"Even this couldn't kill them!"
Beneath the armor that others couldn't see, Roy's expression turned serious, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.
He sensed an exceptionally evil power emanating from the opponent, vaguely recognizing that it was a fallen soul bound within some special artifact.
"It seems to be some kind of soul-binding monster!"
His knowledge was insufficient to immediately identify the name and origin of this creature, but from the molten lava and demonic aura he sensed, he vaguely detected something ominous.
Roy attempted to activate the [Eye of Hermes], but it was blocked by the black smoke.
This was a "non-item" state of "unable to identify," so he had no choice but to give up for now.
"Fortunately, their overall strength isn't that great. They're only advanced knights, unable to break through my defense. They're just a bit troublesome."
Roy squeezed Yanila's waist with his legs, but she uncooperatively bounced, confused: "What do you mean by that?"
Roy regretted bringing her out.
Had he known, he would have brought Atedia instead. At least she would have been agreeable and in sync with him.
"Start running! Don't just stand there and fight them head-on!"
Roy had no choice but to remind her, then reached for the long hair at the back of his head, pulling and stretching it.
Under the effect of the [Animation Art], the Hair Demon Physique transformed, condensing into a spear over three meters long.
Yanila finally started running.
Taking advantage of the moment he brushed past the Black Knight, Roy thrust his spear several times, piercing several holes in their armor.
Molten lava uncontrollably flowed out, the black smoke dispersed, and finally, two of them died.
"You're not ordinary apprentices. Who are you?"
The leader of the Black Knights exclaimed in shock.
He finally realized something was wrong.
Roy didn't answer him, instead delivering a side kick to Yanila's stomach.
"What are you doing now?" Yanila asked impatiently.
Roy was completely speechless.
He simply jumped off her back, using his willpower to activate the Source of Magic, charging toward the Knight like a cannonball.
This low-altitude diving attack was something mortals couldn't imagine or defend against.
Before he could react, Roy pierced through his face guard.
Roy lifted the helmet, and as expected, there was nothing inside.
"Insignificant insect, how dare you humiliate me like this!" the headless Black Knight leader roared in anger.
But what followed were several more spear thrusts, piercing through his body, with molten lava flowing out from several holes, dripping all over the ground.
He completely lost vitality, kneeling on the ground, unable to move.
Yanila and Celine followed suit, killing the last few Black Knights, only to discover that they hadn't truly died but had lost some kind of energy-like substance due to consuming too much lava.
"They're still not completely dead?"
They couldn't help but be greatly surprised.
Roy said, "They were never truly alive to begin with. If you inject them with lava and ignite the flames, they could probably rejoin the battle."
He used the [Eye of Hermes] to take another look.
Sure enough, this time, without life or soul obstructing it, he could finally identify the item in the manner of appraising an object.
What emanated from it was a green Magical Aura of first-tier Quality.
Surrounded by black mist, it signified the evil power related to the Abyssal Demons, while at the same time, there was a fiery red halo representing the Element of Fire.
After a moment, as if self-taught, mysterious knowledge flooded his mind.
"Soul Binding Demon Armor... A monster forged by fusing a soul with armor through a mysterious sacrificial ritual, possessing a special vitality akin to an Alchemical Lifeform!"
Roy was slightly shocked beneath his face guard.
"This thing is quite similar to a Golem.
Both bind souls, both are immortal... But this power is far more cruel and terrifying than crafting a Golem.
It essentially uses the soul as fuel, with the source of power being the continuous torment of burning pain from special magma!"
Roy turned to discuss it with Celine.
Celine nodded: "It definitely has that confrontational vibe!"
Roy attempted to store it in his Spatial Ring and surprisingly succeeded.
However, after careful sensing, he found that this thing was like a poison, constantly eroding and polluting its surroundings, even affecting the Aether Space within the Spatial Ring.
"It seems we can only set it aside for now, it can't stay long."
Roy warned himself inwardly.
...
Three days later, Roy returned to the quarry.
Flosf had also learned the specifics from his mid-journey report.
He contacted Roy again via the Communication Crystal, informing him: "Kairon may have already realized his plan is exposed.
However, most mortal beings harbor a sense of luck, and as long as we pretend not to know, he will continue his preparations."
"Teacher, aren't you planning to strike first?" Roy asked, somewhat puzzled.
"To strike first, one must be able to strike first."
Flosf said helplessly.
"To be honest, our rule over the Netherlands is lax and failed.
Since the previous governor, we haven't been able to establish an effective management system, and after I took over, I faced a mess.
This is undoubtedly a historical legacy passed down from predecessors, predecessors' predecessors, and even earlier.
All I seek is a comfortable, peaceful retirement, is that so difficult?"
Listening to his teacher's complaints, Roy was speechless.
"As for the 5 sets of Soul Binding Demon Armor you discovered, they are indeed evil powers driven by torment..."
Flosf's words carried a hint of lament.
"I never expected Kairon to make such a foolish choice!"
"Foolish?"
"Of course, do you think this power comes from nowhere? It comes from continuous cruel torment.
The centaur souls inside are constantly enduring the pain of being burned by fire, and it's not just physical pain, but directly affecting the soul.
When the power is activated, it's even more severe!
Even though we Wizards are called evil in many worlds, we are not cruel enough to torment the souls of our own kind!
These centaurs are truly foolish, only knowing internal strife..."
Roy was momentarily speechless.
"Alright, let's not talk about that for now, you've completed this mission exceptionally well, and the intelligence you've gathered has exceeded my expectations.
I've decided to buy back those Soul Binding Demon Armor from you for 10,000 Magic Stones..."
Buying back the Soul Binding Demon Armor?
Plus the prepaid reward.
For this mission, Roy earned a total of 20,000.
In addition, there was one set of Soul Binding Demon Armor he kept for himself.
Roy obtained 6 sets, but only reported 5.
He could keep one for his own research.
Roy was also quite interested in this item.
After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Flosf and said, "Teacher, I want to buy 10,000 Magic Stones worth of Star Iron ore."
"Star Iron ore? That's the primary material for Star Iron in Zabil Magic Metal...
Are you planning to forge a Wizardry Artifact for yourself?"
"Yes, to be precise, a handy weapon like an 'Activated Chain'!"
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