Chapter 404 - Another Mission.
The statement of a man's 'most important tool' was even more true for men in the Doxon duchy who needed this tool even more in regards to their dual cultivation
The damage would also prove permanent and impossible to heal or restore.
Anyway, the energy within a Primal fruit was kind of similar to the gem flower Hal had won in the auction back in Black lagoon except that while the gem flower needed to be supplemented with other herbs before it could be consumed by any cultivator who was not Hal, the primal fruit did not need any such supplements.
However, the one taking it must be ready to engage in Dual cultivation right after consumption and in the process, share the energy with their partner which was the only way they could survive taking it.
However, while the Garden of perils was a resource unique to the Doxon Duchy, that did not mean it was the only place the Primal fruit could have found.
In fact, there have been sightings and harvesting of the fruit even though the rarity could be related with once or twice in a cultivator's lifetime and there were attempts to plant it and grow it.
Whether for commercial purposes or to simply monopolize it for the particular individual or family was irrelevant as they were always unsuccessful.
No matter how they tried, the fruit could not be grown by man and would only pop up like a weed in unplanned locations.
Anyway, in situations where it was spotted in other Duchys, not like the Doxon Duchy and did not put much stock in dual cultivation, it was practically useless to them and they would then decide to sell it to those who could actually make use of it but they would do so at a very high price.
And then there was once a situation where certain alchemists in those none Dual cultivating Duchys attempted to suppress the energy of the violent fruit by supplementing it with choice herbs but always fail nonetheless.
Needless to say, Hal was interested. Very interested in fact.
These were the kinds of resources he needed to overcome his stagnation at an even faster rate and this Primal seed could potentially be the best of any he would ever get.
After all, while he could find a way to weave the resources into a Dual cultivating shared resource like he had done with the gem flower when he slept with Melinda, the advantages he got were nothing when compared with what he stood to gain from the primal fruit.
Then he spoke to Emily telepathically,
"Do you really think they are bringing her along to strengthen camaraderie?' He asked her and she sighed in her mind,
"I don't. But I also know it won't help Amelia to be holed up somewhere without actually going through things on her own. I can't shelter her for the rest of her life. Besides, those brats won't dare to hurt her."
"Maybe not, but they are not going to some forest Funland, They are going to a place that quite literally has perils in its name. What better location could there be for accidents to happen?"
Hal could tell she had thought of all this herself but was still staunchly in support of Amelia going. That said, she was about to reply to Hal when Amelia interrupted them by speaking out loud,
"I know you're talking about me and if you won't say it for me to hear, then don't say anything" she said with a pout.
Hal chuckled,
"Okay then, we'll stop. But the Garden of perils is really sounding quite interesting so I will be accompanying you. It's going to be so much fun"
...
Along with Karmen and Rita, Hal and the Mother-daughter pair went out of the Harem space and into the carriage as Emily called for the designated driver who hurried over and took control of the carriage and steered towards Sensual Palace.
Hal had been quite pessimistic about visiting Sensual Palace especially since he was not actually going there on a fun tour but to speak with Emily's father.
She claimed she wanted to introduce them and could not and would not wait while guaranteeing Hal that all would be well.
It was while they were riding towards Sensual palace that the communication talisman he had been given specifically by the princess alerted him.
He cast a noise-canceling rune around the inside of the carriage to be sure the driver would not hear the conversation before he retrieved the communication talisman from his Inventory only to hear Ehrlich's voice sound out if it,
"You bastard, running off to the Doxon Duchy without a word to me or to the princess. Where are your manners?" He asked in an angry tone of voice out of the Talisman.
Hal frowned slightly as he wondered how she had known he was in Doxon but then he discarded that thought when he reasoned that being who she was if she really wanted to find him and know where he was, all she would really need was a little research.
Particularly into the Teleportation circle buildings for the one he had made use of.
At the very least, there was no real point in worrying annoying about that right now.
He smirked,
"So, is there a message you were told to pass across, or did you just want to hear my voice?" He asked in a snide tone after which he could have sworn he heard the other man blowing up in the other side,
"Bastard. You have no courtesy whatsoever and I keep wondering why the princess would not just do away with you already.
Oh well, this time it might not be that bad that you are in the Doxon Duchy... are you in the capital right now?"
"Yes, I am" Hal said in a careful tone.
"That's good for you. It just so happens that there is something the princess wants in the Doxon capital and would prefer if someone who could not be linked to her goes over and get it." Ehrlich said.
"How much will this pay?" Hal asked.
"I don't see why you're asking me. After all, I'm not your employer or the one who deals with your payment. I'm just the messenger.
Anyway, I'll contact you later concerning the full details and once I have, you will have to move quickly" Ehrlich said and before Hal could say anything or inquire further, the connection was broken.
The ladies were looking over at him and Hal filled Amelia and Emily in on the matter while they all frowned and wondered what it was he was required to retrieve.
Then they were at the Sensual palace territory and it was indeed very grand.
The palace's size was incredibly large as well and Hal could only imagine the sheer number of individuals in there.
It was beautiful and just as Hal had resonated with the Duchy capital upon his arrival, he resonated with the Sensual palace on a much more subtle level.
If there was one thing the sect was sure to be rich in, it would be its culture. The territory itself was immense with the Palace looking isolated in such a wide place that completely lacked all the hustle and bustle of the rest of the Duchy capital.
This gave the whole terrain a peaceful feel in which there seemed to be complete serenity and no one dared wander into that territory and cause a ruckus without facing grievous consequences.
No one was allowed to disturb their illusion of seclusion and the peace outside their immediate walls.
No one dared to cross the Sensual Palace.