NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21 - Rizael, the Great Healer
You have acquired a 4-Star Alchemist — Rizael the Great Healer.
Name: Rizael (★★★★)
| Race: Gildman
| Level: 1
| Class: Alchemist
Attributes:
| Strength: 8
| Vitality: 21
| Dexterity: 20
| Magic: 18
| Mana: 14
Skills
| Healing Hands — Mastery: None
| Potion Refining — Mastery: Middle
| Ingredient Detection — Mastery: Middle
Gildman? The race jumped out in his memories. If he wasn’t wrong, then Gilman were known for their potent alchemy. They were like humans, just more… grand. Owen noted his healing ability, and the fact that his other Skills had reached Middle Mastery. Owen smiled. Things were looking up.
Rizael the Great Healer stood tall, emanating an aura of serene power. His eyes, a tranquil blue, glowed with wisdom and compassion behind long golden hair that cascaded over his shoulders. Clad in robes woven with silver threads, his hands radiated a soft, healing light. He was human, or at least Owen thought he was. But something in those eyes told him otherwise. Told Owen that he was superior to his blood.
Just like all the others, he bowed the moment he arrived in front of Owen. But unlike the others, Owen spotted defiance in his posture. He didn’t bow as low. Not that Owen minded at all, but Owen knew the reason.
The higher the Stars, the less loyalty they had. They had more memories, and although a 4-Star barely had enough recollection to form a puzzle bought from a charity shop, it would still pose a problem if not checked.
Owen smiled and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Rizael, It’s a pleasure to have you here.”
“You are too kind, my Lord,” he said, eyes scanning in the vicinity. His lips twitched. “It’s a pleasure to be here to witness the ascent of my own Lord. I will help in any way that I can.”
Owen noted his words. “Witness my ascent? You say that as if you know my role, Rizael.”
“I wouldn't dare allude to knowing all, but I do know what my memory permits me, My Lord,” He said, hands stuck together at his waist. “It is my duty to help you ascend in the war of the Lords.”
War of the Lords, Owen thought, already knowing what it entailed. There were many cases of summoned units speaking of this war, that all that they were doing was to prepare for this event. But none knew more than that. At least, not that Owen had read about. Owen hadn’t even read about it. It hadn’t happened yet. But his blood ran cold at the thought of it.
“Do you know anything more than that?” Owen pressed.
“I’m afraid not, my Lord.”
“Okay,” Owen said, expecting it. Owen scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “Yes, well, I admit it isn’t the best start, but we do what we can with what we’re given.”
“It is an optimistic way to rule, my Lord,” Razael said. He stepped towards the dome, looking outwards. He spotted the Warriors and Scouts resting. Then he turned back to Owen. “If you would permit me, I would love to get a lay of this land. I know of many desert flowers and cacti that can be turned into potent healing potions. Along with the help of an experienced Farmer and Florist and Herbalist, I would love to get started on a farm for my potions.”
“I would love that, however, I’m afraid we’re pulled thin. We have potential enemies to our west. A monstrous creature hunts the sands below. Going too far into the desert, and you’ll enter its hunting grounds. If that wasn’t all, then at night, there is an enormous tsunami that washes over this land. Not to mention I don’t have two of those professions. For now, I need you to take extra care with Pyris over there. She has been inflicted with a corruption that I’m not sure I’ve fully expelled.”
Razael nodded along. “Not the best start at all. No worries. We do what we can with what we’re given. Let it be known that Razael doesn’t rely on a fortuitous land to make my Lord and his people prosper,” He said, a resounding pride laced through his words. “Although first aid isn’t exactly my specialty, I know a few things. The lady Pyris will be under my care.”
Owen smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s good to have you here.” He knew the healer was being modest. Even just a glance at his Status showed amazing Skills. Being able to heal with his hands was only one of them. The rest revolved around creating potions.
“It’s good to be here,” he replied. “For now, I’ll tend to the lady, then I’ll study the plants in your land. I’ll be off.” Razael bowed slightly, then turned and left.
