Chapter 699 Preparing

"I've just been so inconsiderate." Eldrian paused. "Waiting until we reach Tier 6 to go help your dad will take too long." Not adding that having waited so long might mean it was already too late. He was praying that it wasn't. That, if they couldn't save Old Sword, at least they could let him pass to the realm of souls.

​ Eldrian didn't understand what the afterlife was like, he wasn't religious himself, and while the concept wasn't foreign, he found it strange knowing that it existed in ANW. There was no question; he had been there himself. He had seen it.

Of course, it made him curious if there might be some truth to the religions on Earth. But without proof, it would be hard to know if there was, especially hard to know which religion was right. Perhaps they all had some truth to them?

"What do you need from me?" Eldrian asked, he already had most things sorted to keep his family safe. He just needed to now make the magical artifacts on Earth. He had already practiced most of the designs. The only one he hadn't practiced was the teleportation devices. Though, he would only need them if he stirred the waters. And he was no longer sure if he should do so since it would show Miracle just how much progress he had made.

Vivian's eyes flew open hearing Eldrian's question, but they quickly lowered with dismay. "I've tried, but no one want's to take on a dangerous mission with nearly no rewards when the kingdom is offering so many more profitable missions." Continuing.

"No one in Kynigo was able to help either. This was the best option..." By the end, her voice trailed into nothingness, and Eldrian felt a pang in his heart, realizing just how hopeless she must have felt.

'I'm sorry it took me so long!' Eldrian kept this apology to himself, feeling it would be insensitive to push his apology onto her. As if he was begging for forgiveness. He would show his determination to help. "Myropsis, do you think your dad would help us?"

"No." Came a flat immediate reply, a demoralizing answer that was so quick that it was clear Vivian had long since asked.

"Alright, I'll go ask someone else that might be willing to lend us some aid." Eldrian did not expand on who, causing the two to look at him confused. "Myropsis, while I am gone, can you collect all the plants on this list? Also, organize things so Erik can come here without running into trouble like last time."

"Why do you have a list of plants?" Myropsis asked, looking at Eldrian like one would look at a naughty kid.

"After finding out the strangeness of the vita and mortem flowers, I investigated for a bit. I plan to let Erik do further investigation."

"Why, Erik?" Myropsis asked, eyeing the list suspiciously.

"Because he has plenty of experience working with plants with unique properties such as the vita and mortem flowers. And, as a Dryad, he can feel part of the abilities that plants have. As well as the emotions of said plants... Don't ask me to explain. I don't understand either."

"Do we have time for this?" Myropsis asked, sending glances at Vivian to try and hint at Eldrian to notice her situation. Glances Eldrian had missed hundreds of times before.

"No. Which is why I want to leave this to Erik. He isn't interested in fighting and isn't good at it. I'll also ask him to prepare as many potions as possible."

As Eldrian stood up to leave, Vivian grabbed his arm. "What are you thinking?! We can't rush things. It will only get us killed!"

She had long since made peace with the fact that she couldn't help her dad until she grew stronger. Accepting that she was too weak. While it had been a crushing feeling, she had survived the most challenging part already.

Instead of letting her emotions control her actions, she was using them to fuel herself as she pushed herself to her limits. She made sure not to let this steal the rest of her life. Ensuring that she took some time to unwind with friends, to continue her own life.

Her dad hadn't rushed to the front to die. He had rushed to the front to give her and everyone else a chance at life. He wouldn't want her to ruin her life. He wouldn't want her to die trying to save him.

She did not wish to besmirch what she considered his last will.

"I know, I just... I can't continue to dawdle now that I finally comprehend what waiting means. I was so focused on my side of things that I turned a blind eye to how you must have felt. I'm sorry... I'll fix this!" Eldrian swore, his eyes blazing with determination.

Seeing Eldrian's resolve, Vivian smiled and let go of his arm. Instantly a large amount of the pressure she had been under was removed as Eldrian took on a great deal of the weight she had been carrying.

"Myropsis, please confirm whether my message went through to the king regarding Amrough and Herglem. The orcs are evacuating the citizens out of the kingdom."

With that, Eldrian turned and started sending out messages to all his friends. He asked for updates on their situations and whether they had any information on high Tiered individuals he might be able to ask for help.

Of course, Eldrian asked Erik to delay his visit. Placing a massive order of all types of potions that might be useful.

[[Eldrian] - Anything useful, I have 600 gold. If you can't make it, use your connections. I need at least 5 resurrection potions since I haven't learned the spell yet. Highest Tier possible, prioritize over others.]

The order stunned Erik. He knew that Eldrian was rich, but him suddenly placing an order of 600 gold for potions was insane. The most money Erik floated was around fifty to a hundred golds.

[[Erik] - The cheapest resurrection potion is 50 gold. It's a Tier 6 potion, the next ones are 250 gold.]

[[Eldrian] - One Tier 7 then and then four Tier 6.]

Receiving the instant reply, Erik smiled. He understood Eldrian's wish for that little extra security. He would do the same if Akarui was going to be in a place filled with danger.

In fact, he had bought one such potion before heading to help in Kynigo. He had emptied the funds meant for his store to afford it back then. Luckily, he had been rewarded for his help in Kynigo. Else he would have likely lost his store upon returning to Taurtania.

[[Erik] - Alright, I will prioritize mana potions for you since you can use magic to heal and revitalize stamina. However, there is a limit to how many you can use, similar to how spells lose effectiveness. Their effects will fall off if you drink them too often.]

[Unlike spells, this is not just a short-time thing. Extended periods of usage cause the body to build up tolerances. Permanently decreasing their effectiveness. Potions to reduce your tolerance are insanely expensive and rare, outside of an auction (which won't happen until the war situation is resolved) you won't be able to get them.]

[[Eldrian] - Thanks, I'll be careful. Btw, water healing can also remove the tolerances.]

Erik found the 'btw' message stunning. How Eldrian added it as an afterthought was simply mind-blowing. Erik had never heard of water healing being used to remove tolerances, and he was pretty sure he would be aware of it if it was possible.

In the end, he assumed it was just another Eldrian thing.

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