Imperial Crown.

Chapter 203: Second-level enchantment "Bloodthirst"

The content of the letter was very simple—the seventh-level great divine magician Crouch had arrived.

At this moment, many scenes flashed through Raven's mind, all of which were closely related to the stake.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as Raven sorted out various ways to deal with the situation in his mind.

After a long time, Raven got up and left Eagle Castle.

He left at noon, came back in the evening, then called old Gordon and whispered to him for a while.

Old Gordon showed a surprised expression at first, then nodded heavily in response.

If there is any advantage to Raven, it is that he plans for the future but does not worry about it.

So for the next period of time, Raven continued to do what a lord should do, and old Gordon would report new developments to Raven every day.

On the fifth day after Crouch arrived, Raven received the magic core from the Deep Blue Platform, as well as a batch of enchanting materials and tools.

For magicians, alchemy may not be a must, but enchantment is a basic skill.

In various legends and stories, magicians always have a variety of magical props.

For example, there are flying blankets, coffee pots that boil automatically, scissors that can prune branches by themselves, and small magic locks on drawers.

These items themselves have little cost and cannot be purchased on the Deep Blue platform, but they can greatly increase the convenience of life.

They are enchanted creations.

Not to mention, enchanted weapons, equipment, and jewelry can exert all kinds of amazing effects, which is also an important reason why many nobles would support a wizard.

Long before the gray dwarves forged the first batch of eagle feather swords, Raven had already purchased three books related to enchantment, namely "Basic Principles of Enchanting Methods", "Thirteen Types of Enchanting Configurations", and "Elementary Enchanting Analysis and Practice".

There are thirteen enchantment configurations, namely light, darkness, fire, water, dust, atmosphere, levitation, ground binding, push, pull, absorption, release, and storage.

They can be combined in pairs, in multiples, or repeatedly stacked to produce countless combinations.

This is also the foundation of all enchantments.

After nearly half a year of study, Raven had acquired sufficient theoretical knowledge and even made a few small toys.

For example, a ball of yarn.

It combines three enchantment configurations: pushing, pulling, and levitation. Although it does not have much magic power left, it is enough to run around on the ground. Occasionally, it can jump onto the table or climb a distance along the wall. Its behavior is completely unpredictable.

And it became the new favorite of the black cat Sikoret, who would chase it around the house every day, giving Raven more time to be alone.

In the next few days, Raven transferred a batch of steel weapons forged by the gray dwarves from the forge and began to try to perform real enchantment.

It is worth mentioning that most of the enchanted weapons on the market today are so-called "apprentice works", that is, a first-level enchantment is added to ordinary weapons and equipment, but there will be various restrictions on their use.

The enchanted crossbow that Raven had purchased earlier was among them.

It can fire about fifty flaming crossbow arrows. Once the number of charges is exhausted, it will turn back into an ordinary crossbow and cannot be enchanted again.

Swords and armor-like equipment also have a limited service life, but many weapons and armor bases used for enchantment are mixed with some first-level and second-level magic materials, so their service life will be longer.

Only equipment that is forged purely with magic ores and then enchanted can be called "enchanted equipment". If it is well maintained, it is normal for an enchanted weapon to be passed down for three or five generations. The higher the level, the longer it can be preserved.

For example, the Fox family's fourth-level plate armor "Molten Embers" has been passed down for hundreds of years.

In the blink of an eye, another five days passed. On this day, Raven completed another enchantment. He waved his wrist lightly, and the sword in his hand drew a curtain of fire.

He casually threw the sword into the pile of weapons next to him, where there were sixteen swords in total that he had created over the past five days.

"It's so dark! How much money have I wasted in the past?!"

Indeed, enchantment requires a customized magic pen and magical raw materials made from various organisms and minerals, but all in all, the cost of the raw materials for a first-level enchantment is only about 30 gold coins.

The book says that for a skilled first-level magician, the success rate for a first-level enchantment is approximately between 27% and 35%. Even if calculated at the bottom line, the cost will not exceed 110 gold coins.

The batch of enchanted weapons that Raven bought last time, the average price of each piece was more than 600!

What a profiteer!

It's almost comparable to Angel's Tears!
On the other hand, Raven gradually discovered that not only elements, but magicians also have different affinities, or compatibilities, for different enchantments.

For example, even with the help of the Eye of Truth, Raven's enchantment success rate is only about 60%. If it is a "bloody" enchantment, Raven has done it three times and has not failed yet.

"Otherwise... give it a try?"

The next moment, the mithril crossbow was placed in front of Raven.

