Dharma Ring: Selling dung beetles at the border

This was what happened on the day Menggert was thrown out of the royal city.

In the royal city, Ge Fulei raised his head and looked in the direction of the gate of the open-air court.

I had just sent my son away, and unexpectedly someone came to visit me.

A burly and huge figure fell from the sky above the gate. It was obviously falling like a meteorite, but in the end it landed lightly in the court hall without disturbing any fallen leaves.

Under the purple magic of gravity, General Latarn of the Broken Star stood in front of the first Elden King of the Golden Dynasty, wearing armor and armor.

I didn't expect that someone would go to court so soon. Ge Fulei said.

Finally I see you again, great war king. Latarn's expression was ferocious with excitement, and the thick armor all over his body rattled under his trembling muscles, like a lion relief roaring on the armor.

At this time, General Latan finally stopped looking kind and showed a suffocating sense of oppression.

Latarn, I didn't expect to see you again. Godfrey said, You seem to be in good health. I've heard a lot about you, including that you're crazy.

Thanks to the help of a businessman, I was cured of the stubborn disease of corruption. Latarn patted his legs, My legs and feet were also cured.

That's good. Ge Fulei nodded, The businessman won't be named Wuming, right?

Hey, do you know him too? Latarn said, It was indeed Wuming who helped.

Godfrey laughed: That guy is not a man of empty talk. A strong warrior like you proves it.

Rattan also laughed.

Then what? Godfrey suppressed his smile, What are you doing here? Did you hear that I came back and came to court? Are you still the lion of the War King? I heard... that you attacked Rodel.

I am the lion of the War King. The War King is no longer here and my father has disappeared. There is no one in this borderland who can make me the king. Latarn replied.

So you are at war with my heirs to become King of Elden? Godfrey said.

Latarn nodded: There is nothing we can do about it. Queen Malika's order is for us to fight against each other. But I know that this is an act of rebellion. I have already committed an act of rebellion. I came here this time. , came here specifically to apologize.

Latarn knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and raised the lion's head on his helmet high, glaring at Godfrey.

General Broken Star is very sincere. He is still a loyal general. The Lion Prime Minister Throthio on the side spoke and looked at Godfrey. Now that everything is waiting for improvement, it is the time to employ people. I suggest that Latarn be pardoned. General, please make him stand alone.

However, Godfrey did not look at Serothio, but just stared at Latarn with a smile.

However, Latarn did not wait for King Gefulei's order, and stood up on his own. The two giant knives behind his back rubbed against the armor, and sparks slid into his palms.

Latarn said excitedly: Great War King, it is a pity that I did not have the opportunity to challenge you when I was young. But now - praise and blessing - I, a sinner, finally have the opportunity to learn from the War King in his full glory. Return.

The abnormal gravity vibrated, scattering dust and fallen leaves around.

Latarn said: Great King Godfrey, I admire you, and in order to express my respect, I also want to ascend the highest throne, stand at the same height as you, and accomplish the same achievements as you.

The strong will to fight turned into the magic power of gravity, which kept rising.

Not bad. Godfrey smiled and went up to him, Where's your horse? Has he died of old age?

I didn't die of old age yet, so I left it here on purpose. Latarn replied.

He roared: King Gefulei, your lion, today I come to challenge your power as king!

Okay! Ge Fulei laughed and went up to him, When you cry to Man Yue after losing, remember to say hello to me.

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Rune Arc, the lower half of the Elden Ring has a curved arc at the bottom, which symbolizes the vessel that receives the blessings of the Ring.

There is also a curved arc at the top of the upper half of the ring, which is the starting point of all blessings and favors.

The worship of the Golden Tree and the Dharma Ring naturally spread to the entire junction with the influence of the Golden Dynasty. The half-moon crosses that can be seen everywhere in the junction are products that imitate the top of the Dharma Ring.

These crosses are filled with sinners, who cry out day and night to cleanse themselves of their sins and obtain forgiveness.

Sinners are generally those who have committed minor crimes. Those who commit serious crimes have no chance to repent and will be directly executed by specialized executioners.

Eleonora was hanging on the cross at this time, surrounded by magic traps, dangers, and murderous intentions.

This is a necessary measure to prevent this dangerous bloody finger from escaping again.

