「Early the next morning, outside the south gate of Moss Stone Village.」
"Is your caravan heading to Thousand Masts City?" Colin shouted to a caravan.
The caravan leader looked at their attire.
After seeing the Half-Orc and Tiefling behind Colin, he silently turned away, pretending he hadn’t heard a word.
Colin stepped forward and showed the ring on his finger.
The caravan leader cleared his throat and asked, "Are you looking to travel together?"
"Yeah, let’s head over together."
"This caravan already has guards. If you’re willing to work without pay, you can hop on. We’ll cover your als along the way."
"Food is good enough."
Hearing this, Colin led his teammates to a lightly-loaded wagon.
He and Kase sat on either side of the driver, while the other two sat in the back.
With a neigh from the draft horses, the caravan slowly set off. The ground was covered in massive tree roots, making the first leg of the journey unbelievably bumpy. It only smoothed out after they had left the Supre Forest entirely.
"I’m feeling exceptionally good today," Orelia’s voice drifted from the back.
Kase looked back. "Oh yeah? I feel a bit more refreshed myself."
Colin silently agreed.
’This refreshed feeling is probably from spending the night in that Oak View room. Maybe that giant oak tree really has so special healing properties... Of course, it could also be the simple satisfaction of spending money.’
The caravan continued along the main road.
After a few more days of traveling, with several stops along the way, the group finally made it back to Thousand Masts City.
At the city gates of Thousand Masts City, Colin and the others jumped down from the wagon.
He glanced up at the sun, high in the sky, and said, "It’s still early. Let’s make a trip to Edwin’s place first. We can also use the chance to discuss how to handle those materials with the Dwarves."
The others all agreed.
Carrying all their bags, the group walked along the main road to Horn Castle and entered Edwin’s office.
This ti, however, the space behind Edwin’s desk was empty. Not a soul was in sight. Instead, Morel and another man—one they’d seen at the promotion ceremony—were at their own desks, looking overwheld by mountainous piles of docunts.
"Colin? You’re here for Edwin, right?" Morel said as soon as he saw him. "Quick, co over."
Colin walked over. "Where’s Edwin?"
"He went south. The Viper Association and various Cultists have been running rampant there lately," Morel said, his eyes fixed on the docunts before him. "If I recall, the Cultists over there started stirring things up after the winter disaster began. Didn’t you hear about it last ti you were in Rommon?"
"We did hear soone from the Church of Morninglord in Rommon ntion it briefly."
Colin thought for a mont about the Holy City.
Although it was called the Holy City, which sounded safe and sacred, it was actually a hotspot for Evil Demon activity. Several large-scale Evil Demon manifestations had occurred in the surrounding area.
As a result, the area was ho to nurous Good God Churches and Knight Orders. Most famous Paladins hailed from the Holy City.
"That explains it, then. Edwin may be famous around here, but he’s a true son of the Holy City. He has to do his part for his hotown, doesn’t he?"
Morel added, "Oh, right. He asked to tell you sothing before he left."
"Edwin said we’d get a bonus of twenty Gold Coins for each bounty we completed on this trip," Colin chid in.
"I have to say, Edwin’s judgnt of character is really sothing..." Morel pulled a bag of coins from his drawer and set it on the desk. "It’s all counted."
Colin cleared his throat, took the money bag, and asked, "So, what was it you needed to tell ?"
"Have you heard of the White Tower?"
Colin was startled.
"I was just about to ntion it myself," he said hurriedly. "The White Tower should have information on the Ancient Empire of Ora Kaim, shouldn’t it? I feel like we could learn sothing if we got a chance to look inside."
"In that case, you must know about the Prophets and their prophecies, right?"
Colin nodded.
"To prevent our enemies from exploiting them, only prophecies that the White Tower has confird as accurate are ever made public."
Morel went on, "Contrary to popular belief, the Prophets’ prophecies are actually quite cryptic and vague. So much so that many people believe past prophecies that seed accurate were just self-serving interpretations forced by the Priests of the White Tower.
"Even so, the White Tower is still the greatest repository of knowledge in the world. Whenever a disaster strikes, the White Tower’s Priests do everything in their power to interpret the prophecies. It’s our duty to provide them with intelligence."
"So, you’re saying I need to go to the White Tower and provide information about Ora Kaim?"
"You guessed it. And it’s about that ring of yours—Edwin told about it," Morel said. "It won’t be just your squad, either. You’ll be going with others who’ve discovered anomalies."
Colin asked, "How many people have discovered anomalies, exactly?"
"It’s mainly the Gray Squad that found sothing, but a few other field operative squads also have things to report. All told, there are probably a dozen or so squads."
"A dozen or so? That many?"
Upon hearing this, Colin’s initial happiness at finding he wasn’t alone evaporated, and his heart sank.
"Servants of a few Demon Lords, followers of a couple of Dukes of the Devil, plus other things—like that Fire Giant you reported, and the Hill Giants south of Torrent Bay."
"It’s because of these bastards that my recent vacation went up in smoke," Morel grumbled.
"So... when exactly are we going?" Colin asked.
"No need to rush that. It’ll take so ti for the other squads to get back. I’ll get word to you within two months. For now, just stay in Thousand Masts City. You should have saved up a nice sum of money after completing those two jobs, right?"
Kase chid in, "Money has a way of disappearing."
"Don’t you worry about that. There are countless jobs waiting for you down south," Morel said. "Edwin ntioned he wants to develop you into an elite squad. You’d better cherish this last bit of quiet ti."
"An elite squad?" Colin asked.
"An elite squad capable of handling most kinds of trouble and monsters. Anyway, when you go south, Edwin will definitely have you facing off against Evil Demons to give you so proper experience, you hear? Real, honest-to-gods Evil Demons!"
"You guys are no fun," Morel said, looking at their expressions. "Aren’t you scared at all?"
"As long as the pay is good," Colin said.
It was the truth. In his eyes, creatures like Demons and the White Frost were all more or less the sa.
’I’d have to find work over there anyway. This way, I won’t have to worry about finding a job.’
"It’s no wonder Edwin said he values your... ahem."
Morel cleared his throat, then looked at Orelia. "After the trip to the White Tower, you can go submit your evaluation form. Edwin will clear it with the Church."
"Ah... Oh, okay." Orelia nodded.
"Don’t be too nervous about it," Morel said, turning back to Colin. "Once you get to the White Tower, they’ll ask you so questions about Ora Kaim and your ring. Just be honest... By the way, are you free tomorrow?"
"I’m free."
"Then wait for at nine in the morning at the Overseas Coffee Shop near the Black Tower. I’ll take you to et a Professor Black Tower. You might even get a chance to attend classes at the Black Tower—an opportunity Edwin arranged for you."
Morel said, "That’s everything. I’ll see you all later. I’m about to get off work, so if there’s anything else, we’ll have to discuss it another ti."
’Attend classes? It should be tuition-free, right?’
’The teaching at the Black Tower Academy has to be way better than Donkexes’s.’
As he was thinking this, Colin said, "See you tomorrow, then."
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