Chapter 217: Chapter 215: Curses and Curse Magic

On the side of the ruins, amidst the lush green slopes, there was a conspicuous excavation mark.

A large amount of soil had been pushed out and slid down the slope, accumulating at the bottom, burying low shrubs and grass, with even the tall trees half-covered.

The soil cascading down the slope made it seem as if the mountain had burst open like a cyst, oozing pus.

At this moment, within the unearthed tunnel, several mercenaries emerged, dusty and disheveled, dragging out a bloodied man. He seemed to have resisted an explosion at close range, his armor was ripped apart, and his skin was covered in blood. His hair was turned into an explosive mess.

Seeing him, everyone gasped, spelling a tragic word in the air above him.

The mercenaries who dragged him out saw a crowd gathered outside and quickly shouted, "Ladies and gentlemen, is there anyone among you who specializes in healing? Please lend a hand, our teammate accidentally triggered a trap in the ruins. To prevent the tunnel from collapsing, he took the brunt of the explosion and is seriously injured. He urgently needs healing."

Another person quickly added, "His condition is quite special; it seems the explosion embedded runes inside his body, preventing healing skills from working. I can’t resolve it. If anyone can remove his negative effects and heal him, the Eternal Night Mercenary Corps will reward you handsomely!"

Some were eager to move, but upon hearing that the healing skills couldn’t penetrate the body for treatment, they calmed down.

"Runes embedded in the body? Isn’t that witchcraft?"

"Even purification skills struggle to lift a curse from witchcraft."

"Poor fellow, he’s beyond saving."

If it was just severe injury treatment, they could manage, as healing skills are indispensable for any mercenary corps; most have them.

But not being able to heal means a Tier Two or higher skill is required, like purification skills, to remove the negative state.

This sets a threshold.

Not everyone can learn purification skills.

And this healing-preventing negative state, brought about by witchcraft, is not a conventional spell.

That makes it even more difficult.

Elina peeked around and said quietly, "Speaking of which, our elven blessings can counter many effects of witchcraft. I wonder if they can remove that person’s curse."

Hilia suggested, "Why not give it a try?"

Elina shook her head, "I don’t know healing spells. If it’s just a blessing and it doesn’t work, what if they make things difficult for me?"

Hilia pulled Elina forward, "It’s okay, I’m here. If they dare give you trouble, I’ll send them all to jail."

As a candidate for the Holy Daughter, Hilia couldn’t bear to see someone die in front of her.

Especially when they could be saved.

Originally, she hadn’t planned to intervene because she thought among so many mercenaries, there would certainly be priests.

Even if they weren’t priests, they would have learned the most basic healing spells to some extent.

No matter how severe the wounds, as long as they were external, the healing spell would have some effect.

Perhaps it couldn’t heal completely, but it could stabilize the condition. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

But if the injured person had other negative effects that obstructed healing, there was no way for it.

Higher-tier purification skills and healing spells, or special spells like elven blessings, were needed.

Clearly, these spells weren’t something ordinary mercenaries could access.

The situation with this mercenary was urgent; everything else could wait. They needed to help stabilize his condition first.

Hilia led Elina through the crowd to the side of the lying mercenary.

"Elina, it’s up to you now," Hilia said, also observing the mercenary’s condition.

Elina nodded, "Okay."

With that, a green light emanated from her body.

The elves’ natural magic is innate, different from human affinity with nature, which humans can’t cultivate.

Their magic truly embodied nature, refreshing the spirit.

The glow of the elven blessing appeared around her, and many observing mercenaries felt as if they breathed in air from a nature documentary, spirits uplifted, invigorated bodywide.

"Such powerful magic!"

"Feels like an elven blessing?"

"No doubt, it’s an elven blessing; that lady is an elf!"

"I’ve heard elven blessings can purify most witchcraft curses. The Eternal Night Mercenary Corps got lucky having an elf nearby."

"Elves really represent kindness and beauty!"

"..."

While everyone was talking, Elina continued using the elven blessing to dispel the curse from the mercenary.

The runes that could affect the human body were a combination of spell and runes, also known as witchcraft.

"The curse on this mercenary is ancient... layered like a hundred layers, very hard to dispel."

Sweat appeared on Elina’s forehead.

Hilia extended her hand, the purification skill emerged, and she followed the mercenary’s magic power flow to perceive the curse within him.

"Witchcraft is a combination of spell and rune. As long as it’s a rune, I should be able to understand it..."

Soon, she sensed Elina’s magic battling the witchcraft inside the mercenary.

Rose glanced over and said, "The method of this curse looks familiar. Hilia, use your Mage’s Hand, you can solve it."

"Alright." Hilia agreed, transforming her spiritual power into the Mage’s Hand, following the purification skill into the mercenary’s body, joining the battle, aiding Elina to dispel those many layers of curses.

With Hilia’s help, Elina quickly dispelled the curse.

Then, Hilia’s healing spell enveloped the mercenary, stabilizing his injuries.

This level of injury couldn’t be healed immediately. Even if Hilia had a way, she wouldn’t easily use it, as it would raise suspicions.

After stabilizing the injuries, Hilia stood up and said, "Alright, this friend’s injuries are stabilized. Treatment fee, 2 gold coins, thank you."

The people of the Eternal Night Corps sighed in relief. It seemed the leader mercenary came over, took out two gold coins, and thanked, "Thank you two friends for the healing. I’m Hestos, the leader of the Eternal Night Mercenary Corps. The Eternal Night Corps will be forever friends with you two, may I know your names?"

Hilia took the gold coins and said, "We’re just passing mercenaries, making a bit of money, no need to know our names."

She gave one coin to Elina, the two exchanged a glance, shared a slight smile, said no more, and headed outside.

Hestos’s voice came from behind, "When you two return, feel free to visit our Eternal Night Mercenary Corps. We’ll prepare a lavish dinner for you."

Such remarkable mercenaries seemed to be freelancers, and Hestos wanted to recruit them.

Hilia sensed this too but didn’t turn back. Waving her hand behind her, she said, "No need."

The crowd parted to give way and watched the two leave.