Volume One: The Infernal Lord’s World Chapter 70: The Advancement of the Sacred Rock

“What’s this? Did Holy Rock encounter an enemy over there?”

Chen Gu, who was sitting in the carriage, suddenly noticed a change in Holy Rock’s status—his level had jumped from one to three in an instant.

The abrupt upgrade startled Chen Gu. Such a leap could only be the result of a great battle—only after thousands of soldiers, whether directly or indirectly, had fallen to Holy Rock, could this happen.

It was worth noting that, along the way, Chen Gu had fought hundreds of undead to secure the resources needed for the Jade Ants, and his own experience was just barely enough to reach level two.

Now, Holy Rock had soared to level three in one stroke—clearly, the arrangements at Helm Valley had succeeded.

But Chen Gu was already some distance from Helm Valley, and he had no way of knowing what exactly had happened there.

“Never mind that; onward.”

He hesitated, but eventually abandoned the idea of turning back for a look, guiding the vine-drawn carriage southward.

Meanwhile, in the remnants of Helm Valley, Holy Rock was staring, speechless, at the sight before him.

Those Black Quicksilver Knights had simply lost all sense of measure. Even in the face of so many fire elementals, they still dared to charge forward.

Now, all three hundred Black Quicksilver Knights had melted into a massive lump of iron, piled in the center of Helm Valley.

When the battle was over and the fire elementals had wandered back to the magma pool, Holy Rock finally had the chance to approach the enormous block and inspect the aftermath.

He found that a mist of mercury surrounded the block of black iron.

Were it not for his dual nature—holy light and magma—he might not have detected the mercury mist at all.

Standing before the silver vapor, Holy Rock thought for a moment, then sent a bolt of holy light into the iron mass.

As the holy light pierced the mercury mist, a chorus of shrieks echoed in his ears.

And instantly, his level leapt from one to three.

That was precisely why Holy Rock now wore a bewildered expression—he had no idea how he had leveled up.

In truth, he didn’t understand that the Black Quicksilver Knights possessed a unique trait.

Unlike other death knights, whose souls were imprisoned within their armor, the souls of these knights were hidden within the mercury itself, guiding the mercury, which in turn controlled the armor.

Though this made their movements slightly slower than those of typical death knights, it came with a singular advantage.

If the mercury could be recovered, there remained a chance for resurrection.

However, when Holy Rock arrived, the mercury mist had made him uncomfortable, so he simply blasted it with holy light.

The mercury had already vaporized, and all the souls were gathered within it.

With a single blast, Holy Rock snuffed out the last hope of those three hundred Black Quicksilver Knights—and gained enough power to reach level three in an instant.

Yet he remained utterly confused as to how it had happened.

After standing stunned for quite some time, he finally remembered his purpose.

Chen Gu had sent him to seek out the agreement between Helm Valley and the Altar of Flame, or at the very least, to secure command over the fire elementals here.

With this in mind, Holy Rock gazed at the sea of fire elementals, his eyes glazing over.

Despite losing a number of fire elementals in the battle with the Black Quicksilver Knights, the losses were negligible compared to their overall numbers.

If he could take command of them, he would become the most vital hero under Chen Gu.

This thought filled Holy Rock with delight.

Unlike Allen the Elf, Holy Rock was a being of pure element, simple and guileless. He faithfully carried out whatever Chen Gu ordered, without the cunning or second-guessing that Allen sometimes displayed.

Following the direction Chen Gu had indicated, Holy Rock soon found a collapsed council hall.

Raking aside the ruins, he saw that the heart of Helm Valley’s city had been shattered beyond recognition.

It was clear the city was beyond saving.

The former lord of Helm Valley had perished beside the city’s heart, and in his hand, the city’s ancient seal remained.

This was precisely what Holy Rock had come to find.

Originally, he had hoped to activate the city’s heart and use its authority to command the fire elementals.

But with the heart destroyed…

He would have to settle for the ancient seal, proof of his authority.

If Chen Gu could claim to be the Elven Queen, what harm in Holy Rock declaring himself the new lord of Helm Valley?

Having found the city seal, Holy Rock glanced at the artifact, opened his mouth, and swallowed it whole.

Immediately, a mark appeared on his chest—the image of a black helmet on a red field.

This was the emblem of Helm Valley, once emblazoned on the banners above the city.

But now, with the city gone, the symbol had not been seen for many years.

Seal consumed, Holy Rock strode from the council hall.

At first, the fire elementals roaming the square paid him little heed. After all, part of his bloodline was derived from their own, and they regarded him as one of their own.

But when they saw the mark on his chest, all the fire elementals gathered around.

They searched their inherited memories for clues.

At last, one sentient fire elemental approached him and asked, “Are you the new lord of Helm Valley? Does the old pact with us fire elementals still stand?”

“The old pact? Of course it does,” Holy Rock replied at once, though he had no idea what the old agreement entailed.

“Very well. Back then, your kind promised we need only forge weapons, and need not take part in elven disputes. So now, the terms are the same—your conflicts with the elves are none of our concern. We’ll simply continue our smithing.”

Hearing this, Holy Rock immediately grasped the meaning.

He also guessed that this fire elemental was taking advantage of his ignorance, making up terms as he pleased.

“Agreed. Our quarrels with the elves will never involve you.”

He extended his hand. “Let us reaffirm our pact.”

“Good!” The fire elemental laughed, delighted.

He thought to himself that at last the old agreement had been revised into something simple and safe. Once he returned, he would surely be rewarded, perhaps even become the next fire elemental elder.

But then, just as the two clasped hands to seal the pact, Holy Rock added, “By the way, the world is now overrun with the undead. Elementals are living beings, too. We must purge the undead and restore vitality to this land.”