"I don't care what kind of request you've asked the Moonshard to handle," the elderly man said, his voice edged with suspicion. "But tell —who are you?"
Ery remained calm, responding evenly, "I've requested them to find information about travelers and their whereabouts."
The ntion of travelers visibly startled the elderly man. His brows furrowed deeply as he leaned closer, scrutinizing Ery's expression. "Travelers? Why do you want to know about them? Wait… you're not a traveler, are you? No, that can't be! A Magus Realm traveler? That's unheard of!"
"I am," Ery replied casually, his deanor unwavering.
"You what?!" The old man's shock was palpable, his voice rising in disbelief.
Ery was well aware of the stigma surrounding travelers in the Tartarus Realm. Their reputation was far from favorable—viewed with distrust, hunted by factions, and often forced to live under false identities. However, so had managed to integrate into society, carving out new lives.
With ti being of the essence and the dangers of the capital looming, Ery decided to reveal the truth. His gaze remained steady as he watched the elderly man's reaction, prepared to defend himself if necessary. If this revelation ant their partnership couldn't continue, it was better to part ways now.
To his surprise, the old man seed unfazed. He nodded slowly, a strange glint in his eyes. "No wonder… that explains a lot."
Ery frowned slightly, unsure how to interpret the reaction. "I thought you'd be more surprised. Don't you hate travelers?"
The elderly man shrugged. "Not really. I knew a traveler once. Decent fellow, actually."
"Really? Who was he? Where is he now?"
"Dead."
Ery's excitent was short-lived. "Oh…"
The old man continued, his tone laced with dry humor. "Decent, but a bloody fool. So, yes… dead."
Ery took a mont to process the response before looking the man directly in the eyes. "Do you have a problem with my identity as a traveler?"
The elderly man's expression shifted, growing more serious. "That depends. What are you doing here?"
"Senior," Ery began, his tone sincere, "I ended up here by accident. I'm just trying to find a way back ho."
The old man studied him carefully, then nodded. "Hmm… I see. Alright, seems fine to . Actually, I'm more curious about your identity as a fey. Are you really a fey?"
Ery blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. "I… don't know. Tell more about this fey you speak of."
The conversation between Ery and Stoltz shifted seamlessly as they discussed the enigmatic Fey and the mysterious travelers. Stoltz shared what little he knew, painting a picture of a race steeped in myth and secrecy, their presence in the realms more often spoken of in whispers than witnessed firsthand.
While at it, Ery turned his attention to his recent wealthy captive. Through subtle yet firm persuasion, he 'requested' the alchemist to replace the transport he had destroyed.
Baldoni could do nothing but comply, surrendering his prized carriage. The vehicle was impressive—twice the size of the one Ery had lost, with multiple private rooms and intricately designed compartnts. Its speed, roughly 30% faster than the previous cart, made it a valuable acquisition.
Ery examined the new cart with satisfaction. Its reinforced fra glead under the light, and the interior was luxuriously furnished. The elderly Grand Magus couldn't help but show his surprise as Ery let his daughter and the two acolytes out once again before setting off toward Pardera's capital.
###
The Fey were counted among the most enigmatic of the beastman races, a people cloaked in mystery and awe. Residing alongside the fairies on a distant, untad planet far removed from the bustling civilizations of the Tartarus realms, their existence was steeped in legends that dated back tens of thousands of years.
According to ancient lore, the Fey were tasked as the eternal guardians of their planet, bound to its essence in a symbiotic relationship that granted them imnse power and an equally profound responsibility.
Their unique status placed the Fey at the apex of the beastman hierarchy, revered even among the mighty dragon warriors, who themselves were symbols of strength and resilience. Such reverence, however, ca at a price: the Fey rarely ventured beyond their ancestral lands, their involvent in the affairs of the realms limited to rare and montous occasions. To most inhabitants of the Tartarus realms, the Fey were little more than a whispered legend; only the elites or resourceful factions like the Mooshard Society had laid eyes on one of their kind.
###
Unbeknownst to Ery, deep within the mystical expanse of the fairy forest, an ancient presence stirred. Hidden amidst a sanctuary where magic thrumd like a heartbeat in the air, a supre being—a fusion of human and beast—awakened from her prolonged slumber. Her luminous eyes, sharp as the piercing moonlight, opened to gaze upon a world that seed to hum with renewed activity.
With a re flex of her will, she extended her consciousness, her thoughts intertwining with other supre beings in the region. A voice, ethereal and reverent, echoed in her mind.
Her ntal response was steady, carrying the weight of authority and wisdom.
User Comments
0 comments from readers