A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 255: Chapter 204 Move Forward_1

When Duanmu Huai returned to the front courtyard, Roger had finished his meditation. He stood up and nodded at Duanmu Huai.

“Welcome back, steel warrior, it seems you have found what you have been looking for?”

“I’m not sure if this is what I am looking for… let’s talk about it after we return.”

Duanmu Huai shook his head helplessly. After that, he followed a Soul Jellyfish to a courtyard on the side of the Hall of Limbs. Just like everywhere else, the place was littered with corpses. Next, under the guiding of the Soul Jellyfish, Duanmu Huai flipped out a strange little black sphere from the pile of bodies…

Who knows what the hell it is.

But since the Soul Jellyfish wanted him to take it, Duanmu Huai did.

So the two set off again, heading deeper into the castle. Along the way, Roger was not idle either, enthusiastically explaining his research to Duanmu Huai.

According to what Roger described, Duanmu Huai learned some stories about this place.

Not long ago, there was a magnificent golden civilization here, with gods ruling over the Borderland, and their Demigod progeny guarding various places. However, one night, a strange incident occurred.

That is, one of the Demigod progeny, Gedwin, was murdered.

And this brought problems to the Golden Law.

Because according to the Golden Law, gods and demigods are immortal. However, Gedwin, who was a Demigod, was killed. This fact conflicted with the law in the Golden Law that “Demigods will not die”, eventually leading to the shattering of the entire Golden Law. The shattered laws turned into Great Runes, falling into the hands of other Demigod progeny.

These demigods began to fight each other for them, they wanted to seize all the Great Runes and then repair the shattered Golden Law, so they could become the new rulers of the Borderland.

“What I’m studying is that night of conspiracy. According to the information I have gathered, someone stole a fragment of the Rune of Death owned by ‘Black Blade’ Marikas, and then on that cold night, killed ‘Gold’ Gedwin. Because, only when the Golden Law is removed and its sealed shadow, the Predetermined Death – the rune of Death, can break through the constraints of the Golden Law and do what the Golden Law cannot do.”

“So that’s what happened….”

Under Roger’s narrative, Duanmu Huai learned more about the history here, but what he was most interested in was…

“So, where is the Rune of Death?”

Nothing is more valuable to Duanmu Huai than the power to slay gods. According to Roger’s words, the power of Predetermined Death is the power of death to hunt gods, which is what Duanmu Huai exactly needs, the power to kill gods… If the Rune of Death turns out to also work on the Gods of Chaos, that would be more than perfect.

“I don’t know about that.”

Roger shook his head.

“According to historical records, the Queen of Twilight Eyes and her clan once served the Predetermined Death Rune. But later, they were defeated by ‘Black Blade’ Marikas, and the Predetermined Death was sealed by Marikas. In fact, I do not know who or how the Predetermined Death was stolen from Marikas. All I heard was, a group of assassins descended from the Eternal City – a group of women wearing invisibility clothes and silver armor took action. And the weapon they used – the Black Blade, was enchanted with the power of the Rune of Death through a ritual.”

Saying this, Roger sighed.

“But unfortunately, after that night of murder, their trace was lost, and the Black Blade they used also vanished.”

“…………”

So, no clue then. Solving murder cases is not Duanmu Huai’s expertise.

He is more skilled at making murder cases.

“Then…”

As they walked and talked, they passed through the porch of the front courtyard and kept moving forward. However, suddenly a loud noise came with a burning crossbow bolt swiftly shot towards Duanmu Huai’s head!

“Watch out!!”

Seeing this, Roger yelled out, but it was too late. The bolt had hit Duanmu Huai’s helmet right at the moment when he turned his head to look forward, and then exploded with a “boom”, blooming with dazzling flames which completely enveloped his head.

However, the next moment, the intact Rabbit Helmet reappeared. Duanmu Huai then raised his hand and aimed at the enemy on the fortress wall in front of him. A shell burst out of his handguard, drawing an arc in the air, and then falling down.

“Boom!!!”

A more terrifying explosion devoured the entire fortress wall in an instant. The howling shock wave blew the nearby soldiers away like pieces of paper. When Roger came to his senses, all he could see was a huge hole where the fortress wall used to be, and there were no remains of the soldiers.

“Alright, let’s move on.”

Duanmu Huai flexed his helmet and then continued striding forward. Roger followed him, bewildered by the sight of the man in front of him.

What kind of man is he?

Looking at the towering figure of the Steel Warrior in front of him, Roger felt puzzled. At first, he only thought the man was a Blighter, or perhaps a stranger. But now, it seemed that this man’s identity was clearly not simple, even if ignoring everything else, this armor that cuts and thrusts had no effect on him and it withstood the explosive bolts, wasn’t something that a regular person would wear.

