InkBound
patreon
CH381 - CH382
🕑 Added 2025-02-05 11:30:03 +0000 UTCCH381
The airship was docked at the plaza, with figures moving on it, likely patrol guards.
Helag followed Sam to a warehouse area, filled with large storage buildings, each packed with various goods.
Sam managed this warehouse area, wielding significant power, attracting many who sought his favor.
With Sam leading, no one questioned Helag.
The warehouse guards glanced at Sam’s companion and looked away.
Sam led Helag into a large warehouse filled with massive crates.
Helag scanned the crates, noting they contained large animal bones, varying in size and type.
Recognizing them, he asked, “Dragon bones?”
Sam smiled, “You noticed. Yes, they’re dragon bones, quite valuable. They’re your cover. You’ll travel with them, first to North Slope City, then to Silver Beach City.”
“Once you reach Silver Beach, someone will help you. I’ve arranged everything.”
Dragon bones are rare, used in potions, spells, arrays, and as raw materials for magical items.
Dragons are scarce, making their bones even rarer.
Most dragons are buried in dragon cemeteries, with few bones reaching the outside world.
Sam spent heavily to arrange everything, ostensibly for smuggling dragon bones.
But his real goal was to smuggle Helag.
Sam told no one the truth; insiders believed he was focused on the bones.
After all, spending so much on low-value goods would be a loss; no one does unprofitable business.
Smuggling dragon bones made Sam’s actions logical, and those he bribed didn’t question it, as long as they were paid.
“Sir, here’s your place,” Sam said, opening a large crate.
The crates were solid wood, very sturdy.
Sam’s crate for Helag looked like the others but was different inside.
It had a large bed for Helag’s comfort during the journey.
There was also a special stove with a bag of ore.
The ore, called blueberry ore, was an expensive fuel, used mainly by nobles.
Burning it produced no smoke or odor, only a faint berry-like scent.
It was long-lasting; a small piece burned for a long time.
“Sir, it’s limited, and the journey takes two months. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable,” Sam said softly.
Helag waved it off, “These conditions don’t matter. How are the arrangements? How confident are you?”
“Rest assured, sir. Even if there’s a check, our cargo won’t be inspected. It’s all arranged,” Sam replied.
Helag nodded, “Good. When do we leave?”
“In two hours, loading begins. The airship departs shortly after dawn,” Sam said.
Helag entered the crate, turning to Sam, “You should go. Keep an eye on things outside. Don’t come unless necessary.”
He closed the crate door, plunging it into darkness.
Helag didn’t use light magic; darkness was fine.
The crate wasn’t sealed, with holes for airflow, preventing light from escaping.
Sam left the warehouse, feeling anxious.
He was more nervous than Helag, fearing an accident during the journey.
Helag lay on the bed, calm, prepared for any situation.
No plan is perfect; adaptability is key.
Helag was ready for the worst, aiming to get as far as possible.
Sam stayed in a nearby room, usually for night guards.
He normally left after bringing someone, but stayed this time to ensure no mistakes.
Two hours later, loaders arrived, moving the listed cargo onto the airship.
Helag’s dragon bones were placed in the lowest level.
The airship had five decks above and four below, the lower decks for cargo and crew quarters.
During transport, Helag remained silent, suppressing his presence.
Once the crate was in the lowest level, the loaders left, closing the door to the second level, leaving silence.
Helag scanned the level, finding no one else.
The large area was filled with organized cargo.
Helag stayed in the crate, meditating.
Soon, a loud roar echoed.
Helag felt vibrations, signaling the airship’s departure.
The next stop was North Slope City, a ten-day journey.
There’d be no checks during this time, allowing Helag to relax.
Sam said checks might occur after docking at North Slope.
During the ten days, Helag planned to begin an important step: compressing his mental power.
His mind was full of liquefied mental power, needing gradual compression into a mental crystal.
For many liquefied wizards, this was the hardest step.
The process was difficult, dangerous, and time-consuming.
