Chapter 26: Clearing the Way with Silver Dollars

Chapter 26: Silver Coins Pave the Way

In the following days, Dustan Cold-Eye calculated the exact amount of sovereigns this cargo was worth, as well as how much could be distributed.

If Dakus were to distribute some wealth externally, the remainder would have to be deducted from his share. Dustan Cold-Eye explicitly stated that he was willing to forfeit all earnings from this voyage.

Dakus agreed. At this stage, he didn't particularly need sovereigns; if things got desperate, he could ask his cousin. He had to ensure the interests of all Duruchi on board, and it was impossible to deduct from their shares.

"Better to favor an ally than a servant"? Don't be ridiculous; everyone was waiting for those sovereigns to hit the cooking pot.

The sovereign was the currency of the Duruchi. The gold coins were a dark reddish-gold, with the emblems of Kane, the God of Blood, the Bloody Hand; Ursh-Hai, the Pale Queen; Assathi, the Goddess of Desire; and Anes Lema, the Goddess of the Wild Hunt, engraved on the outer rim. They represented the Seasons of Blood, Despair, Corruption, and Wildness, respectively—the four seasons of the Duruchi year. The inner rim bore the portrait of the Witch King Malekith, while the reverse featured his father Einarion’s demon-slaying epic. As for silver and copper coins, Dakus had never seen them in his life; he didn't know what they looked like, nor did he need to.

Dakus continued his routine, varying his meals every day, practicing his martial and archery skills, and occasionally visiting Chupacoco to chat and tease him.

A true beastmaster indeed—Kallion took excellent care of Chupacoco, so well that he complained to Dakus several times. He said that while he was sleeping or when his guard was down, Chupacoco would steal his things; once, the creature even took his whip and played with it, snapping it around the cabin, leaving Dakus to only respond with helpless laughter.

One day, Dakus went to check on Chupacoco again, only to find him poking his head out of the porthole. Kallion was sitting in a chair, staring blankly in boredom.

Seeing Dakus enter, Kallion immediately stood up to salute and offer greetings, then carefully retreated from the cabin along the edge. He had no desire to know things he shouldn't; he still wanted to live a long life.

"Do you want to go back to Hesota?"

Chupacoco knew Dakus had entered and pulled his head back in.

"Yes. I miss Lord Mazdamundi. He must miss me terribly, especially the dried insects I prepared for him."

"He doesn't sleep? And thinks of you every day? Brother, you're a bit too confident."

Chupacoco's head and pupils twitched slightly, as if he were thinking.

"Pichibochi, my good brother will definitely miss me."

Dakus continued to tease him: "Ah~ if I were Pichibochi, I would miss you too—miss the fact that you're never coming back, so I could rule Hesota all by myself."

Chupacoco lost his cool, jumping up and down. "You're lying! Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"If you say so. Aren't you an aquatic species? Why don't you swim back right now?"

"Are you joking?"

Dakus spread his hands, a teasing smile on his face. "Were you practicing astrology just now?"

"Yes, I was. There is no Spirit Lizard better at astrology than me."

What kind of astrology is practiced in broad daylight?

"Even Tethlis Ikau isn't as good as you?"

The moment those words were spoken, Chupacoco went dead silent.

"You know a lot about us?"

"Yes. No one knows you Duruchi better than I do."

Dakus continued, "You might not be able to go back for a while. I have no plans to go to Lustria currently. You'll have to stay by my side for a bit. You need to fix your bad habits; if someone chops you up, I won't care."

The ship sailed for another two months. The family banners of the Scourge of Hell were hung from the masts and the bow, and occasionally, returning Duruchi vessels could be seen.

They arrived at a small port on the outskirts of the Sea of Frost. The port was highly concealed, with Duruchi-style taverns and spires arranged in an orderly fashion. Ships of various sizes were moored in the harbor, each carrying its own story.

Dakus wanted to hear those stories. The ship anchored at the outskirts of the port, a small boat was lowered, and Renn, leading several soldiers carrying the family banner, entered the harbor. Shortly after, several more small boats followed.

