Chapter 51: Chapter 51: [Rite of Wise Action]

’Looks like those two are really close. You can’t fake that kind of emotion.’

Jon mused to himself.

Given Rosalind’s personality, it was nearly impossible for her to show vulnerability or her true feelings to anyone.

Yet, the hint of relief and relaxation she now showed in Reya’s presence—a tenderness that nearly spilled out from behind her calm facade—was more persuasive than any oath.

’Her loyalty to Reya truly is, just as she said, more important to her than her own escape route.’

Jon made his judgment, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.

This meant his future dealings with the Noble United Commerce Association, and his relationship of mutual use and cooperation with Rosalind Bennett, would have a much more solid foundation.

As for the original inhabitants of this place, the Turtle Snake People, they simply watched on in silence, seemingly uninterested in the emotional turmoil of a human reunion.

Their attention was focused more on Jon, and a strange light glinted in their serpentine eyes.

After a long while, Reya finally lifted her head from Rosalind’s embrace, her red-rimmed eyes filled with the joy of having survived an ordeal.

Only then did she notice Jon standing to the side, and she gave him a grateful and slightly embarrassed smile.

"Mr. Jon, thank you. If you hadn’t helped me, I really don’t know what I would have done!"

Jon nodded slightly, his voice calm.

"It was a commission I accepted. Naturally, I did my utmost, Miss Reina."

He didn’t deliberately emphasize the last two words, but Reya’s tear-stained, pretty face still flushed bright red in an instant.

"I... I’m sorry... Mr. Jon... I... I just..."

"No need to apologize. I can understand your caution. If it were me, I wouldn’t have revealed my identity easily either."

The young Warrior’s lips curved slightly as he deftly changed the subject, then tilted his head.

"Let’s go. This isn’t the time for sentimental reunions. We’re on a tight schedule."

"You’re right, Mr. Jon."

Rosalind let out a light breath, then stood up, still holding Reya.

"Reya, we must return to the guild house as soon as possible and consolidate our defenses."

The red-haired girl had found her pillar of support, so naturally, she had no objections. After draping the thick sweater Rosalind had brought over her shoulders, she was ready to leave.

Just then, however, an ancient-looking Turtle Snake Person with a white-edged shell, appearing full of the marks of time, stepped out from the crowd and blocked their path.

Its long, narrow, serpentine eyes, shimmering with a faint red light, stared intently at Jon. Its voice was slow and drawn-out.

"Trial Taker, do not forget our agreement."

Jon nodded, his expression calm.

"Don’t worry, I won’t."

"That is good."

The old Turtle Snake Person seemed to have blocked their way only to confirm this. Upon receiving the reply, it moved aside.

Following behind Jon, Reya wiped her tears and asked cautiously.

"Mr. Jon, why did that... elder call you a ’Trial Taker’?"

Jon raised an eyebrow, about to make up some excuse to brush it off, but unexpectedly, the old Turtle Snake Person spoke first.

"Human, in exchange for our protection, this Trial Taker has promised to perform the [Rite of Wisdom] for our master, Piero."

"He must collect nine books of knowledge not already in the hall’s collection within one year, return here, and complete the ritual trial. Otherwise, our master will inflict the Punishment of Knowledge, forcing him to transcribe nine thousand scriptures without rest. Only when he is finished will he be freed."

As soon as these words were spoken, both women turned to look at Jon, their faces filled with emotion. Reya couldn’t help but cover her mouth to keep from crying out.

Piero! The God of Knowledge and Wisdom!

This was actually his Domain! No wonder there were so many scriptures and texts!

But... how difficult must it be to find books of knowledge not already in the library of the God of Knowledge?

’Mr. Jon made such a huge sacrifice just to help me!?’

Facing the gazes of the two women, Jon pressed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

He hadn’t chosen this place to hide Reya because there was nowhere else, but simply because it was on the way, and he could pick up a quest while he was at it.

That’s right. The so-called [Rite of Wisdom] was, in essence, just a quest.

——

[Rite of Wisdom (Rare - Trial Task)]

[You shall revere the Power of wisdom and knowledge. You shall present a treasure that pleases the Lord of All-Wisdom.]

[Objective: Collect books of knowledge not recorded in the ’Mystery Hall Collection’ (0/9)]

[Basic Reward: 1000 reputation with the Knowledge Sect, 1x Skill Book of a designated type, 3x books of a designated type]

[Bonus Reward: Additional reputation multiplier based on completion rate. Rarity of Skill Book and books will be increased.]

"Note: The time limit for the ritual is one year. Those who fail to meet the deadline will receive the god’s punishment."

——

For the natives of the Yino Continent, this ritual might be an arduous trial in the pursuit of wisdom and endless knowledge. But for him, a Transmigrator from the future, completing it wasn’t particularly difficult.

Whether it was compiling the "future" knowledge he possessed into volumes or acting like a tomb raider in some ancient Dungeons to dig up forgotten lore, either would be enough to complete the task.

Although this quest didn’t give any experience points, it gave a lot of reputation—a full 1000 points!

