Chapter 241: Chapter 37: The Boundary Between the Mortal and the Extraordinary

The Commander of Rotalia merely glanced at him through the slit in his Face Armor with a cold, emotionless gaze, as if looking at an insignificant object, before looking away.

Not everyone was like that.

Several other gazes held a more complex scrutiny, as if weighing the truth of the rumors from Ximu Town and just how much of a role this "injured" Northern Governor could play in the upcoming mission.

After all, in the face of the unknowns in the Deep Red Wilderness, any amount of combat strength was precious, even if it might be diminished.

Murphy seemed oblivious to it all, his steps steady as he followed the flow of people toward the hall’s entrance.

His face was devoid of any extraneous expression, as if those stares and whispers were merely wind brushing past a cliff, unable to leave the slightest trace.

Just as he was about to step over the threshold of the inner hall, an aged but exceptionally steady voice sounded beside him:

"Governor of Melfield, a moment, please."

Murphy paused and turned to the side.

The one who had called out to him was none other than the aged Great Knight who had arrived last—the one with graying hair and a back as straight as a spear.

The old man’s face was lined with deep ravines, a testament to long years and harsh trials, but his eyes were still bright and sharp.

He wore a suit of classical, well-maintained, dark silver full plate Armor, engraved with an intricate crest of intertwined fleurs-de-lis and shields.

That was the sigil of the Phlanis Kingdom, a Central Plains Powerhouse located southwest of the Vilt Kingdom and bordering the western edge of the Jade Coast City-States Alliance.

The Phlanis Kingdom was renowned for its long-standing knightly traditions and strict laws, and its Dukes were often close relatives of the Royal Family or highly decorated veteran commanders.

The old man walked up to Murphy, placed his right hand over his chest, and performed a standard, meticulous, ancient knight’s salute. "Armand de Laval, First Knight of the Orleans Duchy, of the Phlanis Kingdom. Forgive my impertinence."

His voice was not loud, but each word was perfectly enunciated, carrying a unique air of someone long accustomed to high station, yet who strictly adhered to ancient etiquette.

Murphy inclined his head slightly in return. "Laval Knight, is there something?"

Knight Armand’s sharp eyes carefully appraised Murphy, his gaze lingering for a moment on the faint, almost invisible scar at his temple before rising to meet Murphy’s eyes directly.

He didn’t beat around the bush, asking directly, "Your Excellency, the Governor, forgive my forwardness. I had a connection with Archbishop John of the Crescent District in my youth, and I once heard him mention that he possessed an extremely precious dose of Starlight Healing. He intended to gift it to a noble from the Northern Territory who had made a special contribution to the Church Court. If I’m not mistaken, you are that noble?"

A flicker of movement in Murphy’s eyes. He pondered for a moment and did not deny it, simply saying calmly, "That is true. Archbishop John was generous, and I will not forget the kindness of his gift."

Knight Armand nodded, a flash of understanding in his eyes. Deeper within that light, however, was a hint of unconcealable longing.

"’Starlight Healing...’" he repeated in a low voice, a trace of emotion in his tone. "The Church Court’s secret Holy Medicine. It cannot turn stone into gold or allow a mortal to ascend to godhood in an instant. Instead, it gently suffuses a body that has reached its limit, nourishes an Origin of life that is nearly depleted, and purges the deep-seated ailments left by time and battle."

"More importantly, it can subtly loosen the intangible shackles that bind one at the Peak of Mortality. For a body whose Life Energy has begun to decline, it can inject a new sliver of vitality, buying more time and opportunity to train, to accumulate, and even... to attempt a breakthrough to a higher level."

He sighed softly. "I have foolishly lived for seventy-three years, and I have been immersed in the Path of the Knight for over fifty of them. I reached the peak thirty years ago. But human strength has its limits, and Life Energy inevitably declines. All these years, no matter how hard I’ve trained, no matter what Secret Techniques I’ve sought, that formless barrier between the mortal and the Extraordinary has remained unmoved. In fact, as my Life Energy naturally wanes, it has only grown stronger, more insurmountable."

He raised his head, his gaze burning as he looked at Murphy. "I cannot accept it. I cannot accept stopping here. I cannot accept watching the skills and power I’ve honed my entire life rot away with my physical body into dust. That Starlight Healing may be the last glimmer of hope for this decrepit old body of mine. Even if... it’s only the faintest possibility."

Murphy listened quietly, his expression still unchanged.

Only after Knight Armand had finished did he speak, his voice slow and steady. "Your desire to achieve a breakthrough is admirable, Knight. However..."

His tone shifted slightly as his calm gaze fixed on the other man. "If you were truly able to use the medicine to break through your bottleneck and reach the Extraordinary realm, would that mean you would no longer need to participate in tomorrow’s perilous mission into the Deep Red Wilderness?"