The Sword with its Buttocks Facing Outwards

Chapter 172 The Sword with Its Buttocks Facing Outwards (Part 2)

Aha!

A legendary charm item! Just the name sounds incredibly powerful!

Richard immediately rubbed his little hands together excitedly.

Unfortunately, there are too many people now, so he can't do much.

Here, Markus continued to explain: "As you can see, this is the ruin we discovered."

"Judging from the surrounding inscriptions and craftsmanship, it should be the work of dwarves, possibly related to the worship of the god of slaughter or the god of war, but we cannot make a more specific judgment at the moment."

"When the previous Grand Duke Gunther was alive, we tried to pull out this sword or break open the door behind it, but we failed—"

Ludwig frowned.

"It's a good thing that it didn't succeed. Who knows what's hidden inside these ruins? If we open them rashly, we might release something dangerous."

Many nobles nodded in agreement with the marshal's view.

But Marcus and Gareth thought differently.

The latter said, "Your Excellency is right. This site does indeed pose unknown risks, but—"

"But it's already lying underground in Tieyuan City, not in some desolate wilderness, so we can't just leave it there!"

"We can't possibly move the entire Iron Abyss City just to avoid it, can we?"

"In any case, we must investigate it."

"To prevent any accidents, we have also invited priests and mages from the city to set up multiple layers of protection around the ruins. We believe that even if there is danger inside, it can be contained within a certain range."

The sixth prince, Marcus, also said, "I brought everyone here today to brainstorm and see if anyone has a way to explore this site."

"With so many of the Empire's elite gathered in Iron Abyss City, if it's not safe to explore the ruins now, then there's never a safe time."

"Anyway, Marshal, I'm sorry—"

"I don't plan to leave Iron Abyss City until this matter makes some progress."

The young prince looked at the tightly closed gate, a hint of infatuation in his eyes.

Ludwig's brows were so furrowed they looked like the Hengduan Mountains.

However, the sixth prince was not his subordinate.

Charles VII's orders granted him command of the garrison at Iron Bay, but Archduke Günther himself was not under his control.

That's just how empires are.

If a relic is discovered within someone else's territory, and they want to explore it themselves, it's purely an internal matter, and outsiders shouldn't interfere.

In the end, the old marshal could only sigh inwardly.

"Everything that happens here must be reported to His Majesty in real time."

"Rest assured, the Minister of Intelligence dispatched his little birds as soon as the teleportation array was restored."

"In that case, I have nothing more to say. Be careful in all matters, Your Highness."

Thank you for your concern.

After discussing the matter, Ludwig turned and left the ruins, returning to his army to begin preparations for the pursuit of the orcs.

However, many nobles and officers who did not need to participate in the follow-up actions but were very curious about the ruins stayed behind.

Isabella and Jonas were among them.

Richard was naturally mixed in with the others.

While the princes and princesses were talking about their sibling relationship, he pulled Grace to the sword that slays angels.

He first asked Grace, "What are your thoughts on this site?"

Grace crossed her arms over her chest.

"Although we dragons are beautiful, powerful, wise, and noble—we don't know everything. If all these imperial elites in this room can't do anything about this ruin, then I'm not much better off."

You don't need to use that bunch of adjectives at the beginning, otherwise I'll suspect you've been corrupted by Zoya.

Richard curled his lip, ignoring Grace, and approached the sword alone. Then, when no one around was paying attention, he secretly released a charm spell.

You have successfully bewitched the sword that slew the angel.

He then took two steps back, pretending to examine the inscriptions on the ground, but actually greeted the sword in a low voice, "Hello?"

I'm not good enough.

Hmm, compared to those bizarre answers in the past, this is passable.

Richard, now quite experienced, wasn't taken aback by the answer and calmly continued, "Mr. Sword, what's wrong? Have you encountered any trouble?"

Imagine if one day a madman shoved you headfirst into the ground, leaving only your buttocks sticking out, and you were stuck there for years, surrounded by a huge crowd of onlookers. Would you think that was a good situation?

Damn it, why is that idiot still stabbing me?

Hmm, that makes sense!

If the sword were replaced with a person, the scene would be a bit difficult to maintain.

