1038 Jalin Part 2 (2/2)

The female mage smiled, and it seemed to clear the air of frustration about her when she returned. She asked, ”tea?”

Saleen took out a tea set from his Devil Ring and said, ”I brought my own.”

”Stubborn kid. No wonder Lex likes you.” The female mage was not angry at all, seeing Saleen lighting a fire and warming up his tea set.

The tea set that Saleen had with him used to be Lex's. They were hardly able to see each other much after they got married. He was attended to by a good number of mages and everything seemed grand for him back then. But Saleen came to understand that it was Lex's way of nurturing him, allowing him to develop a kind of bearing for handling such situations.

It was a power resembling rules. While it was nowhere as powerful as rules, it was nonetheless an important combat skill. Lex might have been nurturing such a bearing from birth. No one who was able to keep their mind still would have been able to hold their head up before her, let alone actually move against her.

Saleen was nurturing such a bearing as well, something Jason imparted on him, a bearing of forging forward and not looking back. Saleen had seen the outline of such a bearing with him when he battled Jalin earlier. When his sharp aura burst, the rate of success of his instant death magic rose as well. It was an effect arising from a state where the powers within him reached a perfect balance.

In that very instant, Saleen broke Jalin's bearing and might, crushing her mask. That mask served as Jalin's second life.

”Lex hopes that someone from the clan will be able to help her defend Daliang City. That is her city. If it were to be taken by the Holy See...”

”I will send 12 sorcerers and 500 warriors. You and Lex will be in charge of them from here on out.” Arbola made a decision before Saleen was done making his statement. It was better Saleen had thought it would have been; he thought that the female mage would have tried to get in his way.

”I have brought the mark of the Six-winged Flying Snake, and I wonder what can I exchange it with.” Saleen went straight to the key question. He found that it was pointless to put up pretenses in front of Arbola. The woman was someone like Joey: immutable.

”Who do you want in exchange?” Arbola asked in return. She looked at Saleen, wanting to look for an opening in his eyes.

”I'd like the Crown of Glory.” Saleen did not flinch at all. He had no way of knowing what valuables the Grukos had with them. If he were to simply ask for something just because Arbola asked like that, he would have suffered quite a loss.

The Crown of Glory was a piece of equipment that belonged to the founding emperor of the First Dynasty, crafted by killing 18 kings of gods. The Six-winged Flying Snake might have been powerful, but it did compare to that piece of equipment.

”How dare you!” Dikas shouted. His gleaming eyes shot at Saleen.

Saleen was able to see that time that Dikas eyes emanated something like tangible power. That was control of rules, and he felt as if a formless sword aura was coming right for his face.

Saleen did not anticipate that Dikas would behav so ruthlessly before Arbola when he was first hit. When Dikas pulled the same trick again, Saleen was ready for him. He shot 36 golden lightning runes from his eyes, negating Arbola's attack.

Arbola was astounded when she saw the golden lightning runes emanating from Saleen's eyes. The runes were something she had never seen before and she was unable to even to tell what type of skill it was. She and Saleen were one whole level away. She would have usually been able to tell attributes and weaknesses of skills, even the ones she had never encountered before.

She, however, was unable to tell the weaknesses of the golden runes that shot out of Saleen's eyes. It was some power of rules that was very close to perfection.

Given time, Saleen would probably grow into the most famous mage on Myers Mainland, instead of how it was, where everyone merely saw him as a king, and furthermore, one who relied on Lex.

”Saleen, I have to admit that I underestimated you. Alright, I'll tell you now that I have two pieces of equipment with me. Each is of a level comparable to the Six-winged Flying Snake, but they are not suited for my use. Which one would you wish to take home with you?” Arbola took out two unassuming pieces from her space equipment, putting them on the table.

The one on the left was a ring, which was carved with metals and gems criss-crossing each other. It was a deep color, and the metal parts looked messy and the gems lacked luster. Saleen's Elemental Eye was unable to tell what it was. All he was able to tell about that ring was that it was probably carved from ore. The metals and the gems were fused together by some unknown power, making it look eerie.

The equipment on the right was a small jade green crossbow. Saleen was able to tell right away that it was elvish equipment. As Arbola put it, it was a level comparable to the mark of Six-Winged Flying Snake.

Saleen began to ponder. He was able to tell just about nothing about the ring, but the small crossbow could be gifted to Eleanor. Saleen definitely knew the use of that item, which, once developed, would be able to serve as a powerful equipment, and it would be far more handy than his Crystal Finger.

”I can only choose one?” Saleen asked in an attempt to test the waters.

”Yes, one, per the principles of mages: equivalent exchange.” Arbola looked at Saleen and saw no greed in his eyes. Saleen's blue eyes looked like the surface of a frozen lake, completely devoid of ripples and movement.