Cthulhu Gonfalon

The Void Mask’s general put an end to this challenging problem of keeping the poor citizens of Dahl Hill warm.

Sui Xiong most certainly did not need to cut trees. After understanding the situation, he cast his Divine Power and retrieved some red-hot stones directly from the Fire Element Plane. These red-hot stones could radiate heat continuously in a steady flow.

These stones could absorb heat, and when placed in cold environments, it would release the heat previously absorbed. On the Main Plane, many fashionable, prominent merchants would use them to stay warm in places of temporary accommodation. As compared to using magic power to obtain warmth, the cost of using these stones was slightly lower. The only problem was that it was more dangerous—these stones were unstable; they exploded easily and might burn people around it.

Undoubtedly, the Main Plane also produced these stones. They were usually found in the volcanoes or in the magma underground. Because it was difficult to mine in these areas and these stones did not carry much value, the production of such stones was very low. The amount that Sui Xiong collected this time might be more than the total amount that usually took 10 years to appear on the market.

Using these stones, known as “Prison Rock Ores,” to obtain warmth was a technical job. Without enough skills, one would not be able to obtain any heat from it. On the contrary, one might suffer burns from the stones. Sui Xiong knew this technique because he had seen the merchant party of the Commonwealth of Gold Coins in this territory using these things to stay warm.

What they did was they buried these stones underground and wrapped them within a thick layer of ash. Then they would cover the layer of ash with another layer of soil before putting wooden boards over the soil. After a while, there would be heat radiating from beneath the boards. This heat that came out from underground would be able to keep a large room warm.

Yes, this feeling was just like that of floor heating.

There were a few keys to this technique. The first was that the soil used to bury the stones had to be as dry as possible. The second was that the ash used had to be subjected to full combustion. The third was that the wooden boards used on top had to be the kind that did not bend easily. So long as these few points were well fulfilled, it was possible to build a relatively good “greenhouse.”

The poor people in the slum areas were definitely not so capable. But the clergymen were. They hurriedly got to work, digging holes under the bedrooms of the poor people’s houses to fix up greenhouses. This kept them busy for a few days before they finally completed the job.

With the warmth from the prison rock ores, the poor people who were originally fretting over how they could stay warm finally overcame this difficult period. Baron Dahl also took advantage of this opportunity to set up such a greenhouse in his mansion.

Sui Xiong did not stop Baron Dahl from doing so. From his point of view, Baron Dahl’s selfish choice was not necessarily a major mistake to start with. Humans were selfish beings to begin with. Forcing others to be selfless was simply not something a kind and generous jellyfish should do.

But he did teach Baron Dahl a small lesson—when Baron Dahl finished setting up his greenhouse and was about to enjoy the “all-natural” warmth in high spirits, he accidentally dropped his teacup for no apparent reason. The boiling hot tea spilled all over his legs, causing his face to be contorted as he grimaced in pain while shouting at the top of his voice.

This degree of burns would definitely call for a few days of recuperation on Earth, but in this world filled with mysterious power, it was nothing more than a matter that could be resolved with a single healing spell. But when Bishop Kabbalah wanted to cast the healing spell on Baron Dahl, who was being carried over by servants, he realized that though his prayers were answered, he was unable to borrow any Divine Power from His Majesty, the Void Mask.

He froze for a moment, then prayed again. The outcome was still the same.

Then he understood.

“My Lord… His Majesty is unwilling to help you with this healing spell,” said Bishop Kabbalah. With a sigh, he said, “I guess he’s still bearing a grudge over what happened previously.”

Baron Dahl also understood and helplessly gave a bitter smile.

Fortunately, the healing spell might not have worked, but the medicine for healing burns was still quite effective. Over the years, the Church of the God of Medicine had collected many prescriptions. These prescriptions were then well sorted out and improved upon before being promoted again. One of these improved formulae was this medicine for burns. Both the Church of the Void Mask and Baron Dahl’s mansion had stocked up on some of these medicines for burns. After applying some of the refined ointment, though the wound still hurt, at least there would not be any severe consequences.

Baron Dahl, undoubtedly, dared not utter a single complaint. He did not even think of complaining at all. His decision of refusing the request of a bishop of a church, in the eyes of some stern gods, was an act of treason that deserved nothing less than being struck by lightning, and yet he was let off the hook with just a simple burn incident. For this alone, he was secretly thankful to His Majesty, the Void Mask, for being so benevolent.

Having solved the problem of keeping the poor people warn and meting out a minor punishment to that stingy Baron Dahl, Sui Xiong felt his thoughts and actions had reached a consensus; thus, his mood lightened up.

So he went to Kabbalah and asked in detail about what exactly happened.

“Where did those Druids come from? Have you looked into it?”

Facing His Majesty, the god that he had believed in, Kabbalah could not help stammering as he spoke, “They… they say that those Druids came from a place called ‘Calapaglia.’”

“Calapaglia? What place is that?”

“My… my apologies. I myself have no idea …”

Sui Xiong shook his head and thought carefully for a while. Yet he was still unable to figure out where this “Calapaglia” place was. So he went looking for his friends to make some inquiries.

He asked a few of his friends, none of whom knew about this place. In the end, they managed to find information about this place because Wall cast his Divine Power and relied on his “Knowledge” priesthood to conduct a search.

It was a small world situated at the edge of the Matter Plane but was already somewhat close to the Spirit Plane. There were many forests in this world, making it vibrant and full of vigor. After the decline of the Elf Kingdom, many elves and other races of Druids had moved into this world after leaving the Main Plane.

“But why are they back again?” Sui Xiong asked.

Wall shook his head. This was not something he could possibly ask about.

What Wall’s Knowledge priesthood could inquire about was nothing more than fixed names, incidents, places… and things like that. He would not be able to provide answers for any questions asking for a “why.”

Sui Xiong also did not press him for further details. In his heart, he had figured out about 70 to 80 percent of the answer to his question.

It seemed like those Druids’ sudden return to Earth was largely the work of that guy who wanted to have a talk with Sui Xiong himself.

Sui Xiong did not hasten into action. Instead, he continued to talk to Kabbalah.

“Why don’t you try to expel those Druids?” he asked.

“I’ve tried to… but I’m not their match.”

“How is that possible! You can always summon the Oracles!”

Kabbalah froze for a moment. It was as though he had just awakened from a dream as he recalled this method.

Since he had become a bishop, he had been busy with work. Gradually, he got used to the change in status. He had eventually forgotten that he was once a “lucky European,” and also, he forgot that he could still use the method of summoning Oracles to solve problems.

It was said that practice made perfect. A few years without summoning Oracles, and this “European Prince” had actually forgotten all about this method…

He could not help but slap himself. But then again, he laughed.

“Yes! I’ll remember that next time!” he said and laughed. “The next time around, I will remember!”

Sui Xiong also laughed. After a good laugh, he went to the forest.

Flying into the forest, he did not look for the druids. Instead, he stopped on a vast, open grassy glade. Then he laughed and said, “No matter who you are, since you are here to look for me, then here I am.”

“If you have something to say, come out and talk to me.”

A moment later, from within the shadows of the trees not far behind him, a dark shadow wriggled. Then a hooded figure walked out.