Looking at the mercenary officer nearby who kept poking at the hilt of his sword, Li Kan didn't know how to comfort him.

Fortunately, the sword soon found its own peace.

"Alright, I won't complain to you about this anymore. After all, this situation isn't your fault. I see that the sword at your waist is in very good condition, so I suppose you're a sword enthusiast. I won't make things difficult for you."

That is~

After all, this is the Excalibur that saved my life from the kobolds!

Richard touched the one-handed sword at his waist and smiled proudly.

He then chatted with the Sword that Slays Angels.

His first question was, "Would you mind telling me how to get you out?"

I knew you'd ask this.

However, you will be disappointed in this regard, because what is needed to pull me out is not the right method, but the right person—only those beings who can bear the weight of a sea of ​​blood are qualified to pull me out.

Creatures burdened by a sea of ​​blood —

That's such a vague description.

Can people who eat a lot of spicy blood curd be included?

Richard clicked his tongue twice, and then wanted to ask about the gate to the ruins, but the sword had already guessed his thoughts and spoke first:

I am the key to that door; only by pulling me out first can the door be opened.

Also, if you're curious about what's behind the door, I advise you not to be, because—

"because?"

Because I didn't know what was behind it either.

Don't look at me like that. I'm just an unlucky key with my head buried in the ground and my butt facing outwards. I'm not the builder of this ruin. How would I know what those lunatics put inside?

But what I am certain of is that it is something that brings misfortune. Only the one who can pull me out can control it, and only the one who can pull me out will be attracted to it—if you are not that person, then it will do you no good.

Richard's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Well, it seems that he might as well not have any expectations for this site.

So far, the enchanted items have not fooled him.

It's true what they say, one problem after another.

Before the reason for the orcs' withdrawal could be understood, another ruin, containing ominous objects, suddenly appeared beneath the city.

Forget it, if the sky falls, someone tall will hold it up.

As for this poet, I'll focus on increasing my strength and continuing to look for opportunities to take down William.

""

Richard then asked if any help was needed to cut down the angel's sword.

Can you get rid of these people who are touching my butt?

"Well—"

It's not that I don't want to help, the problem is that the Sixth Prince won't listen to me.

Okay, I know you can't.

【Let's try something simpler: can you clean the blade of my sword for me? If you do it for three consecutive days, I'll give you the gift pack.】

Although the tone wasn't very harmonious, the conditions offered were quite lenient.

You've cut down the angel's sword; you're a good person!

Richard sighed inwardly, then waited a while until most of the people present had tried to draw their swords but failed. Finally, he stepped forward and cast a magical spell on the sword.

A faint light flashed, and the sword hilt, which had been covered in fingerprints, suddenly shone as brightly as new.

In the time that followed.

The sixth prince, Marcus, then discussed the ruins with everyone.

Seeing that no one had any good ideas for the time being, he said that he would continue to live near the ruins and that anyone who had any new ideas they wanted to try was welcome to come to him anytime.

The rest of the group then returned to the surface and began to deal with their own affairs.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

For the past three days, Isabella has been carrying out the orders left by Ludwig, tidying up the area around Iron Abyss City, and sweeping away the remaining orcs and bandits who have taken the opportunity to emerge.

While helping Isabella, Richard would take time each day to visit the ruins and clean the sword that had slain the angel.

So he quickly received his payment.

You have gained 1 point of Strength attribute.

You have learned the skill: Conserve Spells - When you cast a spell, there is a 50% chance to restore some of the mana you have consumed. The percentage restored is random, and the higher your Charisma, the higher the chance of restoring all of it.

Note: "If there's a 50% chance of not spending any money, what's the difference between that and being free?"

A confident gambler

Do you have both attribute points and specializations?

It's a skill that conserves mana, not bad. Lately, I've been learning more and more spells, and I'm definitely starting to feel like I don't have enough mana anymore.

That said, with the belt on, my current strength attribute has reached 18 points.

In special circumstances, you can also use free attribute points to directly increase it to 20.

As Richard watched the panel display its increasingly impressive numbers, the corners of his mouth curled up to the sky.

