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Chapter 72 - Gift

A ring suddenly appeared on Ma Ke's index finger. It was entirely gold, with an arc in the center containing a swirl of purple energy. This was a reward from a quest he completed on Skagos Island, a basic treasure called the Banishment Ring. It granted the user the Banishment skill.

Banishment Ring: The hero gains the special combat ability "Banishment." When used on summoned creatures or creatures from other worlds, it eliminates a portion of the target.

Ma Ke hadn't used this skill since obtaining the ring. He hadn't found it in any spell books. Today, after exhausting all his mana, he remembered this treasure resting in his equipment inventory.

Ma Ke wasn't sure if this treasure would be useful in the current crisis, but he was forced to try anything. After all, in the game, "Banishment" was an incredibly powerful skill, a top-tier ability within the summoning class. In the game's storyline, it was a divine skill capable of banishing even demons!

Ma Ke roared with all his might, and the ring, radiating purple light, suddenly unleashed a terrifying surge of force. A violent energy storm pushed the monster, which had declared itself the Father God, backward.

However, even in the face of this immense energy storm, the monster continued to inch forward. The black energy clinging to its body was blown away, stretching out like pulled taffy, revealing the twisted and ghastly skeleton and flesh beneath.

"Awooo!"

A strange cry suddenly erupted from the monster's mouth. The high-pitched, piercing sound made everyone's eardrums ache and their heads spin.

Ma Ke's head was buzzing from the roar, and he nearly threw up. The energy emanating from the Banishment Ring was also fluctuating.

Seeing its attack had worked, the monster seemed to roar with excitement. It seized the opportunity and lashed out countless energy tendrils at Ma Ke, seemingly trying to drag him closer.

Just as Ma Ke was about to be caught by the first tendril, the Banishment Ring suddenly emitted an even more intense light, and Ma Ke felt the blood in his body rapidly draining away.

The ring seemed to have a will of its own, constantly absorbing the energy-filled blood in Ma Ke's body.

With the support of Ma Ke's blood, a more powerful energy storm suddenly erupted from the Banishment Ring, directly scattering all the monster's outstretched tendrils. The monster's tendrils began to dissipate bit by bit, and this terrible damage forced the monster to retract its body.

But this still didn't slow down its rate of disappearance. Seeing that time was running out, the monster fiercely contracted its body. Black energy constantly compressed and interacted, and after reaching the critical point, it exploded into countless fragments.

The fragments scattered in all directions, seemingly wanting to escape with this force. But even so, the monster's fragments couldn't break out of the "Banishment" magic's range. Only a small piece, about the size of a fingertip, escaped and burrowed into Ma Ke's right hand. But before Ma Ke could react, an accident happened.

Boom

A violent explosion suddenly erupted in the center of the battlefield. The horrifying force of the blast sent Ma Ke's soldiers and followers reeling backward a few steps. When the smoke cleared, they found Ma Ke unconscious in the crater. His face was ashen, and his entire body had an unnatural white pallor, as if he'd lost a great deal of blood!

***

————————————————House Bolton's Divider————————————————

"Bang!"

A beautiful glass goblet slammed against Black Eel York's head. The shards of glass scattered, slicing open his forehead. Blood trickled down, first over his eyebrows, then his lips, finally dripping from his chin onto the carpet.

Despite the excruciating pain in his forehead, Black Eel York didn't dare to move a muscle. His master, Roose Bolton, was in a towering rage, and any misstep could lead to his gruesome death.

People said, "The silent Roose Bolton is the most terrifying!"

So, Black Eel York figured he'd managed to keep his life, though his head was bleeding. It was better than being flayed. As a knight of the Dreadfort, he knew how terrifying his lord was; when he was angry, he was a wolf!

Just then, a bone-chilling voice suddenly reached Black Eel York's ears.

"So! My dear Sir York! Tell me, what do you mean by 'can't be found'? What the hell does 'can't be found' mean? Isn't that damn castle right there? How the hell can it not be found?"

Black Eel York swallowed hard and looked up at Roose Bolton, answering in a low voice:

"My Lord! The 'Bloody Hand' brothers, who disguised themselves as fishermen and merchants, all say they can't find the castle. I've been there myself! But! But! The castle really can't be found! I don't know why!

If those Skagosi 'bastards' weren't still talking about the castle's magic, even I would think we were looking in the wrong place. But the problem now is, that place really can't be found. I think it might be that Wizard's doing!"

After hearing Black Eel York's answer, Roose Bolton was silent for a long time. Finally, he could only sigh helplessly and then said:

"So! What's the situation with Dominic now?"

Black Eel York immediately replied:

"We… the last raven we received was two months ago. At that time, the brothers hiding in the city said they were planning to rescue young Master Dominic! A… after that, we received a warning letter signed by Griffin's Roost! The letter said that our people were all dead, and to be careful. If we continue this way, they'll… they'll cut off the young master's ears and send them to the Dreadfort with a messenger!"

Roose Bolton listened, then lowered his head in thought for a moment. He looked up at Black Eel York and said:

"It seems we need to send a messenger to discuss Dominic. We can't drag this out any longer. I've prepared a 'gift' for you to take along!"

After saying this, Roose Bolton seemed to think of something else. He paused slightly, reached for a glass on the table, and poured some wine into it. He picked up the glass, swirled the crimson liquid, and without looking up, asked Black Eel York:

"York! Tell me! Do you think there are gods in this world? Are those mythical legends true?"

