Translator: CinderTL
Shell ship.
The words struck Roland like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the mists of his memory.
This wasn't knowledge from this world, but a memory from a game he'd played in his past life.
It wasn't a ship in the conventional sense, but a living creation—a miracle where psionic energy and biotechnology fused perfectly.
They typically bore the colossal silhouette of a spiral shell, capable of sailing the Astral Plane's kaleidoscopic and distorted void, effortlessly tearing through the barriers between planes and traveling freely between countless worlds.
For Mind Flayers, shell ships were the foundation of their interplanar colonization, expeditions, and plundering.
At the thought, Roland's heart burned with desire.
If he could control such a living vessel, he would gain an unparalleled strategic advantage.
It wouldn't just be about soaring through the skies; he would possess the ability to traverse planes and explore infinite unknown worlds.
It would be an irreplaceable mobile fortress, a key that could help him break free from the constraints of his current realm and truly step into the multiverse.
However...
Roland shook his head slightly, the fervor in his eyes gradually cooling.
Even if he could force the mind flayer to reveal the shell ship's location—or even find it by chance—it wouldn't mean he could easily command it.
To power such a formidable psionic construct, one would need an equally immense and pure source of psionic energy to serve as both key and fuel.
Though he had successfully become a Psion, his mental attributes had soared, and he had begun to master the techniques of channeling psionic energy, his power was still insignificant compared to mind flayers, who were born into the Sea of Psionics and treated it as their very nature.
As he was lost in thought, Durga clapped him heavily on the shoulder, the impact echoing with a dull thud.
The Gray Dwarf Leader's scarred face twisted into a near-ferocious grin.
"You're the one with the answers, old friend!" he praised in his gravelly voice, his gaze sweeping over the mind flayer still writhing in agony within its chains, his pleasure undisguised.
"This bastard's mouth is harder than a mithril vein! I tried every method I knew, but couldn't even wring a single groan out of it. If not for you, I never would have seen this arrogant octopus head beg for mercy!"
Roland remained unmoved by the crude praise, his attention focused entirely on Durga.
Though their acquaintance had been brief, the Gray Dwarf Leader had shown no ill will in his words or deeds since their chance meeting.
He had guided Roland to hunt the mind flayer, and in doing so, helped him successfully become a Psion and master the basics of spirit energy techniques.
The rewards were undeniably substantial.
Logically and morally, helping Durga locate the shell ship was a small favor that Roland was more than willing to grant.
But before he did, a question that demanded clarification had been gnawing at him.
Roland studied Durga's familiar, almost lifelong-friend-like demeanor, then finally spoke.
"I can help you find the shell ship's location," he said, pausing to lock eyes with Durga, whose gaze remained sharp even in the dim light.
"But first, Durga... you need to tell me. Just what is the nature of our relationship?"
Durga was momentarily stunned by the sudden question. Then, a knowing, rugged grin spread across his bearded face.
But he didn't answer right away. Instead, he slowly untied a weathered leather wineskin from his waist.
He yanked out the stopper, took a deep swig, and the rich aroma of alcohol immediately filled the air.
"Ha!"
The Gray Dwarf Leader exhaled a satisfied breath of spirits, wiped his mouth with a thick arm, and then turned his gaze back to Roland, his eyes glinting with a hint of expected mischief.
"Old friend, you're still as impatient as ever. But I knew the moment you dealt with that octopus head, you'd ask me this. Look..."
He shook the heavy wineskin, the liquid sloshing temptingly inside.
"I've already prepared the 'seasoning' for the story. You know me—I can't be bothered to recall old tales without some 'lava blood' to soothe my throat."
As he spoke, Durga's rough fingers lightly stroked the wineskin, his gaze gradually drifting as if lost in a distant memory.
"We met in Echo Canyon, within the Ley Line Fault Zone. That was at least seven or eight surface years ago, back when things weren't so... decayed."
"My hunting party was being swarmed by lava salamander when you suddenly emerged from the shadows of the cliffside."
A genuine smile touched Durga's lips.
"You could have just gone around, but you chose to help. Your swordsmanship... it was terrifyingly precise. Every strike found a vital point."
With that, the Gray Dwarf Leader kicked the still-groaning mind flayer aside to clear a spot, then plopped down unceremoniously.
"After the battle, you rested at our camp for three days."
"We drank through three whole barrels of 'lava blood' together. The tales you told—of places I'd never seen above ground—made even a dwarf like me long for the surface. We went through a lot together after that, and you helped us out more than once. I have to admit..."
Durga took another deep swig of the liquor and let out a hearty belch.
"Those were some of the few truly happy days I've ever known."
"And then?"
Seeing the genuine look of reminiscence on Durga's face, Roland's frown deepened.
"And then?"
The Gray Dwarf Leader furrowed his brow, then tapped his sturdy forehead with a thick finger after a moment of deep thought.
"Sorry, old friend. Like you, my memory has some... gaps. I only remember... you came down here back then, seemingly to find something to save your companion's life."
His low voice echoed through the empty cave, laced with uncertainty.
"In the end... you found that thing, but..."
At this point, Durga's gaze fell on the Mithril Longsword at Roland's waist.
"Your companion's body was already on the verge of crumbling."
"Out of necessity, I used my clan's thousand-year-old craft to seal its soul within the Mithril Longsword in your hand. It was... a way to let it continue to exist in another form. After that..."
As if the fragmented memories had become clearer after this event, Durga's narrative flowed much more smoothly.
"Then you left the Underdark, telling me you would appear here, at this very moment, and promised to help me with one thing, no questions asked."
"Is that all?"
"That's all."
Durga frowned, pondering for a moment more to ensure he hadn't missed anything, then nodded firmly.
"You're not like those other arrogant surface dwellers. You show no prejudice toward us Gray Dwarves, so..."
The Gray Dwarf Leader stroked the iron gauntlet on his right hand, a friendly smile spreading across his face.
"Even though my awakening was somewhat rushed this time, I can still vaguely recall everything about you."
"Well then..."
Despite the wealth of information Durga had shared, Roland found himself even more perplexed.
Nothing the Gray Dwarf Leader had said left any trace in his mind.
Either he had truly forgotten a segment of his memory, or the Gray Dwarf Leader had mistaken him for someone else.
But...
Seeing Durga's unwavering conviction, Roland shook his head gently and continued to ask.
"So... what was my identity back then?"
"You introduced yourself as a mercenary captain. But it was strange..."
Durga slammed his fist onto the mind flayer's head, abruptly silencing its pained groans, before continuing.
"You didn't have a single companion with you. You were all alone."
Just then, Hoby's voice echoed from the cave entrance.
"Mr. Roland! Mr. Durga! There's movement in the mining tunnel outside!"
"Stay alert!"
Durga shouted back toward the entrance, then turned to Roland with a teasing remark.
"Roland? Is that your name now? It's much easier on the ears than your old one."
Hearing the jab, Roland met his gaze and pressed, "What did I tell you my name was back then?"
"Rudolph," Durga answered without hesitation. "To be honest, that clunky name never suited you at all."
"Rudolph?"
The moment he heard the name, Roland's body went rigid, his eyes wide with shock.
"I was... Rudolph?"
(End of the Chapter)
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