Chapter 1031: A Trade For Aid (2)
Chapter 1031: A Trade For Aid (2)
However, this was not unique art; it was a legendary art. Its discovery was more than enough to destabilize numerous territories. Even Eleanora had kept this secret to herself, never
daring to reveal it, for what she possessed, and yet--
Eleanora's body quivered as Orion's disappointed voice replayed in her mind. What kind of existence was Paradise that a Legendary Art wasn't worth exchanging for a life?
"There's more..." Eleanora added, clenching her jaw.
Orion looked at her pitiful posture indifferently. "What is it then? I hope your next words are more impressive than your last."
Eleanora hesitantly nodded before responding, "The mysterious man who gave me this Legendary Art said that once I fully mastered it, I would unravel a hidden map to a Timeworn Ruin containing a Divine Artifact. At first, I didn't believe him, but I accepted it since I was getting an art. Only after I progressed did I discover its authenticity."
She paused before continuing, "Of course, I still doubt the information about the hidden map leading to a Timeworn Ruin with a Divine Artifact. However, after experiencing the might of Paradise, I think there might be some truth to it. I beg Paradise to investigate and confirm its validity because I know it can do so. If it's proven true, I hope you fulfil the other end of this bargain."
"And if it's proven wrong?" Orion asked.
Eleanora's body quivered heavily again, biting her lips and drawing more blood. "Then I'm ready to accept whatever punishment Paradise sees fit for wasting its resources and time," she responded.
"Very well, where is this map?" Orion asked, curious.
Eleanora quickly returned to her feet, turning her back to Orion before unzipping her dress.
Initially, Orion was confused and was about to tell her to stop, thinking she was trying to seduce him. Before arriving at this Runaway City, he had already steeled his will, so whatever seduction she employed would be useless and only get her into trouble. However, he swiftly held back his words as she pulled down her neckline.
On Eleanora's back was an elongated dragon resembling an 'S'. Its claws and tail created multiple curved extensions on a tree branch that resembled a straight line. The dragon rested on one side of the line, giving the illusion that its weight was pulling it down.
Surrounding it was a circle containing various mysterious symbols and characters. It resembled an artwork radiating a mystical and enigmatic aura.
"This is a draconic sigil. At first, I thought its appearance was merely a side effect of practising such a powerful art. However, as it began to grow, covering the entirety of my back, I started to have doubts," Eleanora said, holding up the front of her gown to cover her upper body.
Eleanora turned her head to the side and looked at Orion from the corner of her eye, then lowered her head in silence, her heart racing in anticipation as she awaited his response.
A realization suddenly dawned on Orion. The map was on her body. He had planned to take the map and return to Paradise to summon Aerialia and ask her to confirm its authenticity since she would better understand this matter. However, things were more complicated with the map imprinted on her body.
"Can you draw the map out?" Orion asked, quickly coming up with a feasible solution.
"No, it isn't possible. I've tried to draw it out, but the moment I finish, it vanishes as though it was never there in the first place. The entity who created this legendary art must have arranged the sigil so that it cannot be revealed unless practised by the technique's master. I've even tried imprinting halves on separate surfaces, but when they are joined together, they inexplicably disappear," Eleanora explained, shaking her head.
Orion frowned. This was more complicated than he had anticipated.
"Have you searched for the whereabouts of the mysterious man who gave you the legendary art?" Orion asked, pondering the situation.
"Before I ascended to power and took control of the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City, he had already disappeared, making it impossible for me to find any clues regarding his whereabouts. I couldn't reveal this to anyone either, for fear of ending up like Patriarch Rylan and the entire Four-eared Lone Rabbit Runaway City," Eleanora responded.
She had shown this to only a few trusted individuals who could be counted on one hand.
On the bed, Sy'ra's eyes were fixed on the draconic sigil on Eleanora's back. No matter how hard she tried to inscribe it into her mind, her vision became hazy, and a pang of headache immediately afflicted her, causing her to withdraw her gaze.
Sy'ra had always wondered how her former Queen had acquired such strength, enabling her to rise from the depths of the slums in the Lower Ward to secure the position of Supreme Leader of the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City. As it turns out, it was far more profound than she had imagined.
Who would have thought Eleanora possessed such a secret? It's a pity because it has now fallen into the hands of Paradise!
"Pull your gown back up. We're leaving the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City immediately," Orion said, his expression serious and tone firm.
Just by looking at the draconic sigil on Eleanora's back, he could determine that there was something extraordinary about it. However, he wouldn't be able to truly understand its significance until he showed it to Aerialia and listened to her opinion.
Eleanora nodded and pulled her gown up. She briefly looked at Sy'ra before turning around and exiting the room with Orion following behind her.
Sy'ra looked at the door, her body feeling more weary than before. She drifted off into her thoughts, pondering deeply the whole conversation while waiting for the warrior who would be sent to pick her up soon.
If she knew that things would end up the way they were, she would have vehemently refused the mission given to them by the Journerying Jagaur Runaway City.