Black Eel York paused, as if recalling some terrible memories. However, he quickly recovered from his reverie and hurriedly said to Roose Bolton:

"My lord! I believe in the existence of the gods! I always have! Especially after what happened last time, I believe it even more. And I can clearly feel that the Wizard wasn't using the Pyromancer's Wildfire, nor was he like those fire-wielders from across the Narrow Sea. It was real magic!"

Then he paused again, adjusting his tone, and said with some excitement:

"However! My lord! Compared to these things, I still prefer to trust my own longsword. Although he is terrifying and powerful! But in my opinion, he's just a man who has mastered extraordinary power. As long as I have enough soldiers, I'm confident I can eliminate them. The Dornishmen could take down a dragon, and I believe that with enough archers and catapults, we can take him down in a surprise attack!"

Since his defeat, Black Eel York had been reflecting on his shortcomings. He was a proud man, but also one who was good at thinking. After ruling out magic as a factor, Black Eel York realized that his main failing was underestimating his opponent. If he had prepared the appropriate weapons and personnel beforehand, he would have been confident in taking the castle.

Therefore, ever since the rumors from the North had subsided, he had been planning to send scouts and spies to gather relevant information. What he hadn't expected was that this time, even the castle was gone!

After listening to Black Eel York's words, Roose Bolton drained the wine in his glass and said,

"But no matter what, our plans must be put on hold. We can only choose to cooperate in the face of such uncontrollable power. That Wizard is too dangerous for us. There is a legend in Asshai about a Wizard who can command shadows to kill. While it sounds absurd, I don't want to be killed by my own shadow one day!

So, if possible, ally with him. If not, continue to divide them. As long as the benefits are enough, anyone might betray! Understood?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Black Eel York replied loudly, and then he left the room at Roose Bolton's gesture.

Roose Bolton stood up and slowly walked to the fireplace. He stared at the dancing flames and muttered to himself:

"..."

"I can't act right now, but that doesn't mean others can't. The House Bolton's prestige cannot be violated!"

***

"Can't you stay? I don't want you to go! Why did Father send you to that desolate island? Sister Mordane says the people on Skagos Island are cannibals, just like the wildlings!"

Arya Stark said to her "brother" Jon Snow, her face flushed, seemingly very agitated.

Jon Snow shook his head, a little helpless. "I was always going to leave Winterfell, it's just that now there's another option. But Arya, you have to believe that no matter where I go, Stark blood still runs through my veins, and you will always be my sister. Whenever I have time, I will definitely come back to see you. Alright, let's look at the gift I prepared for you! I was supposed to leave with those two chieftains, but I stayed here so long just to prepare this gift."

Saying this, Jon Snow took a small, slender sword from his waist and handed it to Arya Stark. The small, exquisite sword immediately caught the little girl's attention.

Jon Snow said with a smile, "Master Mikken's craftsmanship is still so exquisite. I just told him my idea, and he forged it for me. This is 'Needle'! It will be your sword from now on!"

"Thank you! My favorite brother! I'll always love you!"

Arya Stark hugged Jon Snow.

Jon Snow ruffled her hair and said his farewells. As he pushed open the door to leave, his eyes were visibly moist.

Jon Snow took a deep breath in the corridor, his right hand unconsciously touching the necklace around his neck. Then, he turned and left the main keep. This was his last stop; he had already said goodbye to his siblings.

When he arrived near the plaza, several riders from House Umber were already waiting. The leading soldier saw Jon Snow approaching and led over a horse for him.

After exchanging greetings, Jon Snow rode with them towards the western gate. After leaving Winterfell, they rode north along the Kingsroad.

In a room within the main keep, Eddard Stark looked away, turning his gaze to Rodrik Cassel behind him, and asked:

"What did the men from House Umber say? Is the mysterious castle that appeared on Skagos Island real?"

Rodrik Cassel replied: "My Lord! The naval forces of House Umber specifically investigated this matter, but they didn't find the legendary castle. However, many fishermen have said that such a place exists, but when they went to check it, there was nothing!"

Eddard Stark, hearing the answer, lowered his head and pondered for a moment. Then, he shook his head and said to his castle's master-at-arms, "Forget it! Let the Umbers and Karstarks keep an eye on them. Those rock-eaters on Skagos Island probably don't have the skill to build a castle. They've already agreed to help us resist the wildling attacks, so it's best not to provoke them. By the way, has anything happened with the Boltons lately?"

"They announced that their family heir, Dominic Bolton, was kidnapped by pirates while at sea, and they're currently negotiating for his release. However, everyone says that Roose Bolton's only son is trapped on Skagos Island, probably captured during the last invasion."

Rodrik Cassel said with a hint of schadenfreude. The Boltons' actions this time had made the northern lords very wary. Although the official punishments and orders couldn't hurt them, several major families were secretly sanctioning Roose Bolton. The news also made many people who were dissatisfied with the Boltons feel quite pleased.

Eddard Stark nodded upon hearing this. He had always pursued a policy of recuperation in recent years, to try to make up for the losses caused by the "Usurper's War". Over the years, the population and food reserves of the North had finally recovered to normal levels. Therefore, he had been mediating the conflicts between the various families, to keep the North stable.

I hope this lesson will teach him a thing or two. Eddard Stark thought to himself.

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