It felt so good to be close to the witch!

50% may not sound like much, but you have to understand that this applies to all attributes: strength, physique, speed, spirit, and so on. A 50% increase in all of them will at least double or more the combat power.

The passive effect alone makes Roy's combat power far exceed that of a Gold Saint in his normal state.

Not to mention the active effects of core capabilities.

—Imprints starlight marks into the weapon, which erupt during combat, granting the weapon a starlight enchantment and additional sharpness. (Weapon sharpness +X%, where X is the amount of starlight consumed. The effect lasts for one minute; after the time expires, additional starlight is required to use it.)

The Starlight Paladins are ranked from Tier 1 to Tier 4, with the following names: Tier 1 Apprentice Star Knight, Tier 2 Stargazing Knight, Tier 3 Star Chasing Grand Knight, and Tier 4 Starlight Paladin.

In the "Seventh Realm of Original Sin: The Realm of Lust" demonic mark system, the names of the professions are not arbitrary; they are all closely related to their core abilities.

Second-tier Stargazing Knight: Gazing at the starry sky and feeling the starlight, thus gaining the blessing of starlight power!

Starlight Enchantment adds starlight attributes to weapons. The so-called starlight attribute is a very peculiar attribute. In the material world, it manifests as a mixture of cold and spiritual attributes, which simultaneously affect the enemy's body and mind. Enemies hit by the starlight attribute will experience a decrease in their nerve reflexes and thought processes.

Besides the Starlight Enchantment, the added sharpness is also a very powerful ability.

What is the most important performance characteristic of a weapon?

All sorts of fancy enchantment effects?

No, it's the "sharpness" that can break through the enemy's defenses and the "tenacity" that can block the enemy's attacks!

As a near-epic equipment, the only difference between the Starfire Blade and "epic" equipment is the enchantment. In terms of materials and craftsmanship, it is in no way inferior to "epic" equipment.

Unfortunately, even with truly "epic" equipment, whether it can penetrate the defenses of a dominant monster is a big question.

The Overlord Beast's strength rivals that of a Legendary Beast, and its formidable physical defense far surpasses that of a Legendary Beast.

A typical Legendary One-Star monster is no match for a Dominator Monster.

In Roy's hands, however, was a weapon that could absolutely break through the defenses of a dominant magical beast and inflict terrifying damage upon it—the A-grade forbidden item, the Demon-Slaying Dagger.

However, while this forbidden object is indeed powerful, the cost of using it, according to Cecil's warning, seems extremely high, and Roy doesn't even know what the price will be.

Therefore, he would never use this forbidden item unless absolutely necessary.

The appearance of the advanced specialization "Meteor Accumulation" has given Roy hope.

The Starfire Blade, which already has the base stats of an "epic" item, is highly likely to break through the defenses of a powerful monster with the added sharpness of "Meteor Charge".

If we can break through the defenses, then everything will be fine.

With his talent [Infinite Desire] evolving and advancing to Gold Three Star, Roy's physique under normal conditions has reached the peak of Gold. After condensing the "True Form Embryo" and acquiring a large number of special skills, his combat power can no longer be described as the peak of Gold level.

Even against witches of the same rank, he possessed an overwhelming advantage. ([Infinite Desire God] directly drained his magic power from a distance, denying him the chance to use his talent.)

The maximum energy limit for a legendary one-star knight is 1000~2999, while [Infinite Desire God] can only extract up to 4000 energy. If Roy is given enough time, even a legendary one-star knight's energy cannot fill his internal space.

Of course, due to factors such as the purity of fighting spirit, soul fire, and domain, the absorption rate of a legendary one-star knight will definitely be slower, but it is certain that in a protracted battle, Roy has a very high probability of winning!

The power of divine authority makes the effect of [Infinite Desire - God] enough to bridge the gap between Gold and Legendary.

His strength gave him the courage to target and kill the overlord monster. However, as the saying goes, ganging up is the only way to win!

……

Inside the hall, the fireplace burned quietly, dispelling the chill and bringing warmth.