Gently stroking the surface of the crossbow, Raven took out the tool, the various key points of enchantment flashed through his mind again, and he slowly picked up the magic pen.

He planned to add a "bloodthirsty" enchantment to it.

Many enchantments can be upgraded. Taking the enchantment that Raven is about to perform as an example, levels one to five are named: Bleeding, Bloodthirsty, Boiling Blood, Corrupted Blood, and Thirsty Blood.

Above these fifth levels, there is also the seventh-level enchantment "Life Severance" of the same route.

With a flash of silver light, Raven quietly opened the Eye of Truth, dipped it in the raw materials, and began to enchant the crossbow.

His expression was focused and his wrist was as steady as a machine, without a single unnecessary movement.

The black cat that was chasing the ball of yarn stopped, jumped onto the table, and quietly watched Raven's enchantment process with a hint of appreciation in her eyes, as if she was watching a great artist painting with a brush.

Time passed little by little, Raven picked up the pen and rubbed his wrist slowly.

The enchantment is complete.

The crossbow arrow was loaded and strung. At that moment, a stream of flowing blood as if it were tangible surrounded the crossbow and seeped into the crossbow arrow, lighting up the dark star iron. The open crossbow arm was like the wings of a bloodthirsty monster, and this arrow was the fang that would choose its prey!
The second-level enchantment "Bloodthirsty" can not only cause bleeding damage to the enemy, but also absorb part of the opponent's life essence to recover from one's own injuries.

After leaving the secret room, Raven had dinner with Black Cat.

After dinner, Old Gordon found Raven and gave him the information in detail.

Having seen off three family heads, old Gordon’s ability is unquestionable.

After taking over the task of building Eagle Town, he was not only responsible for the planning and construction of the buildings, but also for reviewing the heads of each family. He also personally trained the core personnel, making them the eyes and ears of Eagle Castle.

This is the most basic intelligence agency. Although it has no infiltration capabilities, it can ensure that Raven knows everything that happens in Eagle Town.

It was in this way that Raven discovered the whereabouts of the Death Hand Cult before, and now he also used this method to figure out Crouch's living habits.

Identifying who Crouch is is a problem, and Raven has already locked onto his identity through the Eye of Truth and informed old Gordon of his characteristics.

After hearing the report, Raven smiled and said, "It's time."

The next morning, before daybreak, Raven changed into relatively common civilian clothes and left the castle. Crouch's movements were hard to spot. He would walk through the streets and alleys during the day, occasionally visiting the construction site of the new castle. His meals were very casual, sometimes he would eat at the construction site, sometimes he would eat at a local resident's house, and occasionally he would eat at the Paramount.

He didn't have a fixed place to stay every day. If someone wanted to stay overnight, he would stay at someone else's house. If no one wanted to stay overnight, he would find a sheltered corner and sleep with his cane as a pillow. One day, he even went to the Crystal Palace and got a private room, where he slept all night amid loud music.

The only regular thing was that he would go to play chess with the local old men at a fixed time and place every morning, rain or shine.

In the dim light of day, the tender buds of the roadside willow trees have grown into light yellow willow leaves, which sway slightly in the morning breeze, shaking off the dew on the ground.

During this period of time, Crouch has gained a certain status among the group of old people, and it is basically guaranteed that he can play chess at any time.

If one did not know about it in advance, it would be hard to imagine that this old man wearing a slightly dirty white robe, mixing with a group of elderly subjects, and occasionally engaging in passionate arguments with others, would actually be the legendary seventh-rank great magician.

Raven pretended to be a passerby and approached the chessboard. At this time, the battle situation was initially determined. Crouch, holding the white flag, forced the old man holding the black chess pieces into a dead corner.

The old man in black chess took off his fur hat anxiously and scratched his sparsely covered head: "Why is it this 'Double Riders Killing the King' again? Can't you choose something else?"

Crouch smiled smugly: "Why do you care what I use? As long as it works, it's fine."

The old man with the black chess piece pursed his lips, looking worried, but he didn't want to admit defeat: "I say, old friends, we have played chess for so many years, you can't just watch me get beaten like this by an outsider, can you?"

The elderly people nearby looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They all played chess spontaneously out of interest and hobby, and their levels were about the same. If one person couldn't do it, no one could do it!

Raven saw that it was about time and interrupted, "This is not 'Two Horses Killing the King', this is 'Srieldian Cavalry Tactics'."

"What classic or technique?" The old man with the black chess piece was a little confused.

But Crouch's expression changed: "Young man, we are playing chess here, just watch and don't make any noise."

