CHAPTER 9(Edited)

We searched for my flying mount for 3 days, but no sign of the sucker.

Is he perhaps, aware that we're looking for him?

These chains of mountains are pretty extensive as well, there are plenty of hiding places for him to use them. So, if he so wishes not to show himself to us, there's not much we can do about it.

In this situation, we can only wait and pray that he may grace us with his presence...

The children are getting a bit homesick. It seems they don't like staying too long away from their woods.

So, soon enough it will be just me and Thamnrel.

He may grumble a lot, but he's a good friend. I'm still deciding if I wanna ask him to join me on my journey or not.

It's most likely he will refuse anyway.

They isolated themselves for a reason, after all...

"Ahh, how can't we find him? He's the size of a small keep, dammit!" I grumbled with annoyance.

Ooh, when we locate him. And we will. I'll put his sorry ass to work overtime for a week. That's a promise...

"He possibly flew away in the night, where we couldn't see him. If so, he's miles away by now. We should go back, there's nothing more to do in this rocky place" Suggested Thamnrell.

He may be right. We can see relatively well in the dark. The children thanks to their special eyes, and me because of my race perks.

However, at the same time, there are too many obstacles blocking our eyesight, thus hindering the search...

But damm. If that's the case....then he's a sneaky bastard for sure. For we have enhanced hearing as well.

...I want him more now.

"Sigh, alright. We leave tomorrow morning then. I'm going to set up my camp. Come on Fluffy, let's sleep a little. Night to you all" I waved at them so that they cease the search.

Finally, we're able to take some sleep after 3 days of staying awake.

Fluffy stayed most of the time in the carriage, being cared for by the female shamans, he didn't accept staying with his kin, so I had to bring him too.

But he's my personal hugging pillow, so whatever...

Receiving nods of recognition, I began to walk to a hidden lake amidst the caves, to wash off the dirt and relax my limbs bit.

It wasn't hard to look inside the gaps that were big enough to possibly shelter the big lizard, but I enjoy a good bath regardless of it.

Arriving inside the said cave, I stopped before the lake, taking off my clothes and putting the lazy bunny on it. The cave was massive, sizing at least 50-60 feet tall, with glowing blue mushrooms stuck in the walls.

An amazing spot to be in the middle of nowhere...

The lake wasn't that deep, just up to my chest area when I'm seated. Its water was clear as crystal, the moonlight shining through a hole in the rocky ceiling, providing a calm atmosphere which I enjoyed, along with the soothing sound of the mountain winds.

"Haa, I gotta make a jacuzzi for my future ship. If I'm going to travel around, I better do it in modern comfort." I slumped in the water, closing my eyes, feeling the water washing my body's dirt away.

Well, to make that happen, I first need a ship big enough to accommodate a small crew or bigger.

And what better ship than one that's free to take?

I'm talking about the pirates, slavers, and the worst of humanity ones. Specifically, the ones on the shores of this continent:

{Basilisk Isles:

-Life and its Inhabitants: The Basilisk Isles are a group of islands off the northwestern coast of Sothoryos, on the Summer Sea.

They are named after the basilisks that once infested them.

The mud-and-blood towns of the Basilisk Isles teem with escaped slaves, slavers, skinners, whores, hunters, brindled men, and worse. Corsair towns and pirate lairs—which reuse names like Black Pudding, Port Plunder, Sty, and Whore's Gash—spring up and are quickly abandoned.

Life on the islands is described as nasty, brutal, and often short. The isles are hot, humid, and swarming with stinging flies, sand fleas, and bloodworms, making them unhealthy for both man and beast.

- Main Locations: The Isle of Tears, located in the bay off the northwestern coast of Sothoryos where Gogossos once stood;

.The Isle of Toads, located east of Basilisk Point and home to

the mysterious Toad Stone made of oily black stone;

.The Isle of Flies, is located on the western end of the isles.

.The Howling Mountain;

.Talon, a large, claw-shaped island north of the Isle of Tears, home to the corsairs' slave market and Barter Beach;

.Skull Isle, the northernmost of the Basilisks, where the corsairs deliver skulls to some dark god;

.Ax Isle, located northeast of Zamettar and southeast of Skull Island...}

I'm planning to go to Talon first, free the slaves and kill the rest...

Those scum don't deserve to breathe for one more second.

It may sound like a crazy plan at first since they are some influential people backing those kinds of businesses.

But, their kind is disorganized, without discipline. A surprise swift attack should do the job.

And if I play correctly, no one will recognize it was me. Not that matters anyway...

I believe this body was never seen before, so no problem there. A simple mask will do...

Therefore, my first battle with numerous enemies will begin when I have gathered enough allies for the crusade!

The children won't be of much help, since they are an isolated tribe, not moving until poked...

But my small army can already follow simple, strategic commands, without needing a guide.

So, I believe that along with my water and nature magic, the whole thing may be over in three to five days top.

I already have hundreds of giant venomous reptilians, medium, to small size wyverns, white vampire bats that can suck a man's blood in minutes, giant, skin-laying eggs wasps, along with other deadly mammals such as giants felines.

And, for those unfortunate enough to try to escape through the waters. There're thousands of carnivorous fishes that can tear a man in seconds, just waiting for a human prey to fall into its domain.

There's going to be some chaos when the slaver's cities come to know of this. But I'll probably be on my way to the Summer Isles when the news arrives, so it won't have anything to do with me by then...

Well, that's for later, at least.

Now, I just want to appreciate this peace and calm...

"Enjoy your lives while you can, for I'll come for them later" I muttered, laying my back on the border of the moonlight lake.

Slowly, the cave's comfort took me...

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[2 hours later]

"*Groan* That was a nice nap...I don't even feel sore after laying here for so long" I yawed, waking up from my short nap.

I should probably sleep more, but this body doesn't let me. A blessing, and a curse, in my opinion...

3 days of walking around, but just a few hours to recover until top condition...I'm the ideal worker every office chief wants.

"*Low Grunt* *Glug, glug*" I stopped rising from my sitting position when I heard soft shifting and drinking noises, prompting me to look towards the source.

Oh. "....Found you, you big hidden emo" I exclaimed quietly, but with a large-toothed smile hanging from my face.

"*Glup-?" He finally stopped drinking the lake water, raising his nozzle-like giant mouth to glance at me...

I tilted my head slightly, "Phew, you're a big one, aren't you champ?" I whistled impressed.

With two folded wings the size of a truck, as well as the same number of back legs. Along with a thick neck, chest, and tail. All are coated in onyx black scales that seem to shimmer a bit in the presence of moonlight.

Finally, dozens of intimidating large sharp teeth showed themselves whenever he moved to the sides. But when disregarded, made way to large, fascinating, bright jade-colored eyes...

This 30 or something feet giant lizard is now 20 meters to me. Not dangerously, nor friendly, but cautiously observing every move I make, as if deciding my worth...

This isn't going to be an easy feat, will it?

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Yehah! Art is finally getting the flying mount he wanted so much.

Let's see what he's gonna do now that he's face-to-face with it!

That's all! thanks for reading it, leave a comment, suggestion, or even more, a review to better share this work, I really love you guys' support in any way possible, so thanks!

See you next chapter!