Roy waited with the three witches, Shanica, Lilia, and Ais.

Before long, a beam of crimson-gold light came from afar, and after several twists and turns, appeared at the entrance of the hall.

It was Fuma, who was wearing a full-body crimson scale armor.

After several days apart, the fluctuations of her fighting spirit had become even stronger.

Although the threshold of the legendary rank is still unclear, it can be inferred that Fuma, who was promoted to legendary in just half a month, has made a certain breakthrough in strength.

"Lord Roy, you've discovered something?!"

As soon as she stepped into the hall, Fuma turned her gaze to Roy, who was sitting at the head of the long table, and said with a slightly excited tone.

“Yes.” Roy nodded. “To be precise, it was my partner who discovered it.”

"Don't worry, we've already located the underground space; it can't escape."

“Phew…” Hearing Roy’s affirmative reply, Fuma breathed a sigh of relief, and the undulating mountains in front of her slowly calmed down. She sat down at one side of the long table: “Please explain the specific situation.”

“No problem.” Roy smiled and then explained the location and general layout of the underground space to Fuma.

After hearing the news, Fuma placed her hands on the table, pondered for a long time, and then looked at Roy:

"Lord Roy, the location of the underground space has been confirmed. Next..."

Roy said in a deep voice, "This underground space is located hundreds of meters underground. Although it is possible to forcibly go deep, it will consume too much battle energy, and the underground environment is not suitable for fighting at all. Therefore, if we want to defeat that overlord monster, we must lure it to the surface."

"I have a way to attract it, but the key tools were damaged during the previous exploration and are currently under repair. It is expected to take another day and a half to complete the repairs."

"I'll handle the task of attracting the overlord monster. The most crucial issue now is to find the main force to defeat the overlord monster."

"Your Highness Fuma, how many troops can the Duke's mansion send?"

After a moment's thought, Fuma said, "Besides me, Uncle Andrew, the legendary Flame Sword Knight you met before, and another legendary Flame Lance Knight, Uncle Doug, can also come to help."

"The prophecy depicts a solid stone wall in danger of collapsing, so we must maintain sufficient strength. With me included, there are three legendary one-star knights in total, enough to defeat the overlord monster."

“Three legendary one-star knights, that’s enough…” Roy nodded slightly. Although the overlord beast was tough and thick-skinned, it hadn’t been around for long. Relying on its physical advantage, its strength was at most slightly stronger than a legendary one-star knight. But facing the combined attack of three legendary one-star knights, including a genius knight like Fuma, it had no chance of winning. The only thing to watch out for was that it would be defeated and run away.

However, Fuma and the other two legendary one-star knights are experienced in this kind of thing, so there is no need to worry.

"In that case, let's meet at the gate of the Lord's Mansion in Martin Territory in 36 hours."

Roy made a decision.

“No problem.” Fuma nodded. “I will arrange for Uncle Andrew and Uncle Doug’s blood oath to be kept confidential in advance. When we meet, I will ask them to swear their blood oaths immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Roy smiled.

I have to say, it's so comfortable to work with someone as "sensible" as Fuma.

……

After seeing Fuma off, Roy, Shanica, Lilia, and Ais continued their short meeting.

The main purpose of the meeting was to decide on the personnel for this punitive expedition.

"This time, we mobilized all our personnel."

Roy glanced around at the witches sitting on either side of the long table, their faces filled with eager anticipation, and said in a deep voice.

Now, all the witches in Blackrock Territory have completed their first talent evolution and advanced to the Grand rank. They can even help when facing Legendary figures, and are no longer the "helpless and pitiful" little witches of the past.

Although they were fairly confident in defeating the overlord monster, they still used all their strength, even when hunting a rabbit. With the help of the Grand Witches, they would have an ally should anything unexpected happen.

Upon hearing Roy's words, Shanika, who had originally intended to volunteer, pursed her lips and revealed a gentle smile.

Lilia's eyes were resolute. As long as she was there, no one, no matter who, would be able to harm Lord Roy this time.

