21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR9EzgWBv3
Taking advantage of Aliza's distraction, Du Cheng quickly slipped the sacred artifact into his wide sleeve, turning to praise him. "Excellent work today, Aliza! I'll reward you with two whole roast calves when we get back!"
"Really? Two roast calves?" Aliza's bruised and battered face lit up with childlike joy, his injuries seemingly forgotten as he jumped excitedly.
At that moment, Du Cheng felt the first lotus flower tattoo on his hip tremble and blossom completely—a reward from the Lotus Scripture for rescuing the elderly couple. Except for its core, the flower had fully bloomed, indicating significant progress.
Du Cheng approached the elderly couple with a warm smile. "You’re safe now—I’ve chased them away."
The couple gratefully grasped Du Cheng’s hands, bowing deeply. "Honorable descendant of Sigrew, your kindness rivals that of your revered ancestor!"
Their respectful gaze hinted at confusion. Wasn't Francis supposed to be a fool? Yet the young nobleman before them seemed intelligent, handsome, and genuinely kind.
"You flatter me," Du Cheng replied modestly, his fingers itching to examine the stolen sacred artifact hidden in his sleeve. "You should head home now—I must see if others need my help."
"Blessings of the Battle-Gods upon you, Young Master Francis! You truly are a good man!"
Du Cheng handed them a small pearl ornament from his robe. "If you encounter trouble again, bring this to Saint-Cain Manor. I'll help you."
It never hurt to lay groundwork for future good deeds. This humble couple would surely provide more opportunities.
"Let's go, Aliza." Du Cheng’s figure appeared heroic in the golden glow of dusk, impressing deeply upon the elderly couple as they watched him depart.
"Young Master Francis," the elderly man called out, "my name is Matthew! I'll tell everyone you’re not the fool of Saint John, but its virtue!"
"Saint John’s virtue? I like that," Du Cheng murmured, climbing onto Aliza’s back.
Sneaking a glance at the metallic orb, Du Cheng felt strangely drawn to it. Its intricate design and mysterious aura captivated him. "Back home quickly," he instructed Aliza. "I need to speak with Steve."
…
At Saint-Cain Manor, Steve was about to leave for a noblewoman's banquet when Du Cheng stopped him urgently.
"You want details about sacred artifacts?" Steve asked, surprised but intrigued. "Alright, let me give you a quick overview."
Sitting down on a garden bench, Steve explained, "The origins of sacred artifacts are lost to history, but they contain powerful, mysterious forces—part from the artifact itself and part from its past masters. Let me demonstrate."
Removing his necklace, Steve revealed a small metallic sphere, similar to Kaman's but bright red. Steve summoned fire, skillfully channeling the flame into the artifact’s tiny openings. Instantly, the sphere transformed into blazing metal gloves on his hands.
"These are Sigrew’s Gauntlets, part of our ancestor’s armor," Steve declared proudly. He punched the air, launching fiery projectiles that exploded into a nearby stone bench, shattering it effortlessly.
"Sacred artifacts enhance our powers, their strength tied to the user’s level. For instance, I’m a third-level warrior, but my artifact is fifth-level, so my strength limits its potential. A higher-level warrior wielding a lower-level artifact still fully benefits from their own strength but gains fewer boosts from the artifact."
Returning the artifact to its spherical form and placing it back around his neck, Steve stood up. "Alright, basics covered. Now I have a banquet to attend!"
"Wait, Steve!" Du Cheng hesitated, smiling awkwardly. "Isn’t it risky to wear your artifact so openly?"
Steve chuckled, "Artifacts are meant to be close. If lost, they’re easy to track due to our bond."
"Artifacts form bonds?"
"Yes. They choose their owners," Steve explained patiently. "Once bonded, we can locate them easily if misplaced."
Du Cheng’s pulse quickened. "Can this bond be broken?"
"Sure, by forcing it to bond with someone else," Steve shrugged. "But that's extremely difficult without vastly superior battle qi—like a man forcing himself upon a resistant maiden."
"That analogy is awful!" Du Cheng protested.
"It’s accurate," Steve laughed, walking away. "Don’t get ideas; Father’s an eighth-level warrior, yet he can barely dominate a second-level artifact."
After Steve left, Du Cheng stared anxiously at Kaman's artifact. "What trouble you've caused me," he sighed. Returning it was impossible, but Kaman would eventually track it down through their bond.
Despite knowing better, Du Cheng’s fingers tingled with anticipation. The thief within him couldn't resist exploring the artifact’s mysteries. Spotting some thin wires beneath a garden trellis, he grinned nostalgically, fashioning makeshift lock picks.
"No fancy tools here," Du Cheng muttered, expertly inserting thin wires into the artifact’s small openings, determined to unlock its secrets.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOlFbZwPOu
