Chapter 17 — The Alchemy of Everything into Gold — Mahart of the Golden Land
Feeling something unusual about Sairel, Lain gave Kraft a subtle glance.
In this world, though someone as powerful as Kraft is difficult to defeat by ordinary warriors or mages, facing certain concept-based magic can still be dangerous.
For instance, Ubel's "Cutting Magic" isn't something Lain or Kraft would dare take head-on.
So, it was necessary to prepare a counterattack in advance.
By now, the three had crossed the silent streets and reached the edge of the forest on the town's western side.
A surge of powerful magical energy within the forest immediately put Lain on alert.
It seemed there was something extraordinary inside.
"Lady Sairel," Lain suddenly spoke, "I have a question."
"Please go ahead," Sairel replied, turning her face, still smiling.
"I heard that when demons die, their bodies dissolve into black magical particles."
As Lain spoke, he stepped closer. "Is that true?"
"That's common knowledge," Sairel said, her smile stiffening for a moment. She stepped back slightly. "Why ask this all of a sudden?"
"Nothing in particular," Lain shrugged. "Just thought it was quite eco-friendly… no need to worry about collecting the bodies."
No sooner had he finished speaking than his sword struck like a dragon.
Clang!
A silver light flashed in the wind.
Sairel felt a chill at her ear as a strand of her long hair slowly drifted downward.
Before it could touch the ground, the strand disintegrated into countless black particles that gradually vanished.
Sairel touched her ear, staring at the dissipating specks, her smile fading bit by bit.
"Oh my."
Lain performed a flourish with his sword, feigning surprise. "So the legend is true. Sairel, your hair… turned into particles?"
"There really is something wrong," Kraft said, clashing his fists together, though his face betrayed no emotion.
"Truly cunning humans," Sairel hissed.
No longer disguising herself, her once delicate face twisted grotesquely. Her mouth split to the sides, revealing rows of jagged, saw-like teeth.
She was a demon skilled in sleep magic and illusion magic — a Nightmare Enchantress.
"I wouldn't dare claim the title of 'cunning' in front of you," Lain said.
Pointing his sword to the ground, he added, "You have two choices now: either lift the curse or be killed by me."
"Oh? So you're saying that if I lift the curse, you'll spare me?"
"I will spare you." Lain nodded.
"And him?"
The Nightmare Enchantress looked at Kraft.
"He'll beat the living daylights out of you."
No sooner had Lain finished than Kraft dashed behind her, throwing a simple, unadorned punch.
Boom!
The punch landed solidly on her back, the sound of her spine snapping sharp and satisfying.
The Nightmare Enchantress screamed, flinging herself forward and hitting the edge of Lain's sword.
Shk!
Her head flew off, blood spurting, and before it hit the ground, it disintegrated into a cloud of black ash.
"I have to admit, modern demons are really hard to detect once they use illusion magic."
Lain sheathed his sword, staring at the dissipating ashes, a hint of concern on his face. He couldn't help but wonder how many people this demon had killed using such trickery.
"Let's go," Kraft said, brushing the dust off himself. "The source is dealt with. The town's people should be waking up soon."
"Wait. This demon tried to lure us into the forest. There must be stronger demons or monsters inside."
"If we don't deal with them now, more people could be harmed later," Lain said.
"Then let's take care of it together."
Kraft agreed, and the two stepped into the forest.
The sounds of combat rang out, one after another.
Half an hour later, they emerged, their clothing slightly dirty.
…
Back at the inn, it was already noon.
In Elily's room, she remained sprawled in her signature starfish position, snoring loudly.
The curse was lifted, but she was truly asleep.
Lain walked over, took a deep breath, and shouted into her ear: "Meal time!"
"Food! I want food!"
Elily instantly sprang up, but stepped wrong, tumbling to the floor along with the blanket.
"Ouch…"
Rubbing her sore backside, she blinked groggily, seeing Lain and Kraft looking down at her.
