Chapter 718: “Unlimited Bounty” Dark Demon and the Child of the Gods
Dark clouds pressed down over the city, and the rain did not lessen but intensified.
Dark stood at the door, frowning.
Aside from seeing off old acquaintances and welcoming new ones, he had a clear purpose for coming today.
Rose’s gift was ready to be prepared anytime.
Diana’s gift required custom ordering.
Then he planned to buy several blank magic cards in the format of “ball invitations,” and try to create animated “ball invitations” when he returned.
Additionally, he intended to purchase a batch of Christmas stockings to hang by the bed for the magic golems.
Regarding the golems’ Christmas gifts, he finally had some ideas while telling stories last night.
Thus, he came today to inform the two maids who were returning to the duke’s mansion about the plan, and after the custom-made gifts were ready, have them brought by the newcomers next week.
Once stuffed in the stockings, it would be perfect!
Furthermore, he planned to prepare a grand gift for the first-years—a set of math exercise books!
Last year, Professor Lily compiled a complete set of exercise books for the first-year students under his suggestion. When modified for each individual’s deficiencies, they would be just right.
Yesterday, while studying the alchemy notes, Dark suddenly remembered that he seemed to have been entrusted with taking care of some people… Even though a month had passed, he hoped it wasn’t too late to mend the situation.
…
Various matters were roughly like this.
However, among the first-years, he still needed to prepare an extra Christmas gift for Aurora, which he hadn’t figured out yet.
In short, there was a long period from next Friday until Christmas, so he could take his time thinking about it.
Dark glanced at the weather again; seeing the heavy rain show no signs of stopping, he simply returned to the counter, sat down, and chatted casually with the maids.
The two maids returning to the duke’s mansion were not very familiar with him, making their conversation slightly restrained.
But this restraint was quickly broken.
Before long, the shop filled with relaxed and joyful laughter.
By three in the afternoon, the torrential rain finally ceased, and a golden-red glow appeared on the horizon.
Dark estimated there were still about two hours until the new arrivals, so he decisively left the shop to find seniors capable of customizing gifts.
However, after the heavy rain stopped, none of the seniors who usually set up stalls even showed up.
Dark sighed helplessly and decided to find a shop specializing in Christmas-themed items, checking out the blank magic cards designed like “ball invitations.”
These blank magic cards were quite popular recently. Dark learned about them through classmates.
Seeing them in person, he couldn’t help but admire the merchant’s cleverness.
A 10-point blank magic card sold for 30 points because it resembled a “ball invitation.”
Of course, the shop also provided the method to craft such a card.
Cards created this way weren’t considered official magic cards but were similar to “joy cards.”
Therefore, they were relatively easy to make, even for first-year students.
After buying five cards, Dark received some small props as a bonus.
He shook his head and left the shop.
Then, he selected another batch of Christmas stockings and went back to the Goblin Ancient Bookstore.
After about half an hour, he finally found a suitable book to give to Professor Kazel in the Goblin Ancient Bookstore.
— Don’t Give Up the Forest for a Tree
It was said to be a work by a grass-type mage from the Grass Elemental Race, detailing how to cultivate forests sustainably.
But after paying, Dark suddenly realized he should get another book, A Guide to Intercultural Communication, to give to Professor Kazel, keeping the first one for himself.
Shortly after, vendors started appearing along the streets.
Dark carefully selected items based on their goods and spent a lot to have a senior customize a partially finished magic card.
Then, he began to wander aimlessly through Traveler’s Street, planning to pick interesting things for Nene, Josie, and Eve…
Thinking carefully, since he had Eve, he should also include Irina… But if he gave Irina a gift, the other maids at home would surely need gifts as well…
This meant he needed to prepare many more Christmas gifts.
As he picked, he found himself facing many troubles.
He was originally a rather emotional person, not as indifferent as he appeared.
…
Around five o’clock.
On his way back to the shop, Dark passed by the Goblin Ancient Bookstore again and saw them auctioning a rare book.
He stopped, curiously watched for a while, then bought the book.
”How Gold Is Made”… Ancient Alchemy?
To be honest, after learning alchemy for nearly half a year, Dark was interested in the content of this book. However, he bought it to give to Emma as a Christmas gift.
Of course, before that, he could have copied or photocopied a version of the Mana Book.
“Lucky timing, solving another problem.”
With a slight joy, Dark returned to the shop and immediately noticed the new maid who had arrived.
His expression visibly relaxed upon seeing her, then he exclaimed, “Olivia, why are you here?”
“Chief Maid of Aries,” Olivia Diemon, stood behind the counter with a serene smile, her expression gentle.
…
The maids used “Underworld Fire” to gain strength, focusing mainly on the element of mana.
Mana was innate and grew naturally with age.
Most humans in this world possessed weak mana, almost negligible.
This was determined by mana talent, a trait difficult to change later in life.
The combat maids in the duke’s mansion were limited in their power due to flaws in their mana talent, even the specially crafted magic cards were rarely used.
However, the appearance of “Underworld Fire” could address this deficiency.
Therefore, the duke’s mansion took risks to obtain “Underworld Fire.”
Yet, those who became chief maids in the mansion naturally had mana talent.
Especially someone like Olivia, recognized by the twelve Golden Sacred Robes, had outstanding talent and didn’t need to rely on “Underworld Fire” to expand her limits.
Thus, this “Aries” Olivia shouldn’t be here.
After greeting Olivia, Dark directly asked about her reason for being there.
