Chapter 252: The Seven Grand Sets and Alchemy
It was already late morning the next day when I reluctantly crawled out of the Tent. My Little Vellas was still sound asleep inside. Hmph, speaking of which, if it weren't for that damned Meeting, I wouldn't want to get up at all. Sleeping while holding Velas was so comfortable; I wouldn't mind staying in bed for a lifetime.
Yawning, I walked into Akara's Tent with a disgruntled Expression. As usual, I was the last one. The other four were already seated around the Table, whispering to each other. But this time, I didn't feel guilty at all. Hmph, serves them right, those four Iron Roosters.
After I sat down, Akara and the other three's minds immediately became active. They started by taking turns showering me with Sugar-Coated Cannonballs, praising how Powerful, how intelligent, how brave, and how enthusiastic I was. That Old Woman Kashya even complimented me on being handsome. Tsk tsk, did they think these empty words would work on me, a Transmigration Warrior from the new century? Useless! Without something more practical, don't even think about getting a Smile out of me!
In fact, I did Smile. Damn it, the moment Kashya complimented my looks, my face broke into a wide grin. That damned Demon Satan, who could tempt the purest Lambs into Hell, I was truly too careless.
After a barrage of words, the four finally got to the point. It took a full two hours for me to roughly recount the events of the past few months. Of course, unnecessary things were omitted. Under their surprised and expectant Gazes, I struck a Statue of Liberty pose and held up the Divine Artifact Lacquered Plate – Tal Rasha's Wrappings.
"It's the real Tal Rasha's Set!" The seven-colored Glow instantly illuminated the entire Small Tent like a fantasy world. Akara stared at the Lacquered Plate without blinking, trembling slightly with excitement. I thought, aren't you blind? How are you the first to confirm it?
"The real one?"
I immediately sensed the hidden meaning in Akara's words and couldn't help but ask repeatedly. There were too many mysteries surrounding this Divine Artifact.
"Yes. It's the 'real' one." Seeing my reaction, Akara nodded in Praise.
"Wu, you are still young, so it's natural that you don't understand many things. You've probably read Cain's Book, which mentions that Tal Rasha's Set is only of Green Set Item Level. So now you're likely confused about this Divine Artifact Level Tal Rasha's Wrappings." Waking up from the Shock of Tal Rasha's Wrappings, she cleared her Throat, as if she could see me nodding like a Chick pecking rice, and continued with a Smile.
"Actually, the Tal Rasha's Set referred to in that Book is not the real Tal Rasha's Set. It's a Counterfeit crafted by a top Grand Master Craftsman, imitating the genuine article. There is only this one true Tal Rasha's Set."
"So that's how it is." Re-examining the Lacquered Plate glowing with seven colors, I had considered such a possibility, so hearing it from Akara didn't surprise me much.
"However, there's another Legend." After I finished processing, Akara suddenly dropped another bombshell.
"It is said that Lord Tal Rasha is not dead. After the Three Prime Evils, led by Baal, defeated him, they did not kill him to retaliate for the Shame of being Sealed by him with the Soulstone in the past. Instead, they imprisoned him in the Horadrim's Ancient Tomb, just so he could suffer eternal Torment. Legend has it that if someone can gather the complete Tal Rasha's Set, they can resurrect Lord Tal Rasha."
This bombshell was truly heavy. It left me Dumbfounded for a long while.
"So, if you collect the real Tal Rasha's Set, you can resurrect Lord Tal Rasha, who possesses Demon God Strength?" After a long pause, I confirmed with an Incredulous tone. If that were truly possible, it would be a very profitable Transaction. No matter how precious a Divine Artifact Set is, it cannot compare to Tal Rasha, a Living Person.
"Yes, that's what is said. However, this possibility is quite high. After all, for Experts of Lord Tal Rasha's Level, anything is possible." Akara nodded as she spoke, her pale Eyes narrowing into a Crevice.
