Chapter 41: Finding the Crows Part 2

Thanks to the generosity of Agni of the western magic tower, we were able to rest for an additional two days after completing our mission before departing.

While arriving at the western magic tower was convenient and quick via the portal, leaving was a different story. We had to cross a rugged desert, so I purchased desert-appropriate carriage wheels and various supplies before leaving the tower.

Fortunately, Storm (horse) quickly adapted to the desert. As soon as he was equipped with goggles to shield against the hot sand winds and a saddle designed for desert travel, he galloped with the vigor of a desert camel, as if he had been eagerly awaiting this moment. It seemed he had piled up a tremendous amount of energy while we were venturing through the swamp of death.

I guess we might be able to reach Rabata faster than expected.

Our next destination was the Echaits Union. Since we needed to cross the sea, the plan was to pass through the port city of Rabata. Although Lambeth was a closer port city, it was better to go through Rabata, where I was quite famous, even if it was a bit further away.

It might take about five days.

Crossing the desert was not only dangerous but also an exceedingly tedious journey. Thanks to the blade-like sunlight and endless sand dunes, many people on the continent were fed up with Roshan.

For anyone other than wizards or the nobility, crossing the desert was nothing short of a constant pain.

However, my situation was different.

Though I was neither a wizard nor a noble, as a druid, I was well-versed in plants that could make desert travel more comfortable.

Firstly, I planted a huge parasol tree atop our carriage. This subspecies of the umbrella tree, true to its name, possessed leaves ideally shaped to block out sunlight which made it perfect for shielding us from the desert's scorching sun.

Moreover, I had planted insulating grass on the underside of the carriage, which absorbed the surrounding heat and kept the interior pleasantly cool.

The cost of maintaining this setup was merely two low-grade magic stones.

It was an incredible effect that I could enjoy thanks to being a druid.

"El, shall we switch soon?"

I leaned out of the carriage and spoke to El who had been driving for quite some time.

"I'm fine!"

"It's been three hours. Let's switch. Come down for some ice, and take a break with Ayla."

"Ah…."

Before El could respond, I whistled to bring Storm to a halt and switched places with her.

"Thank you, master. Please call on me again whenever you're tired."

"Alright. Now go inside."

Though the parasol tree provided shade from the scorching sun, the air outside was still fiercely hot compared to the inside of the carriage. I wrapped an ice pack that I took out from my space ring around my neck and whistled again to get the carriage moving.

"...."

How much time has passed?

Before long, the sun had already set.

The nights in the desert were longer, darker, and colder than one might expect.

The heat of the day vanished as if it were a lie, and a cold more biting than that of a snowy field enveloped us.

We stopped the carriage at a suitable spot and lit a campfire. The insulating grass that had absorbed the heat during the day warmed the area around the carriage and quickly eased the chill in our bodies.

It was time to prepare dinner.

El caught a few scorpions from around us, but since they were all inedible, she released them. Since it was a desert, it was impossible to find food nearby, so we quenched our hunger with the packed lunch that I purchased in advance and placed in the space ring.

After spending the day exhausted by the heat and sleeping inside the carriage, Ayla finally came to her senses and kept watch throughout the night. The endless darkness of the desert stood no chance against the keen eyes of a shadow wolf. It was a fortunate turn of events.

I gazed at the small, flickering campfire and pondered our future plans.

The Origin God Quest.

The story of the Origin God was a topic that would only be covered in Season 2 of <Age of Envis>.

In Season 1, it was merely hinted at, just bits and pieces really.

Damn, I hadn't checked the draft for Season 2 yet.

That's right.

Had I not been in a car accident, I probably would have gone to work the next day to review the draft for Season 2.

But I had died in a car accident the day before.

And then I found myself abruptly dropped into this damned world.

So, there I was, tasked with solving the Origin Gd quest with just the tidbits I had briefly encountered in Season 1 of AOE.

The reality was that I knew absolutely nothing about the Origin God.

But who am I, after all?

The ace of the marketing department, Manager Kang Tae-o.

I had experience in the field, and I had spent countless hours gaming!

If I put my mind to it, I was sure to unearth some hints.

Niram.

Yes.

That mysterious country lying beyond the vast eastern seas.

In Season 1, most of the continent's nations, such as the Barak Empire, Roshan, Lysette, Solen, Ergin, and the Echaits Union, had been the stage for the game.

However, there was one place that was merely "mentioned" and had never been a setting in the game…

That place was Niram located on the east.

It was highly likely that Niram would be the main setting for Season 2. Therefore, the Origin God might also be…

I should be able to find some clues in Niram.

But heading to Niram right away was out of the question.

This was because the deep-sea monster Krakens swarmed the eastern seas between the Echaits Union and Niram.

Some Krakens were so massive they could rival an island in size, and it was impossible to confront them unless one was a professional hunter.