"It's okay, it's okay!" The old man with the black chess piece smiled and said, "Young man, since you know the name of this pattern, why don't you help me?"

"Okay." Raven bent down, picked up the black cavalry, and pushed forward a step, just in time to protect the black king.

Now it was Crouch's turn to be gloomy.

After thinking for a long time, he finally took a step forward, but Raven immediately responded with a nonchalant move, causing Crouch to fall into thought again.

In the next dozen moves, Crouch was forced into a desperate situation. He slapped the chessboard and shouted, "It doesn't count! I should have won. You old man, you are looking for help. I don't accept it!"

"Hey, old man, you've been beating us for so many days, and finally we've found someone who can beat you!" The old man with the black chess piece stood up and said to Raven, "Boy, come and play with him!"

Raven sat down as expected. In the next few games, Raven did not hold back at all. He used all kinds of set moves, such as the Queen's Gambit, King's Rook Castling, and Saracen Infantry Tactics, to defeat Crouch. His breathing became heavier and heavier, and he began to curse.

"Come again!" After losing another round, Crouch snorted, "I don't believe I can't beat you!"

Unexpectedly, Raven shook his head and stood up: "No more."

"Why?" Crouch asked.

Raven scratched his chin: "Your level is too low."

As a seventh-rank great magician, if you say that Crouch's magic is not good, he will just smile and let it go. But if you say that he is not good at playing chess, then he will have a serious talk with you!
"I saw that you have a talent for chess, so I let you play on purpose!" Crouch patted the chessboard, "Let's play another game. I'll show you my true strength!"

Raven still refused: "No, I still have to go to work..."

"I'll pay you!" Crouch took out a silver coin from his sleeve and said, "I'll buy you some time. Is that enough?"

"This..." Raven showed a hint of excitement, then shook his head: "Playing chess is just a pastime after all. You should keep the money for yourself."

As he said that, he was about to leave.

Seeing that Raven was not listening, Crouch rolled his eyes and sat down on the ground: "He hit someone! The young man hit someone! He beat me, an old man..."

This was beyond Raven's expectation. He was a little amused and said, "Old man, you..."

The old men who were playing chess with him couldn't stand it anymore, and they came over to persuade him, "Young man, I see this old man is from outside, he has never seen his relatives, he is lonely and helpless, and sometimes he even sleeps outside at night. Just think of it as a good deed and play a few games with him!"

Raven pretended to hesitate, and Crouch blinked and looked at him expectantly.

"Okay." Raven said, "Then I'll come again tomorrow. I really don't have time today."

Crouch said, "If you run away, where can I find you?"

Raven said, "My name is Leis. I'm in charge of raising horses at Eagle Castle. You can ask him and find out."

Crouch shrank his neck and said, "That won't do. This is the noble lord's place. If I ask him, won't I get a good beating?"

The old man next to him said, "That was in the past. Baron Raven is different from others, and the soldiers under him are also different. As long as you are not causing trouble, no one will touch you."

"Okay, it's a deal." Crouch stared at Raven. "If you don't come tomorrow morning, I'll go to the castle and make trouble!"

After meeting Crouch in person, Raven had a comprehensive and clear judgment of him.

To describe him in one word, it is "old naughty boy".

Crouch has a casual, free and unrestrained personality. He has no obsessive demands for external things. He looks when he is curious and does when he likes, without any airs.

It is precisely this kind of character that can bring up the innocent and kind-hearted Lux.

As for where Raven's chess skills come from, it's actually very simple.

In his early years, when he was cheating and deceiving people in the City of Mon'en, no, when he was trying to climb up, he teamed up with others to play a game, which was the endgame of Louis chess.

If the person wins, he will get a silver coin reward. If he loses, he will have to give a silver coin to the stall owner.

Of course, a situation like this requires a supporter, and Raven is that supporter.

He was not stupid to begin with, and he soon memorized the partner's endgame and set up his own stall.

Of course, this business didn't last long before it was shut down because it offended the leader of the Bloody Harpoon at the time, but the knowledge remained in Raven's mind.

The next morning, Raven came to the chess stall as promised. Crouch was delighted to see Raven coming!

Raven immediately joined the game and the fight began.

Raven didn't know Crouch's purpose, but one thing was certain, Crouch didn't come with hostility, otherwise he could have directly attacked Eagle Castle.

So before meeting Crouch as Raven, it is necessary to play chess to improve his impression.

Who made him take away someone else's good student?

Raven was plotting against Crouch, but someone else was also plotting against Raven.

……

(End of this chapter)