Ais's gaze was cold and clear. After successfully imprinting the second rune of the second stage of the basic meditation method, the upper limit of her magic power had made great progress.

"Alright, everyone, let's get ready."

With this sentence as the conclusion to the meeting, Roy stood up and headed towards the courtyard.

In the next day and a half, he planned to try out the specializations he had acquired at the third tier of "Starlight Paladin". If he could make some progress before the expedition began, his chances of success would be even greater.

……

after one day.

Inside the room, Roy opened his eyes, a flash of crimson gold appearing in them.

He looked down at his palms and sighed.

The third-tier "Starlight Paladin" only has two specializations, both of which are high-level and extremely difficult. In one day, Roy did not make much progress. He estimated that it would take at least one or two weeks before he could make any progress.

Fortunately, the preparations for this day were not entirely fruitless.

With his battle qi limit increased to 699, he successfully condensed his sixth battle qi organ—the stomach, one of the six internal organs.

The power of the "True Form Prototype" depends on the number of Qi organs. Now that an additional Qi organ is involved in its formation, its power has reached a new level.

Feeling his growing fighting spirit and physique, Roy smiled faintly, then got up and pushed open the door to leave.

"Squeak-"

The gentle breeze from pushing open the door stirred up the snowflakes on the ground, sending them fluttering in the air. Roy entered the courtyard, where all six witches had already gathered.

With her white hair, silver eyes, and crimson dress, Ais is like an ice witch, a snow sprite.

Lilia, the Shadow Witch, with black eyes, black hair, and tight leather pants that accentuate her full thighs.

The healing witch Shanika, with her pale yellow dress highlighting her imposing figure and her white-gold ram horns shimmering slightly in the sunlight.

A little angel, Vivian, the Witch of Light, wearing a pure white sundress and with pure, bright eyes.

A slender fox girl with a fluffy fox tail swaying restlessly behind her and a faint smile on her lips, the Illusionary Witch Irina.

And finally, there was the mechanical witch Toni, wearing fitted trousers, her hands wrapped in white bandages outside her sleeves, and with a blank expression.

Six Grand Witches have gathered simultaneously, preparing to take action!

Well, saying there are six isn't entirely accurate. In the pocket of Roy's clothes, there's also the sleeping Moon Witch Cecilia.

Although she didn't know when she would wake up.

Thinking of the dark blue doll-like girl under the moonlight, Roy sighed inwardly. Then, his gaze swept over the six witches, meeting their gleaming eyes, and he waved his hand: "Now, let's go!"

"Yes!"×6

……

Because everyone was an elite, Roy and the six witches traveled very quickly. Although it couldn't compare to Vivian's astonishing speed of crossing eighty kilometers in less than five minutes with all her might, it only took them a little over half an hour to reach the entrance to Martin Territory.

Martin's Domain is a baronial domain, lorded by Baron Ivica, an elderly nobleman over sixty years old. Due to injuries sustained in battle during his youth, Baron Ivica's health is very weak, and affairs of the domain are managed by his eldest son, Eberg, a bronze-star knight.

Speaking of which, Eberg can be considered a "little genius," having broken through to the Bronze rank at the young age of twenty-two.

Unfortunately, he was only a "genius" in the conventional sense, and couldn't be compared to a "monster" at all.

At the entrance to Martin Collar, Roy was followed by Irina and Tonnie, who were wearing grey hooded robes. As for Lilia, Vivian, Shanica, and Ais, the four women remained hidden in the shadows and did not appear in front of anyone.

Although they were determined to go all out, the partners involved were two other legends from the Duke's mansion, so it was best not to expose them if possible.

The reason for choosing Toni and Elena is that the former is needed to pilot the excavator to lure out the overlord monster of the underground space, while the latter is because Elena's illusionary Mind Lightning is minimally weakened in the underground rock layers, allowing her to control the overlord monster's actions to a limited extent, and her "Taunt" effect is outstanding.

Under the pristine white snow, the streets of Martin Territory were deserted and eerily quiet. Roy and his companions made their way along the main road to the lord's mansion.