While Richard received the gift package, Grace's work also made great progress.

She successfully modified the runes at the bottom of the Blessing Incense Burner. Next, all she needs to do is replace the frankincense resin inside with the more versatile olive resin to transform it into a Noble Phantasm against William.

This made Richard even happier, and that afternoon he volunteered to go to the magic supplies store in town to buy materials.

More than a week after the orcs withdrew, the shops in Iron Abyss City have reopened.

Therefore, Richard didn't spend much effort to buy the resin he wanted.

But just as he was about to return, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the street corner.

"M-Sir! You can't do this! This—"

"Stop talking nonsense! Let go! I came all this way to save you, so what's wrong with taking a few of your things as payment?!"

"Then please choose another outfit. This one really won't do; it's the most expensive item in our shop—"

"Hey, I wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't expensive!"

Richard frowned, turned the corner, and saw several men dressed as mercenaries blocking the entrance of a tailor shop, trying to take away a rather ornate robe.

The hunched shop owner clung tightly to the corner of his robe, pleading in a low voice.

This is clearly not a normal transaction.

After about ten seconds, seeing that more and more people were gathering around him, the mercenary became anxious.

"You won't give it to me, huh? Then don't even think about selling it!"

He used his arm forcefully and tore his clothes open with a ripping sound.

"don't want!"

The shop owner immediately called out.

The mercenary then threw the clothes at the shop owner's face, then kicked him in the stomach, shouting, "Brothers, teach this blind bastard a lesson!"

Before he finished speaking, the other mercenaries around him made a move to gang up on the shop owner.

People around whispered among themselves, but no one dared to stop them; their eyes were filled with a numb indifference that they had become accustomed to it.

"Stop! You lot, is it because your parents don't love you that you haven't learned what it means to respect the elderly and care for the young?"

Just then, Richard strode forward.

The first blow, a barrage of insults, sent the mercenaries reeling as if struck by a hammer, making them lose their footing. Then, a forced spell was cast, ordering the mercenary who had just kicked someone to turn around and bang his head against a pillar.

"Ouch! That hurts! Ahhh!"

As he cried out in pain, the other mercenaries stared at Richard in shock.

"The spellcaster?"

"W-Where did you come from?!"

"Boss! Guys! We've run into some busybodies!"

They were wary of Richard's skill, which he had just displayed, and dared not do anything but shout at the tavern next door.

Richard raised an eyebrow.

Is this a call for reinforcements?

He turned to look in the direction of the tavern, only to see a dozen mercenaries rush out and surround him, led by a burly man with a fierce expression.

The bystanders quickly moved away, thinking Richard would be beaten to a pulp in the next second.

However, reality quickly proved them wrong.

But then the fierce-looking burly man glared at Richard for a moment, and then—

Then he recognized Richard.

"Baron Targaryen, it's you! Gods above, look at the mess this has made! This is truly—hey, you little brats, come here and apologize to the Baron!"

"But boss—"

Snapped!

Seeing his subordinate still trying to argue, the burly man slapped him across the face, then whispered, "You blind fools, do you know who this is? A baron personally appointed by the emperor, the fourth princess's most trusted advisor, the teacher of all the bards in the army, a ruthless character who could wipe out an orc squad with a single spit! You dared to provoke him?"

Richard blinked.

It seems I have some reputation in the military.

But isn't this a bit of an exaggeration? Killing an entire orc squad with a single spit? Even a giant couldn't do that!

Half a minute later.

After the burly, fierce man bowed and scraped for a while, a gesture that belied his appearance, Richard let the mercenaries go.

He bent down, picked up the torn clothes, used a repair spell, and returned them to the shop owner.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you!"

Seeing the shop owner's profuse thanks, Richard didn't feel the joy one would expect after doing a good deed.

Recalling the looks in the eyes of the onlookers just now —

Are such things common in Tieyuan City nowadays?

"Hey! Richard!"

Richard heard a greeting from behind and turned around to see several familiar faces walking out of the tavern.

It was Tom and Jerry, whom they had met before, and Robert Kidman of the Night's Watch.

Wow, everyone's here.

Shouldn't we hurry up and have a drink?