Tiffany's Song

This room is just one of Earl Swynborne's treasure rooms in the Padesto City. Judging from the number of boxes on the shelves, there are nearly a thousand magical items in this room. And this treasure room is just the most inconspicuous one of Earl Swynborne's dozen or so treasure rooms.

Before meeting Earl Swynborne, Roy could never have imagined that an elven earl could possess such a vast fortune.

It seems that Miss Christine usually dresses very simply.

At the academy, Roy would occasionally see her walking through the corridors of the Teaching Building in a white gauze dress. In the Adventure Group, Miss Christine only wore a set of Spike-tailed Crystal Lion Leather Armor and carried a Battle Shortbow. Miss Christine huddled beside the instructor, helping everyone advise on what gifts to choose.

She revealed to the instructors that the boxes with green labels contained some high-quality magical items, while the boxes with blue labels mainly contained magical items of excellent quality.

However... the fact that a high-quality magical item can be displayed in this room is enough to show that the item's attributes are excellent, and from a certain perspective, it even surpasses a magical item of superior quality.

Instructor Nora opened a box containing a Dwarf Warhammer of Strength. The enchantment on this octagonal hammer was a very simple Strength attribute, but the increase in Strength was extremely high. It was a pity that Instructor Nora wasn't used to using warhammers, otherwise, judging from her conflicted expression, she would have really wanted to choose this warhammer.

Miss Christine inspected the magical equipment area for Martial Artist. Elves love complex martial arts techniques, and many elves learn them as a result. Martial Artist are not a minority in the Silver Moon Elf Kingdom, which is why Martial Artist weapons and equipment are unique.

Many Martial Artist are accustomed to wearing heavy chainmail, so they use a variety of weapons. Many Martial Artist specialize in only one or two types of weapons, such as swords, clubs, axes, hammers, and long-handled weapons, and there are no restrictions on these weapons.

Instructor Nora was proficient in swords and shields, so in her eyes, this hammer became a magical weapon that she had to give up.

Actually, the one-handed sword that Instructor Nora is currently using is quite good, but her shield is relatively poor, which is because she doesn't pay much attention to it.

Miss Christine pointed to a leather suitcase and said to Instructor Nora:

"Instructor Nora, there's also a very nice Thorn Shield in this box. Would you like to take a look?"

Instructor Nora put down the power hammer and opened the box containing the shield. The shield inside was covered with a layer of oiled paper. The edge of the egg-shaped shield was covered with thorns that extended outwards, surrounding the shield and making it look like a sunflower.

"This shield was captured by my father during his campaign in the Mensa Plain. It was once the weapon of a Liger Race orc Martial Artist," Miss Christine explained.

Instructor Nora picked up the shield and found that it was much heavier than she had imagined. The entire shield was probably made from a piece of Magic Black Iron. This shield did not increase strength attributes, but rather had a very special magical attribute called ' Wound Tear '.

Instructor Nora picked up the shield and found that it was the perfect size...

Subsequently, at Miss Christine's recommendation, Instructor Eleanor and Instructor Gru each received a Entangling Bow and a pair of Boots of Lightness, respectively.

Instructor Eleanor and a ranger, had wanted to buy a Entangling Bow for a long time...

Instructor Virgil was an avid collector of swords.

Born into a wealthy noble family in Castleton City, Instructor Virgil has always enjoyed buying longswords of various styles since becoming a swordsman. This time, he found a very nice Wavy Sword here, adding another weapon of excellent quality to his collection.

Magician Scarlett, on the other hand, kept wandering between the shelves. As Water-based Mage, she had no interest in these magical weapons and armor.

After much hesitation, Magician Scarlett chose a Demon Sealing Box as a gift for herself...

When Roy and Sabrina returned to the treasure room, the instructors had already finished selecting their gifts. Miss Christine waved to Roy and Sabrina and said:

"What kind of gifts do you two want? Let me help you decide."

The two had just received a gift from Earl Swynborne, and now they were being asked to receive a double gift. Roy asked with a puzzled look, "We have this too...?"

