Solid as a Rock

Solid as a Rock

The next morning.

The camp was bustling from dawn.

Aemon forced himself awake and got up groggily to wash.

There was still something important to do today. He could not sleep in.

Before heading out, he opened the Magic Essence Panel.

Aemon Targaryen

Talent: Dreamer (Gold)

Bloodline: Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord (23%)

Skills: High Valyrian (Mastery), Archery (Proficient)...

Magic Cards: None

Pet: Gold-Nosed Rat (Blue)

Evaluation: "A healthy, growing human cub, though slightly overweight."

Aemon glanced at it, froze for a moment, then his expression changed instantly.

What did it mean, slightly overweight?

Either he was overweight or he was not.

It was like he would not admit it otherwise.

"Tch. Just wait until I grow up a little more. I'll charm you to death."

Muttering to himself, Aemon looked through the card panel.

1. Beast Feeding Pill: Feed to pets or mounts to increase intelligence, strengthen the body, and raise intimacy.

The card was emerald green, depicting a small pill.

2. Fine Steel Longsword: Good-quality weapon.

The card was emerald green, with a longsword gleaming coldly upon it.

3. Solid as a Rock: "Hardens the skin, making it as tough as stone."

The card was blue. A grayish-white little figure struck a powerful pose, with +1, +1 floating above its head.

The three cards were each marked with a price:

Green background: 60 Essence

Green background: 55 Essence

Blue background: 150 Essence

"Huh, this card again."

Aemon immediately set his sights on Solid as a Rock. Without a second thought, he poked it like a wealthy tycoon.

Pop~

The blue card shattered at once, turning into a pale gray-white stream of light that wobbled into his chest.

Aemon's whole body jolted. His fair skin suddenly tightened, and an inexplicable strength surged into his fists.

A panel notification sounded beside his ear.

"Solid as a Rock +1. Constitution, strength, and endurance slightly increased. Basic physical defense acquired."

The panel's basic defense rating meant blades and swords could no longer injure him, granting a certain degree of resistance to blows and falls.

He could continue exchanging for it later to raise his defense level.

Aemon patted his chest and said in delight, "It really doesn't hurt."

He picked up a small knife from the fruit platter and drew it across his tender arm, leaving only a faint mark.

He really had become a tough, stinking rock.

"On the battlefield, I wouldn't even need armor. Wouldn't I just slaughter everyone?"

Aemon instantly pictured himself looking mighty and invincible.

This was only basic defense. If it reached a high level, would he not have an indestructible diamond body?

After celebrating for a while, his smile gradually faded.

Beside the golden hourglass: Essence: 67

In the Dragonpit, with the help of more than a dozen dragon eggs, Dreamfyre, and Syrax, his Essence had reached 268 points.

Exchanging for Empty Handed had cost 60 Essence, while the three dragon eggs gifted by Dreamfyre had provided 9 Essence.

Exchanging for Solid as a Rock had just cost another 150.

The remaining Essence was only enough to exchange for one green card.

"I still can't stop. I'll make another sweep through the King's Wood."

Aemon rallied himself and set off in high spirits.

King's Wood.

Aemon hurried over.

He shared a White Horse with Ser Steve, while Gonsal and three other guards accompanied them.

A squad of ten Vale Knights followed behind.

Rhaenyra had been waiting at the agreed location. She was startled when she saw the entourage.

"Aemon, why did you bring so many people?"

Aemon was lifted down from the White Horse and waved his hand. "It's nothing. Catching the White Hart is what matters."

"Then you should really have gone to my father. His party is the one hunting the White Hart."

Rhaenyra said helplessly.

Aemon merely smiled without answering as he noticed the people following behind her.

Besides Cole, the White Knight who never left her side, there were more than a dozen promising young men from all over.

Well... they could be considered promising, for now.

The most conspicuous one was Duke Jason, with his golden hair and splendid clothing.

His hair was styled in an outrageously showy fashion. He looked less like a lion and more like a peacock spreading its tail.

Aemon frowned slightly and said flatly, "Shouldn't he be traveling with Uncle?"

"Mhm. Who knows?"

Rhaenyra shrugged.

She could hardly say that after hearing she was organizing a Kingswood Hunt, these men had fought tooth and nail for a chance to join.

Though she did intend to pick out a few helpers from among them.

"Let's go. The weather's nice today. Let's take a stroll through the King's Wood."

Rhaenyra acted every bit the older sister and took Aemon's hand.

Then she exclaimed in surprise, "Aemon, your skin is so smooth. And you've gotten much fairer?"

"I slept well last night."

Aemon picked an excuse and fooled the suspicious Rhaenyra.

They headed down a path through the King's Wood.

Aemon narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the "promising young men" gathered around them one by one.

There were a few decent ones, but none worth befriending.

They were all big beasts lusting after Rhaenyra's beauty and status, already letting their little heads lead their big heads.

Besides, he was still young. If he wanted friends, he needed to sit at the children's table.

"Duke Jason, why don't you send someone ahead to scout the situation?"

Rhaenyra's face had darkened from being pestered, and she wanted a moment of peace.

Duke Jason smiled slightly and bowed. "No problem, Your Highness."

He probably thought he looked like quite the seasoned gentleman.

Aemon waved a hand, signaling the ten Vale Knights to spread out and search the King's Wood for the White Hart.

He also let the Gold-Nosed Rat out of his backpack and rewarded it with a bunch of grapes as payment.

"Squeak, squeak."

The Gold-Nosed Rat ate one grape, then reluctantly stored the rest in its backpack before darting into the bushes.

Aemon plucked one for himself and popped it into his mouth.

The party gathered together and was about to set out.

Aemon turned his head and caught sight of a handsome man with brown hair, brown eyes, and a lion-like nose.

The man was broad and powerfully built. He was polishing a longsword in his hand, his eyes shining as he stared at Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra followed Aemon's gaze.

The man's face lit up. He lowered his head with feigned solemnity, a confident smile curling at the corner of his lips.

To the siblings, he looked like a lecherous fool grinning to himself.

Aemon's eyelids twitched wildly. He recognized the man from his looks and felt thoroughly sickened.

As it happened, he was looking for an idiot to make an example of.

In an instant, Aemon pointed at him. His mouth moved faster than his brain, and he blurted out, "What the hell are you looking at?"

His voice was crisp and carried a most sincere greeting.

Harwin Strong: ...

Rhaenyra was utterly stunned. She hurriedly covered his mouth and whispered fiercely in his ear, "Aemon, what are you doing?"

What was wrong with the little one?

The moment he opened his mouth, filth poured out.

Aemon made muffled noises, but he was dragged away by force.

Harwin's smile vanished, and he was so embarrassed he wished the ground would swallow him.

This was difficult.

If it had been another adult or a half-grown youth capable of wielding a sword, he could have relied on his martial skills to save face.

But he was facing an eight-year-old child.

It left him utterly powerless.

By then, Aemon had already been bundled away.

Rhaenyra mounted the White Horse, tossed Aemon across its back, and flicked the reins as she galloped off.

Her Riding Skill was excellent, and she rode incredibly fast.

"Let me go! I'm going to fall!"

Aemon struggled, secretly lamenting the missed opportunity.

This Breakbones, Harwin, had a decent temperament and some tolerance.

Even after being cursed right to his face, he swallowed it without a word.

Aemon had been thinking that if Harwin dared talk back, he would order Gonsal to beat him senseless.

After causing trouble, he would not even bother looking for the White Hart. He would just flee overnight with his bags packed.

All the way back to Runestone in the Vale.