also carried considerable force, landing among the crowd and inevitably eliciting screams. Fortunately, it didn’t cause any significant casualties.

“Are you alright?”

Karl turned around, looking at Jenny:

“Be careful.”

“Karl.” Jenny’s eyes were red, filled with both excitement and terror, her body trembling uncontrollably:

“You… you be careful too.”

“Esteemed Baron.” At this moment, the stern woman also softened her tone, her eyes filled with fear, stammering:

“We’re all young girls here, could you… protect us?”

“Don’t worry.” Karl said:

“You’re not their target, and… a Grand Knight has already taken action, they won’t cause any more trouble.”

Not far away.

Dana, holding a longsword, moved through the crowd, rescuing people while fighting the approaching fire thieves. True to the Knight’s Code, she didn’t back down in the face of danger.

At some point, she had become a knight and learned to release Battle Aura.

Combat Technique ━ Sword Dance!

A Grand Knight-level inheritance, it was considered exceptional among the many knights present. Her swirling sword energy easily protected a section of the hall.

The fire thieves feared no death, and the power of their self-destruction was terrifying, but this was, after all, the Church’s territory.

With Count Barrow and a Church Grand Knight taking action, the remaining fire thieves were quickly eliminated.

In just a short while, peace was restored to the hall.

However…

Many people had died!

The fire thieves’ suicide attack was clearly premeditated, their first wave targeting densely populated areas.

And some nobles of distinguished status.

Most of the casualties…

Occurred during the first wave.

The previously peaceful and harmonious banquet hall was now littered with dismembered bodies and flesh, a scene too gruesome to behold.

“Damn it!”

“Those damned fire thieves!”

“The people of Colon!”

Count Barrow, his body stained with the blood of fire thieves, patrolled the hall with his sword, his face filled with fury.

How could he not be angry?

Everyone attending the banquet held a certain status in Signo City, and now many were dead or injured.

Their deaths would undoubtedly have an impact on Signo City and even the front lines.

“How did they get in?”

Turning around, Barrow roared at the Church officials:

“What are you doing?”

The Church officials, usually aloof and superior, now lowered their heads with clenched fists, enduring the reprimand.

“Investigate!”

Barrow roared:

“Even if you have to turn Signo City upside down, find out who else is hiding in the shadows.”

“I demand an explanation!”

“Yes!”

“As you command!”

The Patrol Headquarters and the City Guard readily agreed.

The Church also summoned their personnel to cooperate with the investigation, but it was clear that others didn’t hold much hope for it.

This attack was more like a premeditated act of intimidation. Whether it succeeded or not, the remaining attackers had likely already fled Signo City, making the search unlikely to yield any results.

A few others, thinking of something, looked worried.

…………

Less than a hundred kilometers from Signo City, a burly man stood on a hillside, his hands clasped behind his back.

He was tall and imposing, but compared to the hillside, he was naturally insignificant.

However, anyone who glanced at him would subconsciously ignore the hillside beneath his feet.

This man’s presence was like a towering mountain, standing tall and proud, as if he could tear apart the sky with a wave of his hand.

Tucker!

The frontline commander of Colon, Thunder Spear Tucker.

He wasn’t on the front lines of the war between the two countries but had appeared near Signo City.

“He didn’t show up?”

Looking towards Signo City, Tucker spoke slowly:

“It seems Antonio has indeed left. Now this city has no archbishop guarding it.”

“Yes.”

A man in red clothes bowed his head in agreement:

“Our attack resulted in the deaths of at least twenty influential people, yet Antonio still hasn’t appeared.”

“If he were here, some of them wouldn’t have died.”

Although the divine techniques of a regional archbishop couldn’t bring the dead back to life, they could save the lives of those who were seriously injured.

Minor injuries…

Could be healed in an instant.

“How many Grand Knights are in the city?” Tucker asked:

“Can they open the city gates?”

“General.” The man in red replied:

“There should be five Grand Knights in Signo City. The Noble Council and the Church each have two, and then there’s Count Barrow from the Gando Royal City.”

“Hmm…”

“I’m not sure if Princess Duna of the Kingdom of Sark has any Grand Knights with her. If she does, that makes six.”

Six?

Tucker’s expression remained unchanged.

As long as there was no archbishop’s divine technique to bolster them, he feared no Grand Knight!

Even facing several Grand Knights together, he, Thunder Spear Tucker, was still confident of ultimate victory.

“This attack, we eliminated many opponents, but we still don’t have full control of the city gates.”

The man in red continued:

“Even though we have leverage over him, Frank of the Noble Council is still hesitant.”

