Chapter 795

Chapter 795: Possible Trouble

Although normal mortals in this world probably didn’t regain strength or heal wounds by eating healing stones, Jesse always felt the game’s mechanics must have some basis.

Still, even with that thought, he hesitated to swallow the small stone brimming with fel magic just to test its effects.

After all, the gap between the game’s rules and this world was vast. Take the healing stone: in the game, everyone had a strict limit on how many they could carry, yet here no such limit seemed to exist. With a big enough bag and enough Soul Shards, it appeared you could carry as many as you wanted.

He decided to treat it as a backup plan. Even if it proved useless for mortals, it should still work on demons.

"Master, you had Lord Kallez make so many healing stones… is this a gift for me? But you’re too shy to say it outright, hmm?"

Riding back to Stormwind through Elwynn Forest, the imp poked its head from the bag, eyeing Jesse’s pouch of healing stones. "Gimme one to try, master! I’ll work harder for you—much, much harder!"

"How’s your language curse practice coming?" Jesse asked.

"Always practicing, always practicing!" Saenor thrust up a hand. "Need me to curse you right now? No problem!"

"You ought to find a way to build up your mana," Jesse suggested.

"I will! Healing stones’ll do it! They boost my strength *and* my mana, I’m sure, master!"

The imp grinned widely, tongue flicking out, looking utterly ravenous.

Half-doubtful, Jesse handed over a healing stone. Saenor swallowed it whole, gave a satisfied groan, then slid into the bag and fell silent.

Nearly a week had passed since Jesse returned to Stormwind with the revised contact circle for Kallez and the healing stones. Without Aarna tirelessly carrying him without complaint, the journey would’ve taken longer.

Yet he couldn’t leave for Kalimdor without settling matters at the Mage Tower and Storm Altar. He was the sort who always worried he’d left the door unlocked—mildly obsessive. Skipping these farewells would’ve had him fretting from the moment Stormwind’s harbor faded from view.

After stabling Aarna in the Mage Quarter that evening, Jesse hurried to The Gilded Rose. A day of travel fueled only by dried mushrooms and stream water left him painfully hungry.

He mounted the steps, and the rich scent of roast meat made his mouth water.

Pulling down his hood, he spotted a silver-haired elf leaning against the nearby wall, head tilted as she watched him.

Vereesa?

Just as he’d guessed—she’d come without replying.

Her striking appearance, so unlike anyone else’s, always stole one’s breath. This time felt different, though.

Her expression was stormy. A dwarf seated nearby turned, watching the scene with innocent curiosity. Jesse approached the table. "What’s wrong?"

Vereesa frowned. "I got your letter, dropped everything unfinished… rushed here. And you were gone. I’ve done nothing but wait three days! Three days I could’ve used properly—patrol duties aren’t wrapped up yet, *Mr. Seso*!"

"Sorry. Truly sorry." Jesse sat, then glanced at Greed. "Didn’t you order food? I’m starving."

Greed waved a hand between them. "You two talk. I’ll speak with the server."

As the dwarf beckoned, Jesse lowered his voice for Vereesa. "I had to settle Mage Tower business. Blackrock Mountain. Stonewatch Keep. Plus preparations for our trip—the circle, supplies. It took days… I pushed hard. Nearly ran poor Aarna ragged."

Vereesa nodded stiffly until her eyes widened. "Who’s Aarna?!"

"The young mare the king gave *him*. Forgotten?" Greed called to the departing server, chuckling. "Say, Vereesa, who met that mare first?"

Jesse glared. Greed coughed sheepishly. "Sorry."

Realizing her misplaced jealousy, Vereesa rubbed her eyes awkwardly. "Right… I remember. But truly, your… summoned friend still hides in Blackrock Mountain. So why write urging me here early? Your letter was vague."

"Dar’Khan Drathir has ties to The Violet Eye. Didn’t you know?" Jesse asked.

"I… didn’t," Vereesa admitted.

"Didn’t Amy tell you?" Jesse pressed.

Vereesa said, “She told me she had some news about people I want to investigate recently, but she didn’t say it directly in the letter. She mentioned she planned to go to Stormwind soon to tell you in person, so I didn’t reply.”

Jesse nodded and said, “If it’s about Dar’Khan or The Violet Eye, she couldn’t just state it plainly in a letter.”

Vereesa whispered, “The Violet Eye is that organization in Dalaran investigating the magic of Karazhan, right? I’d only heard about it, so… ah, Karazhan, damn it! Could Dar’Khan be connected with those treasure-seeking undead?”

