Before I knew it, dawn had arrived, and just as the Duke had told me to come at 5am, I had finished getting ready. The most important thing was that I had to hide the leather pouch containing the gold coins because this hut was easy to break into if there were any pickpockets in their right mind who wanted to break into this miserable hut. I wrapped it in a plastic bag and covered it with a pile of old cardboard boxes, then I put it in a corner, because this hut was just a box and I had nowhere to hide it. Just in case, I also brought the remaining silver coins, which were only 20 pieces left because I also had to buy boots, along with five gold coins. I don't know, I feel like I should bring them in case I get lost in a village where the cost of living is higher than here. However, I hope that doesn't happen. The sky was still dark and it was still quiet, Celine's door was still padlocked, a sign that she and Anne hadn't come home all night. I was quite worried considering Mr. Shua
It's been a long time since I've felt this kind of freedom as I've always been stuck in my hut and working in the stalls. The horses proved to be in top condition as my horse was able to adjust its speed despite being ridden by three people. A gust of wind slapped my face and made my hair that had reached my eyes flutter, ah, I always forget to cut it. I tightened the reins as the road widened, no longer lined with stalls, but instead with rice paddies and fields filled with tall plants. This is also the other side of the village I've never been to and we're now heading east, to the exit gate of the village which is a dusty, frail archway. I was even worried that it might fall at any moment on the people underneath, but that thankfully didn't happen. Cheers and waving hands lined every street we passed, the villagers looking very enthusiastic and waiting by the roadside. However, once we had passed the gate, the situation was immediately transformed by the dry, cracked earth that l
The sky had begun to darken in the gaps of the foliage, the trees caught us on either side. Now we are on foot while leading the horses to find a place to rest, so far the mysterious forest is the same as the forest I have entered in general even though the entrance is like absorbing us into another dimension. There was nothing strange, the forest path was not narrow to confine us, especially the tall Elves could still move freely. The leaves were standard, not small and close together or wide and jumbo. The breeze was gentle, and I didn't feel any threat. A few rustling sounds were heard, but it seemed to be squirrels or birds in the trees. "My lord, there's quite a large place up ahead," said Wryth, who was now always in charge. As the leader of the aides, he must be in charge of protecting Duke Nephim. Before long we arrived at the place in question, tendrils of roots were rising on the surface of the ground that would make it difficult to make camp. However, we weren't going ca
About the offerings, they didn't even try to argue or reject them. Ordinary offerings were given to the deities in the temple, so that the Elves would be granted good fortune and power. Damn, to hell with that! "Are you for real? Humans who are sacrificed will die a slow death," Duke Nephim said with a smirk. I don't even understand why they still do that, since they're already strong and immortal. What else could they ask for while hoping for a creature they'd never meet? I then let out a tired sigh. "Well, whatever it is, I'll take care of it for sure. That way you don't have to bother looking after us, right?" I said sarcastically. Duke Nephim nodded. "You have the intelligence to make suggestions to me and know my intentions. Actually, I'm here to look for strange creatures like hydras or destroy the dragon kingdom. However, I would be very happy if I could add an offering!" He exclaimed enthusiastically. The elf then looked me right in the eye, as if eager to chant me for th
1"Stop, dragon! I have a pact with the Elves! You must have heard!" I screamed hysterically as the dragon opened its snout wide which began to precipitate fireballs. No! This can't be happening. "Hey, listen to me!" I got up and approached it after reflexively dodging. I tapped its unusually hard scales until my knuckles turned red. Then, there was a coughing sound that made the ground and trees shake violently. I realized that the dragon coughed while releasing a little flame. At this point, I had already surrendered because the human agreement to become an offering must have been bound. However, the dragon turned to me and I saw the edges of its eyes watering. "I forgot about that. It's a good thing you reminded me so I could hold my fire breath and only cough from holding it in," he said. I gaped at it, on one hand I was relieved that it didn't attack the Elves, but on the other hand I was surprised that he would take my word for it. Physically, this dragon was not much bigge
I thought my life in this world would be fine with just teaching Celine to read, but instead I got burned by fire again! Monster fire too! My entire body began to feel an intense heat that made my head boil, it was almost the same as being burned by the Velman clan's fire. Even if I couldn't die, it was still painful. I felt my skin peeling and burning, the odor from my burnt hair was very strong. At times like this, I only worried about my four friends because that Hydra had three heads that could breathe fire. They definitely wouldn't be able to stand it especially since no one was carrying a shield, I stupidly didn't think of that weapon either. Now, how was I going to fight Hydra with my wounded self? In the mythology books I've read, if one Hydra's head is cut off, three other heads will grow at once. So, the option of using a sword was not a wise choice. The other way I could think of was to escape from here, but how? It hadn't even been a night since I came here. I opened
Hydra growled after unleashing the huge flames, Duke Nephim managed to escape, but the dragon had no time to dodge. I pondered, should I shoot this arrow and try to help him? But that would only get me chased by the three-headed monster again. However, I apparently had nothing to worry about because the dragon was still standing firmly and fiercely in place. The tips of its scales were burnt, but it didn't seem to have caused any fatal wounds. Then, the dragon let out a big laugh that rang in my ears. My hair stood on end, just like the nightmarish sounds coming from the depths of the canyon and the darkness of the night. The Hydra retreated while still growling violently. "Well, the rumors are true, huh, the ones I got from my other brothers. Apparently Hydras like you are indeed great, as expected of former denizens of the underworld!" exclaimed the dragon. I then sidestepped to avoid the flames that were getting hotter, if this went on a little longer I'm sure humans wouldn't
I bit my lip at the thought of his words. Damn it, is that true? If it is then I'll have to explore further with him, and I'll even encounter more difficult enemies. I can't even imagine what kind of monsters there are in this mysterious forest. As the name implies, this forest is very mysterious, even after the fierce battle just now, not a single animal or creature has come out of their dwelling. Or escaped from this forest. Not a single one, even if it was just rabbits or chickens or deer. The fire was still burning around us, the four elves adjutants were trying to put it out with their strength. My companions were also fortunately unharmed although their faces were already burnt with ashes, their condition was the most important thing, because we were going to walk home. I then scrunched my waist as I exhaled tiredly. "That's cheating, it was never included about the third party, but it also means that I can do anything to help you. Including using a partner," I said as I poin