Not to mention……

At this moment, Duanmu Huai was wreaking havoc in the courtyard, with Roger trailing behind watching the man who was like a human hurricane. No soldier could stand against him, even…

“Roar!!!”

A huge creature, about three or four meters tall, swung the club in its hand and roared as it smashed down at Duanmu Huai. This creature was a mountain troll, a formidable and powerful war machine bred by the Golden Clan. Its skin was tough and its strength unmatched. As a vanguard, it could flatten a large group of soldiers.

However, this creature too wasn’t a match for the terrifying Steel Warrior.

Duanmu Huai raised his war hammer and swung it, hitting the mountain troll’s leg. The troll’s right leg was instantly broken like a weak stick, and the off-balance troll roared as it fell to the ground. Then Duanmu Huai extended his left hand, made a fist, and punched the troll’s head. His fist pierced the troll’s head like a siege hammer, instantly killing it.

“Boom!!”

The colossal carcass of the mountain troll fell heavily on the ground, then vanished into dust. This moment, the whole courtyard was silent. Had the dead here not turned to dust upon dying, what they would have seen, now, were several hundred corpses scattered in various horrific states.

“You are really impressive, Steel Warrior.”

“Not really. This level of challenge is nothing.”

Duanmu Huai brandished his war hammer, then the two of them proceeded through the courtyard.

“We’re almost at Gerrick’s location.”

Passing the corridor, Roger’s face became increasingly solemn, and Duanmu Huai nodded. However, as they came to the end of the corridor, almost reaching Gerrick’s Throne Plaza, they stopped in their tracks.

The reason was simple: there was another person standing in front of them.

More accurately, it was a woman.

Her attire was rather wild and it was clear from the battle axe on her back that she was a warrior. This woman was standing with her back to Duanmu Huai and Roger, looking down at a corpse at her feet—it must have been a knight guarding this castle.

“Be proud of yourself, you were indeed a skilled warrior, if only you hadn’t chosen the wrong side… Fade with the wind, drift to the distant peaks.”

After delivering these words like a eulogy to the knight, the woman turned around and looked at Duanmu Huai and Roger.

“Ah… You two, don’t look like Gerrick’s minions.”

“Strictly speaking, I was planning to give him some trouble.”

Duanmu Huai tightened his grip on the war hammer and replied. The woman raised her brows and cracked a smile.

“Well, isn’t this interesting. My name is Nephele Lou. Like you, I am a warrior. I came here on an order from my stepfather… But speaking of which, how brutal, that damn Gerrick. Doing such a thing was not befitting of a king.”

Having said this, the woman began to size up Duanmu Huai, looking him up and down.

“If you intend to challenge Gerrick, then I’ll go with you. His evils have sullied the wind—that’s an unforgivable sin.”

“Feel free to join.”

Duanmu Huai nodded without a care.

In any case, that man’s death was certain.

This warrior woman joined the group, and they continued forwards. Even though there were some soldiers trying to stop them along the way, they were all smashed into pieces by Duanmu Huai.

Very quickly, they made it to the Throne Plaza.

“Over there is Gerrick’s location.”

Upon saying this, Roger heaved a sigh and plopped down on a chair nearby.

“Sorry, you two, I can’t go any further with you.”

“What happened?”

Duanmu Huai had a curious look on his face as he inquired. Roger responded with a bitter smile.

“To be honest, my body is cursed. Half of me is already dead. That’s why I can’t move around for too long.”

As he said this, Roger rolled up his trousers to reveal a leg that was like a decaying corpse—shriveled, completely void of life.

Seeing this, the warrior woman’s face turned serious.

“Death-born?”

“Yes… I’m sorry for keeping this from you, but I still have pressing matters to attend to.”

Roger gave them both a small smile, then turned his gaze to Duanmu Huai.

“I am sorry, but it seems I can only accompany you this far.”

“Will you be fine alone?”

“I should be okay. Thanks to both of you, most of the soldiers in this castle have been eliminated. I can just about manage the remainder. From now on, I will continue searching for what I need, also, Steel Warrior…”

Upon saying this, Roger paused to think for a moment. @@novelbin@@

“If you want to investigate more, I recommend you head north to the Leila Lucalia Magic Academy. It’s said that they have been following a set of rules completely opposite to the Golden Law from a long time ago. If you’re looking for the Rune of Death… perhaps you can find some clues there.”

While he was talking, Roger looked up to the ceiling.

“It’s very interesting, the Golden Law used to be so generous, even incorporating opposing rules. At a time when the Golden Law is broken, warped, and needing to be restored… I believe this is incredibly important.”

Roger sighed and looked at the two of them again.

“Well, this is where I leave you. I wish you both a safe return.”