Chapter 100: Solen Again Part 2

And so, our ruthless hunt began. From red sea lions to giant water bears, white marlins, and even dozens of sea goblins strung together with black seaweed…

We offered so much prey that it seemed we had wiped out the nearby sea goblin population. Around that time, the female Kraken finally responded.

She lightly waved her tentacles in sync with Ken's movements!

As expected, this was the best method.

Like most strong monsters, the Kraken hunted alone and survived alone. Offering food to such a creature was a huge sign of goodwill.

Just keep this up, Ken.

Although I had never succeeded in romance in reality, I was glad to be able to help you. Ah, why does it feel like tears are falling…

Anyway, after I showed Ken how to win her favor, I returned to my original purpose and reminded him of the rules. Don't appear near the coast, don't touch humans, don't attack ships, and stay inside the dungeon as much as possible… He was quite unhappy with the last rule. It seemed to be because of the female Kraken.

The Abyss is still dangerous for you.

After coaxing and soothing Ken appropriately, I ended the spirit communion. Hopefully, he would listen to me for a while. He was so infatuated with that female Kraken that I wasn't sure what would happen.

Ken's growth was much faster than I had expected. Although the growth rate of Krakens varied, considering the relatively short time I had spent in Lysette, it was surprising that he had already grown enough to be ready for breeding…

I might have to let him go soon.

Since he had stayed in the Echaits Sea dungeon and wiped out the sea goblin population, it wouldn't be bad to send him off at the right time. Who knows what might happen if he lingers near the Echaits Sea after reaching adulthood.

I felt a bittersweet mix of emotions.

It seemed I had spent quite a long time in spirit communication, as the water had become lukewarm. I finished my bath and stepped out of the tub.

Maybe I'll write in my journal for the first time in a while.

I put on my robe and sat at the small table. I took out an old book and used [Breath of the Forest] to create a small breeze to dry my hair as I began writing about recent events.

Or at least, I tried to.

– Hoo…

The previously steady candle suddenly went out and the room was engulfed in darkness. A chill ran down my spine, making every hair on my body stand on end.

I put down the quill I was holding and slowly looked around. There was no noticeable change. Even Ayla just looked around without barking.

Was it because of the breeze from [Breath of the Forest]?

But the breeze didn't even go near the candle.

I lit the candle again. Maybe it was just my imagination. Thinking that, I picked up the quill again…

– Hoo!

The candle went out again.

"…"

At this point, it couldn't be a coincidence. I stood up and scanned the area. Thanks to the trait 'Eyes that Pierce the Darkness' from the [Guardian of the Black Forest] achievement, the darkness didn't hinder me at all.

"Cuscus."

However, one could never be too careful. I quietly summoned Demarcushel and placed my hand on the dagger at my waist. Then I slowly approached the only possible entry point for an intruder. The window.

– Caw, caw, caw…

In the distance, the sound of cawing crows and flapping wings could be heard.

No way…

I quickly threw open the window and looked around outside. Black feathers fluttered down near the windowsill. Damn it, damn it, damn it! Someone had been watching me. Were they using a familiar? I wanted to catch them immediately, but the crow was already too far away.

I grabbed a pigeon that had been sleeping near the roof, whispered an incantation, and sent it flying towards where the crow had disappeared. The pigeon was startled from its sleep and wobbled through the night sky. I used the pigeon in a hurry, but could it really track the crow?

Just when things seemed to be going well, something like this happens right after leaving Lysette.

It was troublesome to be watched already…

I looked at the night sky with a troubled expression.

The next day.

I found the dead pigeon not far from the inn. The pigeon was completely charred black as if it had been burned by magic.

I have an enemy in Solen.

This was a very clear message. An unmistakable warning! After burying the dead pigeon under a nearby bush, I offered a small prayer.

I will definitely avenge you.

Although I had only met the pigeon yesterday, I felt sorry for getting it caught up in such a situation. I planted white violets at the spot where I had buried the pigeon and returned to the inn. Lloyd and El who were having breakfast greeted me.

"Master! Where have you been since morning?"

"Just for a walk."

I gave a short reply and sat down before asking the innkeeper for breakfast. A simple, warm cream stew and freshly baked bread were brought out. I picked up my spoon and said,

"Listen without getting surprised."