Wizards with insufficient aptitude might take centuries, some never forming a crystal before death.
CH382
Helag focused intently, cautiously beginning to compress his liquefied mental power.
He proceeded slowly, prioritizing caution over speed.
Helag knew this process couldn’t be rushed; stability was crucial.
Even if it took longer, safety was paramount.
Any issues with mental power could severely impact a wizard’s career.
Hiss~
As Helag started compressing, a sharp pain pierced his head.
This stage’s pain was much more intense than the gaseous stage.
Feeling the pain, Helag paused briefly, then continued compressing.
Suddenly, a cool sensation spread through his mind, alleviating the discomfort.
Not only that, but his mental power seemed more refined, speeding up the compression.
“This is…”
Recalling the sensation, Helag realized it came from his bloodline imprint.
He’d never felt this before; the imprint rarely reacted.
During the gaseous stage, the imprint hadn’t emitted this cooling effect.
Reflecting, Helag deduced the cause.
“The Divine Core…”
After absorbing the Divine Core’s energy, Helag stored it in his bloodline imprint.
The core’s immense energy was too much for Helag’s body, so the imprint held it.
The energy hadn’t dissipated, remaining in the imprint.
As Helag compressed his mental power, the core’s energy eased his discomfort and tempered his power.
After absorbing the core, Helag’s mind filled with liquefied mental power, indicating the core’s energy boosted mental growth.
The energy accelerated the compression process.
Realizing this, Helag resumed compressing his mental power.
Each time he completed a compression cycle, a trace of pain arose, but the imprint’s energy flowed, bringing relief.
Helag was pleased; the process would be much faster.
Importantly, the core’s energy ensured safety, providing a healing source for mental power.
The imprint’s energy reserves were vast, unlikely to deplete soon.
The Divine Core, from a high-level Abyssal entity, contained more energy than Helag could use.
Helag hadn’t expected this benefit; he’d felt no change after absorbing the core, thinking it useful only in the Abyssal Plane.
In the polluted zone, he hadn’t compressed his mental power, so he hadn’t realized the core’s potential.
With newfound determination, Helag immersed himself in compressing his mental power.
***
For ten days, Helag focused solely on compressing his mental power, forgoing sleep.
When the airship vibrated, Helag opened his eyes, pausing his work.
The airship had docked at North Slope City.
Using Deep Blue, Helag observed the bustling plaza, similar to Sord City’s.
The airship would stay for three days, unloading and loading cargo and passengers.
After docking, Helag monitored the activity outside.
The first two days were uneventful, with no inspections.
On the third day, a group boarded the airship.
Helag discovered they were North Slope’s city officials, conducting a surprise inspection, led by a young man under thirty.
Onboard, a short, stout man greeted the young official with a smile, “Lord Case, if I’d known you were coming, I’d have prepared a welcome.”
“Royce, I’m here to inspect, not for a welcome. If I’d told you, it wouldn’t be an inspection,” Case replied with a smirk.
Royce, looking around, whispered, “Lord Case, we’ve paid plenty this time. Please let us off.”
Case smiled, “I know, but I’ve heard this cargo is special. What you’ve paid isn’t enough.”
As the airship dock official, Case regularly received bribes.
Most of Sam’s bribe money had gone to him.
Upon learning the cargo was dragon bones, Case felt underpaid and sought more.
Dragon bones were rare and valuable; smugglers wouldn’t risk losing them without bribing.
Case could demand more, and they’d comply.
Refuse to pay?
He’d seize the cargo, costing them their bribe and goods.
Case wasn’t afraid of retaliation; his position shielded him.
Even if he reneged, they’d still seek his favor next time.
“Lord Case, how much?” Royce asked, resigned.
Case raised five fingers.
Royce hesitated, then nodded, “Five… five thousand it is.”
It wasn’t much, affordable, and Case wasn’t too greedy.
Case shook his head, “I meant fifty thousand.”
“What? Fifty… fifty thousand! Lord Case, that’s too much. I can’t afford that,” Royce’s face crumpled in despair.
