Chapter 52 The Putrid Monarch

Raft Camp.

Cana was explaining his three proposed solutions to the three dwarves.

"First, it's very simple. You just need to find a fragment of the Genesis Stone to resolve the issue directly."

The three dwarves looked at Cana with expressions that seemed to say: Are you joking?

Unlike most people in the Kingdom of Safro, the three dwarves were well aware of the existence of the Genesis Stone and did not think it was merely a fairy tale.

However, they were also keenly aware of how difficult it was to obtain a Genesis Stone, which relied entirely on pure luck.

It was not something you could simply find just because you wanted to.

At that moment, the dwarf named Torik reached a peak of impatience and was about to erupt when Cana smiled and said, "Far-fetched as it may sound, you must admit it is indeed a solution, isn't it? The simplest and most direct method."

Do not consider this method absurd; there were truly many unsolvable problems that were simply resolved by deploying a fragment of the Genesis Stone to clear them away.

It could be said to be one hundred percent effective, unless the problem itself was caused by another fragment of the Genesis Stone.

"Fortunately, your problem clearly does not require a Genesis Stone to be resolved. Let us move on to the second method: holding a purification ritual."

"A purification ritual?" The Dwarf Sage frowned, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Do you know the specific nature of this affliction?"

Clearly, the Ash Mountain dwarf clan possessed the capability to perform purification rituals.

A purification ritual was a versatile rite, applied with extreme flexibility and scalable to any size.

A massive purification ritual could even cleanse an entire continent.

However, one had to discover the exact nature and inclination of the problem, then conduct targeted research before being able to cleanse what they desired.

Cana nodded. "Of course, otherwise why would I suggest such a method?"

"That is wonderful! Then we shall—" the Dwarf Prophet said with some excitement.

Before he could finish, however, Cana interrupted him, "Do not be hasty, I haven't mentioned the final method yet."

Knowing he had gotten carried away, Rurik nodded and waited for the explanation of the last option.

"Find the source of the problem and cut it off."

With that, Cana began a brief explanation: "I do not know how much you understand about creatures like goblins, but they are highly favored by various powerful and evil entities.

"Because they accept evil forces with great ease, undergoing various forms of mutation to ultimately become the most numerous minions of their masters.

"If I am not mistaken, your current predicament is undoubtedly the work of these goblins."

Hearing this, the Dwarf Prophet, who knew very little about the so-called "Lord of Decay," frowned, unable to provide much insight.

Nevertheless, he said, "Yet those afflicted with the illness have not encountered any goblins."

"Why would they need to encounter goblins? The Lord of Decay desires corruption, not slaughter.

"If possible, he would prefer to avoid killing altogether; he merely wishes for you to embrace his life."

---

Offering a brief explanation, Cana continued, "Your people, the dwarves, possess a higher resistance to various curses and magic than most races. What is called a disease is actually the process of incubation.

"This is an action that requires a continuous supply of energy. Even if you perform a purification, unless the source of the problem is resolved, the curse will continue to secretly corrupt you."

The Dwarf Prophet roughly understood. "In other words, we need to find the source of the problem, and it is very likely to be goblins?"

Cana nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "Perhaps I should accompany you to inspect the situation. Only by witnessing the actual conditions can I offer specific advice."

"Really? That would be wonderful!" Gletari exclaimed loudly, looking visibly delighted.

The Dwarf Prophet opened his mouth, said nothing, and simply looked at Cana, nodding in gratitude.

Aliris looked slightly surprised, gently pulling at Cana's sleeve from the side.

Cana merely patted her arm and smiled to set her mind at ease.

"However, I do have a condition. If a few of us leave, our camp will have no strong protectors to guard it.

"You must dispatch two Sons of the Mountain to help guard the camp while I am away."

Hearing this request from Cana, the Dwarf Prophet nodded without hesitation.

"No problem." Just as he was about to order Gletari and his companion to stay behind, he thought better of it and said, "We will return and immediately send a few warriors over."

"That would be best."

"Then please wait a moment while I arrange the affairs within our camp."

With that, he turned and walked back.

On the way, Aliris could not help asking, "Your Highness, we still have so many troubles of our own; must we really go and help these dwarves?"

Cana nodded. His reason for helping was simple: since it had been confirmed as the handiwork of the "Lord of Decay,"

It was certain that monsters capable of providing experience points existed here. This was an excellent opportunity to increase their strength, especially with the Bloodkin about to be faced.

Greater strength would bring a higher margin of safety.

Moreover, although the Ash Mountain dwarves were few in number, their strength was not weak. Gaining some experience alongside them would be ideal.

Based on his past gaming experience, this matter was relatively easy to resolve, and a clear outline of it was already forming in his mind.

"Dwarves are a race that values loyalty deeply. Since we help them this time, when we need assistance in the future, they will undoubtedly come to our aid without hesitation."

Cana explained it this way.

Hearing this, Popote nearby could not help but nod in agreement, as this was indeed true.

However, she poured a bucket of cold water on the idea: "That is only true for most dwarves. Just like humans, there are always good people and bad people. Dwarves have those distinctions as well."

She was reminding Cana that not all dwarves were alike.

"Rest assured, my judgment is not wrong."

How could it possibly be wrong? After all, in the game, the Ash Mountain dwarves were the starting location for dwarf players.

---

Whether looking at future development potential or the hidden strength of this clan, neither could be underestimated.

They were an entity completely worthy of assistance.

Seeing that Cana had made up his mind, Aliris nodded and said no more.

In any case, Cana certainly understood better than she did.

Returning to the camp, Cana summoned the two shipwrights, the militia captain, and George.

"I will be leaving for a while. During this time, you will continue with the previous arrangements, but you must remain extra vigilant.

"A few dwarves will be arriving later to help guard the camp. Please be careful not to comment on their height; otherwise, it is quite easy to get along with them.

"Also..."

After outlining a few precautions,

Cana turned to George and asked, "Would you be willing to come with us and take a look?"

"Really? May I?" George looked pleasantly surprised and flattered.

Cana smiled and nodded. "Of course, why not? Let's go."

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that this prince seemed to hold a rather favorable view of George, this ordinary hunter.

The reason Cana did this was naturally because he knew some of the subsequent plot developments.

He had a sense of familiarity regarding George, and he could roughly guess that it might stem from running errands related to George in the novice village when the game first launched.

Those who managed to leave this place alive and establish a novice village were people who had carved their way directly through the wilderness.

Furthermore, Cana had roughly deduced that George was likely tied to a specific quest, probably related to hunting tutorials.

This was sufficient proof that George possessed adequate capability in hunting.

Alternatively, it was possible that George was a skill-training instructor for ranged DPS players at the launch of the game.

Mainly because he hadn't played a ranged character at launch, he wasn't familiar with this aspect, and in the later stages, there was no need to learn skills in the novice village anymore.

Regardless, George was definitely among those with potential.

The group returned to the edge of the forest.

"Matters at the camp are all arranged. Let's go."

The Dwarf Prophet nodded, feeling somewhat eager himself, and led Cana and his companions into the forest.