Chapter 188: 188

Chapter 188: No More Pretense

The astrologer was furious. He had signaled for Watson to utilize the armor and weaponry he had taken with him, and Watson agreed with a nod—he had agreed.

“Master, don’t be angry. Even though that equipment is not valuable, it’s a pity to waste it. You are different, Master. Didn’t you drink from the Spring of Life in the Forest of Eternity, which meant that you’d never die? Your lifespan is meaningless to you.”

Watson looked apologetic as he consoled the enraged astrologer. Suddenly, the ring’s notification echoed in his ear.

[The host’s wish cannot be fulfilled because it does not match the price paid. To fulfill the wish, you will need to spend at least another 100 years of your lifespan.]

“The ten-year lifespan of a platinum-tier elite cannot be exchanged for the safety of tens of thousands of ordinary people. To think that I only need to pay half the price because I fused the Wish for the World Ring.”

That wish would have taken at least 200 years of the astrologer’s life if it had not been for the Wish for the World Ring that Watson had fused, which had a stronger effect than the original Nibelung ring. Of course, it was possible that the astrologer would live indefinitely. That is why the assessment of his lifespan was so cheap.

With that thought in mind, Watson said decisively, “I’m willing to pay with 100 years of my master’s life.”

[The host’s wish is successful. Everyone in Blackmoon Town, including the host, has improved physical fitness and abnormal resistance attributes. Only one wish remains for today.]

Along with the voice, an unseen wave spread across Blackmoon Town, beginning with the ring on Watson’s finger. It spread like a wave in all directions before it disappeared. Everyone hit by that wave had changed in some way.

A person whose legs were injured during the escape stood up from the ground, surprised, and exclaimed, “I can feel my legs!”

A few skinny, hungry children sat nearby. They had been staring at the big pots of food in front of them and subconsciously licked their lips. At that moment, the muscles on their bodies suddenly inflated, and they patted their stomachs in surprise.

They did not feel hungry anymore.

“Did Young Master Watson do that?”

“Young Master Watson is too kind. Not only did he give us food, but he also used magic to improve our physical fitness.”

Everyone was happy. The only one unhappy was probably the astrologer. At that moment, the astrologer touched the wrinkles on his face; they seemed to have become deeper. Then, a few strands of snow-white hair fell from the top of his head. He looked sorrowful. “It’s over. I’ve become older.”

He had drunk from the Spring of Life, and he would never die of old age. However, it did not mean that he would not grow old.

“It’s alright, Master. Regardless of whether you are old or young, you are still handsome in my heart! How about that? The Wish for the World Ring might have a third wish, and I can wish for you to be a hundred years younger,” Watson said flatteringly as he walked toward the astrologer.

“Little Brat, get lost.”

The astrologer was furious when he saw Watson. Of course, he was also shocked. He was the one who had given the Song of the Nibelungs rings to Sylvan. He knew what attributes the ring had, and other than the fact that it could increase one’s combat aura ten-fold, the rings’ strongest technique was the Symphony of Fate.

It could fulfill one wish every day, and any wish could be fulfilled. That was why the Song of the Nibelungs rings were famous amongst other platinum-tier tools, and that was the reason the border count was reluctant to give all of them to Watson. However, it seemed like Watson had used some kind of method to modify the ring and obtain a stronger ability.

“Watson, let me see the ring in your hand.”

The astrologer reached his hand outward, and Watson handed the ring to him. The astrologer glanced at it; he was shocked.

He had platinum-tier strength and profound knowledge, so he knew that the ring was several times stronger than before that. It had reached the peak of the platinum tier. The ring had also become a new tool. “I wonder if Sylvan will cry when he finds out about this?”

That ring did not match the five rings in Sylvan’s hand, so it could not be reassembled. In other words, the five rings in Sylvan’s hand had become trash because he was unwilling to give all of them to Watson.

The astrologer had lost some insignificant years in his lifespan, but Sylvan had lost a whole set of platinum-tier tools. The astrologer felt a little more at ease and returned the ring to Watson. He said, “Brat, you have to keep that ring well. It’s best if you don’t show it to anyone else. Also, in the future, you are not allowed to use your wish without speaking to me.”

Watson had the World Tree’s shadow and the Wish for the World Ring—both were peak platinum-tier tools.

The World Tree’s shadow was fine on its own; it could be hidden on his body and not be discovered. However, the Wish for the World Ring was different. Watson’s strength was not at the peak tier yet, and those precious tools might attract unwanted attention.

“Yes, Master. I understand.” Watson stuck out his tongue. He looked indifferent, but he remembered the astrologer’s words. His right hand twitched, and a branch of the world tree wriggled outward and wrapped around the ring. Then, it returned to his body.

“Hi, Watson. Long time no see. Do you still remember me?”

While he did that, Nightingale walked out from the group of Shadow Guards and greeted him; she looked a little nervous.

Since Watson was the astrologer’s disciple, he was the border count’s junior. She had to respect him because of his seniority. Furthermore, she was shocked when she saw Watson make a platinum-tier tool. Initially, she had wanted to ask Watson for benefits to make her stronger, but that thought had disappeared entirely.

“Miss Nightingale? Of course, I remember you.” Watson smiled sweetly at Nightingale, which made her slightly relieved.

“Lord Sylvan sent me to Blackmoon Castle. I’m in charge of transporting goods and helping Blackmoon Castle through the winter. But now it seems like Blackmoon Castle doesn’t need my help.”

“You don’t have to say that. Miss Nightingale, you are a gold-tier elite. You can help Blackmoon Castle in many ways.”

“For example…”

“Well, for example, you can help clean Blackmoon Castle and the nearby manors. When you’re free, you can go to the kitchen to cook some food or listen to the refugees’ requests.”

Nightingale pouted her lips; she was a little displeased. It looked like warriors had been reduced to cleaning workers in Blackmoon Town. Perhaps Watson despised her because she was weak; he did not treat her like a real gold-tier warrior.

Nightingale did not reveal her thoughts. She asked, “Watson, why did you gather so many refugees? And why are there so many magical beasts outside the town? It seems that half of the magical beasts in the Misty Forest are here.”

“It’s very simple. I can’t bear to see them suffer. As for the magical beasts outside the town, they came by themselves. I had no way of capturing them.” Watson’s eyes flickered as he scratched his cheek with his right hand.

“Watson, is that really the case? Don’t lie to me.” Nightingale looked skeptical. She stared at Watson with burning eyes. She did not believe Watson when he said that he could not bear to see the refugees suffer. As for the magical beasts, it did not sound plausible that they went there on their own.

“Alright, I won’t pretend anymore. I’ll lay my cards on the table.”

Watson could not bear the aggression in Nightingale’s eyes. He sighed and spread his hands. “I gathered those refugees to explore the Misty Forest, including the magical beasts outside the town. Otherwise, I would have fused them a long time ago.”

“Explore the Misty Forest? Now?”

Watson nodded at Nightingale’s confusion; the light in his eyes became more intense.

“Yes, now is the best time. The magical beasts have all left the Misty Forest. Isn’t it the best time to go in and explore? Actually, I’m not the one who suggested that idea, but a man called Sven. If you want to know more about the details, I’ll ask him to come by and talk to you later.”