After the Godskin Apostle abandoned Eleonora and left, Eleonora faced Mongot, Lance Sanks, Millicen Jura, Nameless and others alone.

Due to the excessive strength gap, the fact that she was already injured, and the caravan already had experience, Eleonora failed to escape successfully this time.

Even when Corruption Dragon Breath was used, Millicent rushed directly into the breath to catch her out.

In order to prevent her endless treacherous tricks, Patch specially hung her up to ensure that there were no blind spots in her three-dimensional protection. The trapped dragon formation built with crossbow guards and magic traps was absolutely impossible to break through with personal strength, and the pure purple blood finger Eleonora was firmly grasped.

Yura sat directly in front of the cross, leaning against the back of the chair, with one foot on the edge of the chair, looking up at Eleonora hanging on the cross.

The tusks hung on his waist and had been repaired by Patch, but the cost almost made him, a wandering man with little wealth, bankrupt.

There had been no water for a week, and the red lips under the helmet were already dry and cracked, making the already bloodless face even paler.

But even so, Eleonora didn't say a word.

Blood Finger always remains silent, like a proud ancient stone dragon, showing eternity and transcendence with silence.

Eleonora, what are you thinking about? Yura whispered.

Eleonora lowered her head and looked at Yura with clear eyes, calmly unable to see any thoughts.

It was precisely because of this look of being almost unwavering that Yura was frequently defeated in her hands. If one cannot read the other person's actions from his eyes, it is impossible to predict the ensuing attack. As a pure strong person, Eleonora's strength is undoubtedly worthy of respect.

This silent attitude fascinated Yura. The more mysterious it became, the more he wanted to explore it, and finally fell into obsession.

Yura couldn't help but get up and approach Eleonora:

Eleonora, why don't you respond? Aren't you afraid of being executed? As long as you speak out your thoughts, maybe they will understand you.

Maybe I will understand you too. Yura added in his mind. He still didn't want to believe that Eleonora had turned into a bloody finger obsessed with cursed blood.

But Eleonora never responded. She was like a puppet. Except for the weak ups and downs of her body, she didn't look like a living person.

Is this the bloody finger? Se Lian and Wu Ming came to the cross and walked behind Yura.

Yes, he has attacked us many times. He is a difficult enemy - and an old friend of that person over there. Wuming pointed at Yura with his eyes, You are so polite, you actually came here in person.

The academy is not safe, and puppets are inconvenient. Se Lian said, Anyway, it's not far from the academy. With the help of the Son of the Star, we can go back soon.

Ser Lian approached Eleonora and looked up at the armor of black iron and red.

Hey, he's still a dragon knight. Se Lian teased.

Please be careful, she will use Dragon Feast to pray. It is dangerous to get close. Yula reminded Se Lian.

If we don't get close, how can we see her curse mark? Se Lian said, Do you think you will be honest when I treat you?

Yura suddenly realized that this was the magician who had saved him, and bowed and saluted: Thank you, Master, for saving your life.

Se Lian's eyes were always on Eleonora, and she waved her hand casually in response to Yura. Taking advantage of Yura's bow, she took another step closer.

Ah, Master, please stay away from there——

Yura reminded him, but before he could finish his words, a magic circle from the academy suddenly exploded on the ground. Several magic balls rose into the air, tracked onto Se Lian's body, and hit him.

The explosion threw Se Lian away and was caught by Wuming.

There is a magic circle nearby to prevent her from escaping. Yura added.

If you didn't tell me earlier. Se Lian got off Wuming and dusted off the dirt on his robe.

Yula quickly found someone to remove all the traps, providing a safe area for Se Lian.

Se Lian didn't care much and began to examine Eleonora.

She circled around the cross and hissed:

Is she...really Blood Finger? It doesn't look like it to me.

I saw her wielding a blade contaminated by cursed blood with my own eyes. Yura said, ——How can this be false?

Yura began to doubt Se Lian's level.

However, Yura was a calm person and did not speak directly, thinking that Se Lian was a fake master who didn't even understand the blood finger.

I didn't see her bloody fingers. Se Lian said.

I have already chopped it off. Yura took out a finger from his pocket, and the finger showed a crystal purple color like glass.

