The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 191: The black swirl (1)

Chapter 191: The black swirl (1)

"Put them there."

Hex signaled the two middle-aged Knights to place the box with the weapons on the table while he gently placed the small box in his hands on the bed.

Not once did the Knight look at him or the place around them. If Hex didn’t sense their energies he would assume they were some high-quality puppets developed by the Silver Serpents.

After placing the box, the Knights bowed and exited the small building. Whether they knew his identity or not, Hex didn’t bother with them.

"At this moment I am perhaps the safest person around here," Hex chuckled softly as he thought about his task and request.

"The nobles and royals wish I die but after surviving for as long as I can. The merchants wish to see me return, after which my life wouldn’t matter."

Ever since receiving his task, he sensed the presence of Refined Knights around him. They never got near. They monitored him from a distance. The number of presences increased by one after he exited Quid’s residence.

"Ah, whatever. If they want to pay for my safety I will kindly accept."

Hex grinned as he fell on the bed in a star-shaped manner. The bed was extremely comfortable. The small building stood at the end of the housing area and belonged to Quid. It was part of their compensation to bear all his expenses till he returned from the task.

Hex expected his dinner and servants later in the evening. The tasks were handed out the day before and they were required to leave in five days. After all, people required proper preparations before setting off on high-risk missions.

"I need to prepare too." After lazying a bit, Hex sat on the bed and dragged the small box toward him. From the outside, the box looked very ordinary but Hex subconsciously smiled when it opened.

"Ah...how refreshing!"

He took an exaggerated breath, smiling broadly. His black eyes shone at the sight of crystals, each glowing with a different color.

"Elemental crystals."

Each crystal in the box was refined to the point it didn’t even have a drop of energy. They all had but one single element inside. According to Sterling, each crystal came from a Fiend. And they were refined by a Grandmaster Refiner.

Hex picked a green crystal and sensed the content.

"Such pure nature element!"

The density and purity of the element inside shocked him. The skill to pull something like this off seriously impressed him. Even though he could refine and isolate elements, to retain a purity of such degree required experience and practice.

"I rely on my artifact and heart to achieve the result. I can’t imagine the dedication and genius of a human without these advantages to reach such a level. And if they had my advantages..."

Hex knew his achievements relied heavily on advantages outside his doing. That’s why he respected people who achieved a lot on their own or with fewer advantages. Heck, deep down he respected even people like Sterling who pushed themselves above the rest.

While other merchants profited from the current situation, Sterling was already seeking greater gains. He realized before most peers that the current situation was created by others. Instead of only participating, he wished to be one of the people in charge of shaping the coming events.

Hex also realized some time ago that there was more to this operation than visible on the surface but he lacked the information and resources to gain a deeper understanding. That’s why, despite his distrust of merchants, he partnered with Sterling. At least, merchants never cared about other things than benefits.

The hundreds of crystals covered Hex’s immediate need for an element source. This was the biggest part of the compensation he demanded. And he prioritized nature elements above the others.

Although he required a lot of ice elements too, he didn’t emphasize it. Unlike others, Hex could use all elements. If Sterling believed he had the ice element and later discovered he used another too, he would get suspicious.

The nature element crystals could be used by almost everyone. It didn’t raise suspicion. By providing all sorts of elements, Sterling tactfully demonstrated his abstinence from prying into Hex’s secrets.

...

Hex spent the rest of the time closed up in his house. He ignored the scantily clad maid but ate the delicious food she served. The well-trained maid knew how to please her masters. If Hex had shown any interest in her, she would allow him to do what he pleased. When she noticed his lack of interest, she adjusted and only performed her servant tasks. She even wore something that covered a little more. After all, she reasoned, no interest didn’t mean he wouldn’t appreciate a nice view.

...

As he assimilated the crystals, the barren inner space regained its colors. Lush greenery, moist grounds with thin streams of water, a gentle breeze, and snow-capped lands, all existed in balance. The hundreds of crystals turned into dust but Hex paid it no heed.

He didn’t pay for the crystals and even if he did, he rather have the elements as a life-preserving option instead of the coins tinkling in his pouch. He only lamented the fact that these refined crystals didn’t possess the black swirl.

’According to the baron, the black swirl represented the berserk souls of the creatures whose crystals we harvest. I need a way to find those. Their value is immense.’

Hex wondered where he could find beastly crystals. He only had one day left before required to start the mission. If he could find wild animals inside the deeper regions, he would certainly hunt them but it would be up to chance. Having experienced their destructive power, he desired to have some as a trump card.

"Hunting. Hmm. Perhaps the butchers might have come across Demon-level beasts."

His meals usually had some Demon meat. With the scarcity of wild animals near, the price of fresh meat rose above the price of Demon crystals. After all, they were in a ruin crawling with Demons. Knights and above held little interest in Demons. They preferred Fiends or higher-stage creatures.

It was plausible for people to sell a whole animal for a good price without retrieving its crystal. They risked ruining the higher-valued meat for the crystal.

’Let’s see if my conjecture is right,’ Hex thought, calling his maid over.

"Take me to the butchers," he said, changing into a robe with tears and patches, looking like a male servant.

"Is there something wrong with the meat?" The maid asked in panic. She fell onto her knees, offering her apologies. She knew the man in front of her was a valued guest of her true masters. If something happened to him, she would be punished severely.

"No. I just wish to try some other meat than the ones you bring. Don’t worry, you will still cook it for me," Hex consoled the maid. Only when he assured her that he still required her services did she relax. While pulling her up, his gaze landed on her deep-cut blouse.

’The beige color with the fair skin surely is alluring.’ Although he thought so, he didn’t do anything.

...

"I might have some wild beast crystals," said a large man with a blood-smeared and dirt-covered bib apron, standing behind the counter, slowly.

"How much for them?" Hex asked, unwilling to haggle for them. His dead-pan face hid his gleeful expression.

"Ten Sterren per crystal," the man said with a smirk.

"Deal. I want all of them." Hex held his maid who nearly exploded hearing the high price. She glared dangerously at the butcher, making the large man shudder.

He hurriedly took a pouch from under his counter and emptied it before Hex.

"Twenty crystals, which means two hundred Sterren, right?" Hex withdrew his pouch and threw it at the man. "If you can get more my master will buy them all."

The butcher nodded happily. He expected the servant to haggle but he underestimated the need for it. He considered whether he could buy from his friends and sell at an even higher price. But when he saw the maid look at him, he threw that dangerous thought out of his mind.

Hex, eager to test his hypothesis, wished to return immediately. But to his surprise, his maid wished to make an additional stop.

He looked at the shop selling garments and looked confused at her.

"What are we here for?"

"To buy more beige lace underwears."

"..."