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Dragon Shield

Zatanos listened attentively and approached the deep pit where Mephisto had discovered the Old Demon's remains, laid beside the gaping chasm.

The Old Demon's demise was gruesome—his body largely torn asunder, bearing scorched wounds and faint traces of peculiar energy fluctuations.

These fluctuations, remnants of the Holy Light, though dissipating, evoked a sense of threat and familiarity in Zatanos, a potent demon lord.

"This...," flames flickered atop his head, triggering a distant memory.

Mephisto joined him, "Recognize this power?"

Zatanos hesitated, "I recall encountering a similar power from an Asgardian some fifteen hundred years ago."

Mephisto nodded knowingly, "It aligns; the outsider indeed resembles an Asgardian."

"Damn Asgardians!" Zatanos clenched his fists at the sight of the Old Demon's tragic remains.

"How did he escape?" Zatanos demanded.

"Mastery of potent teleportation magic," Mephisto explained calmly.

After a pause, Mephisto turned to Blackheart, "It's time to return."

"Yes, Father," Blackheart glanced briefly at Zatanos before following Mephisto.

Observing their departure, Zatanos narrowed his eyes, pondering deeply.

Moon.

A flicker of holy light and Forseti materialized beside the Hearthstone.

After purging the venom from his system and resting briefly, Forseti perused the ledger, tallying his spoils from the journey through Hell, which included scores of demon heads, large and small.

Each devil yielded a reward, predominantly standard spatial grids, scrap blueprints, and novice experience tomes.

Among more significant rewards were fragments of Divine Shield spells, sufficient to offset recent expenditures on a strategic retreat.

Also procured: a tome of Zhou Zhuo's insights, complementing Forseti's previous acquisition of Brian Bronzebeard's treatise—a collection now complete.

A large space was a newfound reward—a cubic meter in volume, dwarfing standard capacities, suitable for myriad uses.

Additionally, a blueprint emerged: Dragon Shield.

**Dragon Shield**

Standard Item Level: Level 6

Main Materials: Dark Iron, Dragon Blood, Mountain Blood

The Dragon Shield, though not the mightiest in Azeroth, boasted enduring renown. Once ubiquitous, favored for its anti-infantry and anti-cavalry prowess, it later became a cherished heirloom in many households, his remembered his frequent use of it in the game .

Presently disinterested in mounted combat, Forseti stowed the blueprint aside, envisioning a future wielding dual weaponry—a testament to his burgeoning combat versatility.

All in all, the journey through Hell proved fruitful. Save for the unexpected encounter with Demon King Mephisto, Forseti might have deemed the expedition relaxing, possibly repeating the endeavor the following day.

However, the encounter with Mephisto compelled deeper reflection—such ventures should remain infrequent.

An inadvertent meeting with Mephisto likely invites the attention of other demon lords, even those of lesser stature, surpassing Forseti's current capabilities, including that of Odin within Hell's confines.

Contemplatively, Forseti revisited the Sanctuary, delving into the Wrath of Vengeance spellbook.

Mastery of Wrath of Vengeance demanded the Holy Light Affinity physique—an unattainable prerequisite before, now achievable.

With Holy Light Affinity, even mastering such formidable spells proved effortless; indeed, mastering Wrath of Vengeance consumed a mere three months.

Three months later, on a lunar clearing.

**Wrath of Vengeance!**

Forseti willed it, and holy light radiated, enveloping him in luminance.

In an instant, brilliant golden wings sprouted from his back, casting him in the likeness of a celestial envoy—majestic and resplendent.

The appearance of these wings infused Forseti with an overwhelming surge of power.

To his surprise, these wings weren't mere adornment but held practical utility.

With a gentle flutter, they generated robust lift, effortlessly elevating Forseti tens of meters into the air.

Balancing with his magic floating cloak, Forseti acclimated to the newfound capability, stabilizing himself mid-flight.

With a firm grasp of control, he launched into the sky, a radiant golden streak hurtling towards the cosmos.

Despite preparation, the velocity stunned Forseti, momentarily disrupting his balance until he regained composure amidst the starry expanse.

"Phew—" Landing back on solid ground, Forseti exhaled deeply.

He hadn't anticipated such potent capabilities from the wings, foreseeing substantial gains in strength upon activating Wrath of Vengeance.

Indeed, the signature spell of paladins!

After familiarizing himself with flight using the holy wings, Forseti returned to the pyramid as the Wrath of Vengeance spell duration lapsed.

En route, he consulted the ledger.

With Wrath of Vengeance mastered, he reviewed requirements for unlocking fifth-tier spells.

Six spells comprised the fifth tier: Holy Warhorse, Retribution Aura, Holy Prism, Holy Storm, Lay on Hands, and Seraph.

Of these, Holy Storm and Lay on Hands beckoned most irresistibly, stoking Forseti's anticipation.

Yet, reviewing tome's stipulations, Forseti frowned, delving into thought.

**Unlocking Condition for Level 5 Spells:**

Establish a knighthood, comprising at least three eligible new paladins, specializing in holy, retributive, and defensive prowess...

Post-formation, access to Holy Warhorse and other fifth-tier spells becomes available.

Found a knighthood?