Chapter 79: Alger's Exploration
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Alger once again admired the Emperor for his profound knowledge in the occult. At the same time, he thought about how the previous people who discovered this ruin were likely pirates. They didn't possess as much mysticism knowledge as the Emperor, and if they dived in without finding anything, they wouldn't have continued exploring.
After waiting for the whirlpool to dissipate, Alger took off his coat and prepared to dive down to check.
However, after the whirlpool disappeared, the glow below vanished as well.
Alger immediately had a realization. He used his abilities once again to create a whirlpool in the pool, then jumped in, diving down through the rapid currents.
In the water, faint, illusory scales appeared on Alger's body, allowing him to move more gracefully than a fish. He could now stay underwater for a long time.
He dived down over ten meters, until the surface of the pool seemed far away and the surroundings grew gradually darker.
Alger finally saw the glowing objects beneath the water. They were two crystal-like stones, with a hole between them just big enough for one person to enter.
There were many similar holes in the pool, and even the most skilled divers wouldn't dare to explore these caves, where it was easy to get lost.
Those glowing crystals appeared like ordinary stones during normal times, which was why the sailors who had explored before didn't notice anything unusual.
Inside the cave, there were more glowing crystals, seemingly guiding the way and providing light.
Cautiously, Alger swam through the opening. Seeing that there was no danger, he continued swimming forward.
The water level rose higher and higher until Alger broke the surface, emerging into a dark cave.
He climbed onto the rocks beside the water and took out a small waterproof torch, lighting it to illuminate the entire cave.
The first thing he saw was a skeleton lying on the ground not far from him. There were some miscellaneous items beside the skeleton, but nothing particularly special apart from the staff in its hand. The skeleton's other hand was pointing towards the other side of the cave.
Alger followed the skeleton's finger and saw a huge mural on the other side of the cave.
The mural was well-preserved, still retaining its colors after all this time.
Getting closer, Alger noticed that the figures in the mural all had pointed ears, giving them a sacred appearance.
Alger quickly understood the content of the mural. The skeleton sitting in the distance was the descendant of a half-elf and human, and his family had always maintained the elven way of life. The family also inherited a secret about the elves.
The skeleton had not become a Beyonder. He was the last member of his family, and before he died, he had painted the family's inherited elven secret on the mural.
The so-called secret was the locations where the last three high elves fell.
In other words, at these three locations, it was highly likely one could find the remnants of the high elves' Beyonder characteristics?
Alger glanced at the skeleton sitting on the ground. Such an important secret—why would he paint it on a mural?
Wasn't this the kind of secret that should be taken to the grave, buried forever without revealing it to others?
Suddenly, Alger recalled the Emperor mentioning that Beyonder characteristics follow three laws, of which he only knew one. He vaguely realized that the reason the skeleton left the mural must be related to the laws of Beyonder characteristics.
Thinking about having to consult the Emperor for more Beyonder knowledge, Alger felt a bit of a toothache. He already owed the Emperor 1,000 pounds—did he really want to bear an even heavier debt?
At that moment, he looked towards the staff in the skeleton's hand.
The staff seemed to be made of crystal, with a blue gemstone at the top.
When Alger picked up the staff, he suddenly heard the sound of waves in his ears. He then realized that he could now wield three abilities: storm, giant waves, and communication with sea creatures!
This made Alger laugh out loud with joy. As a "Seafarer," he could only cast some water-related spells, like whirlpools and minor changes to ocean currents—nothing more.
Only by receiving the blessings of the Lord of Storms could Seafarers and Winds-Blessed cast more powerful spells. Otherwise, he would have to wait until Sequence 5 or even Sequence 4 before he could use abilities like giant waves.
But the staff in his hand made Alger feel like a Favored of the Lord of Storms, able to wield abilities powerful and practical for the sea.
This didn't mean Alger now possessed the power of a Sequence 5. Rather, the staff was more like a "recognition of the sea," akin to a kind of credential. With it, Alger could "take on a certain profession."
In other words, it was only useful to those on the "Sailor" pathway, such as Seafarer and Wind-Blessed. Beyonders of other pathways couldn't use abilities like giant waves at all.
"The Emperor was right," Alger muttered to himself. "Searching for elven ruins really can lead to good things for the 'Sailor' pathway."
Just this staff alone, if traded on the Berserk Sea, would fetch at least 3,000n pounds, and there would certainly be a premium. Of course, Alger wouldn't sell the staff until he reached Sequence 5. Thinking of it this way, the 1,000 pounds debt was totally worth it.
…
On Tuesday morning, Hobert arrived early at the Magistrate's Court. He put on his barrister's robe, donned his wig, and sat next to Sean, ready for the trial.
Several spectators came to the court this time, including Sean's family, as well as Xio and Fors.
At 8:30 a.m., the judge took his seat, and the trial officially began.
As Sean's attorney, Hobert first produced the promissory note, stating the fact that the defendant had borrowed 300 pounds in cash from Sean.
Just as Hobert anticipated the previous day, the defendant's lawyer argued, citing relevant laws, that the promissory note had exceeded three years and should be considered legally invalid.
This was exactly the kind of argument Hobert had been waiting for. "Your Honor, we waive the 'right to win' on this promissory note!"
In some cases, the plaintiff had a "right to win." For example, if the judge ruled that Sean's promissory note was legally valid, Sean would win outright.
But the issue now was that, according to the relevant laws, it was difficult for the judge to make a clear ruling on whether the promissory note was valid.
This was where the debate between the attorneys came in. Whichever side provided a more persuasive interpretation of the law would sway the judge's decision.
This was exactly where the value of a lawyer lay.
So Hobert didn't bother arguing about it. Instead, he exploited a legal loophole to find a new angle.
He continued, "Yes, you heard correctly. We waive the 'right to win' on the promissory note and will no longer sue for late payment but instead sue for non-repayment of the loan.
"Defendant, do you admit that you borrowed 300 pounds in cash from Mr. Sean?"
The defendant's lawyer immediately realized Hobert's strategy. He leaned back in his chair, no longer willing to defend.
Because now, whether the defendant admitted it or not, the 300 pounds had to be repaid.
The defendant, almost reflexively, said, "I never borrowed that money! Sean is slandering me."
Hobert nodded. "Good. Since you say that, I can apply for enforcement!
"Although we waive the 'right to win' on the promissory note, the evidence provided by Mr. Sean is enough to prove that you did borrow the money. The contractual nature of the promissory note still holds, and you must repay the loan."
The defendant's scalp tingled when he heard "enforcement." "I… I did borrow the money, that's true."
Hobert nodded. "Good. You have three weeks to repay it. Otherwise, it will be considered refusal to repay, and we will apply for enforcement."