Chapter 240: The Rose of Strasbourg

More than a dozen students from Sheffield University seemed to have opened the floodgates of gossip, recalling everything they knew about Charlot Mecklenburg.

Even Sophia Gallanord suddenly remembered this “senior.”

Indeed, Charlot had been an obscure figure during his school years, so when Sophia reminisced about the outstanding seniors of the past, she had no memory of anyone named Mecklenburg. However, when someone mentioned the man who had wooed the West Wind Goddess of Gorgias University, it wasn’t just the students of Gorgias who knew of him—Charlot’s name was also famous at Sheffield.

After all, Charlot was their senior, and many younger students felt a subtle sense of pride, as though his achievements reflected on them.

This feeling was peculiar yet profound, instilling a sudden and unwavering trust in Charlot among this group of students.

Sophia Gallanord noticed that Charlot’s expression seemed a bit grim and quickly said, “So you’re Senior Charlot. We’re willing to follow your commands entirely.”

Charlot’s heart stirred as he asked, “I have intelligence that needs to be sent to Strasbourg, but I have no way to deliver it. If any of you can infiltrate Strasbourg and relay this information, I will offer my full support.”

“This time, the orcs have gathered more than a dozen Saint-ranked shaman mages. They might use a Great Wind Spell to stir up dust and sand, attempting to bury Strasbourg.”

Sophia Gallanord wasn’t surprised by the news. She replied, “Senior, if that’s the message, there’s no need to send it to Strasbourg.”

“Strasbourg has at least forty or fifty Saint-ranked individuals. A mere dozen or so orc Saint-ranked shaman mages can’t make any waves.”

“Even the orcs’ Great Wind Spell can be countered by many of our Saints.”

Charlot blushed slightly. Coming from a humble background, he was unaware that Strasbourg harbored so many hidden Saint-ranked individuals, nor did he understand the levels beyond Saint rank.

Sophia Gallanord’s words eased his concerns slightly. He said, “Since there’s no need to deliver the message, we’ll patrol the periphery of the orc army for now.”

“I suggest you all treat your injuries first. There may be many battles ahead.”

As soon as Charlot finished speaking, a young man tore off a small piece of his own skin, revealing a black cloth pouch. He said, “I have the finest Radiant Holy Water.”

“Sophia, you’re the strongest among us and were injured the most while protecting us. You should quickly recover your strength. Take all this Radiant Holy Water.”

Sophia Gallanord hesitated several times but ultimately accepted. From the pouch, she took out a slender ceramic bottle and gently poured its contents onto her arm. A white mist rose as the liquid touched her skin, and the sound of cracking bones filled the air as her broken arm miraculously healed.

After tending to her wounds, Sophia hesitated briefly before tilting her graceful neck to drink a few drops of the liquid. Her complexion immediately turned rosy, a clear sign that her condition had improved significantly.

Sophia passed the bottle to another injured companion and said, “Inod, you should heal yourself too. You’re a Dark Knight, the best among us in direct combat.”

The injured man didn’t hesitate. He took the bottle and drank a small sip.

The bottle was passed from one to another. Almost all the young people were injured, many severely. Some of their companions, more gravely wounded, had already been killed by the orcs and used as food.

The young man who had produced the black cloth pouch looked pained. He had intended to curry favor with his goddess, but Sophia had distributed the Holy Water to everyone.

Sophia handed the pouch back to him and said, “Once we return to Strasbourg, I’ll repay you double.”

The young man hesitated to respond but ultimately didn’t say that repayment was unnecessary.

Charlot found their interactions amusing and refrained from interrupting. After the group regained some strength, he ordered his subordinates to bring out a batch of weapons for them to choose from.

Inod selected a knight’s lance, while the others picked weapons suited to them. Sophia hesitated briefly and asked, “Do you have a knight’s lance of slightly better quality?”

Charlot was a bit surprised and asked, “Aren’t you an Umbra Sorceress?”

The young man who had offered the Radiant Holy Water interjected boastfully, “Sophia isn’t just a Tier Seven Umbra Sorceress; she’s also a Tier Six Dark Knight. The twelve goddesses of Gorgias may be beautiful, but the Rose of Sheffield is the most radiant flower among the four imperial universities.”

Charlot nodded slightly, recalling a person Julian Arsilo had once mentioned. He casually asked, “Have you heard of the Rose of Strasbourg?”

Sophia’s dirt-streaked face turned slightly red, and she said, “That’s me.”

“You’ve heard of my nickname?”

Charlot nodded. “I graduated years ago and am not as familiar with the school anymore. Still, a fellow named Julian mentioned it to me once.”

“I didn’t…”

Charlot’s brain abruptly halted mid-sentence, narrowly avoiding saying, “I only know about the Empire’s First Rose.” That would have been far too tactless.

Sophia asked curiously, “Julian?”

Charlot nodded again. “He’s said to rival you in fame. They call him the youngest Skybreaker of Byron, Julian Arsilo.”

Sophia and the other young students from Gorgias University gasped in unison. While Charlot knew little of Julian, this group was well-informed. How could they not know the most exceptional individuals under twenty from the five great empires? These figures were their future rivals, challenges they aspired to overcome, and sources of both envy and admiration.

Seeing their reactions, Charlot grew curious but decided not to pursue the topic. Instead, he said casually, “Speaking of Julian, I just remembered that I have a decent knight’s lance. However, it’s a commemorative piece, so I can only lend it to you.”

With a light clap, a Redback Bear warrior brought over a weapon named Whaleslayer, also known as Lion’s Fang. Before heading to Strasbourg, Charlot had prepared an extra knight’s lance, anticipating fierce battles.

Sophia accepted the lance, stunned after taking a single look. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Is this Whaleslayer?”

Charlot nodded.

Sophia pressed further, “Was it Count Lamorak’s weapon?”

Charlot smiled faintly. “Yes. Not long ago, during my diplomatic mission to the Ingrima Empire, Ban Lamorak insisted on a duel. Witnessed by Emperor Alfred Guillaume on the Seventais River, I defeated him, and he surrendered this lance to me.”

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