Se Lian took the slender finger, held it between his fingers and shook it in front of the hood.

Oh, it's so pure. Se Lian said, But something is still wrong.

What's wrong? Yura asked hurriedly.

Her eyes. Se Lian raised his head and looked at Eleonora, They don't look like Blood Finger's eyes.

Serian's ordinary words suddenly stunned Yura.

He had always felt that Eleonora's eyes were very clear. Being attracted by those eyes and affected by the intensity of the battle, he ignored a problem.

As a blood finger hunter, Yura has hunted many blood fingers. One of their common features is that their eyes are blood red, and their faces are often engraved with the trident emblem of the Blood Dynasty.

But Eleonora's eyes were not blood red.

Even her eyes have not turned into vertical pupils - but she has obviously performed dragon feasts several times and has mastered the powerful power of dragons. According to common sense, her body should have transformed into a dragon long ago.

But Eleonora's eyes were always clear, without any change, just like the figure and appearance he had seen in the past and could not trace in his dreams.

Yura suddenly jumped up, flashed the long knife in his hand, and cut Eleonora's helmet open, but did not hurt her cheek.

Sure enough, there is no Blood Dynasty tattoo. Yura said softly.

But what does this mean? Yura had never been a Blood Finger, nor had he had the opportunity to go to the Blood Dynasty. He didn't know what this meant.

Se Lian asked Yura to stand closer.

What is it, master? Yura approached Se Lian.

Hold me up. As he said this, Se Lian stepped on Yura's back, put on his iron hat, and got closer to Eleonora to observe carefully.

She scratched Eleonora's cheek lightly with the crystal in her hand and observed the blood flowing out.

Finally, he put Eleonora down, stripped her naked, and inspected every inch of skin on her body. The crystals on her hands scratched wounds on her graceful muscle lines.

After studying for a long time, Se Lian came to the conclusion:

I can't save her. There's no curse mark on her.

What does it mean? Wuming asked.

I can't say, Se Lian said, She may have broken the curse by herself.

Serian rummaged through the clothes and belongings that he took off from Eleonora and found a spherical dew drop.

The amber-like crystal dew drops are full of red, and there are golden branch-like substances in it, with thin branches like tree roots and blood vessels extending around.

My researcher's intuition tells me that it may have something to do with this. Se Lian said, But I'm not a magic medicine expert. I can't say what the specific effect is. Maybe you can find the remaining golden tree priest in the junction and ask A perfumer, too.”

Wuming said: That means this person doesn't have a bloody finger?

That depends on your definition of Blood Finger. Se Lian said, Obviously this person is not controlled by the cursed blood, but if she is still hunting the Faded One, maybe it counts?

Yura suddenly got angry, grabbed Eleonora's arm and shook her:

Why? Why are you attacking your compatriots when you are not controlled by the cursed blood! What are you thinking!

Yura's response was silence, and the four people present fell into silence.

Seeing that she had nothing to do here, Se Lian was about to leave:

Then I will go back with the Star Child.

Leave one for me. Wuming said, I'm short of transportation.

Don't you use your golden chariot? Se Lian said, Take the Star Son to the royal city. Aren't you afraid of being attacked?

Who said I was going to the Royal City? Wuming said, The road to the Royal City is difficult now, so I naturally want to explore new sales channels.

Where to go? Se Lian asked curiously.

Wuming thought for a while: Huoshan Official Residence. They actually signed a 10 million business deal with me - I have a good impression of this force now. There are no bad people who are willing to take care of my business!

Se Lian laughed: Okay, if you need my help, just use the puppet to notify me.

Se Lian left with a Falling Star Beast. Wuming simply waved to Se Lian and said goodbye.

He always stood where he was, staring at Eleonora.

Yura never got Eleonora's answer, and the anger in his eyes was like a fire that had been drawn out, gradually extinguishing and losing its strength.

He looked at Wuming and found that Wuming was still staring at Eleonora, and covered Eleonora with the dragon-wing cloak on the side.

It's not good to stare at a woman like this. Yura reminded Wuming and once again talked about the moral values ​​of the Reed Land.

If I don't keep an eye on her, you'll die. Wuming said.

Yura's hand shook, and he left his cloak, distanced himself from Eleonora, and looked at Wuming: What do you mean?