Owen shook his head. A high star really was different, after all. Just the communication skills alone were a cut above the rest. Or maybe that was because the others were Hunters and Warriors. Not exactly the chatty type.
In just over 4 hours, Owen had replenished enough energy to plunder basic stone material for his Builders. Still not enough to continue with the Devil Wyrm. He dug down in the sand, making sure that it wouldn’t fall on top of him, then started harvesting all the stone they needed in clean bricks. It would have taken a team of builders and miners to carve out the stone into usable materials. But it only took Owen a couple minutes.
Moving tonnes of material cost Owen very little energy, practically nothing. But the further he went down, the more it took its toll as the rock grew thicker. It was another thing to think about, Owen noted.
He ended up stopping around 30 metres down before returning. He didn’t want to completely wear himself out in case he had to plunder something else.
Once he was done with that, he moved over to where Pyris was housed. He was together with both Gorath and Rizael. Rizael held his palm over her forehead, white light glowed.
Owen looked at Pyris with concern. “So, what do you think? Is the Corruption gone?”
“It’s still there I’m afraid.” the healer frowned. “It’s deep. I’m not too familiar with corruption, only encountered it a few times before, or at least what my memories tell me. But this one… I’ve never seen anything like it. Deeper than any venom, spread further than any poison. Although you have treated it enough to heal her wounds, what burns deep, has not been touched.”
“Will she wake?” Owen clenched his hands.
“It’s hard to tell. Depending on her strength, it’s a possibility. But if not–” he sighed. “–I will do all I can.”
Owen nodded heavily. “She’ll make it.” She’s strong. She’ll wake up.
Although Owen was worried for her, he had a lot of others to care about. Just as he was about to make some more plans, he felt the connection with Shelldon. He was near. Owen rushed out of the building and equipped Dune’s Crest. He gazed out to the walls of the blue dome. Draed and Cedric returned wounded. They hadn’t killed anything.
Owen sighed in relief. He knew they weren’t dead as he would receive a notification, but seeing them alive set him at ease.
Draed and Cedric rushed over with Shelldon. “My Lord,” Draed said, leaping off of the Spectre’s back with harsh breaths. “The orcs…”
“Take a breath,” Owen reminded him.
Calming down his ragged breathing, Draed finally said, “the orcs found us. Attacked us. Two of them were archers, the four of them warriors. They cared little for words, my Lord. The moment they saw us, they attacked without remorse. We would have killed them, but–”
Owen crouched down and grabbed a handful of sand. “I thought as much.” He looked up. “Did you find their scout?” Owen asked.
“We did,” Draed replied. “We’re sure he didn’t see us, so I doubt he’ll move his hiding spot. If we can chase him off–”
“No need,” Owen said, a plan was forming. If the orcs were so hellbent on attacking, then no amount of talking would quell their anger. “Do you think you can capture their scout?”
Draed looked at Cedric and nodded. “We have confidence.”
“Good,” Owen said. “Take Lome and all the other Warriors and Hunters with you. If they want to play this game, then I’ll match it.”
Draed bowed.
“However, It’s vital you discover how they cross the sands,” Owen urged. He knew that the people of the Cursed Lands used bells to travel safely, but he had no idea how much the author had changed. “Find a commonality on their body. Like a bell tied to their waist. Maybe they have a leader with a device that masks their steps at the front of their formation, maybe the middle, or the back. Watch them, then attack if they show the slightest aggression. It’s fine if they retreat. Don’t follow if they do. Keep your eyes peeled.”
Owen continued, “Bohar, take Roa and Rizael around the border of the barrier to search for fauna. If you can attack anything through the shield, do that. Rizael, don’t leave the dome, even for a second.”
“Your will is my command,” They all said in unison and quickly got to work.
A few hours later while Owen was busy helping the Builders with the wall, supplying them with stone, hauling it over for them, his heart dropped, a sickening sensation grabbing hold of him. He whirled around, eyes piercing the haze of the desert to the North. Two of his people had just died.