Chapter 226: A High Priest Loyal to the Church Court
"Holy Healing Technique!"
Following High Priestess Sara’s low chant, a gentle light enveloped Duane’s left arm, feeling as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Unfortunately, the effect wasn’t very pronounced.
Seeing this, High Priestess Sara cast Holy Healing Technique twice more in quick succession, which finally eased some of the corrosion on the back of Duane’s left hand.
She wiped the sweat from her brow. Three casts of the Holy Healing Technique were her limit.
"My Lord, the wound on the back of your hand was likely caused by Dark Magic. Only it possesses such corrosive power."
Sarah was inwardly alarmed. This level of corrosion suggested Dark Magic of at least Level 5 or 6.
For the Baron to have returned to his territory safely meant he possessed the strength to fight a Level 5 or 6 Demon Beast.
No wonder Manny had insisted the Baron’s strength was immense. Seeing the wound before her, Sarah knew he hadn’t been exaggerating.
She explained, "Although the Holy Healing Technique’s restorative ability far surpasses the basic Healing Technique, it will take at least three treatments to cure a corrosive force of this intensity."
Duane nodded, sensing his body’s condition.
The Holy Healing Technique could mend ruptured blood vessels and muscle tissue, and even repair bone injuries.
But just as Sarah had said, it was only a Level 3 Magic. It was impossible for it to set the broken bone of a Shooting Star Warrior in a single go.
"Thank you for your hard work, High Priestess."
Duane smiled faintly. "As for payment, feel free to name your price to my steward, Ralph."
"You are too kind!"
But Sarah shook her head, refusing. "We live in your territory, under your protection. Treating your wounds is our duty. How could we dare to accept money from you?"
"Business is business."
Duane didn’t want to be indebted to her in this way. "On another note, does the Holy Radiance Court sell the Holy Healing Technique to outsiders?"
Sarah paused for a moment, then gave the official answer:
"My Lord, the Holy Healing Technique is a unique Magic of the Holy Radiance Court. Only a Mage who has joined the Church Court is qualified to learn it. If you truly desire it, perhaps you could, like Manny..."
Duane shook his head, cutting her off. "I have little interest in joining the Holy Radiance Court."
"That is a pity..."
But Duane continued, "You know what I mean, Sarah. If you give me the Spell Model for the Holy Healing Technique, I’m willing to pay you with enough Gold Coins, Magic Potions, or something else."
Hearing this, Sarah’s expression remained calm, but her heart began to race.
Although she was a High Priestess of the Holy Radiance Court with certain benefits, and could usually earn some money with her healing abilities, acquiring Spell Models and learning to craft Magic Potions required a huge investment.
After all, not everyone was like Duane, who could learn the Magic within a Demon Core just by holding it.
Therefore, she was more than willing to earn a sum of money from Duane.
However, considering the consequences of secretly leaking the Holy Healing Technique, Sarah barely managed to hold her ground.
To be honest, she didn’t entirely trust Duane either. He might betray her the moment she handed over the Spell Model.
She stood up and bowed. "My apologies, my Lord. Please do not doubt my loyalty to the Church Court."
"Haha, alright. Please forgive my forwardness."
Duane chuckled, then changed the subject.
"But if you agree, I can guarantee I won’t use it in front of outsiders, and I’ll give you 300 Gold Coins."
A Spellbook for a Level 3 Magic typically sold for 15 to 30 Gold Coins on the market. Duane’s offer was ten times that amount.
But Sarah still shook her head slightly. "My Lord, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave to recover my Magic Power. I will return at this time tomorrow to continue your treatment."
Since she didn’t agree, Duane didn’t press the matter. He called for Owington to escort the High Priestess out.
Just then, Julian, Kaelon, and the others flooded into the room, all anxiously asking about their Lord’s condition.
Duane reassured his subordinates, and after sending the territory’s officials away, he specifically had his four Earth and Human Tier Warriors, Kaelon and Raymond included, stay behind.
