[Hidden Quest: Trial of the Phoenix ——— Complete]
[Quest Reward: Phoenix Nirvana (Single-use), Trialist of Flames]
[Phoenix Nirvana (Single-use) ——— Repairs all physical damage within flames imbued with powerful vitality.]
[Trialist of Flames ——— Immune to flames that cause only minor damage; all fire damage reduced by 10%.]
["Gáe Bolg" sustained irreversible damage; Broken.]
["Gáe Bolg (Broken)" has been strengthened by the influence of Phoenix Nirvana (Single-use).]
[Awaken Gáe Bolg]
Introduction: The bone spear crafted from the remains of a terrifying sea beast of the Land of Shadows disintegrated under the scorching of flames, only to undergo nirvana again with the help of the fire. It has been reborn to answer its master.
Special Effect: Reincarnation ——— No matter how severe the injury, it shall be reborn within the flames.]
The Gáe Bolg, the spear of Scáthach and Cú Chulainn, wasn't a particularly special weapon in its origin. It was simply a bone spear made from the bones of a terrifying sea beast. While much stronger than ordinary weapons, in mythology, weapons with more illustrious origins are as numerous as stars. However, each Gáe Bolg possesses different abilities based on the master it follows.
For instance, in the Shishō (Scáthach) hands, it is the most terrifying anti-god weapon. In Cú Chulainn's hands, it is the demonic spear that "inevitably" strikes the enemy's heart. But no matter what they become later, they cannot change the fact that they were originally just "ordinary bone spears." They grow alongside their masters.
"Did it answer me..."
Looking at the introduction for the reborn Gáe Bolg, Lancer expression became complex for a moment. He hadn't expected it to desire to fight alongside him so much.
Although the reason Lancer didn't use it wasn't because he disliked or mistrusted it—one could even say the opposite; because he cherished and trusted it, Lancer would subconsciously choose it in the most dangerous moments—the weapon didn't seem satisfied?
But thinking about it, due to portability issues, the time Gáe Bolg spent by his side could never be too long. Conversely, "Zero" was easiest to hide because it could be packed in a suitcase at any time.
Thinking about it this way, for some reason, he suddenly felt like... a scumbag?
Shaking his head to clear these strange thoughts, he took the liberty of... openly eavesdropping on the sounds inside the room.
Actually, the matter inside the room was very simple. It was that nobleman who refused to give up, sending someone as usual to express his "heartfelt feelings" to Kaguya. What made Lancer more helpless was that the man's words were almost identical to before—nothing more than declaring his determination and recounting the price he was willing to pay and what he could offer.
Such things were boring to Lancer, let alone to Kaguya, who had heard them countless times. Usually, she might have started yawning. For her, these "necessary negotiation times" were when she conserved her energy—like sleeping during a university lecture so she could play games after class. Of course, such behavior usually leads to failing exams unless one is a genius or has a genius friend (laughs).
But right now, Kaguya wasn't sleepy at all because her head was full of thoughts about that man.
In fact, when she told Lancer the last ingredient for the "Hourai Elixir" was a Phoenix's crest feather, she didn't have much hope he would succeed. She still remembered the terrified look on her Shishō's face when Eirin Yagokoro had retrieved that feather years ago. In her impression, the Shishō called the "Sage of the Moon" always appeared at ease regardless of the situation. Even facing the leaders of the Lunar Capital, she maintained a necessary humility without ever appearing inferior.
But even such a Shishō looked like she didn't want to bring up the past when mentioning that entity. Thus, Kaguya initially thought it more realistic for Lancer to trade with other holders even if he wanted the feather. But seeing his "ridiculous" look just now, he didn't look like someone who had just completed a trade. Surely his trading partner wasn't some weirdo with a fetish for collecting body hair?
Kaguya was extremely curious now. Why did he end up looking like this? And how was that Phoenix's crest feather obtained?
Kaguya desperately wanted to drive away the middle-aged man chattering incessantly across the screen. But for her life to be peaceful for a while, and to ensure the elderly couple who kindly adopted her wouldn't be disturbed after she left, she had to endure this boring socializing.
However, just as her mind was wandering, the voice across the screen chose to bid farewell. This surprised Kaguya; in her memory, he never left without nagging for at least an hour. What happened this time?
She didn't know, nor did she care. To her, the earlier he left, the happier she was.
As the door closed, Kaguya waved toward the window, signaling Lancer and the others to enter. No one expected that the middle-aged man who was supposed to have left was now standing silently outside Kaguya room. After watching for a few seconds, he turned and left, driving directly toward Fujiwara-kyo.
After entering Fujiwara-kyo, he didn't slow down, heading straight for the home of Fujiwara no Fuhito. By now, the entire Fujiwara estate was pitch black.
One must know that unlike Lancer with his "speeding," "teleportation," or Yukari with her "gaps," a normal person takes half a day to travel. Normally, he would leave Bamboo Mountain at noon and enter Fujiwara-kyo the next morning to report to Fuhito. But this time was different.
"Lord Fujiwara no Fuhito."
Looking at the middle-aged man kneeling before him, Fuhito appeared somewhat listless due to fatigue. But he didn't scold the man who woke him, because he knew him well—or rather, trusted him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let the man "lobby" Kaguya on his behalf.
"Kondo, do you have something important to report?"
"Yes, my Lord, there is something I must tell you!"
"What is it?"
"Today, while I was in Princess Kaguya room as usual, recounting your deeds, I noticed an extra shadow behind the screen. Later, when I left, an abnormal shadow appeared in the room through the door."
After speaking, he remained silent, prostrating himself. On the other side, Fuhito eyes widened, looking at his subordinate with utter disbelief.
"You saw this with your own eyes?"
"Yes, my Lord. Although I cannot be certain what it was, I saw all of this with my own eyes."
Instantly, the room fell into silence.