Regardless of status, talent, or even morality, that Count was far more outstanding than himself and much more suitable than his son; even with taboos unsuitable for the public, if entrusted to him, it would undoubtedly be well-utilized.
However, the old man ultimately could not completely let go of the obsession within his heart, casting a gaze filled with a tinge of guilt toward his granddaughter.
Upon hearing this, no lightness of relief appeared on the Hero's face; instead, she grew more serious, nodding solemnly, "Don't worry, Grandpa, I will make sure you can safely teach me that secret!"
A hint of gratification and helplessness appeared in the old man's eyes, accompanied by a complex smile on his face, and he finally just gently reached out, stroking the Hero's smooth hair.
"Mm, Grandpa is waiting for you."
Now, as for the Hero's journey to the highland—
2. Snow Woman welcoming
3. Water Mirror Crane
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
After the conversation ended, the grandfather and granddaughter duo headed to the Count Mansion's Chocobo Stable. Servants were busily loading the Hero's luggage onto the bird carriage one by one, but some special items could not be handled by ordinary Professionals and had to be carried by the Hero herself.
Grandpa watched the Hero skillfully hoist a massive cubic box onto her back, frowning involuntarily, "Are you really planning to go alone? Haven't considered having the Count prepare a logistics team to escort you?"
It was a box that, apart from its enormous size, seemed utterly unremarkable at first glance; however, upon closer scrutiny, you could see its surface was engraved with dense magic patterns, resembling layers of secret locks sealing the power within tightly.
During her time at the Arcane Workshop, the Hero had already memorized the details of this large box. She set down the box, cautiously opening a tiny gap; instantly, a strong dark aura leaked from the box, causing the surrounding air to seem tinted with restless agitation.
Just a fleeting glance into the darkness was enough to unsettle one's mind, as though countless invisible eyes were watching from within.
But inside the box, there were no countless eyes—only a perfectly square, visibly heavy, jet-black block, the remnants of the Devouring Curse Demon, refined into an "embryo" through hundreds of processes at the Arcane Workshop.
Although just an initial embryo, it had undergone the intricate refinement steps, concentrating the vast and profound magic energy. The Old Factory Manager constantly emphasized that without strong sealing, the essence's radiation from this Demon Monster King's remnants could turn an ordinary castle into a hell on earth within three days.
The Hero dared not be careless, promptly closing the box, ensuring the aura was immediately isolated, and only after completing the box's seal integrity check as instructed by the Old Factory Manager did she reveal a confident smile:
"No problem, I am very familiar with that highland!"
This was not arrogance; even before her reincarnation, she had ventured solo, traveling thousands of li with the Gleaming Scale Serpent, which was then still an ordinary snake, deep into the snow mountain region at the latter part of the highland.
Moreover, when she cast the Forbidden Curse with the power of the Ancient Hero, her perception almost covered the entire highland, and she incidentally purified countless goblins.
Although this was only her second trip to the highland, barely anyone along the entire border was more familiar with it than she was.
Not to mention, the true Magic Creatures Lord of the highland, the White Snake of the Fantasy Species, was her Familiar!
Going to the highland was akin to going back to her countryside, an incredibly relaxing affair.
"And I can't always trouble Uncle Count; he's already helped me a lot. Besides, this forging ultimately relies on me alone, taking soldiers along would just waste manpower, so having Gleaming Scales with me is enough."
Seeing the Hero so insistent, Grandpa refrained from persuading her further.
After all, his granddaughter was now a Noble Lord and a Royal Family-ordained one, no less. Her status surpassed that of a local small Lord like him, and he couldn't always view her as a child.
With the luggage all set, departure awaited the next day. The grandfather and granddaughter returned to the Count Mansion, about to retire for the night, when the Hero noticed a long-unseen figure in the reception room.
"Miss Hero, long time no see." The Cruising Bishop rose to his feet, seeing the Hero full of spirit, the gloom in his heart dissipated quite a bit, displaying a genuinely warm smile.
"Long time no see!" Upon recognizing the long-missed Cruising Bishop, the Hero responded joyously, though her expression quickly shifted to concern at noticing his somewhat haggard appearance.
[Hero's Perception (5-, 100+ Activation of dirty heart language)]
[Purpose of the Cruising Bishop's visit]
1. Inquiry about the Hero's stance on Church Factions
2. Inquiry about the Hero's opinion on the Saintess
3. Inform the Hero of the truth
4. Converse with the Count
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure ♛
Facing the Hero's concerned gaze, the Cruising Bishop's lips trembled slightly, seemingly struggling to speak but hesitating, his gaze unsteadily evasive.
Observing his unstable emotions, a growing unease settled within the Hero. She empathetically said,
"You don't seem to be in great shape, let me fix you a hot drink."
Without waiting for the Cruising Bishop's refusal, she turned and headed to the usual table prepared by the Maids.