Above The Sky
Chapter 397 - 397 368 This is Just War 13

397: Chapter 368 This is Just War (1/3) 397: Chapter 368 This is Just War (1/3) Leyan City is a small forest city located by the river and lake, or it could be said to be a large town, which is somewhat simple and unadorned even compared to Harrison Port.

However, when it comes to scenery, Harrison Port, aside from its advantage of being by the Southern Sea, is basically completely outclassed in all other aspects.

Surrounding the entire Leyan City are purple-red and golden-orange flowers and grasses, which are the unripe form of ‘Radiance Grass,’ a perennial herb named after the colors of the morning and evening glows.

The plant blooms in summer and withers in winter.

Individuals that are successfully cultivated can be extracted for Spirit Energy nourishment, a precious tranquilizer raw material, and can also act as a supplement for recovering from mental trauma.

Not all Radiance Grass can be considered Spirit Energy Plants, only the best-growing part can manifest ‘Xia Hui’ that shines clearly at night.

And as long as you keep a leaf of Radiance Grass in your mouth and close your eyes in contemplation, you can have a good dream where you see beautiful glows, smell the fragrance of grass and trees, and quickly heal a range of ailments including insomnia, mental exhaustion, and headaches.

The other Radiance Grass that does not manifest Xia Hui will decay early, accumulating nutrients for the following year.

Apart from this, the scent of grass and trees secreted by Radiance Grass has a strong tranquilizing effect on Magical Beasts, such that even ferocious ones like Sharp Claw Tigers lose their hunting instincts when they get close.

And mild-natured Magical Beasts, like the Ironshell Bear for instance, would even lie down to sleep in the sea of flowers and could be lured out by a few ordinary people using honey.

A road passes through the sea of flowers, leading straight to the town behind it.

Now, as the dawn slowly rises, golden light covers the land, and so the splendid Xia Hui in the sea of flowers is beginning to fade, but Ian, with just a glance at the sea of flowers, can still see plenty of pale blue aura.

The yield of Radiance Grass is quite stable, so it shouldn’t be difficult for him to purchase the Magical Medicine Ingredients.

After parting with Anfa, the green-haired Elves Scholar decides to enjoy the beauty of the city alone, while Ian decides to go straight to the Baron’s manor to deliver his calling card and then head to the local Platinum Iridium Workshop to inquire about the situation with Magic Potions.

Without surprises, at this important source of Magic Potion raw materials, the Platinum Iridium Workshop should have long-distance communication equipment.

Ordinary people cannot use it, but with the business card of Master Gossay and Yisen Gard in his hands, there should be no problem.

Leyan City is built by the lake, surrounded by a sea of flowers on two sides, encircled by the lake on one side, and directly connected to the endless Bison Mountains on the west.

According to Ian’s knowledge, Leyan Lake was formed a thousand years ago by a meteorite impact, with the mountain streams from the surrounding ranges converging here, resulting in this deep, yet not large, mountain well.

Radiance Grass originally thrived around this star-fallen region.

So, the Baron’s manor is not located in the center of town but on a high cliff by the lake, an exceptionally sturdy cliff of solidified lava, into which the Baron’s castle and estate are rooted.

The towering spires of the towers reach straight into the firmament, overlooking the entire Leyan City.

Suddenly, the sky darkened.

Ian looked up.

Rain clouds from the Southern Sea were gradually approaching this land, the moist air and the sea of clouds engulfing the mountains emerging at the edge of the sky, their border tinged with a layer of morning glow by the dawn.

The South Ridge is not lacking in sunlight, but rainfall is definitely abundant.

The town, covered by the sea of flowers, seemed to come to life due to the approaching rain clouds, with lights beginning to shine in the scattered buildings.

People started to gather the clothes hanging outside the windows and close the windows opened due to the heat, the noisy hustle and bustle appearing earlier than usual because of the sun-shielding rain clouds.

Even the Frost Butterflies became excited, flapping against the inside of Ian’s helmet, making the youth smile as he took it off and let his long white hair cascade down, he and the Little Fairy breathing in the air that was starting to grow cold.

Only the leaves of Radiance Grass truly have medicinal effects, but the scent of the flowers is indeed fragrant enough, faintly similar to the osmanthus from his previous life.

A calming scent, he thought.

The fragrance is similar to the Sober Sleep Powder of the Natives, and its effects are not unrelated.