“Hmph!”

Tucker snorted coldly:

“Useless!”

It was unclear whether he was referring to Frank or his subordinates, but the man in red instinctively lowered his head.

After a moment of thought, he explained:

“This attack dealt a heavy blow to the nobles of Signo City and confirmed Antonio’s departure.”

“But such a commotion will definitely lead to their retaliation. It will be difficult for our people to make any major moves in the city for now.”

“No excuses.” Tucker said impassively:

“No matter the means, no matter the cost, the city gates must be opened within ten days.”

“Once my army enters Signo City, nothing else matters, nothing at all!”

“Yes.” The man in red replied in a muffled voice:

“Your subordinate will make it happen.”

“If you fail…” Tucker glanced at him:

“Cut off your own head!”

“……” The man in red’s eyes narrowed, his body tensing:

***

“Yes!”

*

*

*

The Dragon King Trading Company had prepared a shop for Karl in the south district of the Vanilla Market, spanning over fifty square meters.

There was a partition in the middle of the shop. Goods were displayed and sold in the front, while potions could be brewed in the back.

In the corner were two folding wooden beds, for temporary rest or for someone to watch the shop at night.

Aya, holding a rag, wiped the counter over and over again until the glaze reflected her face.

She was excited.

Although the shop nominally belonged to Karl, she was the real potion-maker and salesperson.

Even the profits, Karl only took a small share.

Therefore, she was the true owner of the shop.

“No need to wipe it so clean.” Karl adjusted his clothes and said as he headed out:

“The potion priority will be given to the Supplier’s Guild, and a portion will be allocated to other shops. There won’t be much left.”

“I know.”

Aya smiled:

“One should always cherish their own belongings.”

“Do as you please.” Karl shook his head:

“I’m going to walk around the market and sell some things.”

“Take care.” Aya continued her work.

Free Port was located near the Endless Sea, with abundant moisture and a humid climate. It had been raining for the past few days.

This made the roads muddy.

Coupled with the inherent filth and mixed waste, one could easily step on something dirty if they weren’t careful.

Karl covered his mouth and nose, walking along the side of the street.

“Hmm?”

Something at the entrance of an alley caught his eye. He walked over and kicked aside a bamboo basket.

Underneath was a corpse.

The deceased was small and thin, limbs curled up, clothes stripped bare.

Judging by their age, they were likely a minor.

Rats and maggots crawled over the body, feasting on the flesh, unconcerned by his presence.

In Free Port, it was common to see children with barely any clothes, scavenging for food in garbage heaps.

Very few were fortunate enough to be employed.

Every day, people died here. Disease, water plague, violence… death was commonplace.

But the population never seemed to decrease.

For decades, people from the surrounding areas had been migrating here, and the women of Free Port were like birthing machines.

They had no means of contraception, and it was common for a family to have seven or eight children. Most of them would die young, and the vast majority wouldn’t live to adulthood.

In fact…

There were more dead infants in the streets and alleys than stray cats and dogs!

“Free Port?”

Karl shook his head slightly.

The lives of the lower classes couldn’t even be called lives. They were merely existing, enduring endless hardship.

Just like in Signo City.

Every month, female workers died in the textile factory, and who cared?

Fortunately, whether in Signo City or Free Port, Karl lived a relatively decent life.

He wasn’t merely existing.

“Thud… thud…”

Footsteps approached from the side. A group of people were chasing and fighting two young men.

This was also a common sight in Free Port. Without a strong organization to maintain order, everything was in a state of chaos.

“What are you looking at?”

One of them noticed Karl’s gaze, his expression changing. He charged towards Karl with a machete in hand.

Without a word, he swung the blade.

“Hmm?”

Karl frowned, raising his hand to catch the blade and slapping the attacker away.

“Slap!”

The attacker’s body rolled and he fell heavily into the mud, half of his face instantly swelling up like a pig’s head.

“What are you doing?”

“How dare you strike him?”

“……”

The rest of them changed color, leaving the beaten man aside and surrounding Karl with their weapons.

“What are you doing?”

Before Karl could react, someone rushed over from a distance, roaring at the group:

“Are you blind?!”

“This is the potion-maker our Trading Company hired with a hefty sum. I dare you to lay a finger on him!”

“……” The group’s faces paled. One of them immediately sheathed his weapon, scratching his head with a sheepish grin:

“So it’s one of our own. Misunderstanding, misunderstanding!”

“Misunderstanding my ass!” The newcomer slapped him across the face, shouting angrily:

“Next time, open your eyes wide. And you think you guys are tough? Potion-maker Karl is a knight.”