Looking at your reaction, isn't it quite clear? Wuming said, The trembling of the Blood Finger's muscles and the direction of her gaze... are all looking for opportunities to escape - that is, opportunities to kill you.

Are you sure? Yura's tone was bitter.

I don't look at people's faces. Wuming said, Mainly because we generally can't see faces over there, and the faces we see are probably too wrinkled to show expressions. I'm used to looking at the body, even the bones and muscles. , to judge the other party’s actions.”

Wuming said: As a warrior who has experienced many battles, this is my judgment. Believe me, what we businessmen value is integrity.

Which one is a warrior or a businessman...

I guarantee my warrior experience with the integrity of a businessman. Wuming patted his chest.

Wuming looked at Eleonora and nodded appreciatively:

At first glance, there is no murderous intent, but if you take a closer look, every muscle, every movement, every look in her body is always looking for an opportunity to come back and fight back. She is really a pure warrior. I'm afraid she is not pursuing a curse. Blood is not the power of a dragon, but simply powerful. Yes, very pure.

Yura said: You want to say that she killed people just to pursue a more powerful state?

In my hometown, embarking on the road to becoming a dragon also requires constant fighting. Because the road is too narrow, only one person is allowed to pass, and the road is full of killing and blood. Wuming sighed, She is not necessarily purely pursuing power. But she must be very pure.”

So that's it...

Yura suddenly understood why Eleonora ignored him.

While he was talking to her, she was planning how to kill herself.

Because dialogue can't help me get out of trouble, I don't speak. He was even constantly observing his surroundings, having no time to think about anything else, waiting for opportunities to counterattack.

Yura, who was still transformed into a dragon body, fell back on the chair and looked into those clear and indifferent eyes.

She clearly still looks the same, and her appearance has not changed at all due to the erosion of dragon food and cursed blood. But Yura clearly saw the heart of a dragon, perhaps a heart stronger than the dragon.

For the first time, Yura got a little closer to Eleonora's heart, but what he saw made him even more desperate.

Why did she become like this... Yura couldn't believe it.

Wuming asked Yura: Isn't it caused by Longfang?

Her eyes haven't changed, Yura said.

You said it yourself - the desire for the dragon will gradually accumulate until it fills the whole body. In order to pursue the powerful and beautiful power of the dragon, he embarks on the road of destruction. Wuming said, Since you are pursuing power, then seeing the curse You will also pounce on blood, right?

Wuming said: And you see, if perfumers drink spices, they will also destroy their own hearts and turn into emotionless omen-hunting machines. This guy eats the heart of a dragon, which is much more powerful than spices.

Wuming's statement was quite reasonable. Yura didn't want to believe it and sat silently on the chair. Even the mighty dragon body can't conceal an aura of decadence.

Wuming said: Such a stubborn guy is the hardest to deal with. He can't communicate and is unwilling to change easily. Let's hang him for a while.

Will she be executed? Yura asked softly, with mixed emotions.

Wuming heard the words and thought about it: If she has a good relationship with Huoshan, I can't take action. She can be a prisoner of war in exchange for each other's friendship. But since she was decisively given up by the Godskin Apostle, and she was a member of the Blood Dynasty before, she shouldn't be interested in the official residence of Huoshan. It’s very important – there’s nothing wrong with killing it.”

Wuming lifted Eleonora back to her original position. Before hanging her back, he thoughtfully wrapped her naked body into a ball with three layers of worm silk and iron wire inside and three outside, leaving only her head exposed. , stuck on the cross.

The cross was almost unbearable due to its huge weight, like a twig growing plump fruits, or like a giant dung beetle plucking from the branch.

Perfect. Wuming clapped his hands, I won't be able to escape this way.

Aren't you afraid of just crushing the cross and running away? Yura said.

Wuming suddenly realized: You reminded me.

Wuming wrapped Eleonora many circles horizontally, turning it into an oval shape, becoming wider, fatter and heavier.

Wuming was even more satisfied now: If she wants to roll away like this, her head will definitely hit the ground - she won't be able to run away.

Wuming left happily, leaving Yura to guard Eleonora alone. Yura looked up at the crumbling cross and the funny Eleonora, sighed, and turned away from looking at her.