When the Hero and the Fourteenth Princess returned to the camp, the picnic facilities previously wrecked by the shockwave were already tidied up, and the bonfire was reignited, with tempting food aromas wafting through the air.
Even when unexpected disaster struck, the camp was rearranged in the short time the two were away, showcasing the professional quality of the Royal Family's attendants, though even this excellent group could not hide the fatigue on their faces.
"Thank you all for your hard work." Seeing this, the Fourteenth Princess showed a gentle smile, her tone carrying encouragement, "Just hold on a bit longer. If we travel for another day tomorrow, we will reach the city where the Hero resides, and then everyone can have a three-day break."
The attendants' expressions brightened significantly. Although they had rested for a while in the Hero's grandfather's village, the city and the countryside were not comparable in terms of the environment. Even those used to the wilderness camping life found the allure of the city's hustle and bustle hard to resist.
The Princess then looked at the leader of the convoy.
"At that time, please distribute a bonus to everyone. The money will come from my bank account."
Although it was not possible in villages and small towns, cities had local banks connected to the central bank.
A reward from the Royal Family was undoubtedly a morale booster. After just a few words from the Princess, the attendants were thoroughly invigorated.
Once their spirits relaxed, they finally had the leisure to notice the spoils the Hero brought back. As the Demon Hunter and several well-versed members of the convoy with the appraiser secondary profession approached, people's gazes focused on that meteorite.
"A stone... No, it's a gemstone!?" The Demon Hunter glanced briefly and couldn't help but exclaim softly, drawing even more attention.
Even in the Capital, such a gemstone from beyond the heavens was rare enough to be the centerpiece of a large auction.
"Hmm, truly an unremarkable color, but this texture..." The leader of the convoy, whose eyesight was naturally inferior to a Legendary Professional, leaned close to observe carefully, squinting his eyes as the breeze blew.
"Indeed, it's a gemstone alright."
At this moment, the earth-colored gemstone from beyond the skies was quietly floating, encased in a transparent water ball. Being soaked in water gave the earthen color a hint of transparency, preventing it from being mistaken for a roadside dirt clod.
Below the water ball was a constant swirling mini cyclone, steadily supporting the water ball suspended in mid-air.
After reaching the Legendary Realm in Intelligence, the Hero didn't need to chant to cast spells; she could directly manipulate congenial elements. At this moment, her eyes remained a brilliant blue, maintaining the state of the Seven Seas Witch.
"The strong Earth Elemental Power, Your Majesty sealed it up." The Gleaming Scale Serpent nodded slightly.
"Truly worthy of the Hero, but in this way, we cannot identify its characteristics..." An attendant beside them praised, yet showed a troubled expression.
"So should we unlock it, but..." The Hero blinked, also a bit troubled.
[Hero's Fragility (120 + Bewildered the Demon Hunter)]
"This stone is very heavy, is that okay?"
The young girl slightly furrowed her brows, her worried expression appearing so endearing.
At that moment, all the men present forgot she was the Hero of the Destructive Demon, and also forgot her usual ferocity when she charged out of the convoy to slay Goblins, only feeling that her slender and pale wrist was so fragile, a sense of duty arose from the bottom of their hearts.
"No problem, let me hold it."
The Demon Hunter smiled slightly, with a hint of affection for an apprentice, reaching into the water ball with one hand, gripping the gemstone with the back of his hand.
Although he hadn't forgotten the Hero's power, he also knew she was essentially a Magician, so naturally, she would not have the Strength from a warrior's training like himself—
"Alright, then I'll trouble you." Trusting in the Demon Hunter's Strength, the Hero showed a smiling expression, happy to not have to continuously maintain the magic.
Only the Fourteenth Princess seemed to sense a slight discomfort, about to speak, when she saw the water ball and cyclone both disperse in response.
The next moment, a glow of earth yellow spread out, the hand holding the gemstone of the Demon Hunter suddenly sunk, veins popped on his arm, his complexion instantly turned red.
And when the light of the gemstone spread out, he suddenly stooped lower, glancing at his foot, even his entire foot had sunk into the ground.
Several attendants, shocked, stepped back two paces, only the Fourteenth Princess showing a wry smile as she watched the Hero hastily summon the breeze again to lighten the gemstone's weight.
"You should have asked clearly first. The Hero said it was very heavy, meaning she could not pick up this gemstone by herself. She should have extraordinary Strength now, but can only rely on magic assistance."
"No, sorry, I didn't make it clear..." The Hero sheepishly said beside them.
"No need, to apologize, thank... Thank, Princess, for the, reminder." The Demon Hunter replied, word by word as if gritting his teeth.
It wasn't out of discontent, but rather out of fear of biting his tongue if he didn't.
Still, his Strength was indeed greater than the Hero's, quickly adapting after the surprise with the Hero's support, merely holding the gemstone with a somewhat tense expression, which allowed the appraisal to proceed for a period of time.
[Chen Mountain Stone R5]
Strength requirement: 66
A gemstone from beyond the heavens, colored in a lackluster earthy yellow, the gemstone contains highly concentrated Earth Elements, endowing it with incredible weight.
When holding the gemstone, one falls under its magical influence, enveloped by an overwhelming pressure; an ordinary person would instantly suffer tendon rupture and be crushed to pulp, as if ground by a mountain peak.
[Hero's Luck (3 + Successfully Reaching the City)]