Hilbert had very thoughtfully prepared a small, specially wrapped package.
Bai Shi accepted the various items, paid Hilbert his runes, and turned to leave.
But Hilbert suddenly called out to him.
“Wait, um, I just thought of something you might be interested in.”
Bai Shi turned back to look at Hilbert, who took out a bottle of aromatic that glowed with a faint pink hue.
He was a little puzzled; he had never seen such an aromatic before. Check latest chapters at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Hilbert began to explain:
“This is a new aromatic I developed. It can greatly enhance all aspects of your physical abilities for a period of time. It’s very powerful.”
“There’s something ?”
That Hilbert was able to research such a thing was beyond his expectations.
However, Bai Shi quickly realized that such a potent effect must have some kind of side effect, so he asked Hilbert:
“Does this aromatic have any side effects?”
Hilbert twisted a lock of her hair around her finger, looking a little embarrassed.
“Er, well, to be honest, there are no serious side effects.”
“Your stamina recovery rate will decrease a little, and your body’s resistance will also drop a bit.”
“That’s because one of the ingredients is a plant that grows in the Scarlet Rot...”
The first part sounded normal enough, but when Bai Shi heard the words “Scarlet Rot,” he froze.
Seriously, sister? You actually dared to brew an aromatic with that?
Seeing Bai Shi’s silence, Hilbert patted her chest and guaranteed,
“Don’t worry, I’ve tested it on myself. As long as you eat Preserving Boluses within half a day of drinking it, there will be no ill effects at all.”
“The principle behind this aromatic is to use the diffusive and toxic properties of the Scarlet Rot to stimulate the entire body, thereby enhancing physical performance.”
“Besides, I carefully selected the raw materials. The toxicity is very weak, it just has a high stimulative effect. You won’t die even if you don’t eat the boluses.”
Bai Shi pointed at the bottle of aromatic.
“So, why did you stop me?”
Hilbert produced a small leather pouch containing Preserving Boluses soaked in medicinal fluid.
“Hehe, actually, the production cost of this aromatic is too high, and I can’t sell it at all.”
“I drank all the other bottles I made. This is the only one left, so I might as well give it to you.”
Bai Shi swallowed hard. He was a man who feared death.
He really didn't dare to drink anything related to the Scarlet Rot.
Even though Hilbert had tested it many times, he remained skeptical.
In the end, however, Bai Shi took the bottle, which Hilbert had named “Corrupting Aromatic.” It was free, and it would be a waste not to take it.
If he couldn’t find a use for it, he could just let it sit in his inventory.
Afterward, Bai Shi strolled through the market area a couple more times but saw no other particularly useful items.
He returned to the Grace at the Roundtable and had Melina take him back to Castle Morne.
Bai Shi first returned the Zamor Armor to Erlisa, then went to Edgar’s study.
Edgar had previously promised Bai Shi that he would draw a detailed internal map of Stormveil Castle.
Edgar placed the map in Bai Shi’s hands; some of the ink on it was still wet.
He had rushed to complete it yesterday, and almost every path was marked with perfect clarity.
“It was only while drawing it yesterday that I noticed something wasn’t right. Stormveil must have some secret passages.”
“Although I studied architecture intensely when we were repairing Castle Morne, I’m not a professional. This is the best I could do.”
“It’s yours. I hope it helps you.”
Bai Shi accepted the map and looked at the somewhat weary Edgar.
“Thank you. Wait for my good news.”
As Bai Shi turned to leave, Edgar’s voice followed him from behind:
“If you can’t defeat Godrick, you must run. No matter how humiliating it is, surviving is what matters most.”
“That child, Irena, is very fond of you, so please, you must come back alive.”
Bai Shi did not turn back.
“I will win. Because I am the true storm.”
Bai Shi was fully equipped, having stored all useless items in his Grace-given space.
The small pouch on his person contained only Spirit Ashes, aromatics, and his Flask.
Since he didn't have any matching Crystal Tears, he left the Flask of Wondrous Physick behind.
After a moment's thought, Bai Shi also brought along the crystal knives he had confiscated from the envoy.
He had another use for them.
Bai Shi mounted Torrent, took one last look at the towering Castle Morne, and then galloped off.
Erlisa followed behind him. They had originally intended to find a warhorse for her, but in the end, none were suitable.
It was indeed difficult to find a steed that could match her stature, at least not in Castle Morne.
However, Erlisa's speed and endurance were first-rate.
She was a hero-level figure, after all. She wouldn't be so exhausted by the journey that she couldn't fight.
The soldiers at the Bridge of Sacrifice had long received Edgar's command.
Today, no matter who wished to cross the bridge, they were not to be obstructed.
Crossing the Bridge of Sacrifice, they officially entered the lands of Limgrave.
There were no transport caravans today, and the road was clear.
Bai Shi and Erlisa sped across the domain of Limgrave.
Until they reached the next large bridge.
The soldiers on either side of the bridge saw the two riders charging and immediately formed a defensive line, but it was useless.
With Bai Shi leading on his horse, a storm swept past, and the soldiers were blown into disarray.
Bai Shi and Erlisa rode past them one by one, continuing to gallop toward the gatefront.
There was no need to kill just for the sake of killing; it would only waste time and energy.
Passing the place where he had previously rescued Boc, Bai Shi scanned the area but couldn't find him.
He must have set out on his own path.
Bai Shi put the thought aside. It wouldn’t be too late to find Boc after killing Godrick.
Arriving at the familiar Gatefront Ruins, where Bai Shi had once wreaked havoc, now stood only a few sentries, plus two Trolls lying on their sides, asleep.
There wasn't even a Godrick Knight in sight.
The few soldiers here were even slower to react. Before they could even register what was happening, Bai Shi and Erlisa had already charged past.
Only after they had gone did the soldiers belatedly give chase from behind.
Unfortunately, these severely undead soldiers couldn't possibly catch up.
After Bai Shi and his companion stormed through the gatefront, the defenses they faced immediately tightened.
The path was a narrow, uphill road, wedged between cliffs on both sides.
This road was long, lined with row after row of defensive measures.
Not only had they set up garrison shields and cheval de frise, but they had also erected one flamethrower after another in the middle of the road.
The first things to assail them were crossbow bolts from soldiers on both sides.
Oil shot from the flamethrowers, igniting into a fierce blaze in mid-air, following close behind the bolts.
Torrent’s running speed didn't slow in the slightest as he charged straight toward the defensive machinery in the middle of the road.
Torrent knew his master would handle everything.
The crossbow bolts and flames stopped dead in front of Torrent.
In the next second, a powerful storm whipped up the burning oil, turning the narrow pass into an inferno.