Having finally sorted out the sequence of events, Li De felt a bit conflicted.
"That black dragon… do you know how powerful it is? Where is it now?"
Yor shook his head. "No one knows where the black dragon's lair is. The Mire Swamp is simply too vast."
After hearing this, Li De felt a twinge of disappointment, but he didn't dwell on it. A black dragon, the Underground World, these weren't things Dawn City could explore yet. He still needed time to grow.
"How can I be sure your information about the divine artifact is real? If all you have are these useless stories, then this means nothing to me."
Upon Li De's cold question, Yor turned pale. Gritting his teeth, he suddenly produced a thumb-sized fragment from thin air.
"Majestic Iro, this is a corner torn from the Twelve Magic Scrolls by our Patriarch, just before the black dragon took it."
Li De's eyes lit up, not because of the little torn scrap itself, but because this goblin… actually had spatial equipment??
That was a true rarity.
As for that thumb-sized, grayish sheepskin-like fragment, Li De didn't care much. If it were really a divine artifact, how could a goblin tear off a piece? Was that a joke?
He took it from Yor with a casual expression, not expecting much, and began examining its attributes.
"Mysterious Fragment
Attached Effects: Restores 10 mana per second when worn; immune to all detection spells below Legendary rank; immune to mind control; reduces mana backlash by 50%.
Description: Appears to be an unimportant corner fragment of some divine artifact."
What the hell?? Are you kidding me right now?! That gray, unimpressive scrap of parchment… was actually a divine artifact fragment???
Li De's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
This was completely insane. How could a weak little goblin tear off a piece of a divine artifact?? If you had the power to damage a divine artifact, why not go slay the dragon yourself??
The entire thing was absurd.
So absurd that even with the fragment in his hand, Li De found it hard to accept.
He had originally just wanted to bring the goblins back to Dawn City so they could craft bombs for the Whispering Bats, strengthening his aerial forces.
Now suddenly the Twelve Magic Scrolls were involved, and even more absurdly, a goblin had brought out an actual divine artifact fragment.
It was surreal, utterly preposterous.
This sudden twist left Li De, who hadn't been mentally prepared for any of this, feeling deeply conflicted.
Naturally, Li De tucked the divine artifact fragment away. Recovering 10 mana per second and other powerful attributes? No way he was passing that up. As for whether the goblin objected, he was sure the goblin wouldn't dare.
Feeling quite pleased, Li De's mood improved dramatically. Getting such a powerful item for free, this was simply marvelous.
"There's only this one piece?" he asked offhandedly, glancing at the little goblin.
But to his surprise, Yor shook his head. "Majestic Iro, there's another piece, twice as large as this one, currently in our Patriarch's possession.
If you can save the Graymount Tribe, it will all belong to you."
Cough! Li De nearly choked on his own saliva. Are you serious? Tearing one piece off a divine artifact was already outrageous, and now there's a second one?!
Did I enter the wrong world? When did divine artifacts, said to be indestructible by any force below that of a god, become so flimsy you could just tear them like paper??
It was beyond comprehension.
But it didn't disrupt Li De's plans.
After a brief moment of shock, his expression shifted, filled with righteous indignation, as if the beastmen had committed some heinous crime.
"I've always had great respect for goblins. They are an intelligent and wise race worthy of admiration.
And those damned beastmen dared to bully Risel City, dared to harm the brave goblins…
The Dark Pact will not let this stand!"
Before Yor could respond to his emotional speech, Li De's eyes narrowed slightly and he asked in an offhand tone, "Yor, it seems goblins are especially skilled at making alchemical bombs?
I heard from Grote that goblin alchemical bombs are praised by all races in Glory, just like the weapons forged by dwarves."
Hearing this, Yor's eyes instantly lit up, and his goodwill toward Li De soared.
To compare goblin alchemical bombs to dwarven craftsmanship, that was the highest compliment possible.
"Your insight would impress even the Goddess of Life, Majestic Iro! Yes, only goblins can create the most powerful alchemical bombs. No one can surpass us."
There was a hint of pride in his tone.
Li De's smile grew even brighter.
The divine artifact fragment could directly enhance his strength, and alchemical bombs could increase the foundation of Dawn City.
Both were excellent things.
Only children make choices. As for him, naturally, he would take everything.
"Very good, Yor. I believe this crisis will not pose a threat to the long-standing Graymount Tribe. In fact, it may be the start of a new chapter for you.
Now, we need to figure out how to rescue your tribesmen. I hope we can save every single one of them," he said, because even losing one would make his heart ache.
"Yor, believe me, you won't regret the choice you made today."
Yor finally heard the words he had longed for most. From the very beginning, he had put all his cards on the table just for this promise.
"Majestic Iro, your character and virtue are the noblest in this world, comparable even to the moon. You are a being most worthy of goblins' respect and worship.
Yor Graymount praises you from the bottom of his heart. You are our hope, the eternal sun~"
Li De looked at the excited goblin, his mood visibly delighted.
Indeed, clever goblins were the most honest beings in this world.
Praise the Goddess.
Completely unaware that he had just sold himself, and even paid the slave trader who sold him, Yor was now as happy as a child.