"Then..." I suddenly remembered the low Voice that came from the Lacquered Plate when I picked it up.
*Child, I am waiting for you on the third floor of Death's Sanctuary.*
Was the Voice from the Lacquered Plate truly Tal Rasha's? Why would he want me to go to Death's Sanctuary? It seems necessary to make a trip. It shouldn't be anything Bad Deeds, right?
The Matter was too bizarre. I didn't mention this part. Everything could wait until I returned from the third floor of Death's Sanctuary. I wanted to see what this legendary figure wanted with me, a mere Pawn.
"Oh, right. The genuine Tal Rasha's Outer Robe Set Piece is Divine Artifact Level, so what about the other six top Class Sets? Are they the same?" I suddenly remembered that besides Tal Rasha's Outer Robe (Wizard Set), there were six other top Class Sets:
M'avina's Battle Hymn – Amazon Set.
Trang-Oul's Avatar – Necromancer Set.
Natalya's Odium – Assassin Set.
Immortal King – Barbarian Set.
Aldur's Watchtower – Druid Set.
Griswold's Legacy – Paladin Set.
These six Sets, along with Tal Rasha's Outer Robe, are collectively known as Diablo's Seven Grand Class Sets. Their Stats are not inferior to the latter at all, at least in the Game...
"Can collecting the other six Class Sets also resurrect those Heroes?" Without waiting for their answer, I continued asking.
"It's true that the other six Class Sets are also Divine Artifacts, but Resurrection is nonsense," replied Cain, looking exasperated.
"Lord Tal Rasha's situation is special, and his Strength is much greater than the other six legendary Heroes. As for the other six, their Bone Ash is probably long gone. How could they be resurrected?"
"Then, since these Divine Artifact Sets can be counterfeited, wouldn't crafting more Sets make things easier for the Seniors in the Third World?" I scratched my Head. As soon as I finished speaking, I realized I had asked a rather naive question. Are top-tier Sets that easy to craft? As expected...
"Wu, you underestimate Forging too much. Let me ask you, what is Charsi's Success Rate for crafting the most basic Equipment?"
"Less than one percent."
"What kind of Equipment can Fara the Blacksmith in Lut Gholein craft?" Speaking of Fara the Blacksmith in Lut Gholein, Cain's Corner of the Eye couldn't help but glance at someone next to him, a hint of playfulness flashing within.
"Probably only Equipment of Normal Scale Mail Level."
"Now you should understand the Difficulty. Crafting a Green Set Item not only requires a top-tier Blacksmith, but also heavily drains the Forger's Life Essence after it's made. Under normal circumstances, after crafting such a Set of Equipment, the Blacksmith's Life is practically at its End."
"Moreover, the Sets, which were already not many, have been continuously lost during the Battles over the years. Some have fallen into the hands of Monsters, and coupled with the increasing difficulty in finding excellent Blacksmiths, it's now hard to even gather a single Counterfeit Set," Akara added from the side, plunging the entire Meeting into an Atmosphere of mourning.
"How many pieces of the genuine Tal Rasha's Set have been gathered so far?"
Akara expressionlessly pointed at the Lacquered Plate on the Table: "Up until now, just this one piece."
"No way, it's been thousands of years, and not a single piece has been found?" I was incredibly frustrated. When would Tal Rasha ever be resurrected like this? What about the others, are they all just eating White Rice?
"My dear Wu. It's not that we don't want to, or that we are lazy, but we know, and the Three Prime Evils know just as clearly, that they will absolutely not stand by and watch Lord Tal Rasha be resurrected. The worst part is that most of Tal Rasha's Set Pieces are currently in their hands. What can we do?"
I was speechless. If I were the Three Prime Evils, I would definitely keep at least one piece on myself. Wouldn't that mean I'd have to defeat them to get it to drop? Damn it, if I had the Strength to defeat the Three Prime Evils, whether Tal Rasha could be resurrected wouldn't even Matter anymore...
