Harnessing the storm, Bai Shi imdiately located the nearby Stormhawks.
Using the communication network ford by the Stormhawks, the news from Jarburg was quickly relayed to a nearby military camp.
As it happened, Hakan’s Dragonblood Knight Order was in the vicinity.
Bai Shi felt most at ease leaving this matter to them.
He used a communication-enchanted glintstone to contact Hakan directly, giving him instructions regarding the jars and leaving him to carry them out.
With the subsequent affairs of Jarburg clearly arranged, Bai Shi cut off the communication and turned to Alexander and Millicent behind him.
“You two don’t have anything else to do in Liurnia, do you?”
“Do you plan to head straight for the Altus Plateau, or would you rather continue traveling at a leisurely pace for a while?”
Alexander crossed his arms over his chest and said:
“My last concern has been resolved.”
“Logically, this is the ti to march forward boldly on the path of a hero.”
“However, when on a journey, one must consider the decisions of one’s companion.”
“So, I’ll let Millicent decide.”
Hearing that Alexander had left the decision to her, Millicent lowered her head and thought for a mont.
After a short while, Millicent lifted her head, looked at Bai Shi, and said:
“It seems there’s no need for
to continue traveling and exploring Liurnia.”
“So my thoughts are the sa as Alexander’s.”
“Let’s seize the mont and press on to the Altus Plateau.”
“Though I wish to find a prosthetic arm, searching for it here in Liurnia is clearly unrealistic.”
“After all, Malenia left no trace of her activities here. It’s more likely I’ll find it in Leyndell, where she once lived.”
“Conversely, heading to the Altus Plateau will definitely be beneficial for Alexander.”
Alexander nodded in agreent.
“Yes, Millicent told
what she saw inside Stormveil Castle.”
“They say that to the west of the Altus Plateau, on Mt. Gelmir, there is searing lava that never cools.”
“If I use that lava to fire my body, I can surely seal these cracks for good.”
“And after being fired, maybe my body will beco even tougher, and my strength will improve, haha.”
Bai Shi nodded, understanding their thoughts.
It was indeed reassuring to have Millicent and Alexander traveling together.
They were both strong, kindhearted people who could look after one another.
Bai Shi thought for a mont, then said:
“In that case, I’ll take you up to the Altus Plateau with .”
Hearing Bai Shi’s words, both were startled and repeatedly refused.
“No, no, there’s no need to spend so much ti on us.”
“We just need to find that mysterious rchant, and we can get up there successfully.”
Bai Shi shook his head. Mysterious rchant, my foot.
If that mysterious rchant was truly Patches, then he was the most unreliable person of all.
However, Bai Shi had no proof that it was Patches.
“Who knows where that mysterious rchant even is.”
“Besides, we don’t even know if his path, or even he himself, is real.”
“It’s absurd to place your hopes on a rumor of unknown authenticity. But I can most certainly take you to the Altus Plateau.”
Seeing that the two still seed intent on politely declining, Bai Shi continued:
“And I’m not doing this purely to help you.”
“I was planning on going to the Altus Plateau to check on the situation myself anyway.”
“Since it’s on the way, don’t refuse anymore. Our relationship isn’t so distant.”
Not only did he need to activate a site of grace to make the upcoming side quests more convenient, but Bai Shi also had other things to do.
Coincidentally, there was an achievent for the Magma Wyrm there, so he could take care of that along the way.
Besides, even if he wasn’t helping Alexander and Millicent, Bai Shi had nothing urgent to handle at the mont. He would only be waiting around if he went back.
For this trip to the Land of Shadow, Bai Shi wanted to bring a full team, taking everyone at once.
Otherwise, he would have to make several trips back and forth between the Land of Shadow and Stormveil Castle.
By the ti he went up to the Altus Plateau to activate a site of grace, the forces at Stormveil should be just about assembled.
Millicent said nothing more, walking up to stand before Bai Shi.
She stood very close, so close that Bai Shi could even catch the faint scent of sweat on her after the battle.
Just as Bai Shi was wondering what she was about to do, Millicent suddenly stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her single arm around him in a hug.
Millicent leaned in close to Bai Shi’s ear and whispered softly:
“Please, wait for
just a little longer.”
“The mont I can once again hold a sword, I will beco your blade, and I will fight only for you.”
“I swear it!”
Bai Shi nodded and gently patted her on the back.
After the brief embrace, Millicent imdiately retreated several steps, her face blushing.
Just a mont ago, she had so resolutely declared her intention to beco Bai Shi’s blade, yet now she couldn’t even bring herself to look at him.
Many people in the Lands Between still had a very simple sense of right and wrong.
While there were those who used enchantnt, Miquella had earned Freya’s loyalty simply by sucking the poison out of her wound.
What Bai Shi had done for Millicent was by no ans less than that; in fact, one could say it was far more.
However, Bai Shi had no intention of using this debt of gratitude to bind Millicent.
