Chapter 629: Divine Curse Trade I
CH629 Divine Curse Trade I
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Alex remained unperturbed despite the sudden hostility and aggression directed towards him.
Dominion! Domination!
Beast Intimidation!
With nothing more than a brief glance, Alex froze most of the BattleBanes where they stood.
Even those who were not directly affected by his gaze hesitated, unwilling to act after witnessing the overwhelming display.
Amidst the tension, none of them noticed Udara quietly slipping back to Eleanore’s side, subtly guiding her a few steps away from the centre of the confrontation.
Alex’s actions—and the BattleBanes’ reaction—only further reinforced Lady Rosa Mercier’s growing suspicions regarding his background.
But she also noticed something they had missed.
’His tone carries no hostility... and they possessed a potion capable of halting Dalton’s rampage,’ she observed inwardly.
’Whatever the truth may be... we cannot afford to fall out with them.’
"St—"
"Stop! All of you!"
Lady Rosa was about to intervene, but someone beat her to it.
Seeing the impassive look in Alex’s eyes as he stood over him, Dalton immediately barked out the command.
"I apologise for their actions. I hope you can understand the reason behind their behaviour," Dalton said quickly.
"I do. That is the only reason I have not acted—despite them pointing their weapons at me," Alex replied evenly.
"What are you all still doing? Put your weapons down!" Dalton roared.
"But Captain—"
"Have you not disgraced our guild enough? If I am still your captain, then lower your weapons. Now!"
A few of the BattleBanes looked as though they wished to protest, but Dalton’s authority silenced them.
Reluctantly, they began to lower and sheath their weapons.
Dalton turned back towards Alex.
"Sir Alex... did you just use a potion to reverse my rampage?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief.
"Yes, I did," Alex replied with a nod, one brow lifting slightly. "You sound surprised. I take it you do not possess such a potion.
"How do you usually deal with the rampage?"
"You are correct. We have neither heard of—nor possess—such a potion," Dalton admitted. "Typically, the stronger members restrain the afflicted until the rampage subsides on its own."
"You are a captain. I doubt the other captains possess the strength required to fully suppress you in that state. So, I assume the one who restrains you is your Guild Leader... correct?" Alex asked.
A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.
"You told me to hold on just now and defend myself. Am I right to assume your leader is nearby and would have been able to stop you if I hadn’t acted?"
Dalton gave a wry smile.
"It is exactly as you say, Sir Alex."
"Then, would it be possible for me to meet your leader? I suspect our discussion would proceed far more efficiently that way," Alex said.
Dalton shook his head.
"Our leader will not make an appearance now that the situation has been resolved. Besides, their presence is not necessary for the agreement we are discussing."
"No," Alex replied, shaking his head in turn. "For the deal I am about to propose, I will require your leader’s direct approval."
Dalton frowned slightly.
"What deal?"
"Is it about the potion you used just now?" Lady Rosa stepped forward, joining the two men.
A look of understanding flashed across Dalton’s face, his eyes lighting up briefly before dimming once more.
’If we could obtain that potion, then...’ the thought stirred something within him.
Alex shook his head.
"No. That potion merely suppresses the immediate symptom—your rampage. In addition to that, I can offer you something more... a treatment, and even a cure."
Dalton’s expression stiffened.
"A treatment would keep the curse at bay for several months, perhaps even up to a year. As for the cure... it would completely eradicate the curse, once and for all."
"That is possible? This is a divine curse," Dalton said, disbelief evident in his voice.
"That is for you to decide—whether you believe me or not," Alex replied with a casual shrug.
"However, regardless of your decision, understand this—the price will be exceedingly steep.
"Even a temporary treatment potion alone will not come cheap."
"How much?" Dalton asked without hesitation.
Instead of answering, Alex turned his gaze towards Eleanore.
She met his eyes, gave a small nod, and stepped forward onto the arena floor.
"I will need to examine your condition. Is that acceptable?" she asked.
Dalton nodded.
"What do you require of me?"
"Simply remain still," Eleanore replied calmly.
Eleanore cast a spell that allowed her to assess Dalton’s condition without making direct contact.
After a brief moment of inspection, she spoke.
"He will require a concentrated dose. It will consume three full sets of materials," she stated calmly.
"What materials do you need? Our merchant company will provide them," Lady Rosa offered immediately.
Eleanore shook her head.
"Not all of the required components fall under conventional alchemical materials," she replied.
She turned towards Alex and gave a slight nod.
"Divine energy," Alex said plainly. "You will need divine energy—preferably sourced from a deity’s statue."
"What?!"
Both Lady Rosa and Dalton were visibly stunned.
"What? Are you surprised?" Alex scoffed lightly. "We are dealing with a divine curse. Naturally, divine energy is required to counteract its effects.
"That said, you will have to procure the statue yourselves. I have no intention of risking my people for such a task."
"Where exactly are we supposed to obtain divine energy? Break into a major temple or ancestral shrine and steal a deity’s statue or a spirit’s totem?" Dalton asked, his tone edged with disbelief.
"What are you talking about?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "When did I say it had to come from a major deity or high spirit?"
"Then where else would we find a statue or totem imbued with divine energy?" Dalton pressed.
"There are countless monsters scattered across the Wildlands, are there not?" Alex replied. "Some of them worship deities or spirits of their own. Would they not possess statues or totems brimming with divine energy?"
He shrugged lightly.
"Besides being mercenaries, I am sure you all –or at least some of you— are adventurers. Hunting such creatures is your trade. Acquiring one of those statues or totems along the way should not be beyond you."
A look of realisation dawned upon Dalton.
His eyes lit up, quickly followed by a hardened, determined gaze.
Alex continued, "We will provide you with a full list of the remaining materials for the treatment once you have secured a suitable divine statue or totem.
"As for our fee... it will be ten mid-grade berserk stones per dose."
***