"Alright, let's not talk about this for now, Wu, put the Set away." Sensing her own lapse, Akara sighed heavily.
"Huh? Isn't it supposed to be sent to the Third World so it can be more useful?" They weren't suggesting I use it, were they? It requires Level 90, Lady Akara! I really don't know if I'll ever be fortunate enough to reach that Level.
"While that's true, the Death Rate in the Third World is high. What if it drops? Moreover, a single Divine Artifact Set Piece isn't particularly useful on its own. So, there's no need."
I was dizzy. Are all the Seniors in the Third World so amazing that they're covered in Divine Artifacts?
Seeing my Dumbfounded Expression, Kashya patted my shoulder forcefully and lectured me with the Stance of a veteran: "It's not that the Stats of a single Divine Artifact Set Piece are bad. You'll gradually understand this later. Our true Strength doesn't come from possessing Divine Artifacts, but from ourselves. Divine Artifacts are good, but the ones that suit you best are the best."
"The Old Drunkard is right," Fara, who was nearby, also uncharacteristically agreed with Kashya's Statement.
"Then isn't it also dangerous for me to keep it? It's better to let the Powerful Lady Kashya keep it," I said. At this point, I realized this Divine Artifact was definitely a hot potato.
"How can that be? Isn't it true that whoever owns something keeps it?" As expected, Kashya kicked the ball back to me.
I looked at Fara again, only to see him vigorously shaking his white Beard, adopting a stance that said he wouldn't take it even if he were beaten to Death.
"Alright, just keep it. We all trust you," Akara, the Leader, spoke up. I could only put the Lacquered Plate away with a dark face, Pondering throwing it into the Stash later to avoid looking at it with longing and feeling itchy about not being able to wear it.
After discussing this Matter, the Meeting was almost over. At the End, Fara told me that since this was a Quest, the two Remote Teleportations would be reimbursed by the Camp. If I wanted to use it next time, I would have to "show some appreciation."
"How much per trip?" Thinking about the hot potato I had just received, and Fara coming over to haggle with me, I naturally didn't give this stingy Old Man a good Expression. Had I been working for them for free all this time?
"Two Chipped Gems." Fara naturally held up two fingers, immediately making me spray out the Spirit-Clearing Water I had swallowed down my Throat.
"Are you robbing me?!" I wiped my mouth and glared at Fara angrily.
"Don't get excited, I'll break it down for you," Fara remained calm, looking like he wasn't afraid of me not taking the bait.
"First, each Pentagram Teleportation Array requires five Gems, so that's ten Gems for both sides. That's the cost. Also, each Sorceress consumes a large amount of Spirit and Mana, which takes several days to recover. They need compensation, right? That's one Gem per person. Don't get excited, don't smash the Chair. Let me tell you, don't think one Chipped Gem is a lot. If you weren't an Elder, we wouldn't even do this Transaction. You should know that the main material for Magic Experiments is Gems. Sometimes a single Experiment can consume dozens of Gems. The tiny bit of Reward you give is simply not enough. The Mage Guild is almost entirely funding research out of pocket now. Every Sorceress is dirt poor. Do you think it's easy for us?"
It was better not to mention it, but speaking of Money, Fara also got angry. "I, the President of the Mage Guild, haven't had more than 10 Gold Coins in my pocket for who knows how many years. Is it easy for me?"
"Can't you research a more optimized Magic Array? Like one that only costs one Gold Coin to activate?" I retorted, unwilling to be outdone.
"You've hit the nail on the Head. Do you know how much the Remote Teleportation Station cost when it was first researched? Ten Flawless Gems! It was only through tens of thousands of years of continuous research by the Mage Guild that it was reduced to this Extent. Do you think we Sorceresses are just counting Ants when we're locked in the Laboratory all day?"