He would be much happier if Millicent’s resolve was not born from this debt.
Seeing Millicent step forward to embrace Bai Shi, Alexander had a sudden realization and decided to follow her example.
And so, while Bai Shi was still savoring Millicent's words and her soft body, he was imdiately pulled into Alexander’s embrace.
“Haha, you truly are a rare great person in the Lands Between. No, a great saint!”
“If you were to rule the Lands Between, this place would surely beco a paradise.”
Alexander’s hard body pressed against Bai Shi, making him not know whether to laugh or cry.
It wasn’t that he minded Alexander’s hug, it was just a bit hard to take seriously.
A beautiful girl, cuddling and hugging is one thing. Between us bros, a pat on the shoulder will do.
Once Alexander released his arms, Bai Shi snapped his fingers, using storm and gravity to lift them back into the air.
“Alright, it’s about ti we set off.”
Having experienced it once before, Alexander was finally able to maintain his posture in the air.
It was just that his four limbs still seed a bit awkward and out of place.
Bai Shi led the two of them on their flight, quickly crossing over half of Liurnia.
He could have just flown them directly up to the Altus Plateau, but there was an achievent for that Magma Wyrm, after all.
So, Bai Shi still brought them to the valley floor of Liurnia.
Besides, Bai Shi was also curious about the mysterious rchant who was supposedly Patches.
If it was Patches, what was he doing here instead of staying at Volcano Manor?
Following the dark canyon, the group of three soon arrived at the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
After landing again, Alexander stretched his arms and moved around a bit.
“Whew—still uncomfortable, but it feels much better than the first ti flying.”
Millicent patted Alexander’s body, as if to comfort him.
Bai Shi, on the other hand, was already surveying their surroundings.
The dim environnt was no obstacle to Bai Shi's vision, and soon, he spotted a mysterious figure hiding furtively in the shadows.
The figure was completely shrouded in a thick, stiff black cloak, revealing no part of his appearance.
His legs were spread apart, hands resting on his thighs, casually squatting on a platform in the village.
As if just now attracted by the commotion over here, he finally turned his head to look at Bai Shi and the others.
This looked like the mysterious rchant Millicent had ntioned.
However, seeing that classic squat, Bai Shi beca even more certain of his identity.
At the sa ti, Millicent and Alexander also noticed the figure.
Seeing him, Millicent murmured to herself:
“I can’t believe there really is a mysterious rchant...”
Upon seeing the group, the mysterious figure stood up and leaped down.
“Oh ho, finally so more custom—”
“...Eh?”
After getting a clear look at Bai Shi, the figure was clearly taken aback.
Bai Shi watched his reaction and smiled.
He had changed his clothes, so he was less recognizable than when he wore his Dragonslayer Armor. No wonder it took him a mont to recognize him. Looking at the man before him, Bai Shi asked:
“Patches, what are you doing here?”
Hearing Bai Shi strike up a conversation with the mysterious rchant, Millicent and Alexander were quite surprised.
Could it be that this mysterious rchant was soone Bai Shi knew?
The rchant, addressed by Bai Shi, stamred in reply:
“Ha, haha, you must be mistaken, sir.”
“I’m just an ordinary rchant.”
“I am absolutely not the sa person as that famous, wise, and powerful Patches.”
The corner of Bai Shi’s eye twitched.
It’s him. It’s definitely Patches!
Who else but Patches himself would use such utterly unrelated adjectives to praise him?
Bai Shi reached out, grabbed the mysterious rchant’s cloak, and with a swift motion... yanked it open.
I’ll rip this hood right off and see what we have here!
As the hood of the cloak was thrown back, Millicent and Alexander saw a shiny, bright bald head pop out before them.
For a mont, they felt as though the valley floor had beco a little brighter.
Seeing that familiar bald head, a smile finally appeared on Bai Shi’s face.
“I knew it was you.”
“Weren’t you going to Volcano Manor?”
“How did you end up in the business of guiding people up to the plateau?”
Upon having his disguise exposed, a normal person would usually feel embarrassed or flustered.
But Patches was no ordinary person.
Patches acted as if nothing had happened, without a shred of embarrassnt.
Not only that, but a familiar, sly grin spread across his face.
In his mind, Patches imdiately attributed his exposure entirely to Bai Shi’s overwhelming power.
Rubbing his bald head, Patches casually squatted down on the platform behind him.
“Well now, as for why I’m here...”
“To help the Tarnished, of course.”
“I’ve made so new friends recently, and they’re all very helpful people.”
Looking at Bai Shi before him, Patches’ eyes suddenly lit up.
“My, my, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Are you planning on heading to the Altus Plateau as well? Perfect, let
be your guide.”
“This just so happens to be my line of business.”
Bai Shi chuckled coldly, staring at Patches’ large bald head as he said:
“Alright, you think I don’t know what kind of person you are?”
