Chapter 504: Chapter 257: [Curie Bee Sting] and [Morton’s Oath of Loyalty] (Part 2)
Even though his combat style gradually took shape later, before [Gravity Control] was fully developed to the extent of regularly lightening his body’s gravity, it was not suited for such equipment.
He still held an obsession in his heart.
Unfortunately, Terry William’s heavy armor was seriously damaged, with a crack almost splitting it in half appearing on its most important and expensive large chest armor plate.
It should have come from Lawson’s final desperate counterattack before dying.
Not to mention whether he could take this overly heavy equipment out of the mountain range, just carrying it back all the way to River Valley Town would incur astronomical repair costs.
And even if it was indeed repaired afterwards, what’s left for Xia Nan is merely a second-hand item that’s been overhauled and battle-tested.
He takes missions alone and earns money pretty quickly, so why should he be so hard on himself?
Therefore, after careful consideration in a short period, Xia Nan did not take Terry William’s armor with him.
Instead, he took the steel heavy sword tightly held in his broken arm hand:
...
[Morton Oath of Loyalty]
Type: Longsword
Level: Ordinary (White)
Effect:
When a blood relative of the Morton family and a loyalty swearer hold this sword—
+7% slicing damage, +20% durability, toughness enhancement;
Introduction:
A heavy longsword symbolizing the glory and responsibility of the Morton family, the family aphorism engraved on the sword is an eternal reminder of the wielder’s identity and oath.
Remark:
"Offer your loyalty!"
——Iron Hoof and Blood Fat Duke · Founder of the Morton Family · Bilbo
...
The overall design of the heavy sword is broader and heavier compared to the beheading longsword in Xia Nan’s hand.
Considering his current physical attributes, getting a bit of practice to adapt, using this longsword as a daily weapon isn’t difficult.
With his combat style, the sword’s length and size specifications won’t affect the actual combat power.
The sword’s attributes themselves are superior, with just the seven percent slicing damage bonus and the "toughness enhancement," it’s enough to crush the "Good" weapons in most low-level adventurers’ hands.
But all these premises require the bloodline of the Morton family or an oath of loyalty to the family.
Xia Nan doesn’t believe that in a magical world with divine beings, "oath of loyalty" simply requires reciting a few phrases and making some gestures.
There must be some restrictive conditions he is unaware of yet truly exist.
He certainly can’t just bind himself to an unknown force for a white longsword.
Therefore, no matter how superior the heavy sword’s attributes are, it is destined to remain unrelated to him.
He can only sell it together with two fine swords to the blacksmith shop, although the specifics still require careful consideration due to the family aphorism engraved on its surface.
Besides Lawson, the loot from Terry William’s belongings also included a heavy silver ingot about the size of two palms.
Xia Nan rummaged it out of the pouch he carried.
Recalling the flowing silvery metal on the surface of the knight’s skin during battle, perhaps this ingot was used by the opponent to supplement battle strength or train some kind of battle skill?
Anyway, judging by its shiny appearance, the purity should be high, and it should certainly fetch a good price.
Of course, these are the significant items worth mentioning, but there are many scattered gains not really worth mentioning.
Such as some travel supplies, equipment maintenance items...
Oh, all three of them carried some gold coins, totaling over thirty gold, which is quite a decent income.
To sum up, one set of good armor, one fine sword, [Kuli Bee Needle] and [Morton Oath of Loyalty], plus a silver ingot.
That is Xia Nan’s entire harvest after this battle.
Is it little?
If starting from the angle that both his enemies were strong senior adventurers, then it indeed seems a bit small.
But if you add the lv5 full-level [Teeth Hunting] he didn’t mention, and the [Dream Weaving Corridor] currently worn on his finger.
Then his harvest in this battle can be said to be extremely rich.
For this, Xia Nan paid only with a seemingly scrapped plate chain composite armor—internally corroded by Terry William’s silvery metal toxin, and damaged;
And the precious usage opportunity of the [Destiny Coin]... well, looking at it this way, the cost isn’t low either.
As for the team distribution of the spoils.
Following the escort squad’s previous rules, as the main force in the battle against Lawson and Terry William, Xia Nan could inherently receive the majority of it.
And Wood, along with Hai’an who woke up from serious injury, explicitly stated they did not need a share, and granted their portions to Xia Nan.
Luca and Sava are dead, and the compensation is funded by Hai’an.
Vier was not present at the time, but considering that she seemed to have contributed something by banishing that adult red dragon to another space.
She made a huge contribution to the team in a desperate situation.
Xia Nan didn’t mind talking with her about the distribution of the spoils.
But... since she woke from the unconscious state just now, she hasn’t spoken to him yet.
His eyes flickered, his gaze scanning the weak figure sitting with closed eyes, meditating by the campfire in the cave.
A strange expression crept onto Xia Nan’s face.
On one hand, even though he immediately followed Vier’s advice upon seeing her, feeding her the light blue potion from his pouch.
But on the retreat, on Vier’s route, Xia Nan saw an empty bottle with the same label, indicating she had already drunk it upon her return.
Now, due to a coincidence equivalent to having two bottles, the mage girl seemed to have some indigestion.
On the other hand, after Vier regained consciousness.
Her distinctly evasive behavior, avoiding eye contact and not daring to speak.
Caused Xia Nan to suspect that when she saw him at that time she directly fainted and passed out.
Perhaps it wasn’t just mental and physical exhaustion, part of it might have been the effect of the [Night Mother’s Gaze] fear.
After all, Xia Nan genuinely thought another enemy intended to attack him back then, regarding her as a hostile target.
Theoretically, Vier isn’t exactly an ally, and could have triggered the fear effect...
Retrieving his gaze from the mediated Vier, who seemed to sense his stare.
Xia Nan glanced at the slowed rainfall outside the cave, and looked at Wood and Hai’an sitting on either side of the campfire, asking:
"What are your plans next?"
"Will you return to Melted Scale Town to recuperate, or continue with the plan to cross the Melted Scale Mountain Range?"
"No, definitely can’t go back!" Wood decisively insisted, his pale face flooded with determination and resolve.
"Terry William is dead, but we haven’t found his subordinates’ bodies, even if these people are unaware their Knight Captain died at your hands, in our current condition, returning to town would arouse suspicion."
As he spoke, he glanced at his severed arm and the bandaged half-elf beside him, showing a bitter expression.
"And if trouble arises, the ones you might face could be an entire team of trained Morton family knights, and the sheriff and guards of Melted Scale Town."
This made Xia Nan nod.
Despite feeling a significant growth in strength by bringing [Teeth Hunting] to lv5, it doesn’t mean he’s inflated enough to overlook potential dangers.
Now, the only ones in the team still with combat capabilities are just him and Vier, staying cautious and avoiding conflicts seems safe.
But if not returning to town, and proceeding with the original plan to cross the mountains...
"Are you sure you can hold on?" Xia Nan frowned slightly, looking at the two heavily injured patients who were nearly dead half an hour ago.
"This is the only option," Wood’s spirit was visibly weary, showing a dejected look.
"Just hope no more troubles arise along the way, allowing us to reach Glue Tree Territory smoothly."