Chapter 112: News about Serie
"No," Kurtz said unexpectedly. "Now... it's not the time."
"Why?" Norn asked, confused. "She..."
"I know." Kurtz interrupted him. "I know she's been looking for me, holding her staff, crossing every corner of the world. But because I know, I have to wait."
He raised his hand. Under the moonlight, the black lines stood out against his pale skin. "Because I know, I can't go now."
He looked at Norn seriously. "The contamination in my body hasn't been removed. It's only temporarily suppressed by El's light."
"Given Serie's personality, once she knows about this, she'll try to help me. I don't want to involve her. This power is too dangerous. One mistake..."
Kurtz didn't finish, but Norn understood. He was worried the contamination would hurt Serie.
"So for now, let it be this way. Don't tell her until I suppress this contamination."
Norn was quiet for a moment about Kurtz's decision.
He understood Kurtz's concerns. It wasn't avoidance—just fear of harming her.
Their relationship was deeper than he'd imagined.
He nodded. "I understand. I'll keep an eye out for news about her and make sure she's safe. As for your situation..."
"Keep it secret," Kurtz interrupted. "Just assume the hero who slew the gods is dead."
"Is that really okay?" Norn frowned reluctantly.
Kurtz could have honor and recognition, but he refused it outright.
Norn couldn't understand this.
What he didn't know was that for Kurtz, resolving the divine power erosion was more important than anything. Only then could he stop suppressing his emotions. Only then could he be with Serie.
"It doesn't matter. I have more important things to do."
"In that case, why don't you stay in El Kingdom? It'll be convenient for using El's light," Norn suggested.
He wanted to catch up with his old friend. If Kurtz left immediately, he'd be sad.
"Seems I'll have to trouble you."
"No need for formalities between us."
El Kingdom, in an unknown basement.
Norn didn't even know why the craftsmen built this basement. They said as a noble, he'd definitely use it, then left with strange smiles.
He never expected it would actually come in handy.
Could those craftsmen see the future?
At least now, this basement had become Kurtz's sanctuary. To avoid contaminating others with his erosion, he hadn't left the basement for an entire year.
To help with El's light, Norn even moved the worship circle down here.
El's light wasn't drawn but floated quietly in the center of the circle.
Kurtz sat beside El's light, surrounded by countless tiny points of light from the sword. This refined faith power helped suppress the erosion in his body.
Compared to a year ago, he looked much better. The black patterns on his body couldn't expand under faith's suppression.
Norn opened the door quietly, careful not to disturb him.
He came here often to chat with Kurtz and relieve boredom. Kurtz also helped him govern the country, offering policies Norn had never heard of.
Every policy made the country better. Norn was secretly amazed at where Kurtz had learned so much.
Seeing Kurtz hadn't woken up yet, Norn stood quietly aside, watching his friend fight the contamination in the circle.
If Eric were here, how wonderful that would be.
But that was impossible.
After some time, Kurtz finally opened his eyes, bright and showing no fatigue.
"How do you feel?" Norn asked quietly.
Kurtz looked down and carefully checked his body. After a year of effort, the erosion had finally been completely suppressed.
At least for a long time, it wouldn't cause trouble.
The integration with his body was going smoothly too. He could move freely now, no longer stiff like when he first met Norn, barely able to raise a hand.
"Much better. El's light's faith is more effective than I expected. At least I don't need to worry about the erosion spreading to others," he said, looking at the floating sword gratefully.
Norn smiled with relief. "That's good. If you need anything else, just ask."
"Mm."
"Oh, by the way," Norn's tone became serious, "the messenger from the west returned yesterday. The locals told them that several months ago, near Red Dragon Canyon, there was an extremely powerful spatial magic fluctuation."
Kurtz's attention sharpened.
"The fluctuation was terrifying. I think it's similar to Serie's work. According to locals, she's already left that area and continued westward."
"Westward?" Kurtz muttered. "Could Serie be going to Godfall Land?"
"Possibly, but the magic black mud there hasn't cleared yet. I'm worried..." Norn hesitated.
The original magic storm in Godfall Land had disappeared, replaced by even more dangerous divine black mud.
But compared to the thousand-year magic storm, this divine black mud seemed temporary, perhaps clearing after a thousand years.
Both Kurtz and Norn worried that Serie wouldn't wait. That she'd force her way in.
"That place is too dangerous. Those divine black muds cause erosion when touched. Even I don't dare go there."
His weapon had been left in Godfall Land for decades. Kurtz had thought about retrieving it but was blocked by the divine black mud.
"Yes," Norn nodded worriedly, "I'm afraid Serie will force her way in."
Kurtz fell silent.
He closed his eyes again, but Norn could feel his aura was no longer as stable as during previous meditation.
[End of Chapter]
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