"Are the results of the inspection correct, Lord Count?" the Old Factory Manager coughed lightly, reaffirming with the Count beside him.
The Count nodded in response, the intricate Arcane Apparatus in his hand glowing faintly as detailed data and reports transformed into a light screen that projected into the air, displaying a series of complex charts that the Hero could not comprehend at all.
"There's no mistake, I've confirmed it. The Hero is currently unable to go through Reincarnation, likely due to the special ritual she encountered on the Highland."
As an Arcane Engineer, Lord Count proceeded with his professional demeanor, explaining further:
"This situation isn't uncommon. The professional system implemented by the Kingdom tends to standardize, providing stable guidance up to the Ultimate Shift. Yet it lacks inclusivity for special cases, failing to embrace various special professions. The effect of the Professional Mark is quite limited for those who pave new paths or geniuses who operate outside the system. Furthermore, the Hero did not follow the professional path of the Martial Monk under the Church—"
Hearing this, the Hero involuntarily lowered her head, her gaze wandering and unsettled.
Come to think of it, she hadn't been to the Church for some time.
Under the pressures of reality, the Hero let her thoughts drift aimlessly.
...I wonder how the Cruising Bishop is doing these days?
Suddenly, the Hero recalled that she hadn't seen much of the Cruising Bishop since he had been duped by a Nightmare.
On one hand, she herself was plagued by incessant troubles that demanded her time and energy to address; on the other hand, she had also been busy with a knighthood ceremony, her internship as a Healer, and the forging with Phoenix materials, and had completely forgotten to visit the Cruising Bishop in the midst of it all.
Although the Cruising Bishop hadn't been injured back then, he probably had a lot to deal with, especially after the brutal battle with the Masochist. Despite being manipulated by the Nightmare Sage, the fact that he became a pawn for the enemy was undeniable, and he might be under pressure now as well.
At this thought, a belated concern surfaced in the Hero's heart.
[Cruising Bishop's recent situation]
=1 The Cruising Bishop has defected
=100 The Saintess is here
[Regarding the Saintess, the actions of the Cruising Bishop]
6. Denial of recognition
9. Conversations with the Masochist
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
'I'll find time to check on him,' the Hero decided silently, unaware of the current state of the Cruising Bishop. However, the difficulties before her would not disappear just because she looked away.
"—And," the Count continued his speech.
"During her Second Transformation, she used ancient ritual implements to undergo the Awakening, successfully acquiring a special profession, but as a consequence, none of the Third Ascension Stigmata provided by the various guilds are suitable for her now."
The Count put away the light screen, his gaze focused on the Hero, as if he could see the calm yet deep sea within her.
"This means you have your own unique path to walk.
"Hero, you mentioned to me before that you can hear the sound of the ocean in your dreams and feel an inexplicable calling, right?"
The Hero returned from her reverie, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Then, to induce a qualitative change in the Magic Power within you, you might need to visit the sea, or at least come into contact with some sea-related elements." Lord Count's brow furrowed deeply with an indelible concern. "But..."
"But her Curse has grown stronger." The Old Factory Manager sighed, eying the Hero with an evident headache.
The Hero felt helplessly embarrassed and scratched her head with an awkward smile.
If only she had defeated that pervert, all of this trouble could have been avoided—unfortunately.
She hadn't told her grandfather and the Fourteenth Princess about the intensification of the Curse, but she understood this was an issue that couldn't be hidden, hence she had confided only in the Count, and naturally, the Old Factory Manager needed to be informed as well.
"To forge Equipment best suited for its holder, involving the individuals themselves is the best choice," the Old Factory Manager said slowly, "but now that you can't undergo Reincarnation, it's uncertain whether you can suppress the Magic nature within the materials, especially after the Curse has strengthened. There's no guarantee it won't backfire, possibly even worse than before."
The remains of the Devouring Curse Demon were intact, and if it was merely about forging a powerful piece of Equipment, the Old Factory Manager and the Arcane Workshop's Forging Masters would have been more than capable, even with plenty to spare.
However, this time the Equipment needed was special, not only strong but also capable of suppressing the Curse upon the Hero—borne from the Corrupted Phoenix, further strengthened by the Devouring Curse Demon.
The complexity of these requirements was evident in the fact that Lord Count, being a Lord, had set aside his duties to engage in this discussion.
Under such circumstances, if forging took place without the participation of the Hero, even the experienced Old Factory Manager and Lord Count could not guarantee that the final effect would meet expectations.
However, with the precedent of the Wind Moon Night incident, involving the Hero directly in the forging process would significantly raise the chances for accidents.
If the Hero could become stronger, reach Legendary status, the chances of success would naturally be higher, but her current inability to undergo Reincarnation and the Curse made the plan to visit the sea full of risks.
After years of working together, the Old Factory Manager and Lord Count exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complexity.
"A vicious cycle indeed, Curses are truly troublesome," murmured the Old Factory Manager, who usually maintained a stern front in front of others, his face now nearly forming the character for worry with his deeply furrowed brow.
"Later, I'll have a meeting with the people in the workshop to see if we can come up with any solutions," he added.