The deck had already been cleared, with two tables and chairs set up. Drinks were laid out on the tables—one for the guest and one for Dakus himself.

Dakus was currently reclining in his chair. Two paces behind him, the siblings Takaya and Dakus Cold-Eye were responsible for guarding the area. He didn't understand much about heraldry or such things, and he didn't want to be fooled by anyone.

Flanes could finally stand up and move around again.

Renn boarded the ship and introduced the first guest of the day.

The tea party began.

Dakus stood up to show respect, and then they began mutual introductions.

"Leich Gorad, paying respects to the House of the Scourge of Hell."

The surname sounded like old nobility.

"Dakus Scourge of Hell. How can I help you?"

Leich then rambled on for a long time, making Dakus question his very existence. He glanced back at his own people; they looked indifferent, occasionally nodding in agreement.

Dakus learned that the Gorad family were nobles of Hal Gancy, and his father was a Dreadlord, ranked eighth in the family.

He had truly witnessed the style of these Duruchi nobles today; no wonder a single meeting could drag on for three damn months—they really knew how to talk.

Out of politeness, Dakus couldn't interrupt, so he could only continue to be tortured.

After nearly an hour of talking, Renn, standing behind, began to give Leich meaningful glances. Leich caught them and seemed to understand.

"My Lord, my ship encountered some trouble after leaving the Sea of Frost. I need some wealth to return and account for my failure."

Dakus, perhaps having run out of patience, asked directly, "What do I get in return?"

"The friendship of the Gorad family!"

*Get lost, damn you.* Hearing this, Dakus wanted to kick him out immediately. He turned back and glared fiercely at Renn. The nobles behind him also glanced at Renn, their expressions asking: *What kind of person did you bring here?*

Dakus paused before saying, "Can you be more specific?"

Leich thought for a long time without speaking, and the atmosphere turned cold.

Dakus picked up his wine glass and issued an order to dismiss the guest.

Unwilling to give up, Leich struggled one last time. He pulled a ring from his bosom, placed it in his palm, and said through gritted teeth, "This is the Kotek Ring!"

Dustan Cold-Eye couldn't hold it back and exclaimed, "Impossible! How could that thing be in your hands?"

Alisha whispered, "Kotek was a priest of Vaul. The Witch King's Midnight Armor was forged by him."

Dakus also remembered who Kotek was. He was a renegade priest of Vaul. Malekith had provided him with the knowledge of Dwarfen rune magic, which he combined with dark magic. Upon being discovered, he fled to Naggaroth to seek asylum.

At that time, Malekith had stepped into the Sacred Flame of Asuan to become the next Phoenix King, only to be roasted into blackened, spicy chicken shreds in the flames. He struggled his way out, and his mother, Morathi, used dark magic to keep him alive. After he returned to Naggaroth, the Elven civil war broke out.

Kotek used the Hammer of Vaul to forge a set of armor for Malekith. He fused the newly forged armor directly onto Malekith's body. Pain and rage ignited Malekith's will, supporting the agony he endured through the long ages; the burning would never cease.

Afterward, Kotek forged many weapons and pieces of equipment for Malekith. Although he was a traitor and a renegade, he was no fool. He knew he lived at the mercy of Malekith's mercurial and unpredictable nature, so he forged himself an armory. Ultimately, Kotek did not die at Malekith's hands, but was poisoned to death by Morathi. The contents of the armory were also looted, and their whereabouts became unknown.

These were matters from nearly five thousand years ago. The ring was made of obsidian and black diamonds; wearing it provided magical defense and the ability to deflect misses—for instance, projectile-based magical attacks like the Spear of Amber would have a high probability of being deflected.

Dakus became interested; such a ring would be of great use in Duruchi society.

Alisha walked over, took the ring in her hand to examine it, and then nodded to Dakus in confirmation.

"What do you say?"

"I wish to mortgage it for a hundred years in exchange for some wealth."

Dakus snapped his fingers.

"Arrange it!"