Badge in Azure Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Saleen’s Contract (Part 2)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Judikaka was not worried that Saleen would learn about his weakness. Up to this moment, he had not heard of a single human who had grasped the power of lightning. The only exception was Shanglan, who had been able to control a lightning dragon, but that had not been Shanglan’s own power either. Hence, Judikaka replied honestly, “Actually, spirits enjoy a higher resistance to lightning than humans. It is just that when we are struck by lightning, the pain we feel will also be hundreds of times more than that of humans. A single lightning strike might cause you to instantly become ash, but we will have to endure a long period of pain.”
Saleen was seated opposite the two kings as he raised his head and chatted with them. As the river flowed behind Saleen, Saleen could feel a chill in his bones, but this coldness was nothing compared to the petrifying auras given off by the kings. Judikaka had already tried his best to rein in his aura, but Saleen still felt like he had returned to his childhood days of starvation in the freezing cold.
The auras on the spirits’ bodies were that of death. Frostiness, deterioration, hunger, and loneliness.
Judikaka knew that it was extremely difficult for a person at this grade to be able to sit in front of him and yet remain nonchalant. He reined in even more of his aura to make Saleen feel better.
“I see, so how will the lightning dragon evolve?” Saleen still had dozens of lightning dragon eggs in his possession. If these things could fly after evolving, then their value would already be immensely different.
Judikaka pondered for a moment, then he said, “I am not sure how the lightning dragon evolves, but I think it has to do with lightning. This evolution must be fraught with difficulties, otherwise the lightning dragon would have already conquered this plane long ago.”
Saleen felt that Judikaka’s words were logical, but he also felt that Judikaka was concealing some facts. This spirit king seemed to be fearful of something, but he was definitely not afraid of Saleen.
Of course, Judikaka would never disclose to Saleen the evolution process of the lightning dragon. Shanglan might have died, or he could have already become a god. Even if Shanglan was dead, he was still unwilling to divulge the secret. Relying on the nine lightning dragons, Shanglan had managed to throw the death dimension into chaos for thousands of years before he had left. At that point in time, Judikaka, Diyabannersa, and Banchajanna had all been weak spirits. Thus, they were easily subdued by Shanglan and were later bestowed with the scepters. In just several years, their powers had been forcefully advanced countless times, and they had also gained intelligence.
That was a period of pain, and Judikaka did not want to recall those memories.
Saleen felt that he could no longer extract information by discussing this topic, so he decided to change the subject and said, “Why did the abyssal plane want to invade the death dimension? This is really strange. I recall reading in a book that wars are not allowed between planes. Other than the rules, the power of a creature will also decrease once it travels to another plane, and even the gods will come and interfere. The abyssal creatures might be very powerful, but there aren’t many of them who are actually stronger than gods, are there?”
Judikaka laughed bitterly, and said, “The abyssal plane is too vast. From my own knowledge, I only know the first one hundred levels. Even if their powers are decreased, they can still wreak havoc within the death dimension simply by outnumbering us. As for the rules, you should know that abyssal creatures are ruthless. They are mentally unsound, and even if they are summoned, there is the possibility that they might kill their summoner. Have you ever heard of a mage who was willing to summon abyssal creatures?”
“Sir Judikaka, if you don’t mind, may I take the liberty to ask a question? I have heard that there is an elf of fire elements in the abyssal plane. Is that true?” As Saleen digressed further, Judikaka began letting his guard down.
“Yes, but it should only be present in the sixth abyss. The other levels are more populated with poisonous creatures. There is also the lava monster. The flame tyrant is also commonly seen, but the elf of fire elements is much too rare. Furthermore, they are antisocial. If two elves of fire elements are placed together, they will fight to their deaths.”
“When I am free, I would like to take a look around the sixth abyss. A pity that my magic is flawed, and thus my immunity to damage from fire elements is too low. Oh yes, is there any special equipment in the death dimension which could be used to defend against attacks from the elf of fire elements?”
“Junior mage, are you trying to capture the elf of fire elements? I can provide the equipment, but please don’t walk to your own doom. Furthermore, you have no idea how to get to the sixth abyss. Your body is as weak as a skeleton soldier.” Diyabannersa was being sarcastic towards Saleen. He simply said whatever came to his mind, unlike Judikaka. Even though he did not hate Saleen, he did not truly respect this weak mage either.
If Saleen had not signed a contract with them, Diyabannersa would never have bothered reminding him.
Saleen thought to himself, I must have a piece of equipment to bring back to Sregl Island. At this moment, Sregl Island is sealed. In the event that teacher does not manage to capture the elf of fire elements after three years, I will deliver the equipment at the same time as when the island is reopened, in order to deal with the elf of fire elements as soon as possible.
The people from Alchemy City would definitely not stand guard outside the island. Dozens of days would not be much of a difference to them.
“Sir Diyabannersa, humans are always filled with their fantasies. Please fulfill my wish. I am willing to offer twice the amount of magic books in exchange for it.”
