After finding out that Blackwell was telling the truth, Jacob was more at ease. He also found this drunkard ghost who likes drinking wine made with souls quite interesting, especially because of his carefree attitude about this dreadful place and how he's been wandering here for thousands of years.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm. But I'm not here for adventure. Since you are wandering here for so long, you must also know how to get out of here, right?" Jacob asked without revealing his true intentions.
Blackwell didn't find Jacob's question unusual. If Jacob was really here by mistake, then it was only natural that he wanted to get out. He raised his gourd again, swirling the liquid souls inside.
"To be honest with you, brave brother, the Valley of Sunless Dusk isn't a place where you can come and go as you please. You might enter on your own accord, but you can't exit unless the Valley allows you to exit.
"You should know in the history of Legendary Scorpio Plains, ever since the Valley of Sunless Dusk was discovered, only a handful of people had ever managed to escape it, and every last one of them had one end..." Blackwell looked deeply at Jacob before he stretched his last word with a huge ghostly grin, "Death! And one of them was even a legendary king of our Vampire Race!"
Jacob's eyes constricted hearing this unexpected answer, and there was no falsehood in Blackwell's words, which made Jacob extremely vigilant.
"Don't tell me you're here not because of some silly reason like brewing wine but because you are afraid that if you leave, you'll meet with the same end? Do you believe it's all true and not some ghost story spread by someone to scare away others?" Jacob questioned impassively. Blackwell chuckled, "In this world if Blackwell is afraid of something, that would be not having enough soul wine! As for whether it's true or not, only those who had fallen here will know, right?"
Blackwell grinned as he gulped a mouth of soul wine and smacked his lips with delight before he said, "But I do have... a way out. Suppose you're willing to pay the price, of course. The only question is, how much are you willing to sacrifice to escape the Valley of Sunless Dusk?"
Jacob's expression darkened. The stakes were clear-everything had a price. But he felt that dealing with Blackwell was like bargaining with the devil itself.
Furthermore, it wasn't like he really couldn't leave if he wanted to; he had already made up his mind to stay here!
Seeing that Jacob hadn't answered yet, Blackwell chuckled softly, the sound as hollow as the souls swirling in his wine gourd. "Think carefully, brave brother. The valley's curses are relentless, and time might not be on your side."
'So, he does want something else besides bullshitting about companionship?' Jacob wanted to sneer but didn't as he remained nonchalant and asked, "Let's hear what kind of price?"
Blackwell's ghostly eyes narrowed slightly before his happy-go-lucky expression appeared again, "The way out of this place is to find the Necropolis of Shades! Although I don't know if it's true or false, this is the only way I know that it is the most popular theory among those who want the inheritance hidden within the valley. Those who managed to escape from here also confirmed that they had seen the Necropolis of shades, but the ghastliest thing is they all remember nothing about it!
"Anyway, if you really want to try your luck, I can drop you in the vicinity of the Bone Forest, which is considered the inner region of the valley of sunless dusk. But it is even more dangerous than the Necrotic Marshlands where we are right now.
"If you somehow manage to cross the bone forest alive, you'll reach the Wailing Peaks, which are the innermost region of the valley and as far as I've ventured into, and trust me, it is a huge achievement considering a few have ever managed to return from there.
"The Necropolis of Shades should be on the other side of the Wailing Peaks. So, what do you think? Do you still want to venture into that place? How about you consider drinking with me here? The offer still stands?"
Jacob was startled before his expression turned solemn. Blackwell's words held no falsehood, which was the reason for Jacob's shock. He couldn't help but look deeply at the drunkard ghost.
'Necropolis of Shades... this is also the place where the Cursed Necromancer King's inheritance lies, and from what I can assume, this person should be a pretty big deal.
'Furthermore, it's not like I'm looking for the inheritance, and all I want is a safe and quiet place to enter seclusion until I complete my second phase. Once I complete it, I should be as strong as a legendary king or even stronger.
'Once I reached that level, I don't mind going in to look at this inheritance since this might be related to curse magic. Furthermore, it's about time I let that little girl out, and if this place is really related to the curse, let's see if her zodiac constitution can bring me some surprise...'
Once Jacob had made up his mind, he stated, "If you can really drop me off in this bone forest, you'll have my gratitude, and if I find a way out, I might take you with me."
Blackwell was astounded by Jacob's confidence, and his eyes narrowed. He didn't think Jacob would not have a sliver of fear after hearing about the Valley of Sunless Dusk's horrors like those other people he had encountered.
But this also made it more interesting for Blackwell, as he burst into jolly laughter before he gulped a mouthful of wine and smacked his lips in delight, "Very well, brave brother, if you really managed to find the Necropolis of Shades, I'll gift you a jar of my oldest soul wine!"
Jacob merely nodded before Blackwell's grin widened as he roared in high spirits, "Well, ghost slaves, set sails. We are going to the Bone Forest. Oh, if you see any Wraith Lords and Necrofiends, don't hesitate to run from those maggots!"