"I have eliminated some of the High Level Demon Beasts near and inside the Secret Realm. I even severely wounded that Black Bear."
Hearing this, all four of them were stunned.
Kaelon’s voice trembled. "My Lord, that Black Bear has to be at least a Level 6 Demon Beast, right? Did it really cause your injury?"
The Black Bear was, in fact, a Level 7 Demon Beast.
However, Duane had no intention of telling them that.
"I’ve figured out the principle behind how the Secret Realm corrupts one’s Spirit."
He told them about the whispers of the Ancient God and his experience of being trapped in the Illusion Realm, so his subordinates would know what to expect.
"This matter is a Black Forest Island secret. You four are the only ones who should know. Do not reveal it to any outsiders."
The four men’s expressions turned solemn, and they all nodded.
"From now on, the pressure on the territory’s defenses will be much lighter. You can take men to explore toward Thorn Valley. Have the Guards engage more with Demon Beasts to gain real combat experience."
Kaelon couldn’t help but add, "A lot of the men have been clamoring that sparring isn’t enough for them. This will finally satisfy them."
Duane reminded them, "Remember, do not enter the Secret Realm lightly. There are birds acting as sentries there. The moment you enter, you will be swarmed."
In any case, the Guards’ combat experience had to be improved.
Flowers raised in a greenhouse will easily wither and die once they are moved outside.
If Duane were to acquire a new territory, he would inevitably have to split his forces to garrison it.
That place wouldn’t be Black Forest Island, and Duane couldn’t possibly stand guard there forever.
If its defenses were too weak, it might well get plundered.
"I will inform Mara to prepare Chrysanthemum Fire Soup and Red Sun Soup. Any soldier who goes out to train can purchase up to ten portions at a seventy percent discount. Those without money can put it on a tab."
The four men all pounded their chests in a salute, expressing their gratitude on behalf of the men under their command.
Their Lord had invested so much in them. It was a debt they could never fully repay.
After the four men had left, Duane finally lay back on the soft chair and quietly contemplated his next steps.
Today was May 23rd. There were less than two months until July 15th.
’The Holy Healing Technique can clear the corrosive power from my hand and help my flesh wound recover sooner, but it doesn’t have much effect on my broken bone.’
He could only rely on his own natural regenerative abilities, a process that would take at least a month.
Duane’s brow furrowed, and he muttered with some concern, "I wonder if I’ll be fully healed before the martial tournament?"
He had Owington summon Dr. Ronald, who fitted his arm with a splint and wrapped it in bandages to stabilize it and speed up his recovery.
Furthermore, his Long Spear and Big Ring Saber had both been destroyed in the battle with the Black Bear. He needed to have Yanger forge new ones.
Considering he would be leaving Black Forest Island in just over ten days, Duane planned to have Yanger forge him a Long Spear.
’Iron weapons can barely keep up with my current level of strength.’
When a Shooting Star Warrior attacked with full force, a weapon made entirely of steel could hardly withstand such power, let alone the impact of clashing with an opponent of the same level.
Generally speaking, the weapons used by Celestial Tier Warriors needed to be mixed with Black Iron.
And upon reaching the Star Realm, one would use special materials like Meteorite Iron, Silver Frost Iron, and Mithril.
Only weapons forged from these materials felt right in one’s hand, free from the worry of them shattering or breaking.
This was the main reason why people like Count Kais and King Eric had spared no effort to seize the mining rights after learning that Freddy’s Secret Realm contained Meteorite Iron.
’Looks like I’ll need to buy some Meteorite Iron as well.’
Not only that, but Yanger’s strength was insufficient to forge Meteorite Iron.
If Duane wanted to have a weapon forged from this advanced ore, he would either have to seek help from an advanced craftsman from another region or take on the task himself.
However, considering he himself possessed the Basic Forging Skill, he figured it would be best to do it himself.