Diyabannersa burst out in laughter, then he lowered his head and said to Saleen, “Junior mage, this set of equipment isn’t considered a piece of material. A huge amount of materials are needed to produce this set of equipment. If you really want it, then use one hundred magic books in exchange.”
In his heart, Diyabannersa thought to himself, If only this plane did not have any gods. Then, I would be able to look for mages and obtain many magic books by either stealing or purchasing them. I would not have to waste my time with this fellow over here.
“Nevermind. Anyway, I won’t be able to enter the abyssal plane for the next thirty to fifty years at least. When the time comes, we will make an agreement again.”
Judikaka found the scene amusing, but he was afraid that Diyabannersa would be duped, so he quickly said, “Saleen, this equipment is made from thirty-six types of materials. You shall use seventy-two books for the exchange, no more no less. This will be the permanent price.”
Saleen chuckled. He did not care whether he needed to give one hundred books or seventy-two books. After a long conversation, Saleen had realized that these spirits were not foreign to the human plane, but this was the first time they had arrived onto the Myers Mainland. Therefore, in the past, they must have interacted with a human for an extremely long period of time.
Even though the rest of the mages were busy, they no longer needed to deal with the lightning dragon, so all of them were very relaxed. It was not a bad thing to be serving the three spirit kings. Creatures from the death dimension were much easier to live with compared to those from other planes, and that was the reason why humans preferred summoning spirits.
There was just too much risk in summoning creatures from the other planes.
Even though the bodies of the three kings had been slightly shortened after coming onto the Myers Mainland, they still had giant frames of over eight meters. At such a height, they could already peer into the second story of a magic tower.
Fortunately, spirits were not particular about comfort. The mages used magic to clear a piece of land before constructing a simple house on it. As mechanical puppets hammered the stakes, steel nails about half a feet long were wedged into the wood. Blinding sparks appeared with every strike.
The dull hammering sounds spread across a huge distance. When Diyabannersa heard these sounds, he knew that the mages were building a house, so he felt very satisfied.
Saleen knew how to behave in this delicate situation, as he knew that he could not use any form of status to command the kings. That was sufficient already. As for the deal, Diyabannersa did not care about whatever equipment or materials were used. For example, the ubiquitous bloodstone in the death dimension could be used to produce disposable magic equipment, such as scrolls, but they were far stronger than scrolls because a mage could utilize a magic array to stimulate the spell which was stored within a bloodstone.
This was akin to violating the rules. However, a bloodstone was formed when a normal rock was fused with a dying spirit, so a bloodstone itself already contained the power of a spirit.
Nailisi sat beside Saleen obediently and did not say anything. She was very confident of her ultimate shapeshifting spell. Even though the three kings possessed the ability to gaze into a soul, they would not be able to tell that she was not human.
Seventy-two magic books in exchange for a set of equipment which could defend against the elf of fire elements’ attacks was very worthwhile. It could even be said that the spirits were losing out in this deal. Saleen did not bargain anymore, because in the death dimension, such equipment was not valuable. Otherwise, the death dimension would not have been able to resist the invasion by the abyssal plane.
As the moon rose, its silver moonlight shone against the river, giving out an enchanting glow.
Judikaka gazed at the scenery, and commended, “Humans are so fortunate to be able to live in such a world.”
“How is this plane good? If you have lived here long enough, you will realize that it is no different from the death dimension. There is no planar invasion in the Myers Mainland, but humans will fight among themselves, causing even more fatalities.”
“You all can continue with the conversation. I am not interested.” Diyabannersa glanced at Saleen before standing up and leaving. He was going to rest in the big but crude house which the mages from Sregl Island had built.
Saleen did not mind that Diyabannersa was leaving. Anyway, Diyabannersa was not inclined to talking, so he was contented to be able to chat with Judikaka alone. The two people shared a great chemistry and they did not mention anything about Daniel being able to command the three kings. Saleen had even implicitly declared to Judikaka that from now on, the three kings would only negotiate with him.
Judikaka was very satisfied. If Daniel commanded them, they had the option of refusing without being punished by the contract. The only concern was that Daniel would go around boasting, and that would create trouble.
Judikaka did not know that there was only one god who was being worshipped on the Myers Mainland at this moment, and the followers of this god were trying to burn Daniel alive. Of course Daniel would not go and tell the Holy See’s people about the spirits.
“Saleen, it would be great if you were a spirit!” Judikaka’s words caused Saleen to be taken aback.
“Most spirits don’t understand what I am saying. They will only obey my commands to die or live.” Judikaka extended his several-meter-long arm. On his arm, there were strange blue magic patterns which swirled about under the moonlight.
Saleen’s icy sight had been activated all this while. At this point in time, he saw that the blue magic patterns were absorbing the energy from this world.
Something was amiss. Summoned spirits had to rely on the death mage’s death flames in order to continue absorbing energy from the death dimension. On the Myers Mainland, spirits who had left the mage would gradually weaken and their souls would eventually dissipate.
The existence of these three kings was definitely related to a human!
A notion emerged in Saleen’s mind. Out of the blue, Saleen said to Judikaka, “How about we sign one more contract?”