Perhaps Radiance Grass is a mutated and advanced form of the Su Boer Flower.

The ice-blue Little Fairy flew around Ian, sensing and buzzing happily in the comfortable environment, though soundlessly.

Until the first drop of rain fell, landing on the palm of the youth.

“Let’s go.”

After letting the Frost Butterfly frolic for a while, in the gradually intensifying curtain of rain, Ian put his helmet back on, and the Little Fairy obediently returned.

Riding a camel beast, the Guide Knight made his way into the town.

The Guard Squad patrolling the streets noticed a far-off guest clad in armored clothing, approached him to ask questions, and then bowed respectfully.

Yet at the town’s highest point, in the castle at the edge of the cliff, the upper layers remained shrouded in darkness.

A figure stood atop the tower, silently gazing at the scene below.

…

Red Blade Lubeck, the former leader of the Harrison Port mercenaries and now an external operative of the Huai Guang Church, was a devout believer.

The red-haired green-eyed mountaineer had grown a bit plump, his previously lean but strong physique even showing the common middle-aged paunch—something incredible for a Sublimator, as they could easily burn off the energy that such fats could store with minimal exercise, their life activities sustained only by Origin Quality.

Since his vengeance was fulfilled, Lubeck, who gave up the bloody life of a mercenary as if abandoning all wealth and comfort, contentedly served as an ordinary monk in the Huai Guang Church, living on simple food and tea, chopping wood and sweeping floors, an image of contentment.

But today, his brows were furrowed, and his expression grave as he strode quickly toward the bishop’s private chamber behind the church.

“Come in.”

Before he could knock, the White Mist Bishop spoke first, causing Lubeck to hesitate for a moment before opening the door.

The elderly man, with white hair and somewhat disheveled appearance, was reading through a stack of sealed letters, while beside him, a crystal plate displayed a constantly updating stream of text.

These details should have been confidential, but he showed them without any concern to Lubeck, who was, theoretically, still an outsider.

The red-haired mountaineer, deserving of this trust, kept his eyes focused, and reported the news he’d received to the old man in a low voice.

“Hmm.

The Iron Fang Tribe of the mountain people believes that the Fiery Flame Land is disrupting the ecological balance within the Bison Mountain Range, intending to lure out the powerful Beast Kings from the deep mountains to attack the prosperous cities north of the Agate Stone Plains.”

This was news that could seriously alarm any lord whose lands bordered the Agate Stone Plains, yet the White Mist Bishop continued reading his letters without a change in expression: “Combining it with the heads and the intelligence that Ian sent back a few days ago, this information is most likely true.”

“A full-scale war is about to commence, with the Fiery Flame Land planning a comprehensive strike against the economy, food supply, and defensive capabilities of the South Ridge.

However, with Viscount Grant’s call to arms, the lords are already on alert; there’s no need for us to worry about that—I will inform the viscount and Marquis Barton about this intelligence later.”

“Eh, why doesn’t the Church…”

It was clear the mountaineer didn’t place much trust in the so-called nobles.

The White Mist Bishop picked up on Lubeck’s anxiety and aversion.

In response, he offered a slight smile: “The Huai Guang Church does not interfere in wars between Human nations.

Lubeck, although you are not a true member of the Church, I am willing to recommend you to go to the Holy Mountain for further study.”

“After you avenged your child, you became decadent and desireless, confused about the meaning of your life.

But this is precisely the ‘sense of rebirth’ that Embrace Light needs.”

“And now, you, who are confused, are driven to act on your own, reporting the news you received to me, aiming to change this ‘terrible future.’ This proves that you truly possess ‘love’ and ‘goodwill.'”

“You are worthy of becoming a member of Embrace Light, to follow the path of the inheritance of the Dawn Dweller.”

The White Mist Bishop locked eyes with Lubeck’s green orbs, which swirled with a light that was faint, pure, and resolute: “But Lubeck—Embrace Light will never intervene in the conflicts among Humans.”

“Unless it brings disaster.”

“…But Bishop, this could lead to tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of deaths!

When the kings of the mountains are enraged, before they can be stopped, countless will die!”

Lubeck murmured in disbelief: “Bones and blood will cover the ground—is that not a disaster?!”

“It is not,” the White Mist Bishop lowered his gaze, “It’s just war.”