Free Web NovelChapter 314: Chapter 302: Supreme Slash
Supreme Slash, also known as Evil-breaking Slash, is a unique and highly distinctive technique that exists somewhere between Combat Skills and Magic.
Despite its impressive name, its essence is actually a method of channeling and using Positive Energy to attack.
Roland was interested in this technique because of its particular effectiveness against Undead Creatures.
His experiences in the Land of Mist had given him a deeper understanding of this world, making him especially wary of Spiritual Creatures like Ghosts.
If not for the potion given to him by Witch Vanessa, which protected against Negative Energy, he doubted he could have repeatedly escaped the encirclements of Spiritual Creatures unharmed with only the handful of Magic spells he knew.
Supreme Slash happened to address his greatest weakness.
Moreover, to learn Supreme Slash, one must first master the method of channeling Positive Energy.
As far as Roland knew, in this world, Positive Energy was often closely related to faith.
Perhaps he could also use this opportunity to explore the actual connection between the two and prepare for the "Faith" attribute that had appeared on his Professional Panel after he was promoted to a Knight.
And although ancient records stated that almost all who used this technique were Paladins, it did not mean that other Transcendents could not use it.
In fact, as long as one mastered the method, even a mere mortal could perform Supreme Slash.
However, the magnitude of its power depended on the strength of the Positive Energy the user could channel.
The difference in power between a Supreme Slash cast by an ordinary person and one cast by someone with unwavering faith could span from a First Ring Spell all the way to a Fifth Ring one.
Therefore, for anyone other than Paladins or Priests, who could stably acquire Positive Energy through faith, the Supreme Slash they learned was often limited in power and lacked practical value for study.
Because of this limitation, Supreme Slash was not considered a secret technique.
In the eyes of most, it was less valuable than even the Second Ring Spell "Domain of Honesty."
Therefore, Roland felt that his request was not excessive.
However, sensing the almost stagnant atmosphere in the room, he couldn’t help but frown and ask.
"Her Highness Princess Gloria, is there... something wrong with this request?"
"No..."
Gloria took a light breath and raised a hand to signal for the others in the room to remain calm. Then, she lifted her gaze, her voice soft yet tinged with a probing tone.
"I am just a bit curious. Why do you need... Supreme Slash?"
"Since you know its name, you must be somewhat familiar with it. If one’s faith is not firm and pious, its actual power is even less than that of the most common Combat Skills."
Catching sight of two Guards slowly tightening their grips on their sword hilts as Gloria spoke, Roland narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of doubt rising in his heart.
But he wasn’t too worried.
When he had first entered the room, his [Shadow Perception], combined with his already keen Perception Power, had already thoroughly scouted the surroundings.
Although these Guards were quite skilled, none of them were Extraordinary Professionals.
With his abilities, escaping would not be difficult.
So, after tensing his body slightly, he adapted his experiences in the Land of Mist into a tale of an ordinary adventure, explaining his reasons for seeking Supreme Slash.
"Ghosts..."
After listening to Roland’s account, Gloria nodded lightly, her expression a mixture of belief and doubt. She fell silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, her tone held a hint of apology.
"My apologies, Mister Adventurer. I know this request may be a bit presumptuous, but..."
The Princess leaned forward slightly, her previous elegant posture quietly fading away. Even her aura, which had seemed as weak as an ordinary person’s, became deep and powerful.
It was as if she had transformed from a noble peacock into an aggressive leopard.
"May I see the back of your hand?"
"The back of my hand?"
Roland raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the abrupt request, but he still presented the back of his hand to everyone without hesitation.
His skin was somewhat dark, but smooth and unblemished.
Gloria examined it carefully, letting out a soft sigh of relief only after a moment.
"Please forgive my impertinence."
She apologized in a low voice, then turned to the lady-in-waiting at her side.
"Mel, please go to my chambers and retrieve the copy of Supreme Slash."
"But, Her Highness Princess Gloria..."
The lady-in-waiting, Mel, seemed to want to dissuade her, but after meeting Gloria’s calm yet resolute gaze, she could only nod helplessly.
She gave a few quiet instructions to the Guards in the room, then turned and left.
However, the departure of the lady-in-waiting, Mel, did not plunge the room into silence.
Gloria’s gaze shifted from placid to faintly curious.
She studied Roland intently, as if trying to pierce through a thin veil to see his true face.
"Mister Adventurer, may I ask... will you be staying in Golden Ears City for the near future? Please don’t misunderstand, I have no other intentions, it’s just that..."
She gestured with her hand, and a Guard immediately stepped forward, placing another glass bottle filled with a mysterious liquid on the table.
"Regarding this commission, there are a few other matters that might require your assistance..."
"I apologize, Her Imperial Highness the Princess. You must be aware that Adventurers like us tend to be transient."
"Then could you tell me where you are staying..."
"I’m afraid I can’t do that."
Roland shook his head gently.
"If you still require assistance, you can post another commission. If I see it and am capable of completing it, I will naturally accept it."
"I see..."
Gloria sighed softly, her tone laced with regret.
In the time that followed, she continuously tried to subtly inquire about his origins, but Roland calmly deflected all her attempts with his skillful rhetoric.
Before long, the lady-in-waiting, Mel, returned.
"Thank you for your help, Mister Adventurer."
Gloria rose slowly, took the Scroll from Mel’s hand, and also picked up the Domain of Honesty Scroll. She then walked gracefully around the wooden table, her slender figure appearing even more elegant in the dim light.
"I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future."
"This is..."
Seeing the Domain of Honesty Scroll in Gloria’s hand in addition to the one for Supreme Slash, Roland’s brow twitched slightly.
"You have helped me a great deal. Please, don’t refuse."
"It was my honor to be of service to you."
Seeing the calm expression in the Princess’s eyes, Roland didn’t stand on ceremony either. He accepted the two Scrolls she offered, and after meeting her eyes to receive her tacit approval, he deftly untied the cords and carefully inspected the contents.
After confirming that everything was complete and intact, he gave a slight bow, then turned and walked out of the dimly lit room.
THUD.
As the door closed with a soft, muffled sound, Mel couldn’t help but speak.
"Her Highness Princess Gloria, should we have someone investigate..."
"There’s no need to worry, Mel."
Gloria walked lightly to the window, gazing at the bright crescent moon in the night sky as she spoke softly.
"This Adventurer doesn’t belong to any other sects. As for him knowing that I was carrying a copy of Supreme Slash... that was most likely a coincidence. Compared to that..."
As Gloria spoke, she slowly removed the white glove from her right hand.
Moonlight spilled through the window lattice, falling upon the back of her bare hand.
An eye-catching pattern was branded there.
A blazing sun, its edges as sharp as rays, seemed to be bursting outward with endless light and scorching flames.
Under the pristine moonlight, the sun faintly glowed a dark red, like a true solar corona slowly swirling and silently Burning.
"My Holy Mark has not yet fully formed. I cannot be away from the Land of the Sun Crown for long."
"Therefore, we must prioritize dealing with the possible Abyss contamination incident in the East of the Golden Grain Kingdom. As for other matters..."
Gloria gazed at the faintly glowing mark on the back of her hand and sighed softly.
"Pay no mind to the actions of my brother Lucius and Duke Anno... Once Father Emperor returns, they will naturally restrain themselves."
"As you command."