"Of course! This is a reward for capturing so many Slave Traders on our trip to Bulwark Village." Miss Christine pulled Sabrina inside and asked her, "Sabrina, would you like to choose a weapon? Or a piece of armor?"

Sabrina did not answer Miss Christine's question. Instead, she stood in front of the shelves, carefully looking at the catalog details. She walked around, stopping and starting, and finally stopped in front of a large leather trunk.

Miss Christine walked over, glanced at the label, and said with some surprise:

"This is a Dwarf Chain Mail."

"To a dwarf, this Dwarf Chain Mail might be a full-body suit of armor, but for you, it's just a half-body suit. Let me think... what kind of leg armor would be suitable to pair with it? Heavy armor for Sword Dancer, a battle skirt would be more practical than leg armor..."

After saying that, Miss Christine pulled a box from the shelf next to her, picked out a chainmail dress from it, and put it directly into the Dwarf Chain Mail box that Sabrina had chosen.

"Roy, it's your turn. What kind of gift would you like to choose?" Miss Christine asked with great interest.

"I want a short sword, as light and sharp as possible, preferably with the ability to penetrate armor," Roy said.

"Did I hear that right? You actually want a short sword?" Miss Christine looked at Roy with a puzzled expression.

"No, since it's a gift, of course I should pick something I like," Roy said with a smile, glancing at the labels on the shelf.

Miss Christine led Roy to a row of weapon racks, pointed to the top short sword, and said to Roy, "How about this Thrust Sabre?"

Roy reached out and took the Thrust Sabre from the weapon rack, discovering that it had a cross-shaped blade, resembling a Long Dagger with a handguard and blood grooves, perfect for assassins. He estimated that ordinary chainmail would not be able to withstand a full-force strike from the Thrust Sabre.

After everyone had chosen their gifts, Earl Swynborne hosted a banquet for the Adventure Group, after which Instructor Nora led them back to Pattington Island.

Nowadays, several Supply Ship ships of the Seventeenth Silver Pegasus Legion are often docked at the docks of Pattington Island, so the group does not need to stay on the Pattington Island if they want to leave.

With Sabrina's help, Roy carried the large Wooden Box containing Abbott onto the ship...

The Supply Ship set sail, but because it was sailing against the wind, the ship could only move forward little by little along a 'Z' shaped route.

During his time in the Pattington Plane, Roy hardly ate any seafood.

After boarding the Supply Ship, Roy immediately took out his fishing rod and sat at the bow to fish. The box containing Abbott was placed next to him. There were three ventilation holes on each side of the box, and half of Abbott's face could be pressed against the ventilation holes.

He's barely eaten anything for the past few days, and judging from his condition, it seems like he only has half a breath left...

"Haven't you seen the Endless Sea in a long time?"

Roy, holding his fishing rod, said to Abbott.

Abbott completely ignored Roy, seemingly having no intention of speaking to Roy.

Roy didn't care at all. He rummaged through his Magic Pouch for a while before finally pulling out the Golden Key, which was as thick as a baby's arm. He then placed it on the ship's side and gave Abbott a wry smile:

"I never imagined... that our friendship wouldn't even be worth a Golden Key!"

After saying that, Roy picked up the Golden Key and casually tossed it into the vast ocean.

With a 'plop'...

A ripple finally appeared in Abbott's eyes.

Roy then took out Captain Raefel's Treasure Map. Although it had been cut in half by Jasper, Treasure Map later came into Abbott's hands, and he carefully glued the two Treasure Map back together, now rolled into a scroll.

After Roy took the Treasure Map back from Abbott, he glanced at it and tossed it into his Magic Pouch.

Now Roy took it out, and along the original seam, tore the Treasure Map into two pieces again, then casually threw them into the sea.

Abbott finally came back to life. He pressed his face against the box and watched through the holes as the two map scrolls flipped and fell into the sea, a look of resentment on his face.

