The Gentleman at the End
Chapter 421 - Chapter 421 Chapter 420 Pointing the Direction

Chapter 421: Chapter 420 Pointing the Direction Chapter 421: Chapter 420 Pointing the Direction “Lorrian, has he already completed the path, and have you met him in the Old World already? So soon…”

The gap widened again, as if returning to the original distance felt when meeting Moon Scar at the Twilight Clinic–it had never changed.

“Duke, do you know where he is now?”

“That I do not know. You two should have some form of association; such matters should not require my knowledge, should they? Since you have taken the trouble to come and see me, surely you have your own issues to discuss?”

“Indeed, I wanted to consult with you about some things, Duke. I wonder if it costs money?”

“Premium customers can consult for free, but if the question involves the flow of the world, then a fee is necessary.

Ask away, for now, there’s still time; the auction won’t start until ‘the evening I have decreed.’

Of course, if you don’t wish to pay, you can compensate with your body instead. Just let me check your current physical condition through touch.”

“Huh?”

Yi Chen felt something odd about this, but if it was just a touch, this ordinary form of compensation was acceptable to him.

First, he opened the briefcase,

The Duke saw the firearms and the spine within at a glance. Without waiting for Yi Chen to state his request, the Duke directly pointed out the issues,

“A technologically advanced ranged weapon made purely of Sick Object, along with a companion weapon from a real deceased person?

The firearm was tailor-made for you, but this spine has not yet shed the influence of its former owner and will inevitably be cumbersome to use.

You want to know how to obtain true ownership of the spine and alter its structure, right?”

“Exactly, do you have a way, Duke?”

“I can have the artisans in the guild alter it for you, but for this type of companion living weapon, the success rate might only be about 70%, and the cost will also be relatively high.”

“I see…”

“There is a better way; since this belongs to the deceased, only the dead smiths in the Original Tomb can master it perfectly. If you can also obtain the Dead Person Wedge Stone from the Original Tomb, you can then strengthen and completely alter the spine.”

“‘Dead Person Wedge Stone’?”

“That’s right… I can smell the Original Tomb aura mixed on you; you’ve been invited already, haven’t you?”

Yi Chen was surprised as if the Duke had completely seen through him, “That’s right.”

“Then it’s easy. Just head over there when the time comes. Those dead are somewhat stingy, but they’re quite generous to their own. If you’re lucky, you may also procure a Dead Horse from the Original Tomb, and then no power will dare to provoke you when you travel and explore the Old World.”

“Dead Horse.”

Yi Chen recalled the battle with the real deceased. As a candidate for the Death Plague Knight, the opponent summoned a warhorse filled with the Death Plague,

which could not only be ridden but could also fight on its own.

“However, there’s one thing I must warn you about.

If that old fellow in the Original Tomb tries to get you to join the Knight Order, you must seriously consider it. Once you join, you’ll be tied down as a core member of the Original Tomb, and an intangible constraint of the dead will be bound to your soul.

You’d get the Dead Horse and the Wedge Stone as mentioned before, as well as the protection of the Original Tomb and a unique Original Tomb Plague Book.

However, your relationship with the Cancer Palace will plummet, and other Source Epidemic Areas, powers, and some Neutral Cities that disfavor Death will also keep their distance from you, including the Skin Factory that’s directly linked with you humans.”

“Understood, I’ll consider it.”

As for the matter of becoming a Death Plague Knight, Yi Chen had been contemplating it ever since he was at the Cancer Palace. Due to the opposition between the Cancer Palace and the Original Tomb, choosing one side would pit him against the other.

The best scenario was to choose neither, to remain an unfettered person of Freedom. While this meant many privileges would be out of reach, with enough effort to earn money, perhaps he could buy those things outright.

“Do you sell wedge-shaped stones, dead horses, or plague books here, Duke?”

“Are you already considering your escape route, lad? Dead horses are definitely not available here; they are unique to the original tomb, and they also require specific rituals to bind them to an individual.

However, we do have a stock of wedge-shaped stones and second-hand plague books, but they’re quite pricey.”

“Alright, I’ll go to the Original Tomb first, and if needed, I’ll come back to you.

I also want to inquire about the Skin Factory. It seems to be undergoing some sort of transformation recently. Not only are we humans unable to make contact, but it seems that even the Cancer Palace has temporarily suspended its cooperation with the Skin Factory.”

Faced with Yi Chen’s second question, the Duke did not answer but extended his fat hand adorned with jewels,

“May I take a look at your firearm?”

“Sure!”

Yi Chen offered the firearm respectfully. The Duke, taking it, murmurmed in a low voice, “It seems incomplete, as if there’s an important ‘component’ missing, right?”

At the Duke’s words, Little Grape immediately jumped out and, as it landed in the Duke’s hand, instantly combined with the firearm.

“Such an unexpected combination, the combination itself transcends the value of the firearm itself… Perhaps this is William’s unique trait, the ability to combine, mix, and merge many unrelated things together.”

While fiddling with the firearm, the Duke continued, “Regarding the Skin Factory, I have pondered for 5 minutes and 37 seconds and used the ‘trade’ ability to buy some future information… and ultimately decided it’s better not to tell you.

If I let you know ahead of time, you might miss out on some things.

Since you’ve decided to go, just make the trip yourself when the time is right.”

“Understood, I know!”

Since the Duke had made his position clear, Yi Chen did not ask further. After all, the core purpose of his journey to the Old World was to make contact with the Skin Factory, and he would make the trip there in any case.

“One last question, Duke. I’ve heard that inside Light City – Ignacy, someone is using ‘firewood’ as a material for lampmaking, do you know about this?”

“Evil Sun Firewood, indeed… The rise of Light City is closely associated with this material, but it touches upon the most fundamental interests of the city. If you attempt to get involved with this firewood, it would mean making an enemy of the entire Light City.

The fellow currently in control of the city is not someone you can deal with.”

“Ah, this~”

“Wait until you reach the level of Moon Scar before you consider it. Right now, even if you could handle the firewood, it would almost certainly bring disaster upon you.”

“Understood…”

After a bout of handling by the Duke’s greasy palm, the firearm – ‘Bartosz’ was returned to Yi Chen. Surprisingly, in his palm remained a firearm replica constructed of fat, or rather, a perfect copy template.

“Hand me your ring.”

“Okay~”

“I’m transferring 20,000 to you, consider it a patent fee for the firearm. I suggest you attend the auction tonight, there might be something that piques your interest. If the money isn’t enough, you can rely on your status as a premium customer to buy on credit.

That’s all for our chat. I have to set up the venue and prepare for the auction. There are quite a few big bosses from Light City.”

“Alright.”

Yi Chen was admittedly frustrated when the transfer succeeded. The grand prize he had won with great effort in the Cancer Palace did not measure up to the tip the Duke had given him.

As he bowed and turned to leave, the Duke’s voice reached him again

“You’ve made a good purchase with that puppet, the craftsman’s skills are quite remarkable… My company happens to need someone to manage the lighting, so if you’re free, pass on my command and have that person come work for me.”

“Alright.”