Becoming a god starts with enhancing fire arrows.

"Avira, what do you think?"

The two hurriedly retreated as soon as they left the church, and Rhodes asked the elf princess questions along the way.

Avira thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, his expression when you tricked him with the hammer at the end didn't seem fake."

"They probably genuinely didn't know about the petrification disease."

"Yes." Rhodes nodded.

This aligns with my own thoughts.

Based on the transactions and the questioning, all the questions point to Mayor Phoenix.

Meanwhile, Nathan is looking to purchase a large quantity of alchemical equipment engraved with magic runes, but it's unclear what he intends to do with it.

and many more.

Rhodes had a flash of inspiration, and some fragmented clues seemed to come together.

He remembered that when he was communicating with the psychic Rotting Tongue Hagra, the other party mentioned that someone had used the Black Hand to exchange a large number of people for alchemical knowledge related to potions.

At the time, I had a hunch that this person was very likely the alchemist Nathan.

Although Nathan was a mid-level alchemist, potions had always been his weakness, while Rot Tongue was a hag who was good at potions and curses.

I had just taken on Nathan's task a while ago.

The content is about finding a large batch of herbs he purchased.

Now, through "Black Hand," Iron Hammer is frequently purchasing alchemy equipment for engraving magic runes.

What does he want to do?

Rhodes's thoughts shifted: Is it possible that he genuinely believed petrification was a contagious disease and was preparing to concoct a cure?

No, that's not right.

If he were that responsible, he should have taken action six months ago.

Moreover, they could have openly and honestly commissioned Iron Hammer to make the alchemy equipment, instead of choosing to sneak around through "black hands".

Rhodes began to doubt himself again.

In short, Nathan is about to make some big moves.

I don't know if Chairman Stanley is aware of this; I need to find a way to meet with him.

"Now that you've gotten the information you wanted from Iron Hammer, shall we return to the Sunset District tomorrow?"

us?

Rhodes didn't pay attention to Ivy's choice of words. He shook his head and said, "Don't rush off. Explore the cellar beneath the abandoned church tomorrow night."

"There might be an unexpected discovery."

There's an old saying in my hometown: "Since we're already here..."

......

Inside the abandoned church.

The dwarf Ironhammer slowly opened his eyes.

He had confirmed that the two men who had attacked him earlier had indeed gone far away.

There was no confusion in his eyes from being knocked unconscious; he simply turned his head slightly and spoke to the empty seat next to him:

"When did you arrive?"

The seats next to me appeared to be empty, yet a slight vibration emanated from the air, producing a sound.

"I arrived even earlier than you; after all, I have to ensure the safety of Phil's top craftsman, don't I?"

The voice was full of mockery.

"Tch." Iron Hammer scoffed, "You're just checking to see if I've done what you asked me to do, aren't you?"

The transparent figure wasn't annoyed at being exposed; instead, it chuckled softly.

"That's certainly one aspect. Your acting when you were being questioned was very convincing; your expression even fooled me."

Iron Hammer wiped his neck with his hand; there was still blood on his cut skin. He was somewhat dissatisfied.

"Who exactly are they that you value them so much?"

The transparent figure's voice seemed to become particularly happy:

"Hehe, that's not something you should be concerned about."

"From now on, you should focus all your energy on the alchemy equipment that Nathan needs. Once you get back, start manufacturing the third batch immediately."

Upon hearing Nathan's name, Hammer felt a surge of anger rise within him: "If you have nothing else to say, then get lost."

The other person's tone remained cheerful and teasing:

"I don't intend to chat idly anyway; I have other work to do."

"By the way, I suggest you hire some guards for your house. Goodbye."

After saying the last sentence.

There was no further sound coming from the seats next to us.

Hammer was the only one left in the silent church.

He kicked the dilapidated wooden bench in frustration and turned to walk towards the church entrance.

......

Rhodes tidied up the bed.

He fluffed up the pillows and smoothed out the blankets.

During the process, he noticed that Avira kept glancing in their direction, so he looked up and asked:

"Is there something you need?"

Avira's face flushed red, like a ripe apple.

She seemed to be struggling with how to start the conversation, hesitating for a long time before finally asking, "Are we going to sleep now?"

Rhodes didn't understand what she was trying to say: "What else? You have other projects to do?"

Avira puffed out her chest, trying to make her tone fierce: "Then let's make it clear in advance."

"First, you are not allowed to take off your clothes when you sleep."

"Secondly, I'm very alert when I sleep at night, so don't even think about sneaking up here."

"Third, you are not allowed to use darkvision or similar spells to peek this way!"

"If you dare look at me even once more, I'll snap your neck."

What is this guy saying?

Rhodes scoffed.

You make it sound like I care about you a lot.

She was just an elven princess with exquisite features, radiant eyes, elegant demeanor, graceful figure, voluptuous figure, and a touch of allure in her eyes.

What's so great about it?

Rhodes declared righteously, "I have neither learned the magic of darkvision nor would I take off my clothes, lest someone with ulterior motives drool over my body."

"You? What kind of figure can a novice mage have?" Avira curled her lip.

That's because you haven't seen my six-pack abs.

Rhodes retorted in the same tone: "You? One..."

He was halfway through his sentence when his eyes unconsciously glanced at the other person's figure, and he couldn't bring himself to say the rest.

"Hmph." Avira straightened her back confidently. "Also, from now on, I won't touch a single drop of the food or water you offer me."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Rhodes frowned.

Avira burrowed under the covers, not even peeking out: "Don't try to fool me, I've seen it all in the illustrated storybooks of you human nobles."

"Many people carry those two drugs with them, one to make them unconscious, and the other..."

"I...I'd rather jump off this cliff than eat a single bite of your food!"

Rhodes thought to himself, "Your reading volume is higher than mine."

He declared righteously, "What kind of rubbish are these illustrated storybooks? Don't look at them anymore. Any more of these things, leave them to me to deal with!"

As he spoke, he casually extinguished the kerosene lamp.

The room was plunged into darkness in an instant. Rhodes heard rustling sounds coming from Avira's bed, as if she were pulling the blankets tighter around herself.

Rhodes didn't pay attention and leaned against the headboard.

From this spot, you can see the starry sky outside the window.

The stars twinkled in the deep night.

I don't think I've ever seen so many stars before this journey.

He just stared at the stars outside the window.

after awhile.

Avira poked her head out from under the covers: "What are you thinking about?"

Rhodes said in a deep voice:

"I was wondering if elves could only sleep lying down or prone, and not on their sides?"

"Given the structure of elves' long, pointed ears, rolling over could very likely cause them to break."

Avira, who was lying down: ?