Chapter 258: Ramposa III Appears, Mastering New Skills
A jet-black explosive slash swept over!
Before it could even reach Tang Zheng and Evileye's position, it flared with a cross-shaped, star-like brilliance, immediately followed by a massive explosion and shockwave.
This explosive slash was clearly not meant to attack people, but to interrupt the battle between them!
Tang Zheng and Evileye simultaneously ceased their attacks, retreating in unison and using their respective methods to block the aftershock of the explosion.
As the fiery glow of the explosion dissipated in mid-air, Tang Zheng looked down at the valiant figure with golden curly hair and raised an eyebrow slightly.
The gentle, ladylike expression on Lakyus's face was long gone. Instead, her eyes were filled with tenacity, possessing the sharp edge of an adventurer.
She was still wearing a formal gown, but in her hand, she held a longsword with a black blade that shimmered with a starlike flow. The hilt was set with a large, blue-black gem.
One look and it was clear this was no ordinary piece of magic equipment!
"A magic sword."
The thought flashed through Tang Zheng's mind.
It was one of the legendary Four Great Demonic Swords used by the hero of the Thirteen Heroes, who was said to possess the Cursed Knight class and was known as the "Dark Knight."
The one in Lakyus's hand was the *Magic Sword Kilineiram*, capable of releasing dark energy.
Besides this one, there were also:
The *Corrupting Sword Crocodine*, which inflicted incurable wounds.
The *Death Sword Sphinx*, which inflicted instant death damage.
And the *Evil Sword Humilis*, whose specific abilities were unknown, but Tang Zheng suspected it possessed curse damage.
The abilities of these four magic swords overlapped too perfectly with the abilities of the Cursed Knight class.
This reminded Tang Zheng of the skeleton he had encountered in the depths of the canyon in that wetland swamp in the Baharuth Empire, which he suspected was a Dark Knight.
Obtaining a class in this Otherworld was different from in the game; the emergence of any class left traces.
Tang Zheng had previously suspected that the Dark Knight, one of the Thirteen Heroes, had likely acquired the Cursed Knight class through one of two possibilities.
One was as an accidental product of curse erosion; the other possibility was that it was related to the Four Great Demonic Swords.
Speaking of which, the Holy Kingdom also possessed four great holy swords.
Tang Zheng gave the magic sword in Lakyus's hand a simple glance before looking away, clearly uninterested.
Equipment of this level might be considered top-tier in the eyes of an ordinary person in this Otherworld, but to Tang Zheng, it was just so-so. He estimated its level was only "Top Class (41–50)," not reaching the level of "Legacy Class (51–60)."
Otherwise, the Bone King would definitely have been interested in collecting it, because the highest level of equipment that could be created with the seventh-tier magic *High-Tier Item Creation* was precisely "Top Class."
Setting aside some details, the Bone King could indeed create equipment of this level at will.
"Have you two forgotten where you are?!"
Seeing that Tang Zheng and Evileye had finally stopped, Lakyus took a deep breath and replanted the tall magic sword in front of her.
Tang Zheng steadied himself on the Purifying Power Angel below him and looked around. "The commotion was indeed a bit much."
Beyond the massive lawn where the palace was situated, a large number of soldiers had already surrounded the area, though this was within his expectations.
To force out some of Evileye's magic and skills, using some real power was necessary.
"I went overboard. I hope the King isn't petty."
Evileye, suspended in mid-air, muttered to herself. Then she looked up at Tang Zheng opposite her, and with a flash, her figure flew downwards.
Seeing this, Tang Zheng knew there was no reason to continue fighting. With a glint in his eyes, he controlled the Purifying Power Angel to descend to the ground below.
When Tang Zheng and Evileye returned to the ground, everyone's gaze toward them held a strange quality.
*Whoosh!*
The Purifying Power Angel gently set Tang Zheng down with its huge palm, then dissipated into a cascade of brilliant white light.
Tang Zheng landed steadily on the ground, his face a little paler than before, a sign of having consumed too much magic power.
"Lord."
Enri clasped her hands nervously before her chest. Seeing that Tang Zheng was uninjured, her shoulders relaxed.
