Chapter 183: The Transformed Origin

Conclusion?

Nolan was completely baffled and quickly opened the detailed description.

【Origin Manifestation: Conclusion】: For a short period of time, establish or sever a one-way connection between two “objects.” “Objects” may be people, items, or a specific attack or action, but they must be clearly defined and perceptible. Connections transmit in only one direction. Establishing a connection consumes 1 unit of “Origin Power,” and the greater the physical distance or logical leap between the two objects, the greater the cost. Effective range: 10 meters.

【Origin Power: 10/10】 (Consumed Origin Power requires a 24-hour cycle to recover.)

Nolan swallowed hard.

This ability was utterly absurd.

He had played Glory for twenty years in his previous life. While he could not claim omniscience about this world, he knew nearly everything worth knowing. Yet not only had he never seen an ability like this before—he had never even heard of one.

He thought it through carefully. In other words, if he used Conclusion on an enemy right now and linked the action “drawing a sword” with the result “cutting one’s own hand”… Then as long as the opponent drew their sword, they would inevitably cut their own hand?

Nolan’s heart began pounding wildly.

Simply injuring a hand was actually inferior to straightforward offensive abilities like burning or freezing. But the true strength of this ability lay in its incredible freedom and versatility.

For example, ice could not directly freeze flames, but Nolan could instead make the person wielding the fire injure themselves, thereby bypassing the superficial problem of “how can ice counter fire?”

Likewise, if he connected “swinging a sword” to “injuring someone” and then severed that connection, the next attack would no longer be able to wound anyone. Of course, using such an effect on an experienced swordsman would greatly increase the consumption of Origin Power.

This had nothing to do with attack strength. It was the difference between turning the impossible into the possible. And it was not limited to combat either—there was enormous potential in exploration, rescue operations, and even daily life.

…Though using it in daily life might be a little too extravagant. Unless he had infinite Origin Power… Nolan mocked himself inwardly with a grin.

In his previous life, his Origin had been a rare branch of the earth element known as “Bedrock.” Its manifested trait was “Countershock,” allowing him to reflect a proportion of incoming attacks back at the attacker, which had made him one of the greatest heavy armored warriors in existence.

Origin Power was the external manifestation of a person’s inner world—a true reflection of their essence. Only those capable of reaching the depths of their own hearts could awaken an Origin.

Every individual who reached the Origin Realm, regardless of good or evil, possessed absolute conviction in themselves.

This was the first time Nolan had learned that Origins could actually change.

The ability itself dealt no direct damage and appeared extremely abstract. But Nolan understood that the more abstract a manifested ability was, the closer its Origin came to the “conceptual level.”

Didn’t that mean his current Origin had surpassed the level of his previous life’s “Bedrock”?

And this was only the “Manifestation” stage. Beyond it still lay the stages of “Expression,” “Awakening,” and “Perfect Sanctification.”

Now he was even more curious—what exactly would his Origin Power become once it fully awakened?

Turning to the two ultimate skills of the Paladin class, he found them equally astonishing.

【Sacred Body】: The blessings and faith of the Mother Goddess infuse your entire body, granting immunity to all diseases, curses, and poisons below Tier Five. Can be actively cast upon others, restoring HP equal to 80% of the Paladin’s maximum health and removing all aforementioned negative effects. During the cooldown period after active use, the self-immunity effect becomes inactive. Cooldown: 5 hours.

【Supreme Evil-Breaking Slash】: Gain up to 5 “Divine Favor” markers refreshed daily. When a melee attack hits, one “Divine Favor” may be consumed to deal an additional 100% Holy Flame damage. If the target is undead or demonic, damage is increased by an additional 100%.

The final effectiveness of both skills could apparently be enhanced through “the faith of others.”

Nolan discovered that both Glory Guardian and Paladin, these hidden classes, were exceptionally balanced with offense and defense alike. The Paladin’s ultimate skills were even rare growth-type abilities!

The only issue was this “faith of others”…

Nolan honestly had no idea how to handle that. He had never played the role of some holy prophet before. Still, no matter what, from this moment onward, he finally felt as though he had truly stepped onto the right path.

Forget fighting a normal Gold rank one-on-one—if “Executioner” Yuri and “Frost Wolf” Fenrir teamed up and attacked him together now, he still would not fear them.

***

The sky gradually darkened, and when the silhouette of Coldsteel City finally appeared on the horizon, everyone in the long procession visibly perked up.

Unlike the lifeless atmosphere during Lord Haus’s rule, the city walls remained brightly lit even after nightfall, lined with torches and vigilant patrol guards.

Within the dim evening, the sentries atop the wall quickly spotted their massive convoy.

Soon, the tightly shut gates slowly opened with the heavy rumbling of machinery, and the drawbridge descended.

“The lord has returned!”

“We won!!”

A cheer erupted from atop the walls, spreading from person to person until it echoed throughout all of Coldsteel City.

Nolan rode at the front as he slowly led the procession into the city.

Both sides of the streets were already packed with residents who had rushed over after hearing the news. Instead of returning home early as usual, they had gathered voluntarily with torches and oil lamps in hand, welcoming the victorious heroes with their loudest cheers.

“Long live Lord Nolan!”

“Black Armored Legion! Well done!”

Nolan, Hank, and the others were already somewhat accustomed to scenes like this and simply smiled and waved in acknowledgment.

But for those members of the Black Armored Legion experiencing such treatment for the first time, their faces flushed red with excitement. Their chests straightened proudly, and even their manner of walking became noticeably more imposing. For the first time, they truly understood what glory meant.

Even Rehanna, Renee, and Kayan were stirred by the passionate atmosphere, their hearts surging with emotion. This was the place they fought for and protected. The feeling of being acknowledged by the people was far more satisfying than any wealth or status.

Under Hank’s leadership, the Black Armored Legion headed toward the military camp outside the city for rest and reorganization, while the prisoners would also be temporarily housed there.

Nolan, meanwhile, returned to the lord’s manor with several of his core companions.

The entrance to the manor was brightly illuminated. Anna and the alchemy master Leus had already been waiting there for quite some time.

As Nolan and the others dismounted, Anna immediately stepped forward. Her usually calm eyes were now filled with unconcealed relief and joy. “My lord, everyone… you’ve worked hard.”

“With the chief steward personally coming out to welcome us this late at night, I suddenly don’t feel nearly as tired anymore.” Nolan laughed as he rolled his shoulders. Even he felt exhausted after such a battle, but he deliberately kept his tone light so Anna would not worry.

In response, Anna shot him a mildly reproachful glare.

Once inside the courtyard, Nolan told everyone to go rest before preparing to head toward his bedroom.

Vivi and Little Donnie chattered excitedly about the day’s achievements, Rehanna went to arrange the manor’s defenses, and Kayan intended to offer prayers to the Mother Goddess. Everyone had their own matters to attend to.

Suddenly, Nolan seemed to remember something. He stopped, turned around, and spoke to Ailindel, who had been quietly following at his side the entire time. “Oh right, Ailin. There’s something I need to discuss with you. Come to my room for a moment.”

Ailindel paused briefly, then nodded. Without asking a single question, she followed Nolan upstairs.

That scene happened to fall directly into the eyes of Anna and Vivi not far away.

The gentle smile on Anna’s face instantly stiffened.

Vivi’s tiger ears shot upright in alertness as she glared at Ailindel’s back, puffing her cheeks unhappily.

What kind of matter… absolutely has to be discussed in the bedroom? And why didn’t he call me too?

The exact same thought surfaced in both girls’ minds at the same time, and the air itself seemed to fill with a faint sourness.