Way of the Knights

Chapter 699 - Another Improvement

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The seed was full...

After devouring the Sentient Lightning Source, the little bit of gap needed for it to become full was filled. The lightning source tried to fight at first. Despite being easily absorbed into the seed itself, it didn't mean certain death. In some ways, it still had a chance to escape or in turn, absorb all the lightning energy on the seed.

Well, as if Vendrick would allow something like that to happen. Though, it was quite fortunate that nothing disturbed him during his attempts of stripping the lightning source off of its sentience. Vendrick didn't need it to be sentient, leaving it like might have a risk in the future, and for someone who's creed is to be cautious of his every move, there is no way that Vendrick would let it be like that. 

As a result, the lightning source was absorbed without no problems. The seed is filled with all the necessary energy it needs to germinate and slowly transform into a Dragon's Heart. 

Vendrick didn't need to absorb any lightning anymore, he got all that he needed and more thanks to the surplus from the lightning source. 

"Well, that's that. I'll just need to wait until it germinates on its own and I'll start nurturing it. The sooner I get the Dragon's Heart, the sooner I'll be able to move on with my task." 

Vendrick stood up from the ground and began investigating his surroundings. 

He got distracted for a moment but he didn't forget that he's in ruined remains of a previous civilization. More precisely, in front of him is the only intact house in this ruins. Well, 'intact' in a sense that it's still standing like how its supposed to be. 

The house was tattered, it is obvious that time hasn't been kind on it as well. Vendrick has been debating whether its safe for him to go inside, well he's more concerned that the thing would just collapse the moment he take a step inside. 

Vendrick is not really interested about the story of this place. In fact, he couldn't care less. The reason why he even spared a glance at this place is because the Sentient Lightning Source had made this place its nest. He wanted to know why, that's all. 

Under the scrutiny of his ocular technique, Vendrick didn't see anything worth of notice around here. Except for the lingering traces of the lightning source around here, there's nothing else that piqued his interests. 

*Booom!* *Crash!!*

"Oh..." 

Vendrick was stunned speechless. The hut collapsed in front of him, majority of it turning into ash as if came crumbling down. It was such a weird scene, especially since he didn't even approach the thing at all. It just collapsed on its own. 

"Uh..." 

Vendrick's face turned weirder, in the end he could only sigh and say: "That's not my fault. Maybe the lightning source is deeply connected to this house, and since its gone now, the only thing holding this place up was gone as well so it came crumbling down." 

"That's the only sound explanation I could come up with. As to why it made this place its nest well...maybe out of sentimentality? I don't know, I didn't bother examining the memories of the thing."

"Oh well, whatever. I don't care. Time to leave." 

As just as so, Vendrick left the site and went back to the tribe. 

---

Back in the tribe, Vendrick casually strolled down the streets while people make way for him. 

He could see their strange gazes of worship and hesitation but he didn't mind this too much. Instead, he focused on getting back to the hideout. He wanted to enter a short period of seclusion while waiting for the seed to germinate. That process needs his undivided attention. 

As he made his way back, the gazes of the people was with him even after disappearing from their view. When everyone was sure that he was gone, they all collectively released a sigh of relief. 

Unbeknownst to Vendrick, aside from worship, his image also strikes them with fear. The fear isn't so great it's keeping them up at night, rather it made them feel secure. However, the fear is what prevents them fro  getting close. It acts as an insurmountable wall that they can't possibly overcome. 

The only people who could converse comfortably with Vendrick were Arthur and Rosa. Aside from them, Vendrick didn't really bothered with anyone else. 

The fear they felt isn't simply because Vendrick was snobbish, cold or whatever. What they feel is something instinctual to them, seated at the very depths of their own soul. This was due to Vendrick being abnormal. 

No matter how good Vendrick is at concealing his aura, especially the Dragonborn Aura, it would seem like it doesn't stop them from feeling it. Like what was stated, this is something instinctual to them, a natural response like feeling hungry after not eating for so long, or feeling thirsty.

Vendrick has no idea about this, even if he did, he probably won't be able to do anything against it.

Either way, it would seem like his decision for his friends to become the leaders of the tribe was correct. And its not like Vendrick had anything against the tribe, he didn't wish to harm them, in fact he will defend them to a great extent since it is the debt he owe to them. 

Additionally, he will also do his best to improve their living conditions. With the knowledge he has, he will relay them to Arthur and Rosa so that when the time for him to leave or whatever, this people would remain safe and secure, be it their real or not. 

---

"Oh, working had I see." 

Vendrick said as he saw Arthur and Rosa sparring fiercely. 

At a glance, anyone would think that these two were actually trying to kill each other. The battle intent in their eyes were visible and seeming inextinguishable. In fact however, this is just a normal spar to them. 

The two heard his voice and the fierceness on their eyes melted like snow under the summer. 

"You're back!" Arthur greeted. 

"Did you kill it?" Rosa asked. 

"Yep, I did." Vendrick answered. "I'll be entering seclusion later, I'll leave the tribe to you guys." 

Arthur and Rosa nodded, telling Vendrick that there's nothing to worry about and that he can leave everything to them. 

As he was about to enter his hut, Vendrick remembered something. 

"Ah! That's right." The Spear of Wisdom appeared on his hand and he handed it over to Arthur.

"F-for me?" 

"No." Vendrick ruthlessly shattered Fatty's dreams. "I want you to stab that at the center of the tribe." 

"Eh?" Arthur was confused. "Why?" 

"Stop asking questions and just do it." Vendrick waved his hand and sent both of them away. 

The two were visibly confused at first but they ended up going anyways. Since Vendrick wasn't keen on explaining, then there's no need to ask. It's not like he's up to something bad anyway. That's just how he is. 

The two made way towards the center of the tribe with Vendrick's spear on hand. Arthur searched for a good spot to stab it in and he found it after searching shortly. There was a mound there which looked like the perfect place to do so. 

Since it was decided, Arthur stopped hesitating and stabbed the spear onto the mound. 

*Buzz!!*

Shockingly, the moment he stabbed the spear down, a flash of blue light erupted from the spear and a strong buzzing sound echoed on their ears. It was disorienting but didn't hurt. When their senses returned to normal, both Arthur and Rosa was shocked to see the changes they caused. 

A blue done, transparent but unbelievably solid, encased the entire tribe. Forget about Arthur and Rosa, everybody on the tribe was surprised to see such a spectacle. 

Not even minutes after the dome appeared, they could already feel the changes occurring to their surroundings. 

The air was purer, sunlight turned more gentle, colors became more vibrant and the energy was swiftly being purified and concentrated. Everybody felt like their spirits were being lifted by an invisible force. They never felt so comfortable and at peace before.

"T-this is..." Arthur was gobsmacked, so too was Rosa. 

"The whole tribe is...the hideout?" Rosa felt like she was dreaming. 

Both of them were aware about the strange magic at the hideout, for some unknown reason everything inside that place was just better. They initially thought that it'd be nice if the atmosphere within the whole tribe was like this. Never did they imagine that Vendrick would actually do just that. 

"This is what you call a Formation." Vendrick's voice echoed on their ears but he wasn't physically there. "I'll explain it in more detail later but basically, it's just makes this place infinitely better. You two do your thing, I'll be sealing the hideout for a bit since I'll enter seclusion. I don't know how long this will last but makes yourselves comfortable." 

And just like that, the tribe's living conditions were once again made better by a simple move from Vendrick.