“You’d better not change the subject. It’d be best if you just ca out and told
the reason.”
Seeing he couldn’t fool Bai Shi, Patches shrugged his shoulders.
“Hmph, alright, alright.”
“After we parted ways last ti, I successfully made it through here and reached Mt. Gelmir.”
“Naturally, I also joined Volcano Manor and beca one of its mbers.”
“Volcano Manor is recruiting Tarnished, as you know.”
“And since this is the only way to get to the Altus Plateau right now, Tanith sent
here to act as a guide.”
Bai Shi nodded. It was a reasonable explanation, but...
“Then why were you actively advertising for other, unrelated Tarnished to co here?”
Patches let out a devious laugh, his facial features nearly squishing together.
“Well, about that...”
“Of course, it’s to help more Tarnished reach the Altus Plateau...”
Noticing Bai Shi’s faint, knowing smile, Patches seamlessly changed his tune and continued:
“Ahem, Volcano Manor just isn’t recruiting enough people, so I decided to earn a little extra on the side.”
“It’s the sa effort to guide a few, so it’s more cost-effective to guide a few more.”
“Besides, the more people who go to the Altus Plateau, the more people Volcano Manor can recruit, right?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. So far, not a single person has died on this path.”
“That includes the nomadic rchant and that fellow I saw before, Yura. I made sure to deliver them all safely, you know.”
Hearing the nas Patches ntioned, Bai Shi was sowhat surprised.
Back in Limgrave, Yura and Patches had t because of Bai Shi, so it wasn’t strange that they knew each other.
Although, they did have a bit of an unpleasant encounter at the ti.
And the nomadic rchant was likely Kalé.
It was good news that the two people Bai Shi had shown the way to had successfully reached the plateau.
Still, Bai Shi shook his head slightly.
As expected of Patches, he thought. Only he could find such a way to earn Runes.
“The thod to reach the Altus Plateau is indeed very tempting for the Tarnished.”
“But once they’re up there, their survival is uncertain, especially if they get involved with Volcano Manor.”
“Don’t do this sort of thing anymore.”
Patches nodded repeatedly, agreeing.
“Alright, alright, don’t you worry. You know .”
“I may seem unreliable, but when I say I’ll stop, I’ll really stop.”
“Well then, let’s make taking you lot up there the last job.”
Bai Shi nodded.
Although Patches was always up to so shady business, he was indeed a man of his word.
“Alright, then I’ll leave the guiding to you.”
“As it happens, I’d like to see how you make money from this.”
Millicent and Alexander listened to their conversation, not quite understanding their relationship.
But since they could get to the Altus Plateau, they decided to just go along with it.
Patches chuckled, speaking with confidence:
“Leave it to the great Patches!”
“My professional skills as a guide are second to none!”
—
Led by Patches, the four of them followed the path from Bai Shi’s mory, heading upwards.
Although the route was more or less the sa as he rembered, there were no monsters here at all.
As they walked, Patches couldn’t keep his mouth shut, chatting with the three of them:
“My, oh my, this place used to be crawling with monsters.”
“Besides bats and the like, there was a whole bunch of little dwarf soldiers.”
“At first, this great one had to put in a ton of effort to get up here.”
“It was only later, when other Tarnished started coming through, that we gradually cleared this place out, trip by trip.”
Bai Shi looked at the traces of battles scattered about and nodded.
“So, did you take care of the Magma Wyrm at the end of the path?”
Hearing Bai Shi ntion the na of that monster, Patches was very surprised.
“Well, I’ll be. You even know about that monster.”
“Bah, then again, hearing it from you, I suppose it’s not strange at all.”
Recalling that troubleso creature, Patches pursed his lips and spat on the ground.
“That thing... you’ll see when we get there.”
After walking a considerable distance further, the group arrived unimpeded at the very top of the cavern.
Just ahead was the lair of the Magma Wyrm Makar.
Right there, a knight in heavy armor sat silently on a rock.
Seeing this knight, whom he had t once at the Radahn Festival, Bai Shi gave a slight sideways glance.
Stout, strong, and unyielding—Great Horned Tragoth, a knight renowned for his willingness to help others.
Countless Tarnished had received his aid, successfully confronting the threats of the Lands Between. He was the silent battle-brother of all warriors.
In the ga, Tragoth could indeed be summoned here, but what was he doing here now?
As if sensing Bai Shi's confusion, Patches sidled up and whispered to him:
“That fellow’s a real do-gooder, always helping out the Tarnished.”
“I told him he could help a lot of Tarnished here, so I got him to stay without spending a single Rune.”
Bai Shi couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
What a guy. It was one thing to aid in illegal immigration, but to get an honest man to do the manual labor for free...
Patches really deserved to be hung up by the roadside and thrashed into a spinning top with a copper-buckled belt!
No ti to mourn for the lab class, next on the battlefield are grinding through electives and a massive lab report!
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