"..."

"It seems like we're being watched."

Thanks to the warning, they didn't react too strongly, though El's eyes widened a bit.

"Since at least last night. I don't know who or what their purpose is yet."

"I see."

"It's probably not with good intentions."

"That's likely."

"It could be crows."

-Crows?

It wasn't Lloyd and El who reacted to the word crows, but Demarcushel from my shadow.

-If it's the crows, you should have told me sooner!

"Don't get excited, Cuscus."

-We should have killed them yesterday!

The shadow under the table flickered. I silenced it with a "Shh."

"We still don't know if it's crows or not. Besides, yesterday was already…"

-I could have caught them.

"No, you can't leave me. You wouldn't have caught them."

It was uncertain whether they had really flown away or used magic. In such a situation, I couldn't send Demarcushel out. I teasingly kicked the shadow once and resumed my meal.

"So, during our stay in Solen, we need to be cautious. It doesn't seem like anything will happen immediately, though."

Lloyd and El nodded their heads.

Well, it wasn't a situation to be greatly worried about. This was because Solen, as a country of wizards had a powerful wizard vigilante group. Moreover, because it was a city-state, it was small in size and had fewer people compared to other countries. So it was easier to identify suspects if anything happened.

So, even if something were to happen, it wouldn't happen here in Solen.

The moment we left Solen… something was more likely to happen on the outskirts of the Barak Empire or on the sea route to the Echaits Union.

Was it at least a relief that we'd be safe in Solen?

There wasn't anything I could do about it right now anyway. So, I had to stick to the original plan.

Khalid.

Yes, the mad wizard I first met in Solen.

I planned to deal with him again because the black opium grown in the dimensional garden had thrived wonderfully. Harvesting them all and selling them to Khalid would surely bring in a substantial amount of money. Perhaps I could even exchange them for special items, like when I bought the space ring from him.

"Today, I'm going to meet a wizard. Someone I met once before…"

"Is he problematic?"

"Yes. Honestly, he seems to have many issues."

"His name?"

"Khalid."

"…"

For a moment, Lloyd's face hardened.

"Do you know the name?"

"…I know it."

What was with this uneasy reaction? I narrowed my eyes and examined Lloyd's expression. Normally, his expression remained unchanged in most situations, but this time, he looked both reluctant and uneasy as he gazed into the distance.

"What's your relationship with him?"

"...."

"An old comrade?"

"…You could say that."

Good grief.

I didn't expect such an answer. The wandering knight and the mad wizard knew each other? They were even old comrades?!

I was dying to know the story behind this, but Lloyd didn't seem like he'd share it openly. What a shame… Maybe I could subtly ask over a drink later?

"That's good news."

Lloyd's expression showed no agreement, but I continued speaking with a bright smile.

"If he's an old comrade, he might welcome you warmly, right? I've only dealt with Khalid once, so it would be great if you could come with me, Lloyd."

"That…"

"El, you look around the inn with Ayla. You might find some clues."

"Yes, Master!"

I stood up before Lloyd could refuse.

"Well, shall we go then?"

"…"

Fortunately, Lloyd followed without further protest. What a tactless fellow. If he didn't want to go, he should just say so honestly. No, he probably didn't want to be honest about it… What could the story be?

As I walked, lost in these thoughts, we arrived at Khalid's mansion before I knew it. The atmosphere was still eerie and unsettling. I carefully knocked on the rusty door.

-Thump, thump, thump.

After waiting a moment, the door opened. Despite it being midday, the interior of the mansion was dark and reeked of mold and dust. Ugh, I really didn't want to go in. As I stood there for a moment trying to catch my breath, the golem that was opening the door looked at me blankly.

"We, we're coming in."

"…"

Lloyd and I slowly stepped inside. With a heavy thud, the door slammed shut behind us. What an ominous sound.

"Where is Khalid?"

When I asked the golem, it began to slowly ascend the stairs as if it were guiding us. We followed it up the creaky old steps.

-Screech…

The golem carefully opened a door that seemed to lead to a laboratory. Inside, a slow green glow flickered. Could we go in? I cleared my throat and called out his name.

"…Khalid?"

At that moment, a huge green flame erupted from within.

-Boom!!!