Chapter 822: Vampire Lord’s Base
Shane glanced back at the glowing fruits and fragments, then to Zarion... He couldn’t help but smile after seeing how excited the elf was...
"Good. We’ll need every advantage when we burn the Vampire Lord’s nest to the ground. Can you do it quickly?"
"I will do my best... I need a few more things..."
Shane then swiftly arranged for Cloud to take everything Zarion needed and have it delivered in the floating fortress.
"Alright... Can you tell me more about your plans?" Shane asked as he also had a bit of Alchemy Skill."
With a deep breath, Zarion pulled his gaze away from the treasures and began sharing his plan.
"My Lord... Here is what I envision."
He gestured toward the pile of World Root Fragments with the faint mana around them glowing...
"For some fragments... Well, I suggest refining at least half into catalysts. These can be crushed into pure essence and mixed with mithril, adamantite, or even the mana alloys your smiths are experimenting with."
Shane didn’t have mithril or adamantite since this was not the Fairy Realm.
However, he had other alloys taken from the Platinum or Gold Treasure Chests. Still, he allowed the elf to continue explaining...
"Hehe... If it goes well, the result would be metals that resonate with their wielder, self-repairing and harmonizing with mana flow. With them, I could forge weapons that never dull, or armor that strengthens with its user. Even in the worst case, we would have epic-grade artifacts."
He then paused for a moment...
"The remaining fragments of roots could be saved for elixirs. If combined with high-purity mana water or with one of the Fruits of Renewal, I could create potions that permanently expand mana reserves. Not just recovery potions... True growth."
Of course, this was only effective for mana users, not survivors of this zombie apocalypse, since they were spirit-based. They could only use Spirit Points, but not Mana Points...
Only Shane had an exception since he had already completed the Fairy Realm Invasion Apocalypse.
At this time, the elves who were silently listening to their conversations couldn’t help but feel exicted.
Zarion then turned toward the fruits...
"As for the Fruits of Renewal, they are too sacred to squander. Most of the fruit should be consumed by the chosen individual. The permanent strengthening of body and spirit cannot be replicated with any other resource in existence. In truth, they should go to the champions of your shelter, Lord Shane. If you prefer, I can also attempt ritual refinement, merging a fruit and a fragment... Success would yield an Elixir of Awakening, something capable of pushing one to the threshold of a higher rank instantly..."
Zarion said.
"Mhmm... If possible, I want the Elixir of Awakening. But that’s not your priority for now. That can wait." Shane explained.
It was then that the other Legendary Elves stirred.
Those Elixirs of Awakening could also improve them after all.
Elandor spoke first. "Ahem... These relics are not just rare... They are gifts from the World Tree. If the fruits are given only to warriors, it would be a waste. At least one should be entrusted to a mage. With it, I could extend my reserves to protect this fortress from far greater assaults."
Serenya also joined the conversation.
"You’re right... Furthermore, the elixir not only strengthens, it attunes the body to nature. Give me one, and I can expand my bond with the elements... I’ll be stronger than any of your cannons here, and I can be your best physician as well... Well, if they are all handed to smiths or fighters, we are blind to the greater path."
Even Brion joined in as it seemed that they all wanted the Elixir!
Still, his target was the fruit alone and not the Elixir from them.
"If even one fruit is consumed by me, I could use it to break through my bottleneck in physical mastery... If you want warriors who can stand toe-to-toe with Zombie Lords... This would be the best use."
***
In the meantime, as the group was already dividing Shane’s loot within the fairy realm, Tessa was still on her mission.
Apparently, she was scouting the ruined city where the Vampire Lord was possibly located.
Tessa crouched on the edge of a crumbled watchtower...
Her Night Scout Talent was already activated, and with this, it sharpened her sight even in the darkness, and it would stretch her hearing beyond mortal range.
Furthermore, the Legendary Cloak of the Dusk Silk had wrapped her in layers of illusion, blending her easily with her surroundings.
Even when a flock of lesser vampires swept across the street below, none turned her way. She was undetectable with this Legendary Cloak, which she purchased in the Auction.
After several hours had passed, Tessa had already traced the movements of the Vampires, noting their patterns as she confirmed some key areas within the place.
Soon, Tessa sent a private message to Shane through the system. This was to ensure that their communication would not be intercepted.
[ Tessa: Leader Shane, I’ve got the layout. The vampires have turned the western boulevard into their main entry. It’s wide enough for their patrols, and the road connects straight into the central plaza. They’ve stationed sentries at the broken cathedral. Three on the ground, two on the top. The rest rotate every fifteen minutes. They’re all Vampire Knights. ]
[ Tessa: The eastern quarter is mostly collapsed, but there’s a tunnel system beneath the rubble. That’s their escape route. I saw them use it. They slip into the catacombs and vanish deeper underground. If we don’t cut that off, they’ll scatter the moment we strike. ]
Tessa then paused for a moment as her gaze swept the skyline again.
[ Tessa: The Grand Citadel at the center. That’s their nest. It was previously owned by a Survivor Clan and was taken over by the Vampires. Still, the Vampire Lord hasn’t shown himself, but the aura is too thick to be anything else. ]
She then stopped sending a message since a pair of winged vampires flew closer to the ground...
Tessa smirked faintly as they passed by...
[ Tessa: One more thing... On the north side, it seems that they have captured some people. A human farm, I suppose. Probably for their blood supply. ]