Even the most notorious pirates steered clear of the eastern seas which said a lot.

The only vessels capable of reaching Niram belonged to the upper echelons of the Echaits Union.

Even ships equipped with elite captains, navigators, and Kraken-hunting specialists often failed to return from encounters with the Kraken swarms.

A direct journey to Niram would have to wait.

Until the descendants of the mermaids appear, gathering information in the Echaits Union is all I can do.

Indeed, that was the only solution.

– Crackle, crackle, pop

As the campfire crackled, a gentle breeze blew, slowly erasing the plans I had drawn in the sand.

I stood up. Above me, in the dark night sky, a single grand moon hung amidst countless stars.

In reality, I had never been one to pray, but somehow, after finding myself in this place, it became a habit of mine to offer prayers every time I saw the moon.

"O Nemeya, please bless my path ahead…"

I clasped my hands together and prayed fervently.

It was a desert night with an unusually bright moonlight.

***

"Sir Theodore!"

Thanks to Storm's vigorous run through the desert, we arrived at the port city of Rabata faster than I expected. The person who greeted me warmly was the priest of Lynshaka temple and unlike before, he was giving off an unusually lively atmosphere.

It seems the followers of the Lynshaka temple have increased.

The priest couldn't help but be overjoyed as the number of devotees and the temple's vibrancy grew. I greeted him with a smile.

"May Lynshaka's blessings be with the saint of purification!"

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Very good, Sir Theodore. The temple is flourishing beyond measure thanks to you… Lynshaka must be delighted."

"That's good to hear."

"How long do you plan to stay in Rabata? Perhaps you could spend some time and share Lynshaka's miracles with the believers…"

"I plan to leave as soon as I secure a ship."

"Oh, but…"

"As soon as I secure a ship."

"Ah, I understand…"

Had I been too firm? The priest seemed deflated and quietly led us to the temple.

Indeed.

Just as I thought.

The Lynshaka temple was abuzz with more followers than before. There were people offering silent prayers in front of a Lynshaka sculpture, children singing the songs of the forest by the fountain, and others diligently tending to the plants.

"It's lively here."

"It's all thanks to you, Sir Theodore."

"No, it's thanks to the goddess."

The priest looked at me and he was moved by my humble response. Ah, I can almost hear my reputation growing.

"Now that I'm here, I'd like to see the Purification Tree as well."

"Of course. Once you've settled your belongings, I'll be glad to show you around."

"Thank you."

That's the inn fee saved.

Coming to Rabata was indeed a good decision.

We unpacked our things in the temple lodgings. After instructing El to tend to the carriage and look after Storm, I set off with the priest to see the Purification Tree.

As we approached the area near the abandoned mine, we could see a crowd gathered around the Purification Tree.

Most of them were people offering prayers in front of the tree.

Among them, however, there was one who caught my eye.

Wait, that horse… isn't that the one I wanted to buy in Galopic?

The very same horse I had intended to purchase along with the carriage.

The stable owner had mentioned that a knight had bought the horse.

Was this the very creature that had braved the fierce storm to escape to Galopic?

Thanks to that, I ended up with Storm, but… isn't it still infuriating?

Without dismounting, I scrutinized the knight who was quietly observing the Purification Tree.

A knight?

Most knights were of noble birth, and these nobles always seemed desperate to flaunt their esteemed status. Be it through their attire, their horses, or their servants.

Yet the figure seated on the horse was not knightlike at all. His shabby clothes, tangled hair, and unkempt beard made him look downright disreputable.

It's rare to find a man with the balls to go around pretending to be a knight.

Unlike the others, the man did not pray; he merely stood still while gazing at the Purification Tree.

How much was the reward for turning in a person impersonating a knight? While I was thinking about this.

"Sir Theodore."

I heard a voice that I recognized. The high priest of the Lynshaka temple. I nodded to him in greeting, then stole a glance back at the Purification Tree, only to find the man had vanished.

…. What on earth is this guy up to?

Before I could locate the man among the crowd, the high priest addressed me again. Damn, I was going to lose him.

"How wonderful it is that you've returned here; Lynshaka must be delighted!"

"That's hardly the case. I'm merely an ordinary druid…"

"An ordinary druid? You're far too humble."

"Haha…"

The high priest firmly took my hand and led me towards the Purification Tree. The crowd of people parted to make way for us while occasionally uttering sounds of awe.

How embarrassing.

I suppose he's just someone impersonating a knight.

I tried to put thoughts of the suspicious man out of my mind and followed the high priest.

As we drew closer to the Purification Tree, I could feel its purification power radiating more intensely than before.

Was it due to the prayers of the people?

Without realizing it, I reached out and touched the Purification Tree, and in that moment, there was a flash before my eyes.

[The goddess of the forest and land, Lynshaka, is watching over you.]