"Good afternoon, Captain."
Lain's expression was flat. "The sun is overhead."
Elily paused for two seconds before hastily wrapping herself in the blanket. "How dare you barge into a lady's room?!"
"Not like there's anything to see. Fine, let's go," Lain said, patting Kraft on the shoulder. "Kraft, let's go eat."
At the mention of "meal," Elily's anger evaporated instantly. She fumbled to put on her coat.
…
After a hearty meal, the three discussed their next destination.
Elily rested her head on the table. "Where to next? How about Arzeni? I heard from someone that the Red-Bordered Dragon was seen heading that way."
Kraft glanced at Lain, seemingly asking for his opinion.
Lain unfolded a slightly worn map, pointing to the northern plateau's edge, where a circle was marked with three letters: Weize.
The next Southern Hero statue was located in a village swallowed by the Golden Land.
"Let's go here — the walled city of Weize, or calling it the Golden Land might be more accurate."
"Golden Land?"
Kraft leaned closer. "Not a bad name."
Elily jumped between them, curious. "Golden Land… sounds rich! Are there coins everywhere? Can we just pick them up?"
"If you want to turn into a solid gold statue, feel free to try," Lain said solemnly.
"Weize is a tragic city. Fifty years ago, one of the Seven Sages of Destruction, Mahart, used the Alchemy of Everything to turn the entire city into gold. Every person, every building, without exception. Even now, Mahart remains trapped within a barrier set by the Continental Magic Association."
Elily shrank back slightly, laughing dryly. "I… I'll pass. I love money, but I love my life more."
"Kraft, will you come? I remember your next stop is the territory of Count Regecius."
Lain looked at the elf monk. "Weize is slightly eastward; you'd be out of your way."
"Detour or not, detour it is," Kraft laughed boldly. "I can't leave these two kids there — the Goddess might scold me in heaven."
"Then let's go."
Lain led the way out of the inn.
The three rented a carriage, driven by a sixty-year-old farmer — one of the few Golden Land survivors. Upon hearing they were heading toward Weize, the farmer's hands shook, unable to hold the reins.
Lain promised triple payment, and only then did the farmer grit his teeth and agree to take them within ten kilometers of Weize.
The carriage rattled along the road.
Elily quickly fell asleep, her head resting on her backpack, a faint drool at the corner of her mouth.
"Lain, why insist on going to Weize?" Kraft asked quietly, sitting across from him.
"There's something I need there."
"How much do you know about goldification?"
"As far as I know, Mahart's Alchemy of Everything into Gold is more like a curse — the strongest kind. Even a first-class mage would instantly turn to gold if they got too close."
"Sounds dangerous."
Kraft frowned, a rare expression.
"Soon, someone will undo the goldification there," Lain said with a smile.
"Who?" Kraft asked, curious.
"You've met her. Like you, she's an elf."
"Frieren?" Kraft guessed.
"Exactly. I've heard Frieren speak of you, and she's even seen your statue," Lain replied.
"I see." Kraft nodded.
After two days of travel, the closer they got to Weize, the fewer villages remained.
On the third evening, the carriage stopped atop a desolate hill.
"Sir, we can't go further."
The farmer pointed to a glimmer of gold on the horizon. "If we go any further, I won't make it back."
"Alright, this will do."
Lain jumped down. Kraft lifted the still-snoring Elily.
"Thank you," Lain said, handing the farmer a gold coin.
After receiving it, the farmer turned the carriage around and whipped the horses madly, fleeing.
Beneath the sunset, the grand city reflected dazzling golden light, like a treasure left by the gods themselves.
"Truly beautiful," Kraft couldn't help but exclaim.
Elily rubbed her eyes, still groggy. "What are you looking at? There's nothing ahead."
Due to a perception-altering barrier, someone without magical power like Elily could hardly sense it.
"That is Weize," Lain said gravely.
"The Golden Land."
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If this chapter hit, a Power Stone might accidentally fall down here…🤤