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"This is not for sale, just for display," the maid said with a polite smile.
"Did you hear that? It's not for sale. Don't stare at it," Rowe tugged at Koishi Root.
Koishi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I want some gems that aren't too expensive… Well, the unit price shouldn't exceed ten runes."
"You can take a look over here." The maid led them to a container, where numerous less glamorous gemstones were laid out, most of them clearly marked with their respective prices.
Despite that, Koishi Root continued to be distracted by the vibrant display gems from time to time, his attention wandering.
Rowe asked him to try and make a choice, but none of the gems in front of them seemed particularly appealing to Koishi.
After a brief moment of consideration, Rowe decided to use the Holy Deed to identify the most valuable ones. The Holy Deed's identification feature was precise and allowed him to make the most efficient selection possible.
Just like before, he opened the Holy Deed and held the gemstones over the pages of sacred scripture nestled within. In truth, he was using the Deed's appraisal feature to assess the spiritual and material value of the gems.
[Secondary item: full donation yields 31 piety]
[Secondary item: full donation yields 45 piety]
Although the prices of the two were nearly the same, the second gem had a significantly higher piety return, making it a better investment.
After nearly half an hour of careful comparison, Rowe finally selected several dozen gems — all inexpensive yet efficient in piety return. The total cost amounted to just over 200 runes, a significant expense.
As Rowe exited the store with the gem-filled bag in hand, Koishi Root clutched it tightly, his eyes shimmering with excitement.
"Taste one first," Rowe said, pulling a small gem from the bag and slipping it into Shilut's mouth.
Shilut had no visible teeth. It was unclear whether he had lost them or had yet to grow any due to his youth. He simply swallowed things whole.
"Hey!"
"Wait till we're home," Rowe said, concerned that Shilut might fall asleep immediately after eating the gem.
Once home, Rowe opened the gem pouch, picked out a few, and fed them to Shilut one by one.
Shilut ate them with enthusiasm. There was no drowsiness — in fact, he remained as energetic as ever, his large, glistening eyes sparkling with life.
Rowe fed him a few more.
Only after consuming more than a dozen gems did Shilut finally begin to doze off, curling up on Rowe's lap.
"What a money-eating monster," Rowe muttered to himself, pained by the thought of the two hundred runes spent.
He carefully placed the sleeping Shilut onto the bed and quietly left the house once more.
A short while later, Rowe arrived at Tialfi's residence.
After earning second place in the Hunting Festival, Tialfi's status had naturally risen. He had been moved to a private courtyard, far more comfortable than the communal lodgings provided for most hunters.
"Roar..."
Before Rowe even knocked, a deep, rumbling roar echoed from the yard.
Knock knock knock. Rowe tapped on the door.
"It's you, Rowe? Cough..." Tialfi opened the door, disheveled and covered in soot. His clothing was scorched, his face gray and streaked with ash, and smoke wafted from his body.
Rowe blinked. "What happened to you—?"
"It's all because of it," Tialfi groaned, pointing to the young dragon chained in the yard.
The fiery young dragon was flapping its wings aggressively, struggling against its restraints.
"Roaaar..." it growled, its voice muffled slightly by the muzzle on its snout.
"When I tried feeding it, it blasted dragonfire in my face," Tialfi said with a bitter cough.
Rowe looked at him, speechless. "You really plan to tame it?"
"Dreams are meant to be chased. You never know unless you try — you're the one who said that," Tialfi replied. "Before the Hunting Festival, who would've thought I'd stumble upon a young dragon? Anything's possible."
"That's true," Rowe said with a chuckle. "I hope you make it — becoming a dragon knight would be quite the title."
"So, what brings you here?" Tialfi asked.
Rowe scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Well... I'm working on a potion. I need some dragon blood. I was hoping to buy a small amount from you."
Tialfi tilted his head. "How much are we talking?"
Rowe produced a crystal vial commonly used in alchemy. "Just enough to fill this."
Though still a young dragon, its size was comparable to a small goat. A vial of blood wasn't asking much.
Tialfi nodded. "Forget the money. Just make sure you heal it properly after the draw."
"Don't worry," Rowe said with a confident grin. "You know I'm great with healing magic."
"You need it now?"
"Not just yet," Rowe replied. "I'm still missing a few ingredients. I'll come back for the blood when I've got everything ready."
…
Three days after the Hunting Festival, most hunters had departed from Nornheim. The time had come for the dragon's sacrificial ritual.
Shilut was still fast asleep, but Rowe wasn't too concerned. Even while sleeping, Shilut was clearly growing — he'd grown nearly ten centimeters taller since the festival.
Rowe made his way to the Cave of Time, where a sizable crowd had already gathered. Heimdall was among them.
The two found a place to sit together, exchanging casual conversation as they waited.
Soon, the dragon's roar echoed across the area.
"Roar—!" The massive creature was bound to an enormous wooden platform, restrained by heavy chains. A group of oxen slowly dragged it toward the entrance of the Cave of Time.
As the dragon neared, Odin, Hela, and other figures of importance arrived.
From Duke Norn's side came Frigga. Dressed in a soft golden gown, she looked regal and radiant, the very image of elegance and nobility.
Frigga approached Odin. "Lord Odin, I regret to inform you that my mother is ill and unable to attend. Karnira is with her. I will be overseeing this ritual."
Odin's expression brightened with genuine warmth.
"You've become even more beautiful, Frigga," he said sincerely.
Frigga smiled with modesty, her cheeks flushed with the faintest blush.
Nearby, Jorde's expression soured visibly.
Heimdall leaned toward Rowe and whispered, "To be honest, I always thought Lord Odin's current marriage seemed… strained."
Rowe stayed silent, unsure how to respond.
But it was obvious to anyone paying attention — Odin and Jorde had little chemistry, and their disconnect was undoubtedly one of the factors that would contribute to Hela's eventual rebellion.
The dragon was slowly guided into the cave, and everyone followed after it.
Frigga approached the Pool of True Sight, turning to Odin. "I will now awaken and commune with the Norn Spirit. She will ask you what future you wish to glimpse."
She added in a hushed tone, "Your conversation with the Norn Spirit will remain entirely private — even I will not hear it."
Odin gave a nod and smiled. "Very well."
Frigga stepped forward to the pool. Kneeling beside the shimmering waters, she dipped her hand into its surface and murmured an incantation, eyes closed in concentration.
The water began to ripple unnaturally, and a strange, otherworldly presence awakened within it. Everyone present could sense it, Rowe included.
It felt as though a pair of unseen eyes opened in the void, surveying them all before locking onto Odin.
There was no mistaking it — the Norn Spirit had awakened.
Legends told that the Norn Spirit was the amalgamation of the souls of deceased Dukes of Norn.
A cold, distant female voice echoed in Odin's ears: "Odin Borson, what future do you wish to know?"
In his eyes, the surroundings transformed into a white, endless expanse. Before him stood the Norn Spirit — feminine in form, though her image was hazy and without detail. Her entire being was composed of light and shadow, abstract and unformed.
Odin hesitated briefly, then said, "Who will be Asgard's next King of the Gods?"
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