Chapter 76: Upgrade Condition
Edgar took in a deep breath and looked at the ⟨Watch Tower⟩s stationed at different places throughout the Fortress.
’It’s time to upgrade them to Level 4.’
Turning around, Edgar walked towards the Central Tower that was built over the ⟨Unbroken Fire⟩.
He rubbed his chin and said in a low voice, "I want to upgrade the Tower."
---
Building Name: ⟨Watch Tower⟩
Building Level: 3
[Items Required to Upgrade:-
Hondor Ghost Eyes, Shin Glass Orb, Burning Tree Bark.
Ritual: Build it at the time when night and day meet.]
---
Edgar looked at the requirements and couldn’t help but frown.
’I have never heard of them in my life.’
The ritual was much easier than the items that were needed for the upgrade.
The short moment between the Eternal Night disappearing and the grey-black fog descending happened every single day.
’...What should I do?’
Edgar wandered around the Fortress absentmindedly, his mind occupied by the unfamiliar names.
’Wait, I could just ask those who might know.’
Thinking of it, Edgar turned toward the main gate, walking out of the Fortress.
His first instinct was to visit Oswald, but Edgar felt Gordon would be more knowledgeable about such things.
The hillside that was occupied by the ape-like Nightmares was around three hundred metres away.
It took Edgar some time to reach the place, but once he did, his eyes wandered around instinctively.
The place was far more cleaned up and organized than he had expected.
Many parts of the forest had been cut down and spread around, creating an illusion of heavy bushes, but beneath them was plain paved ground.
Edgar finally found Gordon and the soldiers, who had just started dismantling the abandoned trebuchets.
Gordon quickly walked towards him. "Do you need anything, my lord?"
"Did you clean up this place?" Edgar asked, voicing what was bothering him.
"No." He shook his head. "It was already like this when we arrived."
Edgar found the information unsettling. If the Nightmares could do so much in such close proximity to the Fortress without him knowing, then that was concerning.
’...Who knows what surprises they will bring the next time.’
But he was still curious to know how long it had taken them to create a semi-base here and how they had hidden for so long.
While he was still trying to figure out the mystery, Gordon opened his mouth again.
"There is another problem, my lord." He spoke in a grim voice.
Edgar turned to look at him. "What might that be?"
The veteran soldier pointed toward the trebuchets that were being dismantled by the soldiers.
"These things have the insignia of the royal family on them." Gordon revealed softly.
"..."
Unable to believe his words, Edgar walked towards the trebuchets and looked at the short arm.
Sure enough, carved into the wooden frame was a crest.
A crowned lion standing on its hind legs, and beneath it were two crossed swords.
Even though Edgar had never seen the symbol before, the craftsmanship alone told him it wasn’t something an ordinary clan could afford.
He slowly ran his fingers across the carving.
It had been worn down by time, yet it was still clearly recognizable.
"...You’re certain?" Edgar asked.
Gordon nodded with absolute confidence.
"I’ve seen the Roselle family insignia countless times. There is no mistake."
Edgar drew in a deep breath and said in a soft voice, "But there is no royal family Fortress within a hundred kilometres of us."
"That’s what’s troubling me, my lord." Gordon replied softly. "How did those monkeys get their hands on this?"
"..."
Edgar rubbed his temples and felt like he was getting a headache.
"I might know about this."
One of the soldiers said, raising his hand.
Edgar looked at the young boy with the mole on his right cheek. "Wavin?"
The young boy, who had claimed to feel the Nightmare’s presence, nodded his head.
He turned his head to look at the old veteran soldier.
"Do you remember the army that the royal family sent to Norwood Mountain to find the treasure?"
"Ah, right!" Gordon said, clapping his hands. "They did lose their way inside and died. These things must be from there."
Edgar also nodded his head as he remembered the legend of the mountain.
It was said that the mountain held the treasure of a Level Ten Builder somewhere within it.
"Alright, get to work!" Edgar said, snapping out of his thoughts. "Gordon, I need to ask you something."
The young-looking old veteran looked at him. "Yes?"
"Do you know about Hondor Ghost Eyes, Shin Glass Orb, and Burning Tree Bark?"
Gordon’s expression immediately turned blank.
He repeated the names under his breath.
"Hondor Ghost Eyes... Shin Glass Orb... Burning Tree Bark..."
Several seconds passed before he slowly nodded his head.
"I do vaguely remember those names from the market."
Hope ignited in Edgar’s eyes as he asked, "Do you know where I can find them?"
"I think two of the three can be found in Soragon Bazaar." He replied. "I don’t know about the Burning Tree Bark, though."
"Oh, those can be found at the edge of Norwood Mountain!"
Wavin, who had been eavesdropping, suddenly spoke up in a cheerful voice.
Edgar and Gordon turned toward him at the same time.
"You know where they are?" Edgar asked.
The young guard nodded confidently.
"My grandfather used to take me there to gather herbs. He told me about them."
Edgar slowly nodded his head and asked, "Can you bring some of them if I send someone to help you?"
The boy hesitated for a few seconds before nodding his head. "I think I can."
Edgar studied the young guard for a few moments before nodding. "Good."
He turned toward Gordon. "Assign five soldiers to accompany him, and you should go with him as well."
The veteran immediately frowned. "Isn’t that overkill?"
"It’s better to be careful." Edgar replied with a smile.
Gordon didn’t argue and instead said, "I know a few merchants from the bazaar. I can ask them for assistance with the other two."
Edgar nodded his head. "Please do."
Done with his work, he began to walk back to the Fortress and let the others bring back the trebuchets.
Though as he walked, Edgar felt something weird.
’Am I missing something important?’
He debated it in his mind as he walked inside the Fortress once again.
But as soon as he entered, his eyes quickly fell on a young woman.
She was wearing a loose black dress with her long white hair tied behind her back.
Though her cheeks were slightly hollow, she looked better than before.
Hera spotted Edgar and walked towards him until she stood in front of him.
"You needed me to work," she said. "How can I help you?"