Chapter 360 - Repulsive Stuff (1/2)

After breakfast, Cage spoke to his son and asked the butler to take care of him, and Roland simply told Vivian and her companions to rest at Cage’s place.

In fact, the magic apprentices would rather take action with Roland. After all, it seemed inappropriate that the magic apprentices stayed behind while their boss was working. But Roland stubbornly declined their request.

In fact, Roland didn’t think that the adventure would be dangerous.

However, the secrets of the Reed family were involved. It was fine for Roland to join in because he was very close to Andonara. Besides, had it not been for Roland, Cage might not have learned about the blood at all.

Therefore, Cage brought Roland with him.

The three of them left the village. This village was actually quite beautiful, with fruit trees next to the road.

However, the excrement of sheep and cows and the smell of human urine completely ruined the peaceful, idyllic atmosphere.

On their way out, they happened upon some villagers, who all greeted Cage warmly.

Cage replied to them delightedly too. There was no sense of separation between them at all, as if they were equal.

Some of the older villagers greeted Andonara too. “Young Anna, it’s been a while.”

Andonara reacted with a sweet smile too.

Roland took a long breath when he was out of the village, as the stink in the village was rather suffocating to him, who loved cleanliness.

There were two roads extending from the north of the village, one leading to Winterwind and the other to the top of the mountain.

Goats could be vaguely seen on the mountain in the distance.

Taking a deep breath, Cage said, “According to the ma.n.u.script, the three bottles of Phoenix Blood are hidden in a cave on the mountain, but they may be tricky to get.”

“How exactly is it tricky?” asked Andonara voluntarily.

She was wearing soft brown leather armor that was rather tight, making her look neat and perky.

Cage said, “Our ancestor said that, in case anyone accidentally breaks in and takes the bottles of blood, he had set up some traps in the cave, which are easy to pa.s.s for the members of our family, but impossible for outsiders.”

Roland remarked quickly, “The exorcising effect of the Hero bloodline power? Some kind of devil must be watching the cave.”

After a moment of shock, Cage shook his head and said, “Are all Mages as smart as you?”

Roland said with a smile, “It’s just a simple deduction. Anybody could’ve guessed that.”

Andonara said, “I couldn’t have thought of it at all if you hadn’t told me.”

Roland was lost for words. He didn’t know what he should say about Andonara. She might seem slightly silly, but Roland felt too great about himself under her admiring eyes to dislike her. He even found her cute.

Cage chuckled and said, “Do you have to do this in front me in the early morning? Do you have no respect for me as an uncle?”

Both Roland and Andonara smiled awkwardly.

Cage’s wife had been dead for years. He could’ve remarried but he didn’t, fearing that his new wife would mistreat his son. So, he simply visited Winterwind every fortnight to communicate with the most beautiful escort in town.

“Let’s go.” Cage led the way to the foot of the mountain.

Roland and Andonara immediately followed him.

Roland climbed the mountain with ease in the beginning, but halfway through the climb, he found that he had problems.

This mountain was desolate. Behind the trees were th.o.r.n.y bushes or vines. Wearing his long robe, Roland was hindered by the thorns now and then.

That was not all. He could deal with the hindering thorns, but the rugged road made Roland extremely uncomfortable.

The mosses were so damp that he might easily lose his balance and fall.

There were quite a few places that required a jump. While Cage and Andonara could make it easily, Roland had to climb with all fours.

As a Mage, Roland did not have as much stamina as the two Warriors did. He soon began to sweat.

Andonara leaned close to him and said gently, “I’ll give you a hand later.”

Cage was walking in the front. He turned back and said with a smile, “This is normal for Mages. They may be good in battle, but they will be burdens in long journeys. I saw this a lot when I used to be a mercenary. Rest a.s.sured, we’ll wait for you.”

Cage was describing a rather common situation among the Mages.

It was true for most Mages and Warlocks. The real capable spellcasters who were above Master level were as rare as pandas and would never appear in any place other than their own towers or the dinner parties of the n.o.bles.

Therefore, mercenaries always carried the stereotype that spellcasters were destructive but vulnerable.

Roland stopped and caught his breath, before he said, “There’s no need to wait. I can handle it.”

“There’s no need to play tough.” Cage smiled gently. “Mages can’t do everything.”

“I’m not playing tough.” Roland sighed and said, “I was only stupid just now. Instead of following your pace, I decide to use our tricks.”