Chapter 277: The Merchant and the Elder Wizard
Chapter 277: The Merchant and the Elder Wizard
"Kuete, the Dragon Beast is dead."
The elder wizard began with the most significant news.
The middle-aged man who had rushed to the scene listened intently as the elder wizard continued, "Although the Dragon Beast is dead, the Black Mountain World is infested with living corpses. We need to organize a team to eradicate them and reestablish communication with the outpost town."
"They've been cut off from the world for too long; we can't delay this matter."
Each word from the elder carried weight and implied subsequent actions.
After hearing this, the middle-aged man licked his lips, suppressing his shock, and asked, "What about Oma?"
"He's the Sensor we hired for our guild, didn't you find him up there?"
The elder wizard shook his head regretfully, "Life is unpredictable; he has entered the mist."
The young man's eyes narrowed, and he spoke with a disdainful tone, as if it were expected, "That's a real mess; I'll have to adjust this year's budget when I get back."
Meanwhile, the young man who had defended Hanske earlier approached the elder.
Looking at the middle-aged man, he spoke with determination, "Brother Oma had made preparations before his departure, and we will continue to honor our contract!"
The middle-aged man shrugged, "Of course, I also prefer to act according to the contract."
"..."
The group discussed the death of the Sensor.
On the other side, Hanske noticed Lindsey's condition and walked up to pat his shoulder, offering an explanation, "This guy is Kuete, a sixth-stage Merchant."
"Currently, the Forest Courtyard has successfully established three cities, and the Transcendent City is managed by their guild."
Lindsey remembered the three cities in this world, introduced to him by Platinum Palace underground.
Lookout City, Nine Bays City, and Transcendent City.
Transcendent City was probably the farthest one:
"Did this merchant travel across the entire world to get here?"
"Kuete is stationed in Lookout City," Hanske replied.
"After all, it's a seventh-stage Dragon Beast preparing to advance."
"If it succeeds, the situation in several neighboring worlds will change, and a merchant wouldn't want to be left in the dark."
Lindsey nodded slightly.
The changes in the Black Mountain World had implications for many unseen details. Once the battle began, even the adjacent Forest Courtyard experienced unrest.
As Lindsey pondered this, the group ahead stopped, and their gazes suddenly shifted to Lindsey.
Kuete smiled warmly at him and extended an invitation, "Mr. Lindsey, right?"
Lindsey nodded, "That's correct."
Kuete introduced himself, "I'm Kuete, a merchant from Platinum City and the Riverbank Guild."
"Mr. Oma, whom you encountered in the Black Mountain World, was a Sensor hired by our guild. If you witnessed his death, I'd appreciate it if you could accompany me back to Transcendent City and provide a more detailed account of the incident."
"..."
Lindsey contemplated how to respond.
But before he could speak, the usually silent elder wizard surprisingly answered the merchant, "Kuete, Lindsey will be staying in Lookout City for a while."
"He's severely injured and needs treatment."
Kuete's smile remained unchanged, "Then let's wait until he completes his treatment before we depart."
The elder wizard's response was not definitive, but his tone was firm, "It's up to his own will."
"..."
Kuete narrowed his eyes, studying the seventh-stage wizard before him. After much deliberation, he chose to concede, "Of course, I respect the young man's decision."
"But to provide a more convincing report to the guild, having the first eyewitness is crucial."
Without waiting for others' reactions, Kuete hopped onto his cargo wagon and turned to bid farewell to the elder wizard, "In that case, I'll take my leave first and inform the city of the situation in the Black Mountain World."
As he spoke, Kuete prepared to drive away in his carriage.
But at the horse's neigh, he intentionally glanced at Lindsey:
"Mr. Lindsey, I look forward to our next meeting."
"We shall meet again!"
The next moment, Kuete drove the carriage away, disappearing as swiftly as he had arrived.
After the carriage passed, the distorted trees returned to their original state, as if nothing had happened, and even the ground bore no traces of hoofprints or carriage tracks.
Watching the merchant leave.
Lindsey turned to the old wizard beside him.
In their conversation, the old wizard was clearly shielding himself, not wanting to fall into the merchant's hands.
"You all go ahead, I have some things to discuss with Lindsey."
The wizard noticed Lindsey's curiosity and waved for the others to go ahead, leaving himself and Lindsey at the back of the group.
The old wizard whispered:
"I sense the aura of a Dragon Slayer on you."
"That Dragon Beast wasn't destroyed along with its enemies, but was killed by you, right?"
"..."
Lindsey's prepared questions were all thrown into disarray.
He never expected the other party to discern such a thing!
However, the old wizard didn't threaten Lindsey or make any other demands. He merely whispered a warning:
"When a weak person possesses overwhelming power, it often attracts covetousness. It's best to conceal this fact. If the news spreads that a fifth-stage Awakener killed a seventh-stage Dragon Beast, it will only bring you infinite danger."
Lindsey could naturally understand the friendliness in this warning and immediately nodded in gratitude.
"Thank you for your reminder."
"But I was able to kill the Dragon Beast due to a stroke of luck. It's impossible to replicate it!"
The old wizard nodded lightly and looked at Lindsey's left hand:
"I can sense a negative energy on you, was this left behind from your battle with the Dragon Beast?"
Lindsey looked at his left arm.
While this arm could hold a bowl for eating without issue, it was highly unlikely that he could wield a weapon in combat.
The state of Death Erosion was right there.
The power of the Extinction Crown lingered within, hindering Lindsey's normal control over his left hand.
He smiled bitterly in response:
"After all, killing such an enemy without paying some price is impossible."
The old wizard didn't say much but asked another question:
"Child, why did you challenge the Dragon Beast?"
Lindsey spoke of his initial purpose for embarking on this journey:
"If we don't find a way to get rid of it, the people of the Hidden Frontier will always be under threat. Moreover, my home isn't here, and I have a reason to return."
The old wizard nodded in approval:
"I sense courage in your heart."
"This is a precious quality."
As the two discussed, they walked towards a small post station ahead, where horses were tethered.
Hanske, who was at the front, greeted the people at the station.
He immediately proceeded to untie the horses:
"Everyone, mount up and prepare to return to the city!"
"Lindsey, if you don't mind, we can ride together. We don't have better conditions right now."
Whoosh—
At that moment, a sound came from the forest.
Every tree and blade of grass around seemed to be responding to some kind of call.
Lindsey sensed something amiss.
He turned to look around, and even the vines and shrubs in the forest were coming to life! The plants rustled and trembled in the sound, and the entire forest, which had been full of vitality, now displayed an activity beyond reason! It was as if the whole world was a single life, conveying some message.
Along with this change.
Everyone fell silent, and their gazes turned to the old wizard beside Lindsey.
The old wizard remained calm:
"The Black Mountain World has sensed this and is responding."
"Come, let's first calm this wave."
(End of Chapter)
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