Tang Zheng turned his head and nodded at Enri, giving her a reassuring look. He then looked toward Evileye, his tone somewhat solemn and apologetic. "Your strength far exceeds my expectations, Miss Evileye."
"This battle has shown me a higher realm and tier. I have benefited greatly. Your injuries..."
"Such a nag." An emotionless voice came from behind Evileye's mask, interrupting Tang Zheng. "Getting injured in a battle is perfectly normal. Otherwise, it would be meaningless. Do you think an attack of that level would have any effect on me?"
Although her voice was devoid of emotion, one could sense a hint of tsundere pride in her words.
"Thank you for the guidance." Tang Zheng raised his eyelids slightly and extended his hand for a handshake.
"I don't have a habit of shaking hands with people."
Evileye huffed lightly, turned, and started walking back toward Blue Rose. After just two steps, she seemed to remember something and paused.
"Have you seen or heard of the magic *Sand Domain* before?"
A look of confusion appeared on Tang Zheng's face, which then turned to one of realization. He shook his head. "Today is the first time I have ever seen such powerful magic."
"That unhesitating dodge didn't seem like a first time," Evileye said, her gaze from behind the mask fixed tightly on Tang Zheng.
"As a summoner-type magic caster, one must do everything possible to avoid taking any damage, especially when facing that kind of large-area magic. Dodging is the top priority," Tang Zheng said after a moment of thought.
That combat strategy was indeed sound.
Evileye thought to herself. To be honest, as it was her own original magic, she didn't believe Tang Zheng had seen or known about it either.
Thinking about it carefully, besides his cautious strategy, the man himself possessed excellent combat awareness.
"Black hair, you're pretty good." Evileye lifted her mask slightly, spoke faintly, and walked back to Blue Rose.
Lakyus looked at Evileye, who was acting as if nothing had happened, and slammed her magic sword into the ground. Her emerald-green eyes glared. "Evileye!"
On the other side, Tang Zheng had also returned to where Free Will was located, lamenting inwardly.
His offer of a handshake just now wasn't merely a polite disguise; he wanted to test if he could trigger something by directly touching Evileye.
Evileye's innate ability stored the *Soul Absorption* Wild Magic, and this primal power, in turn, sustained her life.
Theoretically, it was a permanently active type.
Tang Zheng glanced at the attribute panel before him, quickly scrolling through the information, but he found no notifications regarding Wild Magic.
The Player innate ability could manifest all the skills and magic techniques he saw onto the attribute panel.
There was no prompt now.
One, it was due to the special nature of Wild Magic.
Two, it was due to the special nature of the innate ability.
Three, the true trigger conditions had not been met.
Therefore, Tang Zheng had intended to try and make direct contact through a handshake.
The two princes' expressions were quite a sight to behold at this moment. They were trying their best to maintain their composure and the majesty of the Royal Family, but one could still feel the stiffness in their cheeks.
*Clatter, clatter—*
*Clatter, clatter—*
Just then, the sound of a large amount of armor scraping and clanking rang out in unison.
The large number of elite soldiers surrounding the outer perimeter had all dropped to one knee, their heads bowed respectfully.
"This is troublesome," Lakyus muttered.
Looks of nervousness also appeared on the faces of the two princes and Princess Renner.
Amidst the kneeling soldiers, several figures were walking toward them.
In the front and back were eight magic casters each. Judging by the magic robes they wore, there were clearly four mana-based magic casters and four faith-based magic casters.
At the very center of the eight magic casters was a figure draped in a red velvet cloak. With white hair, he looked ancient. His gnarled, branch-like fingers gripped a scepter.
On his head, he wore the crown that only one person in the entire Kingdom could wear.
The identity of this old man was self-evident: the King of the entire Re-Estize Kingdom—Ramposa III!
As this figure arrived before the crowd, the two princes, Princess Renner, Climb, Gazef, and Leinas all dropped to one knee in a gesture of salute.
In the entire field, only the people from Blue Rose and Free Will remained standing.