“Knight sir!”

This time, the group’s faces turned extremely ugly, and even their gazes towards Karl carried a hint of fear.

A knight!

Even in Free Port, they were an extremely rare sight.

“Potion-maker Karl.”

The newcomer, stout and fleshy, wiped the sweat from his forehead after scolding the group, turning to Karl:

“I apologize for the fright.”

“My name is Yori. The Trading Company assigned me to be in charge of security around here. If you need anything, just let me know.”

The security of the Vanilla Market was jointly managed by three parties, so it was no wonder those people were so arrogant earlier.

They were the managers of the Dragon King Trading Company.

“Yori?”

Karl looked at him:

“I hope this won’t happen again.”

One of the reasons he had insisted on joining a faction was to avoid such situations.

If it couldn’t be avoided…

Then what was the point of joining?

“It won’t, it definitely won’t.” Yori waved his hands hastily. This was someone the higher-ups had specifically instructed him to take good care of.

He immediately said:

“Whoever dares to disrespect you, I will not let them off lightly!”

“Let it go this time.” Karl tossed aside the machete and asked:

“I heard there’s a new batch of Illusory Scale Fish scales at the shops. I’m looking to buy some. Where can I find them?”

“Illusory Scale Fish scales?” Yori blinked:

“I’m not very familiar with the shop’s business, but there is indeed a new batch of goods at the nearby shops.”

“Please come this way.”

The Illusory Scale Fish was a special creature from the seabed, its scales capable of changing color for camouflage.

After it died, its scales displayed a myriad of colors, very beautiful, and carried a faint power to confuse the mind.

…………

Divine Domain Fragment.

Karl put down the fish scales and flexed his wrists.

“Runes are still useful.”

Whether it was the Minor Force Field or the full-body armor, they both required time to activate.

The Steel Body Rune was different.

It was always active.

Catching the blade with his bare hands earlier was partly due to his strong physique and partly due to the confidence provided by the Steel Body Rune.

This rune made his flesh tougher, making it difficult for ordinary people to even break his skin with swords or blades.

It was even more advantageous in emergencies.

“Illusory Scales!”

Collecting his thoughts, Karl turned his attention to the side.

As the Lord of the Divine Domain Fragment, he could freely modify the environment here.

For the convenience of brewing potions, crafting magic items, practicing martial arts, and meditating, Karl had divided the space into a four-room, one-hall layout.

Each room housed different things.

One room was specifically for experimenting with and crafting magic items.

‘According to the books, materials with magical properties have dominant traits that are difficult to destroy or alter.’

‘It’s relatively easier to integrate those traits into weapons.’

“Click… click…”

Karl rolled a small stone mill, grinding the Illusory Scale Fish scales into powder, carefully sifting out any impurities.

The powder was transparent, but under the light, it shimmered with a colorful, dazzling array of hues.

Staring at it for too long could easily lead to fascination.

“It must be a magic material!”

Simply changing color was something ordinary creatures could do, like chameleons or stick insects.

But affecting the mind was unusual.

It most likely possessed some kind of magical power.

“Whoosh!”

He pulled the bellows, and the flames roared to life.

Karl, holding tongs, picked up a dagger and placed it over the forge, turning it occasionally to ensure even heating.

He was a novice blacksmith.

Fortunately, he had helped his father forge weapons in his youth, and in the Divine Domain Fragment, he could precisely control his body, so it wasn’t too difficult to pick up.

“Clang, clang, clang…”

The sound of hammering rang out.

“I’m truly destined for hard labor. Others have readily available masters, while I have to learn everything from scratch.”

“Sigh!”

He worked diligently, sighing to himself.

Soon.

“Swish!”

An ordinary-looking dagger appeared in Karl’s hand.

As he swung his arm, the dagger moved with it, creating a fleeting rainbow in the air.

Beautiful, dazzling, dangerous…

If he used this weapon in combat, it would be difficult for his opponent to discern the actual location of the dagger, easily getting lost in the halo of light created by its movement.

A magic item!

Even though it only had a weak mind-confusing effect, it was undoubtedly a magic item he had crafted himself!

“Even if it’s useless against wizards, as a unique piece of art, it could still be worth dozens of gold coins.”

Karl pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to the damaged broadsword and the Illusory Fish Trident.

Besides those…

He also had a pile of blackstone.

Not ordinary blackstone, but blackstone from the depths of Black City, near the Forgotten City, of higher quality.

If forged into weapons, it could enhance their strength, toughness, and sharpness.

“Let’s begin!”

Taking a deep breath, Karl walked towards the materials.

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