When Vereesa mentioned it, Jesse immediately dismissed the possibility in his mind. After all, Medivh’s treasure hunters were controlled by his magic; how could they conspire with outsiders?

But just as he thought about it, another artifact story came to mind—the Scythe of Elune.

In the game, the Scythe of Elune was the artifact of balance for Druids, originally forged thousands of years ago by Night Elves using nature and moon power to combat demons. It had gone missing for a long time.

Years later, after the battle of Mount Hyjal, the Night Elf Druids rediscovered the scythe to fight the rampaging demons polluting the forest. However, chaos ensued, and the scythe eventually ended up within the Kingdom of Stormwind.

Its connection to Worgen and the Emerald Dream led to the true “Worgen” chaos in Duskwood, not just the scary tales meant to frighten children.

Morganth, the mage Jesse had met at Stonewatch Keep, conducted extensive research on shadows and Worgen in the game. He sought the Scythe of Elune and even contacted the treasure hunters of Karazhan to collaborate with them.

This detail made Jesse worry about the possibility of black knights cooperating with outsiders to find Ulthalesh. If Vereesa hadn’t mentioned it, he might never have connected the dots.

He nodded lightly and said, “It’s very possible. I’m also concerned that Dar’Khan Drathir might utilize his connection with The Violet Eye to search the tower for clues related to that thing, such as finding Ered’ruin’s language records and translating what’s on that Dethmoora report scroll from the Reliquary.”

Greed glanced around, ensuring no one was paying attention to them, then quietly asked, “Are there such things in that black tower?”

Vereesa supported her forehead and replied, “Never underestimate the knowledge Medivh collected, Greed. We must assume he knew everything—from Azeroth to Draenor, to the Twisting Nether. In fact, he might truly have known it all.”

“Really? Then did he know what terrible artifact lay beneath Grim Batol? What did the witch Modgud use to pollute our homeland?” Greed inquired.

“Once I get into Karazhan, I’ll remember to help you look for it,” Jesse said.

Greed shot him a sideways glance, and Vereesa said, “Alright, I get it. Since Dar’Khan is willing to risk his life to find a way into Karazhan for that thing, it shows its importance. We can’t delay any longer.”

“Is everything alright on your end?” Jesse asked. “How about the patrol tasks?”

“Don’t worry about that. I can handle the issues in Quel’Thalas myself,” Vereesa said. “The Reliquary wants me to find a legendary treasure from an elven ruin on the coast of Kalimdor; its name is in an ancient elven language that I haven’t memorized yet. They gave me a detailed scroll… I’ll show it to you later. That place is called Eldarath, said to be a part of the sunken Kaldorei capital of Zin-Azshari. But focus on your goals, Jesse.”

Just as Jesse was about to speak, Greed jumped in and asked, “What’s the bounty?”

“Bounty?” Vereesa paused. “Right, bounty… Damn it, I forgot! But Farstriders aren’t just mercenaries; we generally work together with the Reliquary… Goodness, I should ask them for some money.”

“You actually forgot that?” Greed smacked his forehead. “Does that mean I’m running around for nothing?”

“Aren’t you going to meet your Mosa? I’ve almost gotten sick of hearing that name these past few days!” Vereesa said, displeased. “Of course, it’s not that I have any issues with her personally.”

“Well, you can’t come back empty-handed, right?” Greed remarked.

Seeing the downcast expressions on the two in front of her, Vereesa said, “Don’t worry; I can ask for money when I come back, claiming I found outsiders to collaborate with; they charge for their services.”

“Can we say that?” Jesse nodded. “Then that works.” He looked at Greed and said, “How are your preparations going?”

“Ready to set off at any time,” Greed replied. “Actually, I didn’t have much to prepare; just pack my belongings.”

Vereesa said, “I brought some Blessed Wizard Oil. Remember, Jesse? According to the descriptions in the Dethmoora evidence, we might have to face ghosts and phantoms, so I brought a few extra bottles. Also, if those black knights plan to interfere with us… then let them see the power of this oil.”

Vereesa’s thoughts were sound; Ulthalesh was a weapon that bound souls, and its former owner was a Necromancer. This weapon likely bore some necromantic power. Plus, the clues from Dethmoora mentioned it being a place of ghostly wails, so bringing something to deal with the undead was quite necessary.

“Do you think we need those Ghost Glasses?” Greed patted Jesse’s shoulder.

“I also thought about that,” Jesse said. “Once we arrive at Booty Bay, I’ll ask that Goblin Alchemist.”