The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 186: Ranking and recuperating (2)

Chapter 186: Ranking and recuperating (2)

"Where is this?"

Hex stared at the bustling crowd before him. Leaning on a crutch, he moved slowly through the multiple stalls and tents, offering food, drinks, and other entertainment. The rich aroma filled his nostrils.

No one paid particular attention to him, as there were many with crutches and bandages in the crowd. Hex even saw people lacking limbs or laid flat out on stretches who sipped wine through hollow stalks of some plant.

"This is one of the changes made to the market district." Althea accompanied him on his first walk out of the infirmary so she could explain such changes.

Despite his immense trust in Althea, Hex struggled to match the bustling scene with the blood-and-smoke-filled scenes in his memory. Only the distant high walls remained the same. E

’Even the sky is bright and clear.’ The warmth of sunlight on his skin under the clear sky rejuvenated his tired mind.

After regaining consciousness, he remained bedridden for another two weeks before regaining some mobility. During that time he received many visitors. Most were acquaintances from the Hawks but some were Knigts he fought side by side. Even the guy petrified by fear whose sword he used came to visit.

Two particular groups of visitors stood out. Esmeralda came with her friends but her visit coincided with the Hawks. The glares both sides, especially the females, gave each other, rendered all the men in the tent mute. Hex wisely pretended to slip back to sleep at that time.

The other group belonged to Tarquin, Gabriella, and Quid. Elsa didn’t come nor did Hex inquire about her. Although the meeting didn’t evoke feelings of friendship, it didn’t leave a bad taste. During the meeting, Hex managed to ask Quid for a private meeting without letting the others know.

So far, he met everyone from the battle, except the three Refined Knights from the top three factions. He dreaded encountering them. Their efforts didn’t even reward them with the Calamity’s crystal. And depending on the perspective, Hex caused it.

Hex continued to explore the transformed district with Althea till they reached the inner gate. Seeing the barricade in front of the gate and the hundreds of guardians, he looked at Althea.

"The inner districts are unexplored areas but there is enough evidence to suggest they are also filled with dangers. The higher-ups plan to turn Notresol into a liveable place but they know it will take a long time. So, they broke the plan into smaller steps. At this time, they wish to create a place for more people to settle in while turning this part into a fortified front."

"So, on one side people will create a town with opportunities and on the other side the troops will explore the inner area and slowly conquer the other districts?"

Hex admired the plan. It took guts and patience. But at the same time, he couldn’t help but frown. Althea understood the look on his face.

"The competition will still conclude at the end of the year. The ranking at that time will be the decisive one."

"That’s nice." Hex smiled wryly. "It’s strange. I wish to retain the title but don’t wish to stop exploring the ruin."

Hex entered the competition primarily to retain the deed of his inherited land and title but the gains so far put him in a dilemma. He didn’t wish to stop exploring the ruin. Aside from the Frost Dragon’s corpse, the chance to gain so many high-stage crystals was too alluring to let go.

The only downside was the lack of crystals containing elements. The Heartless were creatures with chaotic and berserk crystals but very few possessed elements. The Calamity’s energy possessed elements but Hex lacked the means to isolate them.

’I need a private place to consult the Knigth’s Path.’ Hex glanced at the vague rune on the back of his hand. He refrained from using it even when he was alone. The scroll contained all of the baron’s insights and advice. As such, Hex didn’t wish to take even the slightest bit of risk.

"This is the last thing I wanted to show you." Althea’s amused voice roused him out of his thoughts. He saw her smiling and signaling toward a large banner beside the Union’s building.

"The rankings?" Seeing the names and numbers beside them, Hex guessed the purpose of the banner at once.

Hex Darkenmane 15,000 points Tarquin Tauriel 13,500 pointsElsa Friadrake 13,000 pointsAlthea Thunderspear 13,000 pointsGabriella Asterio 13,000 points

Seeing the top five names belonged to him and the people he knew, Hex felt elated. ’At least, there is no contender for the title and land, except Tarquin maybe.’

Things progressed at a pace he was satisfied with. Although a lot could happen between now and the end of the competition, Hex was overall positive about his chances.

...

Time passed quickly. Although the ruin lacked crystals with nature elements and the shops didn’t sell unrefined crystals, Hex still recovered quickly with the aid of refined crystals containing nature elements. The steep price broke his heart but he preferred recovering rapidly over saving coins.

Hex didn’t idle and used the downtime to refine as much of the Calamity energy as he could. ’In two weeks I gained five hundred drops of energy!’ The drastic increase in energy made him smile from ear to ear.

In just two weeks his wounds healed completely and he felt stronger than before. Just as he wondered how the competition would progress, he received a letter inviting him to the basecamp at the gate.

...

"You guys are here too?"

Hex saw Althea and Tarquin’s team. Elsa was present too. He also noticed Esmeralda and others he only knew from appearance. As the number one ranked person, Hex attracted everyone’s gaze. By now he was used to being in the limelight and smiled without reserve at the onlookers. His actions threw the people off. They didn’t know how to react to such shameless action where Hex openly accepted everyone’s attention and even acted like a peacock.

"Is it necessary?" Althea whispered with an amused look in her eyes.

"Of course. In such dire times, they need a person to look up. I am happy to be that person," Hex grinned. But on the inside, he sighed. Once again, the higher-ups had invited the top hundred. ’I wonder what impossible task they will assign this time.’

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