CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 98: THE CAT IS SUPER GOOD AT CATCHING

"So, does everyone have no objections to the voting result now?"

When five golden lions landed in front of everyone, Ave announced the voting result. To ensure fairness, Golden Fur’s voting rights were revoked, so it could only show its stance by pulling out a strand of fur, mimicking a thumbs-up gesture.

Even Ethan, who had just threatened Rowena, cast an agreeable vote.

Just as the first generation of master artisans wrote in the "Imperial Magic Guide," magicians and elemental shapers have a mutually beneficial relationship. Only through cooperation can this chariot continue its journey for the long haul.

Indeed, they urgently needed a Great Mage to join them.

"Next is the first topic."

The mountains of Ximu Town became the perfect meeting location. They sat around the clearing in front of the cave. Lindong and Ethan collaborated to set magic traps outside the cave, transforming it into their temporary storage place. With Ethan’s death spreading across the Empire, the Neseriel Sanctuary’s Elite Knight Order left the country, and Old Sen Magical Technology’s work was getting on track.

The good news was, last night they obtained an important research material.

The remnants of an Evil God’s creation, named Giant Divine Soldier, were enhanced with a Magic even Lindong had never seen.

"What are your thoughts on the Giant Divine Soldier’s remains?"

"The simplest way is to craft it into armor."

Ethan took off the light armor she always wore. Inside, she had only a single garment. She showed everyone the secrets of the light armor: "This was forged by the artisans in the Empire’s capital, using dragon bones and sinews as materials... It’s from the evil dragon that His Majesty Henry hunted on the Empire’s border. Though light, this armor can’t be pierced by bullets or arrows, and it has high resistance against magic below the third level."

She paused and shared her perspective, "If we use the entire arm as material for crafting armor, we can arm a whole militia."

This is undoubtedly the armor sought after by countless knights, ignoring both magic and physical attacks, nearly like the Knight Lord’s own protection!

"But there’s also a problem."

Ethan spread out her left hand and pulled down the garment on her shoulder, showing the burn marks left from last night when moving the Giant Divine Soldier. Even if truly crafted into armor, it’s probably cursed, and regular people can’t wear it."

Ethan, considering herself as tough-skinned, felt this material was burning and could scorch her. For most people, just donning the armor would peel their skin. "Rather than flames, it feels more like some kind of curse. Ethan my brother, can your Fireball skill purify these curses?"

"I can, but there are some side effects."

Ethan and Lindong were the first to arrive at the "venue." Before others came, they studied the Giant Divine Soldier’s remains closely. "I took a small piece as a purification sample, and the result was that the immunity to magic disappeared with the curse."

They only got an ordinary, useless disgusting piece of meat.

"Indeed, I knew it wouldn’t be this simple."

"It means we need to find a way to extract and study the curse from the remains, and only after understanding its essence can we possibly apply it widely."

Rowena chimed in, "I saw similar research during my time at the Astrology Guild, but I didn’t have much background, and the president didn’t like me, so I never got funding. I could only observe. If you need, I can try to test it using magician’s theories."

After some exchange, Ethan realized that besides their primary professions, they each had their special talents.

Ethan had learned armor forging from the blacksmiths in the capital for a while. Her light armor had been modified many times, and the firearm named ’Red Rose’ was a weapon she forged personally.

This weapon never uses projectiles and is driven entirely by magic power, compensating to an extent for knights’ lack of proficiency in long-range combat.

Ethan saw the group passionately discussing and moved under a tree, lying down to enjoy some rare leisure.

In contrast, his specialty, Elemental Cartography, couldn’t offer much help with this topic.

Soon, a cat walked gracefully to his side.

"I heard a rumor in Ximu Town today. Want to know?"

"What rumor?"

The cat didn’t answer him but tilted its head cutely, its red eyes staring straight at Ethan, seemingly about to drip water.

"Meow~"

The gesture of wanting to impress, coupled with the nearly explicit cat call.

Rowena, passing by, was taken aback by this shocking scene. She paused, then exclaimed, "Oh, you, you! You can make such sounds? How did you do that? Wow! Are you asking for a hug? Shout at me like you did just now, and I’ll hug you!"

This comment gave Ethan goosebumps. He saw the cat’s eyes turn into crescent moons, harboring ice elements that suddenly became restless.

He felt a chill touching his soul.

The cat kept tilting its head cutely at him, smiling, but time made a jump.

The only variable during this time jump was Rowena, who now lay on the ground, her right hand stretching forward, with the "fatal wound" being an icy arrow stabbed into her rear.

With all her remaining strength, Rowena left a "death message" on the ground.

——"This cat is incredibly impressive!"

Ethan couldn’t help but respect Rowena. With her mouth, she managed to partner with the cat for so long without getting knocked off. This could be called a miracle.

"Meow~"

The cat called at Ethan again.

In the town, she gathered an important piece of information, but being just a cat, without a hug, she couldn’t use human language.

With Rowena’s mishap as a precedent, Ethan reached out to lift the cat, which comfortably curled into a soft white ball on his chest. With his help, she successfully recalled human language, "Have you heard of Haywood Mine?"

"I’ve heard of it. Many people from the town have been sent there to work."

Ethan said.

But most information about Haywood Mine is negative. Those who owe huge debts to the Imperial Reserve are often sent to work there, usually losing touch and never returning.

"People in the town say there’s an uproar there, the guards have been killed, miners have taken over the mine, and the Imperial Reserve is seeking help from Baron Gledin, hoping he’ll send his Guard Team to suppress the rebellion. It’s likely your good friend Hagrid will be sent to support at the mine."