"By the way, let me tell you something. Last month, Captain Relf secretly climbed to Castleton Harbour and was dragged to the bottom of the sea and drowned by a Naga Sea Clan warrior."

Roy continued.

Abbott remained silent, while Roy sat on the gunwale, holding his fishing rod as if talking to himself.

The Supply Ship sailed at sea all night and arrived in Castleton City at dawn.

Fortunately, the Supply Ship was sailing against the wind close to the east coast of the Elf Continent, so even at night, it wouldn't lose its way...

The Black Pearl remains stranded on the beach west of the pier.

Upon his return, Roy discovered that the Ship Building terrace of the Black Pearl was now covered with lush vegetation, while the ship's five black masts still stood there forlornly, with the sails rolled up on the bottom bar of each mast.

As the sun rose, Roy caught a glimpse of Miss Tiffany on the ship.

The Supply Ship finally docked at Castleton Harbour, and the Adventure Group Supply Ship on their own.

The instructors found a carriage at the dock, and everyone rode back to the Elf Academy together.

Miss Christine climbed into her own carriage, and the Swynborne carriage swaggered away from the port.

Roy and Sabrina remained on the dock, and the instructors selectively forgot about the large crate...

The two carried the suitcases directly onto the Black Pearl. Miss Tiffany stood by the ship's railing and waved vigorously at Roy and Sabrina.

Finally, Miss Tiffany herself used a crane to lift the large trunk onto the deck of the Black Pearl.

"Is this a gift you brought back for me?" Miss Tiffany joked with Roy with a smile, but when she saw that Roy's face was not smiling, she immediately realized that something was wrong with the big box.

The smile on her face gradually faded. She turned with difficulty to look at the large box and said in a low voice, "Roy, did you bring Abbott back?"

At this point, Roy didn't know how to comfort Tiffany, so he could only obediently nod in agreement.

Tiffany turned and strode quickly to the large trunk, unfastened the clasps on both sides, and lifted the lid to reveal Abbott inside.

He was tightly bound with rope, curled up inside the box, his face almost unrecognizable from thinning...

In the sunlight, Abbott struggled to lift his head, coldly looking at Miss Tiffany with a complex expression, his eyes growing increasingly vacant.

Miss Tiffany was already streaked with tears. She slowly squatted down beside the box, stared at Abbott, and asked, "Did you kill Jasper?"

Abbott sat in the box, his gaze fixed on the distant sea, without uttering a word.

Why did you kill Jasper?

Miss Tiffany's second question was sung, and her voice was full of allure.

Her pupils were also filled with golden light...

Abbott, as if summoned by Miss Tiffany, stared blankly at Miss Tiffany and said, word by word:

"Because of that half of the Treasure Map, I want that treasure, but Roy and Jasper don't support me doing so. I want to kill Jasper first to get the other half of the Treasure Map, then kill Roy and get the Golden Key from him. I'll kill Jasper in the dorm first, then kill Roy..."

This was the first time Roy had heard the whole story from Abbott.

Miss Tiffany sat beside the box, unable even to maintain her elven form, a tricolor fishtail spread across the deck.

After Abbott finished speaking, he returned to his wooden expression.

"What's wrong with Abbott?" Roy couldn't understand how Abbott had suddenly developed dementia.

"He's simply entered a state of self-hypnosis and self-protection, a state that blocks out pain, hunger, fear, and despair," Miss Tiffany explained to Roy. "Since he's afraid to face the fear of death, then I'll grant him his wish...to die!"

Before Roy could stop her, Miss Tiffany plunged a bull-horn dagger into Abbott's chest.

Abbott's empty, blank expression instantly transformed into pain and terror. His eyes widened as he stared at the dagger in his chest, howling and pleading with Roy:

"Roy, please save me... Roy, please use Minor Healing to save me..."

Miss Tiffany ignored Abbott's cries for help and, as she pulled the dagger from his heart, stabbed him in the neck.

Then he plunged into the sea.

The three-colored fishtail made a few splashes on the sea surface and then disappeared.