Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 314 You are a good person

Lu Mingfei sighed and said:
"I don't know, but it's definitely not a good thing."

He felt extremely uncomfortable all over, as if he were in a sealed room filled with poisonous gas, which was not only trying to erode his body but also trying to penetrate his soul.

Lu Mingfei had to use a considerable portion of his strength to resist this "curse," but this also meant a decline in combat capability, essentially charging into the enemy's lair while under a constant debuff.

This made him uneasy.

Lu Mingfei glanced at the Forge Knight Theros not far to his side. Golden light flowed across the ancient red and gold armor, clearly indicating that even this powerful knight, who was one with the armor, was not having an easy time in this environment.

Lu Mingfei hesitated for a moment, then spoke to Roger:
"Roger, the atmosphere here is getting increasingly strange. Why don't you... go back upstairs and wait for us?"

Roger, who was carefully maintaining his balance, looked at Lu Mingfei strangely upon hearing this, his tone filled with doubt:

"We've already come this far, the answer might be right in front of us, so why go up? The environment is a bit bad, but it's still within acceptable limits."

Lu Mingfei sighed again; he understood.

This learned magic swordsman was completely oblivious to the power of his soul perception, and probably had no idea that the invisible yet all-pervasive "curse" was eroding his life force.

He was also unsure of Roger's body and soul's resistance to this power, and speaking out rashly might only cause unnecessary panic.

Just then, the Forge Knight Theros spoke in a muffled voice, his anciently blessed armor emitting a faint scraping sound in the darkness:

"He can go down to the bottom."

"But after that... it's hard to say."

Roger was even more confused. Looking at his two companions' wary expressions, and then taking in the otherwise unremarkable, cold surroundings, he asked疑惑地:

"What's going on? What did you sense? I just felt a bit chillier than up here, and I thought it was just the normal cold wind from the abyss..."

Seeing that he was indeed completely unaware, Lu Mingfei could only point to the seemingly empty air and say in a low voice:
“You may not feel it, Roger, but here, around us, even in the air we breathe, there is an overwhelming 'death' aura.”

He paused, searching for words that a scholar could understand:

"It's like... a deadly poison that targets life, silent yet constantly seeping in."

Roger's relaxed expression finally disappeared.

He did not distrust his companions' judgment, especially since even the ancient Forge Knights had expressed their concerns.

He carefully sensed his surroundings again.

Putting aside his preconceived notion of "coldness," he seemed to have truly captured something unusual.

It was a kind of "coldness" that directly affected his mental state, making his thinking seem somewhat sluggish, and a sense of despair and oppression inexplicably rose in his heart.

"No wonder……"

Roger murmured, his face slightly pale:
"I thought it was just my imagination, or that I was just too nervous."

So... there really was something.

He gripped the rapier at his waist, took a deep breath, and his eyes were firm, carrying a hint of determination:
"Since you all say so... then there's no way I can go back alone."

More people mean more strength. Besides, I have some knowledge of forbidden subjects and ancient curses; perhaps… they can come in handy at a crucial moment.”

Lu Mingfei paused for a moment.

He didn't understand why this "magic swordsman" was so obsessed with things underground, when he had no connection with Stoneville. Even if it was academic research, or even if it was "wanting to help others" as he said, the price was too high.

To venture deep into the Jedi at the risk of being corrupted by such a terrifying curse goes beyond mere curiosity or academic enthusiasm.

“Roger,” Lu Mingfei finally spoke.
"Can I ask you why you're working so hard?"

Even going so far as to follow them here... Is it because your relatives or friends are suffering from a similar curse, or...?

Upon hearing this, Roger's face revealed a complex smile, tinged with self-mockery.

He shook his head and said:

"Don't laugh at what I'm about to say."

This reason might seem naive, even foolish, to many who have lost their faith.

He paused and continued:
"What I want to help is never any one person, but a group of people."

Lu Mingfei immediately thought of Roger's earlier words, and a word popped into his mind:

"The One Born of the Dead?"

"Correct."

Roger nodded affirmatively:
"During my adventures with D, I came into contact with and observed many of the dead."

I discovered that they... are actually just like ordinary people. They have souls and spirits, and they have normal human emotions—fear, sadness, confusion, and even a longing for life.

They were just a group of pitiful people cursed by fate, ostracized, hunted, and with nowhere to go.

“I want to help them, to find the root of their existence, and perhaps… find a way to let them rest in peace, or at least to be accepted by the world.”

Lu Mingfei listened quietly. He looked at the flame in Roger's eyes that had not been extinguished even in the aura of death, remained silent for a moment, and then gently shook his head.

"Do not."

Lu Mingfei's voice was very calm:
“I won’t laugh at you. Roger, you’re a good man.”

He paused and added:

"It's just that this era... isn't kind to good people. That's all."

Roger was stunned; he hadn't expected such a response.

He looked into Lu Mingfei's golden eyes, which shone brightly in the darkness, and fell silent.

After a moment, he smiled with relief, a smile that was much more genuine than before.
“I knew I hadn’t misjudged you, Lu Mingfei.”

His expression became serious:

"If... I mean if I survive this adventure, please allow me to follow you."

I ask for nothing in return, I need no land or treasure, all I need is a quiet little room in Stoneville for storing books and conducting research, and that will be enough.

Lu Mingfei gave him a deep look, and without any hesitation, nodded:
"Of course, my friend."

Just then, Theros, the Forge Knight who had been silently watching the front, suddenly interrupted them.

He raised his arm, clad in red and gold armor, pointing down into the seemingly endless darkness:

"We're almost at the bottom."

The three of them immediately composed themselves and looked in the direction Theros had pointed.

(End of this chapter)