It could directly raise his reputation with the Knowledge Sect, the biggest "academic clique" on the continent, to ’Friendly’. This way, he could enjoy many conveniences wherever he went, essentially being able to get by on his name alone.

And the Skill Book and books of a designated type were also quite valuable physical rewards. It would be a waste not to take them.

It was purely a matter of convenience!

But Reya and Rosalind didn’t know that!

Judging by the looks in their eyes, they clearly saw him as some chivalrous, selfless hero who would sacrifice himself to save others!

’A joke! Am I, Jon, that kind of person?’

’He was willing to pay a certain price to complete a quest, but he had his own interests to look out for, okay?’

This old turtle had no filter. With just a few words, he’d pushed Jon’s image in a completely noble and righteous direction. How was he supposed to negotiate with the Noble United Commerce Association for greater benefits now?

’Don’t they know that profits drop when you mix business with feelings?’

The gazes of the two women and a sense of moral shame plunged Jon into a strange state of irritation. He shot a vicious glare at the old Turtle Snake Person.

"Old timer, you talk way too much."

However, the old creature was as thick-skinned as a city wall and remained completely unfazed.

"Trial Taker, our master teaches us to face all things with honesty. Since you have stepped onto this path, you too must follow this law."

"Tch."

The young Warrior grimaced, clicked his tongue, and turned away, muttering sullenly.

"Let’s not waste any more time here. Let’s go."

With that, he turned and strode off.

But in Reya’s and Rosalind’s eyes, his behavior was clearly that of a good person who had planned to sacrifice in secret, only to become flustered and embarrassed now that his noble deed was out in the open.

This gave them a completely different impression of the man who had, until now, always appeared so calm and composed.

Rosalind took Reya’s hand and followed Jon. A glimmer flickered in her pale silver eyes, and then, as if she had made some kind of decision, they became firm again.

Reya, meanwhile, clung tightly to her sister’s arm, staring at Jon’s back as she whispered in a voice only she and Rosalind could hear.

"Rosalind, we have to repay Mr. Jon for his sacrifice. We can’t let him face such a difficult trial alone..."

The silver-haired woman said nothing, only giving a soft "Mm."

After stepping through the illusory "gate" of the library, the group of three returned to the cave from which they had come.

Here, Evans and the guards were waiting anxiously.

When they saw the familiar girl with fiery red hair, they couldn’t help but let out a suppressed cheer.

Reya was no longer the little girl she’d been when she reunited with Rosalind in the library. She stepped forward confidently and surveyed the crowd.

"Thank you, Sir Evans, and thank you to all the guards. It is thanks to everyone’s efforts that I am safe."

"Reya will never forget the kindness you’ve all shown me!"

With that, she placed a hand on her chest and bowed deeply.

The guards immediately cried out that they were unworthy and told her there was no need to bow.

Jon and Evans, meanwhile, exchanged a look and nodded at the same time.

"Let’s go. Time is short."

"Right. Let’s head back immediately."

The guards also understood the priorities. They stopped posturing, regrouped, and formed a human wall around Rosalind and Reya, following Jon and Evans out of the cave.

After many twists and turns, they had finally succeeded.

On the other side, however, certain people who had failed to complete their mission were not in such a good mood.

"Are you saying you didn’t find Reya Xavier, you can’t contact Sephan, and you can’t even find where that group from the Noble United Commerce Association went?"

In a dim cave, a gloomy-faced, gray-haired young man in a black robe was perched on a stone stool like a vulture. He picked at his dagger-like, scarlet fingernails while looking impatiently at the subordinate kneeling on the ground.

"Then what did you come back for? Why didn’t you just die out there?"

"Lord Nabelli! This subordinate was incompetent!"

Faced with this rebuke, the middle-aged man’s face turned deathly pale. He didn’t dare offer a single word of argument, simply kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy.

"Please give this subordinate one more chance! I’m sure I can—"

Before he could finish, the gray-haired youth erupted, smashing an iron ball at him.

"Can my ass! Get over here, you useless piece of trash!"

The iron ball smashed into the middle-aged man’s head, and his face was instantly covered in blood, his vision swimming. But he didn’t dare hesitate for a moment. Like a loyal dog, he crawled forward on his knees and knelt obediently before the young man.

Nabelli reached out and grabbed the man’s head. His sharp, scarlet nails easily broke the skin, causing more blood to flow.

The intense pain made the middle-aged man’s face twitch uncontrollably, but he didn’t dare move a muscle.

Because the gray-haired youth’s hoarse voice suddenly became gentle.

"Listen carefully. You will go to Heta County now and act as my advance scout. I’m going to meet the ’benevolent’ Viscount Yed."

"If you mess up again this time, you know the consequences."

The middle-aged man knew all too well what the person before him was capable of. He was so terrified he began to tremble, repeatedly and respectfully answering, "Yes," before scrambling out of the cave.

After he left, the gray-haired youth named Nabelli irritably ran a hand through his hair and muttered to himself.

"These damn old geezers... always giving me these troublesome jobs..."

"Who the hell ruined my plan...?"

His cold voice echoed in the cave, sending a chill down the spine.

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