"But even so, who has that many Gems?" I said with a mournful face, secretly glancing at my Inventory. Besides the Diamonds for Little Ghost's food, which absolutely couldn't be sold, I had one, two, three, four... one hundred and nine...
Seems like quite a lot, doesn't it? Am I really a Parvenu? But I can't compromise. No matter how many I have, I can't afford to spend them like this. I have piles and piles of Gold Coins though. Looks like I'll have to stuff them into the Stash again.
"No problem, if you don't have Gems, Gold Coins will also work." Fara let out a lewd laugh, looking at me with the Gaze of a hungry Wolf eyeing a lone Easy Mark. His small Eyes were practically turning into two Gold Coins.
"Can't you just convert Gold into Gems?"
"Convert Gold into Gems?" The Expression of doubt had just appeared on my face when I was met with the surrounding Gazes of the other four. Eh, did I ask another naive question?
"Did you really read my Book properly?" Cain was the first to speak up, looking like he had entrusted something to the wrong person.
"I can guarantee, no less than ten times." Of course, I meant the parts I was interested in.
"Did you read the section about the circulation and usage of Gold Coins?"
"Oh, that section. Because I felt like I wasn't short on Money anyway, I skipped it."
The other four looked at each other. Their Eyes simultaneously revealed a single meaning – this guy in front of them was a Parvenu.
"Forget it, let me give you a proper lesson." Clearing his Throat, Fara wasn't stingy with his words in order to snatch Money from my pocket: "So-called conversion is actually Alchemy. It was invented seven thousand six hundred and fifty-two years ago by the world's greatest (Money-grubbing) Mage, Lina Inverse. To put it simply, it's using Magic to convert Gold into Chipped Diamonds."
"That's it?"
"That's it!"
I felt like there was something I could complain about. Was I overthinking it?
"What's the specific Alchemy Formula?"
"Roughly 1000 Gold Coins convert to one Chipped Diamond, but the Success Rate is less than fifty percent. If you want to increase the Success Rate, put in more Gold. *Cough cough*, of course, a Handling Fee is also necessary."
"I see. The current Exchange Rate between Gold Coins and Gems, around 1500:1, is based on this Formula, right?"
"Precisely," Fara said, stroking his white Beard with satisfaction, looking like a teachable child who was also arrogant.
"Then hurry up and research a more optimized Alchemy Formula! One that can convert one Gold Coin into ten Gems!"
Fara: "I have no common language with a Magic idiot like you..."
"Wu, wait." As the Meeting dispersed and everyone else left one after another, Akara smiled and waved me over, keeping me behind.
Is there something she wants to say privately? I looked at her curiously.
"Lady Akara, is there something else?"
"Yes, a small Matter." Akara refilled my water cup and sat opposite me, smiling as she examined me.
"I was just wondering, was the Cleric among the Lut Gholein Three Heroes really you?"
"Oh, that."
I smiled faintly: "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. Yes, I got some Priest Equipment in Lut Gholein, so I temporarily filled in. It's not a big deal."
"Hmm, I see. That puts my mind at ease," Akara confirmed, then smiled.
"What's wrong? Was there a problem?"
"This was also an oversight on my part. I knew you could use Skills from other Classes, but I kept forgetting to tell you." Saying that, she suddenly stood up and walked towards the door, gesturing for me to follow.
"Lady Akara, what's going on?" Following behind her, turning left and right through some secluded Alleys, I finally couldn't help but ask.
Akara didn't answer me, but instead asked back: "My dear Wu, how much do you know about the Cleric Class?"
"Hmm, I understand a little bit. They are strong in Support, very weak in Attack, and they became extinct not long after the Hell Invasion began," I pondered for a moment, stating what I knew.
"That's roughly correct," Akara walked ahead. I couldn't see her Expression, but I thought she must be smiling.
"Roughly?"
"Yes, what you said isn't entirely correct, because the Cleric Class hasn't completely disappeared."