Olivia didn’t hide anything: “I was invited.”
Dark couldn’t help but ask curiously, “The academy?”
Olivia shook her head slightly and said, “Professor Kazel’s personal invitation.”
“Professor Kazel?” Dark felt a stir, catching some hints.
Olivia smiled warmly, even in the cold weather, bringing warmth: “I can’t say much now. In any case, I am happy to come.”
Dark turned his gaze and asked, “So, Olivia, are you planning to stay at the academy until after Christmas?”
Olivia nodded and smiled, “Perhaps, I might stay a few more days.”
This was naturally good news.
However, during such grand festivals like Christmas, the duke’s mansion was usually the busiest.
Given this situation, Olivia still decided to stay longer, indicating it wasn’t a trivial matter.
Dark thought for a moment and asked, “Do you have accommodations arranged?”
Olivia looked around and smiled, “Of course, I will stay in Miss Kate’s dorm.”
Claire Kate.
Dark nodded, looking at the other maid who came with Olivia.
Since Olivia didn’t have “Underworld Fire,” theoretically, there should be three arrivals to maximize efficiency and save time.
However, besides Olivia, only one maid was present.
Dark narrowed his eyes slightly, perceiving the unique aura of “Underworld Fire,” but didn’t detect anything unusual from the maid.
Of course, it was possible that the maid’s concealment ability was excellent.
If she were a combat maid from the “Scorpio Palace,” she would likely possess similar abilities.
“Who is this?”
Seeing that the maid didn’t seem to want to introduce herself, Dark asked.
Olivia turned and introduced, “Angrey of Pisces. She’s not good at socializing, but she’s a good girl.”
Olivia, although young, called Angrey as a senior, indicating that Angrey was younger.
Dark examined her carefully.
Angrey was very beautiful, at least in appearance. Her neatly styled reddish-brown medium-length hair highlighted her large eyes and delicate face, giving her a typical “Pisces” feel.
Her height was similar to Olivia’s, and though slender, lacked Olivia’s frailty.
If observed for a while, one might suddenly realize she was like a silent female leopard, concealing formidable power beneath her maid uniform.
If Olivia hadn’t pointed out she was part of the “Pisces Palace Maid Corps,” Dark would have mistaken her for a “Leo Palace” maid.
Of course, she hadn’t shown any aura, and Dark mostly relied on experience to deduce.
“How many ‘Underworld Fires’ have you absorbed?” Dark suddenly asked.
Angrey finally couldn’t remain silent and answered in a deliberately low voice, “Seven.”
…
Seven “Underworld Fires”!
Dark was stunned.
No wonder only Angrey came this time; that’s enough for two people…
Olivia explained, “The more ‘Underworld Fires’ you absorb, the stronger the desire becomes. We usually keep it between two to three. But Angrey’s willpower is incredibly strong. She doesn’t even need help from Janice to control herself. Of course, seven is already the limit.”
Then she changed the subject and smiled, “Of course, if the young master’s experiment hadn’t been a huge success, Janice wouldn’t allow her to take risks. Such a child is rare in the ‘Pisces Palace.'”
“Pisces Palace” should be the public relations department.
How did such a child come to be?
Dark rubbed his nose and smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the ‘Reaper’s Casket’ works hard.”
Seven, the “Reaper’s Casket” should be quite pleased, right?
He thought so, but he hadn’t expected that the more “Underworld Fires” absorbed, the deeper they rooted in the body, causing some minor troubles.
However, compared to Professor Kazel’s experiments, this was merely a minor detail.
The group had dinner in a pre-arranged treasure chest after sunset.
Eve also communicated with Irina, allowing both sides in the duke’s mansion to meet again.
Then, the two old maids were sent off by Dark on a flying dragon—of course, they also took his list of custom orders.
Although Olivia and Angrey were staying until after Christmas, sending two more maids before Christmas wasn’t a conflict.
Dark and Olivia, who hadn’t seen each other for a long time, didn’t return alone after dinner.
He led several maids into the teacher’s dormitory, intending to help them settle in, but Olivia directly chased him out.
“What kind of decorum is this for a young master?”
It seemed Olivia could get angry too.
Dark smiled faintly.
Only after Olivia finished arranging the room did he get invited in. Then, they discussed matters related to Professor Kazel.
This was a secret.
But he wasn’t someone who needed to be kept confidential.
After dismissing the other maids, Olivia told him about it.
She whispered, “Professor Kazel sent a letter last week, requesting the duke’s mansion to send someone for support before Christmas. He only had one requirement for this person.”
Dark asked, “What was the requirement?”
Olivia smiled and said, “To be able to use one of the twelve Golden Sacred Robes, specifically the ‘Aries Sacred Robe.'”
This was not unexpected.
Dark nodded, “For his experiment on Christmas Eve?”
Olivia smiled, “Young master knows indeed. The specifics were not detailed by the duke, but it seems to be related to something divine. And the need for the ‘Aries Sacred Robe’ suggests a task to complete the remains of a god.”
“The ‘Aries Sacred Robe’ has abundant vitality, capable of reviving the dead and healing bones.”
That was why Alvaraite could always stand firm on the battlefield.
“God’s remains, huh?”
Dark’s mind quickly conjured the image of the Heart of the Gods.
Then he suddenly realized.
What Professor Kazel needed wasn’t Don’t Give Up the Forest for a Tree or A Guide to Intercultural Communication, but a Parenting Manual!
…
[Thanks to “Flying Mole” for gifting a Silver Treasure Chest.]
