Chapter 17: Valyrian Steel Harvest
"Sebas, we've mostly finished searching the west. You all are responsible for searching the northern ruins."
Sebastian took the purified water Dragonzel handed him, gulped down a large mouthful, and nodded in agreement.
"Amos will depart after Sebas returns and will be responsible for searching the southern part of the ruins."
"Understood."
Dragonzel reinforced Sebastian's team with protective magic, causing their armor to faintly glow with a shimmering silver-red light.
"After Amos returns, Aslan, you will lead the brothers to search the dragon corpse again. Valarr, Ray, Lynn, Ago, Master Marakh, and I will enter the central ruined tower of the ruins to search. Everyone, pay attention and be careful not to get injured. The magic pollution here is too severe. Without skin protection, it's hard for me to guarantee that my magic will be effective."
Dragonzel had noticed early on that the ruins not far from where the giant dragon fell were actually several high towers that had been hit by something and exploded, then collapsed and piled on top of each other. It seemed that due to the erosion of magic, those once incredibly hard building materials were now either fused into one or so brittle that they would shatter at a touch.
When the Valyrian Freehold still existed, the Dragon Lords were very fond of tower-shaped buildings. Dragons would hang and climb on the high towers, and the Dragon Lords would also experiment with magic, host guests, and scheme on the high towers.
It could be said that the topless spires were an important symbol of Valyria.
According to the notes and map left by Cleorius, Dragonzel guessed that this place was very likely the city "Vassor" that his family once managed.
Valyria's City of Forging. During the prosperous years of the empire known as the Freehold, this city produced countless divine weapons and buried countless slave skeletons.
Valyrian Steel items forged into weapons, due to the deep involvement of magic, had far superior quality and resistance to magical erosion compared to raw steel. So, Dragonzel's plan was roughly to find Valyrian Steel items if possible, find as many as possible, and if not, then see if any surviving raw steel could be found. As for gold, silver, and jewels, they were the least important. Of course, if there were any books that survived the apocalypse, he would immediately lead people to search for them.
Sebastian's team returned exhausted when the black mist covering the sky deepened. They had lost one man; an unlucky Silver Blood Army Soldier accidentally injured himself while excavating the ruins.
Consequently, the deadly toxin instantly ignited his blood, and Dragonzel's protective magic failed to take effect. The soldier was burned to ashes from the inside out almost in the blink of an eye.
But their harvest was not small. Sebastian and another young Silver Blood Army Soldier, Hogen Tal, found a collapsed mansion.
Its original owner had long since turned to dust, along with the former glory of this mansion, buried in the dust.
However, it still left some good things for those who came after.
For example, a set of Valyrian Steel lamellar armor whose decorations had long since vanished, but still retained a hint of gold that proved its former luxury.
A Valyrian Steel rapier adorned with moonstones and black diamonds.
And a moon-blade axe that had lost its long handle but still showed its original form.
Following Dragonzel's request, Sebastian and Hogen Tal did not take the gold, silver, and jewels remaining in the ruins, only taking the armor, rapier, and battleaxe.
Next to depart was Amos Fezerel's team. He brought the Unsullied, vowing to bring back more spoils than Sebastian.
The black mist covering the sky gradually faded.
Amos's team returned very quickly. This strong young man usually spoke very little, being as silent and hard as iron. But Dragonzel knew that he could completely trust him, just like he trusted his own blood brothers. As long as this hard iron committed to something, he would surely achieve it perfectly.
"My Lord." Amos took the waterskin Valarr handed him and gulped down the purified fresh water. The Silver Blood Army Soldiers beside him untied the bundles on their backs.
With a clatter, a pile of various Valyrian Steel items spilled onto the ground.
A flame sword shaped like a swimming snake. Whether due to magical erosion or colors added during manufacturing, this sword presented a strange grey-red hue, becoming redder towards the hilt. It looked like a fiercely burning flame.
Two Valyrian Steel daggers that had lost their hilts. To prevent being cut by them, the Silver Blood Army Soldiers had even taken special precautions.
A huge two-handed greatsword, with a burning sun carved from various gems on its guard, made of an unknown material.
There were also several dusty Valyrian Steel ornaments and a spiky spearhead, also made of Valyrian Steel.
"Where did you find them?" Sebastian, who was resting, curiously leaned over.
Amos shook his head. He didn't know what that place was for; it could have been a former blacksmith's shop, or perhaps a Dragon Lord's laboratory or private residence. In any case, there were many Valyrian Steel items there, but unfortunately, many were damaged.
After a brief exchange, Aslan Longdel took the remaining people to search the dragon corpse. Dragonzel also led his brothers to the collapsed ruined tower.
"Lord Dragonzel." Upon seeing the ruined tower, which no longer resembled its original shape, the Red-Robed Monk Marakh suddenly raised his arms. "I can feel the Lord of Light calling me. My Lord, do you know? My mentor and I were never those ignorant fellows from the start." Marakh seemed to be afflicted by something, suddenly starting to talk to himself.
Dragonzel gestured to Valarr and Ray not to disturb him, and continued digging through the ruins with Ago and Lynn, who had been silently working.
Areas that had fused into one were strategically abandoned. The brittle areas that shattered at a touch were the focus of the search.
"The Lord of Light, R'hllor, our only true god." Marakh said loudly. "Here, He is merely a symbol. What we truly believe in is the symbolism behind the Lord of Light: ice and fire, cold and heat, darkness and light. We believe in the supreme and mighty will behind it all. You are the favored one of that will, so He generously guides your future path. The great savior Azor Ahai shall be reborn in the land of smoke and salt, draw Lightbringer, cut down the Long Night, and bring eternal light. The ancient prophecy shall surely be fulfilled, and you are an important force in making all this happen." Marakh's voice grew louder and louder.
Even the cheers when Ray dug up a Valyrian Steel hand-and-a-half sword adorned with a large ruby, and Valarr unearthed a set of Valyrian Steel plate and chainmail decorated with dragon heads, couldn't drown out his voice.
"His prophecy shall surely be fulfilled, and the path He guides, you shall surely tread."
"Now, He has come to pay the reward."
Dragonzel stared blankly at the shattered black stone before him.
Five petrified dragon eggs of various colors, covered in scales, lay quietly in a bronze container wrapped in black stone.
Beside the bronze container, a small bone horn also lay quietly, seemingly gazing at Dragonzel.
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