Chapter 392: Chapter 374: The Pie is Really Delicious
In the dark cave, ghostly shadows flickered, and the dim firelight cast everything inside in a layer of bleak and indistinct shadows.
Three bonfires stood in a triangle formation, and Nidesar was seated cross-legged in the middle of them.
Before the flickering orange-red flames, Nidesar nearly pressed his entire body against the fire, yet he felt no warmth at all.
The bone-chilling cold emanated from within, regardless of the summer, and even though the cave felt as hot as a sauna, he still felt unbearably cold.
He shivered, and a strange gray layer appeared beneath his once copper-colored skin.
His robust muscles deflated, with the stretched skin sagging and folding together.
The wound on his chest squirmed, a masterpiece by a Salvation Army Long Spearman to confirm safety on the battlefield.
In the past, within these three days, his wound should have healed completely.
Yet until now, there was no sign of recovery.
The wound tore from the muscle, showing no trace of red, and a thick black liquid emitted a pus-like stench.
Without mentioning, no one would know this was Nidesar’s blood.
Nidesar knew he would remain in this weakened state for about a week.
Only after a week, the transformation would be complete, and his knightly strength would return.
Biting his teeth, Nidesar knew the matter between him and the Demon Horn was not over.
He just needed to withdraw the remaining knights to the Red Copper Fortress, then battle Horn in a siege at the fortress.
As soon as Rapids City was breached and the Salvation Army’s retreat was cut off, that would be his moment of counterattack.
He knocked his head with force but felt little pain.
It was as if a thin membrane covered his face and head; he always felt groggy, his thoughts not as clear as before, and whatever he thought seemed distant.
"Alas—" Nidesar sighed, temporarily giving up on thinking.
Though losing a part of his sanity and fertility, it was better than losing his life.
However, during this period, Nidesar needed to eat a lot; otherwise, these faculties would reverse and consume his vitality.
His greatest asset was his valor and mind; now losing part of his mind, he couldn’t afford to lose his extraordinary strength as well, could he?
But now with Holy Gun Cavalry outside, where could he find meat to meet his needs?
Nidesar had eaten live mice for three days, yet it still wasn’t enough for the transformation, and he could only watch his muscles wither day by day.
This couldn’t go on; he needed to go out and hunt while he wasn’t completely weakened.
As Nidesar twisted his body repeatedly in conflict and hesitation, he suddenly heard a rustling of footsteps.
His hair stood on end, and Nidesar shakily stood up and drew the Knight’s Sword from the ground.
The Knight’s Sword, once lightweight, seemed unusually heavy in Nidesar’s current grip.
"Lord Nidesar, are you inside?" A familiar voice came, and Nidesar pointed his sword towards the entrance without responding.
"Lord Nidesar? It’s me, Domenico."
Another familiar voice sounded, and Nidesar momentarily dazed, then realized who Domenico was.
It was the Knight Count Kush, who skived off on the battlefield, though they suffered the least losses. If he wanted to rely on the Red Copper Fortress for defense in the future, these people needed to be drawn in.
Nidesar still didn’t move, even though these people were on his side; he wasn’t sure of Domenico’s intentions.
A stick entered from the cave’s vine-covered entrance, lifting the curtain Nidesar used for concealment; Domenico stepped inside while shouting, "Lord Nidesar, it’s your sand eagle that led me here."
At this exact moment, a familiar eagle call from Nidesar sounded.
Upon hearing this, he relaxed; the sand eagle was his best animal friend.
The sand eagle’s innate talent allowed it to discern human kindness and malice clearly.
Since the sand eagle could lead Domenico into the cave, at least the latter wasn’t coming with malice.
"Come in, I’m here." Nidesar spoke, yet his hand holding the Knight’s Sword hadn’t lowered, still intently watching the entrance.
Amidst the rustling footsteps, three servants paved the way and entered the cave.
Domenico tilted his head, holding the sand eagle on his right shoulder, slowly making his way in from the entrance.
He gasped upon entering: "Heavens, you’re really alive..."
Nidesar didn’t pay attention to Domenico, instead gesturing to the sand eagle: "Come here, Boro."
The sand eagle named Boro tilted its head, standing motionless on Domenico’s shoulder, observing Nidesar with curiosity, as if not recognizing him.
"Come here, Boro! Look at who I am!" Nidesar’s hair parted, revealing a face with sunken eyes.
The sand eagle let out a sharp cry and swiftly flew out of the cave.
"Damn blood..." Seeing Domenico present, Nidesar forcibly swallowed the latter half of his words.
Yet, glancing at his skin caught between gray and copper, he rarely gave a self-mocking smile.
In this state, it was normal for Boro not to recognize him.
Normal? Nidesar rubbed his temples, feeling he was overlooking something but couldn’t recall.
"Sir, what happened to you?" Domenico cautiously inquired.
Leaning on the longsword, Nidesar slowly sat down, dismissing prior matters: "To break through, I had to drink a potion that takes two weeks to recover."
Nidesar intentionally doubled the recovery time to prevent any devious thinking from Domenico.
Domenico eyed his withered form, doubtful: "I’ve never heard of any potion presenting such side effects."
"Do you not know what potion I used? What kind of potion would have such effects?" Nidesar deliberately steered the topic towards sensitive alchemical potions.
Domenico quickly understood, covering his mouth halfway: "I understand, I understand."
Only then did Nidesar lower some of his vigilance.
"How did you think to come find me?" His face shifted continuously between light and dark from the fire glow.
Domenico did not immediately respond but spoke to the servant behind him: "Go, notify the old grandmother that Lord Nidesar is found, slightly injured, and bring a carriage for pickup."
"Remember to bring some meat." Although he knew these words diminished value, the hunger inside was truly unbearable.
This was the first time he empathized with those elderly farmers; it turned out hunger was such a terrifying thing.
After giving orders, Domenico respectfully stood aside: "Three days ago, after we were defeated, the Salvation Army’s Holy Gun Cavalry suddenly dispersed, searching everywhere...
We quietly investigated and found it possible that you had escaped...
Because, under the old grandmother’s suggestion, we first located Boro, then through Boro found you."
After speaking for a while, Domenico realized Nidesar hadn’t reacted at all, merely staring intently at his waist.
Nidesar gestured towards Domenico’s waist: "What is that?"
"Before I set out, my wife made me some dry food, using beef and onions, but she added too much salt and sugar, making it very dry—I don’t like it..."
"Give it to me!"
"What did you say... oh oh oh..." Turning to grab the biscuit, Domenico’s lips subtly curled into a smirk, turned back with a smile, "Here, your pastry."