reincarnation npc, but tomorrow's ark

This country fell silent decades ago. But bounty hunters have always believed that this silent Iberia, like Casimir and Gaul, is full of treasures.

Some say that there are entire golden statues, all carved from gold, in the abandoned cities of Iberia.

Some say that the treasures of kings, the relics left behind by nameless rulers, are buried in Iberia.

Some people say that the shimmering light on the surface of the Iberian Sea is caused by pearls emerging from seashells.

So they ventured into those abandoned cities, like scaled fish that had smelled blood, or like small beasts that pounced on the rotting skeletons of pack animals.

……

"What a fearless guy."

Bai Ye casually raised his hand, creating a whirlwind that lifted the bounty hunters high into the air, then ignored the screaming fools falling back down.

He and Skadi had already approached Iberia, and they didn't know how these bounty hunters dared to go treasure hunting with the players—players could set up respawn points in Iberia, so they could start over if they died.

How much longer do we need to walk?

Skadi looked up at the gray sky.

It's going to rain again tonight.

“The old woman said that if we go any further, someone will come to meet us—the players should have already delivered the letter.” As Bai Ye spoke, he lifted up a layer of soil to bury the bounty hunter.

According to Dr. Kal'tsit, Rhodes Island is not entirely ignorant of Iberia, nor is it isolated within Iberia.

She told Bai Ye that there were also Rhodes Island agents in Iberia.

Codenamed Tulip, she is responsible for maintaining one-way communication with Dr. Kal'tsit and is in charge of Rhodes Island's Iberian affairs.

After arriving in Iberia, White Night and Skadi can enter Saltwind City with her help.

"Is she the person you're talking about?"

Skadi pointed ahead, and then Byakuya saw a tall, gray-haired woman.

A Phidia woman wearing an eye patch.

Bai Ye and Skadi walked towards her.

The woman had clearly noticed them; she drew her Swift Sword, her weapon, and at the same time, Bai Ye felt a sharp aura rushing towards him.

This is a swordsman with superb swordsmanship.

Bai Ye clearly sensed this.

Although he was itching to spar with a master swordsman, Bai Ye suppressed the urge.

“I am Dr. Kal'tsit’s friend,” Bai Ye said, taking out his Rhodes Island identity card from his pocket.

The woman took Bai Ye's ID card, checked it, and then gave her code name.

"I am a tulip."

"You are... Bai Ye. Dr. Kal'tsit did mention you in her letter, asking me to cooperate with your operation."

"Thank you." Only then did Bai Ye realize that Kal'tsit's source of information was probably the person in front of him.

"I hope you can send me some manpower in the future. The supplies of materials and medicines are not enough."

Tulip couldn't help but complain after seeing the Rhodes Island operators.

Kal'tsit established a stable information exchange channel with Tulip in exchange for supplies, but Tulip herself was responsible for gathering all the information.

Chapter Seventeen Saints

(Eureka has arrived on the island. Why would I have such a dream?)

-------------------------------------

Bai Ye originally believed that Kal'tsit should have a complete department in Iberia, as well as a secret team of agents.

However, to everyone's surprise, all the information they had gathered came from the female swordsman in front of them.

Tulip wore a black eye patch and carried a swift sword, looking every bit the big shot.

Being able to single-handedly maintain Rhodes Island's intelligence network in the Iberian region suggests that this person's abilities go beyond just physical strength.

"You are... an infected person?"

Bai Ye noticed the black Originium crystals on Tulip's leg. Usually, infected individuals with mild symptoms don't show these crystals on their bodies; however, if they have progressed to the next stage, these normally black crystals can be found.

It is said that there are other colored crystals, but the reason is currently unknown. It may be due to the influence of innate magic.

“That’s right.” Tulip nodded. “Because of a natural disaster, I became infected.”

She paused, then continued, "However, natural disasters aren't all bad... After all, it was that natural disaster that rescued me from the fish-fearing masses."

"In my view, natural disasters are more like a defense mechanism of the earth against the ocean."

Bai Ye was slightly surprised.

"Right before my eyes, the cataclysm tore apart the swarm of dinosaurs, killing my friends and the judges who were holding us captive, and turning me into an infected—but the deep sea's erosion of the land has indeed paused."

"Sometimes I can't help but wonder about the possibility of Originium conquering these monsters."

Bai Ye shook his head: "If it were truly possible, where would humanity be then? Would human civilization still be able to continue?"

Skadi looked on blankly as the two began their discussion.

If Greta were here, she would probably also express her opinion, but unfortunately Skadi is not the Technologist.

"Come with me, but be careful. The court has increased its patrols recently, and they are not polite to outsiders."

Tulip told White Night that a large number of undead and bounty hunters had recently entered Iberia.

Most bounty hunters die from attacks by the Terrorfish. Those deserted, desolate cities have long since become Terrorfish lairs and have been sealed off by the Inquisition.

"Why are you going to Saltwind City? There's nothing there, it's a dead city." Tulip didn't understand why Dr. Kal'tsit would send people to such a place.

"Could you tell me about the current situation in Iberia, such as its military strength and the composition of its armed forces?" Bai Ye changed the subject.

Tulip raised an eyebrow, a gesture that was hidden by the blindfold so no one else could see it.

