Chapter 132: Terrifying Visage
A Level 3 Paladin truly begins to master Holy Power, with a significant improvement.
Especially Oath of the Giant Noble, which for the first time demonstrates the might of Elemental Power.
Oath of the Giant Noble can also be called Oath of the Elements; its essence is to establish a connection with the Elemental Plane through the power of the oath, controlling elemental might like a Giant.
「Elemental Slash」 greatly enhances the Paladin’s Agility, can restrain or push back enemies, and can also increase damage or allow retreat.
Combined with traits like Elemental Affinity and Elemental Mastery, its power is formidable.
「Giant Spell」 seems unremarkable but is extremely useful.
A Level 3 Paladin can only prepare four Spells, and this adds three more. For an ordinary Paladin, it just means slightly higher Agility, since they can cast at most three Spells.
But Anse is different; he has an abundance of Mana and casts First Ring Spells casually, so having a few more Spells means something entirely different.
「Giant’s Radiance」 is the ability Anse values most; once mastered, a layer of Elemental Radiance constantly resides on his body, and the higher his Charisma, the higher his Armor Class.
Due to different mechanisms, it does not conflict with the Scale Armor protection from Draconic Resilience.
Without wearing Armor or holding a Shield, his Armor Class reaches 21, and with the Dragon Scale tattoo Amulet, it becomes 22.
What does that mean? On the same level as an Ancient Dragon!
Of course, there are differences; an Ancient Dragon also has a bunch of Spells and traits, making it far stronger than unarmored after enhancements.
Facing this level of protection, let alone ordinary people, even a Level 10 Elite Warrior without a Magic Weapon and slightly lower Strength might not break through after several strikes.
‘If I get a Magic large Shield too, heh heh…’
In addition, 「Arcana Resonance」 comes with an Evocation Spell, unfortunately only First Ring.
After thinking for a moment, he chooses 「Earth Tremor」.
This Spell can cause the ground to shake; Creatures with poor balance will fall and take 1d6（1-6） Bludgeoning Damage. If the ground’s strength is insufficient, it will also create gullies, protrusions, and other Difficult Terrain that’s hard to pass.
Earth Tremor has strong utility; prepare it first, and there will always be a time to use it.
As his intent confirms, vast Elemental Power descends from nowhere, pouring into his body like colorful clouds or a raging storm, swirling around him ceaselessly.
Time passes quietly, and a quarter-hour goes by quickly.
The colorful glow filling the entire Room contracts in circles, merging into Anse’s skin and turning into a faint rainbow radiance attached to the surface of his Soft Scales.
Anse opens his eyes, raises his palm in front of him, and examines it closely.
Charisma is the manifestation of Soul power, weaving into clear Spiritual Light intertwined with Dragon Scale, surrounded on the outside by Elemental Radiance, together forging an unbreakable extraordinary barrier.
‘Too eye-catching.’
As the thought arises, these radiances gradually sink into the Dragon Scale, leaving only a barely perceptible transparent Spiritual Light, but the protective effect remains unchanged.
He pulls up his Character Card; Mana has increased a tiny bit to 61, Lay on Hands energy pool reaches 15, and other changes are minor.
It’s still early, so he immediately Meditates, spending a little time to prepare an extra Spell: 「Divine Favor」, which can add 1d4 Radiant Damage to a Weapon.
Prepare useful or not first.
‘Time to get to business.’
Before leaving, he borrows a Shield from the Crew Members, then Teleports out.
Night is deep, the surroundings are deathly quiet, and a Greyhawk is circling overhead.
Anse scans around and spots Salian, Finn, and Colin in turn on a Tree not far away.
All three are carrying Bow and Arrow, each occupying a Tree, climbed very high; it seems good archers are all tree-climbing experts.
He turns to look at Dulag; lights flicker on the City Wall, many Guards stand in the firelight, and a team of Guards outside the city is running this way holding torches.
‘Pretty quick reaction.’
The Amn people seem to be Pursuing the Black Dragon; if Dulag is completely unprepared, they might dare a night raid, so must guard against it.
He walks under Finn’s Tree, pats the trunk: “Found the Black Dragon yet?”
“Found it!” Finn’s wooden voice comes down, “West-northwest, about 6 miles, it’s crawling toward the Deep Forest to the north, still constantly vomiting, trail… very obvious.”
“Vomiting? Poisoning?” Anse is stunned, face full of confusion.
Black Dragons inhabit desolate ruins, polluted Swamps, and other places eroded by decay; they eat varied things, have strong Poison Resistance, and astonishing digestion; ordinary Poison is no different from Water to them.
‘Amn people… have some tricks.’
He even worries a bit that the Black Dragon might be Poisoned to death.
Salian hears Anse’s voice, climbs down from the Tree, returns the Telescope to him, expression somewhat excited: “Amn Army Quantity is large, but speed slow; can we strike first?”
“I’ll check the Black Dragon’s situation first; change position, take the shortest path.” He waves his hand, activates King Butterfly Cloak, spreads wings and flies low north along the Forest Edge.
At the same time, he casts Light on the Scepter of Sanctuary to make it easy for Giant Tail and others to see.
The Amn Army is approaching the Southern End of the Forest; they are on the east side of the Forest, so due to angle and Distance, the Amn people can’t see him.
Salian and the others follow closely; the distant Guard team also changes direction.
At the same time, rumbling hoofbeats come; teams of Black Horse Knights overtake the Guard team, rapidly closing in on them.
Jacqueline Knights have arrived.
A whooshing wind rises sharply; a Flying Carpet streaks like lightning, instantly catching up to Anse, with a figure sitting on it, long hair streaming, purple Cloak billowing high.
“Get on.” Illyas flies beside Anse, grabs the Butterfly Wings, pulls him onto the Flying Carpet, “Where’s the Black Dragon?”
Anse stumbles a step, sits down smoothly grabbing the Buckle, looks up to meet a pair of sparkling eyes brimming with excitement.
“Directly below the Greyhawk.” He points to the night sky.
The Flying Carpet pauses, then rockets upward.
Anse hurriedly stows the Scepter of Sanctuary to avoid detection by Amn people or the Black Dragon.
The Flying Carpet shoots into kilometer High Altitude, adjusts direction straight for the Greyhawk.
Anse raises the Telescope and soon spots constantly shaking Trees; the Black Dragon is huge, inevitably brushing or smashing Trees while crawling.
Zooming in, the Black Dragon’s body flickers in and out of view in the lens.
Its appearance is hideous, with a pair of curved horns and a gaunt face, its form like the Skull of a Fiend.
Truly… ferocious and ugly!
The Flying Carpet hovers in the night sky; Illyas grabs Anse’s hand, pulls the Telescope to her eye: “Let me see.”
Anse doesn’t mind, pondering: “They say Black Dragons are typical misers, but cunning and suspicious by nature, dislike fighting to the death, usually use environment and lair advantages to protect themselves; it might be stalling for time.”
“Possible.” Illyas’s voice mixes in the night wind, hard to hear clearly.
After a long while, she lowers the Telescope, exhales heavily: “Looks scary. Its external wounds are minor; probably Poisoning or some Curse.”
“Black Dragon is cunning; can’t rush in.” Anse gazes toward the distant Wilderness, eyes deep, “Better let Amn people go first, and we reap the benefits.”