In the eyes of most people, such an action was not just a matter of disrespect; it was serious enough to warrant imprisonment, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to be directly executed for the "crime of disrespect."
Even for an adventurer!
It would be foolish to think an adventurer's status granted such impunity. Even the Adventurer's Guild Master had to bow when meeting the King and nobles.
The only reason these two adventurer teams dared to do so was because of their strength. Only by combining that with the "adventurer" card could it have some effect.
Lakyus glanced at her team members standing ramrod straight behind her and sighed inwardly again. She had actually subconsciously wanted to salute just now, but she had held back.
Because she knew her team members would not obediently follow her lead.
Thinking of this, Lakyus's beautiful eyes looked toward Tang Zheng's group, a flash of surprise in them.
Ramposa III did not look at the two princes or Princess Renner. Instead, he looked directly at the two adventurer teams, a kind smile on his wrinkled face.
"You little ones have certainly caused quite a commotion in my Royal Palace. Those who didn't know better would have thought the Royal Capital was under attack."
Ramposa III spoke with a chuckle, looking perfectly amiable.
Lakyus was a little embarrassed.
"Your father was telling me about you just a while ago. You've given him quite a headache," Ramposa III said to Lakyus in the tone of an elder.
"Father is always like that," Lakyus said in a small voice.
Ramposa III shook his head gently, then looked at Tang Zheng's group, his profound gaze landing on Tang Zheng. "The adventurer team Free Will. A very impressive name for an adventurer."
"You are all outstanding talents of the country. Any disputes should be resolved peacefully."
Throughout the entire process, Ramposa III showed no anger at the two adventurer teams for fighting in the Royal Capital, nor at their disrespectful behavior.
On the contrary, his words implied that he held the two adventurer teams in high regard.
"It is our honor to have our names remembered by Your Majesty," Tang Zheng said softly.
"Seeing you young people always makes one feel a sense of vitality. The banquet will be starting soon. Join us," Ramposa III said kindly.
"Um, Your Majesty, we have other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."
Lakyus quickly spoke up, gave Ramposa III a deep bow, and then left in a hurry, as if fleeing.
Tang Zheng naturally had no intention of staying either. "We will take our leave as well, Your Majesty."
Ramposa III watched the rapidly departing backs of the two adventurer teams, his ancient, placid eyes betraying none of his thoughts.
From beginning to end, he never once looked at the people kneeling on the ground.
After leaving the Royal Capital together, Lakyus and Tang Zheng parted ways, each returning to their own stronghold. During their separation, the initial sense of unfamiliarity had vanished.
A single battle had clearly brought the two teams closer.
Or rather, a powerful adventurer team like Blue Rose would only pay heed to those of a similar caliber.
Strength has always been the best proof and calling card.
Inside the inn.
The Green Leaf Witch respectfully exited the room.
Enri had been in a daze the whole way back, still not having fully processed the day's events.
In such a short time, she had not only met a princess and princes but also His Majesty the King, and she hadn't even saluted. This incident alone was enough to shatter Enri's worldview.
As the two left, Tang Zheng immediately called up his attribute panel and spent his skill points.
…
Magic: Sand Domain · Area (Fifth Tier)
Cost: 25 MP
Description: Summons a large area of quicksand, creating a movement-impairing effect on group targets. The quicksand also has secondary effects such as Blindness, Silence, and Distraction (Negative energy can be infused to add a life-draining negative effect).
...
Magic: Magic Resistance Penetration
Cost: 30 MP
Description: A special magic-enhancing skill. Consuming an additional thirty points of magic power increases the magic-breaking effect.
...
Magic: Maximize Magic
Cost: Variable
Description: A special magic-enhancing skill. By consuming additional magic power equal to the spell's original cost, its power and effects are increased by one hundred percent.
...
Magic: Gravity Reversal (Fourth Tier)
Cost: 20 HP
Description: Selectively controls an object's weight, allowing its effects to be reinforced or reversed.
...
[Skill Points: 61→57]
…
Looking at the four newly mastered skills, a smile finally appeared on Tang Zheng's face. "The gains weren't huge, but at least the effort wasn't wasted."
(end of chapter)