"Why would you be curious about something like this? But it doesn't matter, it's not a secret. Iberia is a theocratic country, with a national defense force responsible for national security and a religious inquisition."

"The Inquisition is an institution dedicated to dealing with monsters and heretics. It has powerful inquisitors and a punitive force specifically for dealing with swarms of monstrous fish and for large-scale operations."

"Although the individual combat strength of the Punishers is not as good as that of the Inquisitors, they are numerous and possess warships."

Bai Ye understood; he was familiar with the Astartes and the mortal auxiliary army.

"Is there anything stronger than the Judge?" Bai Ye pressed.

Tulip nodded: "Saint."

"saint?"

"Yes, there were nine saints in Iberia in the past, but now only one is still alive. His name is Carmen y Iberia. We all call him Saint Carmen."

"He was a survivor of that catastrophe, and after the Great Tranquility, he relinquished the papacy granted to him by the royal family. He then joined other saints to reorganize the state church into the Inquisition and changed his surname to 'Iberia.' The sainthood was also a title bestowed upon these people."

It turns out to be the original entity.

While the jokes are one thing, this kind of longevity defies common sense. Terra is full of illogical things, but aside from a few unique races and individuals, death is indiscriminate for everyone. Bai Ye knew that immortality came at a price.

"Besides these, there are many other skilled swordsmen in the Iberian Swords, including some masters who can rival the Inquisitors," Tulip added at the end.

Bai Ye suddenly realized why someone had said before he traveled back in time that the swordsman in this version could finally be strengthened.

According to Tulip, the Iberian region has historically used knives and swords as the main weapons, with various schools of swordsmanship. Therefore, in terms of swordsmanship alone, it is probably comparable to that of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Bai Ye felt a pang of regret; if he had been kicked here later, he probably would have been able to learn some new sword techniques.

……

"Alright, we've arrived. Saltwind City is just ahead."

As they spoke, the three of them had already arrived near their destination.

Bai Ye closed his eyes and sensed it for a moment, then asked with some doubt, "Miss Tulip, did you just say that Saltwind City is a dead city?"

“Yes, that place has long been abandoned, blocked by the blockade... Coastal cities have all become ghost towns.” Tulip said, somewhat puzzled.

"No, there are people here... quite a few. Their footsteps aren't heavy, but they still have strength." Bai Ye carefully sensed the information carried by the wind.

These are his ears, these are his eyes, the wind is an extension of his thoughts, his tentacles.

"Impossible." Tulip has always been confident in its intelligence.

So she decided to go into the city with Bai Ye and the others.

However, they soon stopped.

"Tsk——"

Both Bai Ye and Skadi couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement.

Tulip's gaze turned serious.

"Hey, you two, get back! I know these monsters. I can stay and fight them off to buy some time—wait, what?!"

Tulip was just about to step forward to cover the retreat of the two outsiders when, before she could finish speaking, White Night and Skadi charged forward.

"Bai Ye, do you have a way to control the Terror Fish?"

"No, I won't release their pheromones. These low-level terror fish are only sensitive to my blood. They'll just become even more frenzied."

Skadi laughed: "So, now I'm fine even if I bleed. It's my turn to protect you from now on."

"Yes, you're not Isamara, they only come to me."

The two increased their speed as they talked, like two streaks of light crashing into a swarm of ferocious fish.

"It's so fast!"

"Such explosive power!"

"Wait, his feet aren't even touching the ground, he's flying?!"

Tulip was dumbfounded.

She only now realized that she seemed to be the weakest one; the two from Rhodes Island didn't need her care.

Chapter Eighteen Salt Wind City

Bai Ye did not use his powers.

He hadn't fought alongside Skadi in a long time, so they both enjoyed the feeling.

Yes, the terrifying fish swarm that seemed like a disaster to ordinary people was not taken seriously by Bai Ye and Skadi.

The "Wind Chime" was drawn, its blade tracing a bright yet poignant arc of light amidst the swarm of terror fish.

Thus, the flower-bud-like organs, ribbon-like tentacles, various sturdy shells, and slippery flesh were all cut in half, the cut surfaces smooth, and the juices spilled onto the gravelly ground.

Even so, the resilient dinosaur did not immediately lose its life. The severed pieces of flesh convulsed and writhed on the ground, smearing the land with mucus.

The next moment, more sword lights flashed, grinding them into dust.

Skadi, on the other hand, swung her greatsword, slicing the larger Terrorfish into pieces.

She then stepped back, while Bai Ye threw something that looked like an aluminum can.

The thing landed precisely in the school of dinosaurs, and then began to burn intensely, releasing heat.

The remaining limbs were instantly charred and rendered inactive, along with the moss on the ground, which was wiped away.

"W's little toys are quite useful." Bai Ye's eyes lit up as he smelled the aroma, which resembled grilled squid.

After comparing the effects of personally unleashing Originium Arts with using the combustion tube, Byakuya chose the latter.

His fast-paced fighting style was not suited to using spells. Each Originium Arts required a complete casting process, and he would not stop his fighting rhythm to cast spells.

With Skadi's help, the two easily cleared out a group of terror fish.

All that remained was a charred mess.

The two then returned to Tulip's side and continued their journey toward Saltwind City.

"Are you a sword master?" Tulip turned to look at Bai Ye, and finally couldn't help but ask.

Bai Ye shook his head: "I'm not a master yet, just an expert."