Chapter 18 - An Encounter and Training Results (1/2)
Chapter 18: An Encounter and Training Results
Under the shade of a s a narrow path The cart didn’t look extravagant or excessive, giving off a sih-quality materials
Pulled by a large [Strider Deer], a largeon the coach seat His high-grade clothing looked unsuitable fora driver, as the designs and ornaments on his coat were e of a driver for a year
Uncaring about the obvious disparity, the on through the woods in absence of a paved street
He was in fact used to operate the large vehicle, albeit he had absolutely no use for the skill in his profession, the only reason he was so adept at carrying large ao was destined for
Eldrin’s son, the half-elf called Luthais, had gotten plenty of experience in the transporting field during his visits to his father, every quarter of a turn In fact, he enjoyed getting away froues, for a while, and spending tirounds had an appeal of its own, especially so considering his last living parent’s presence
The freight of this wagon was holding enough spices, seasonings and other daily necessities, to last his father the few moons until his next visit
shi+elding his eyes fro to set the ca to the hunting grounds in several days
On every trip he was uments to convince his father to return to the city with hi the resolution of the old elf
Yet the two of thereat childhood and always respected his parents for standing up to the discriht for equality between the races; he hidoh he was a half elf, only as a result of those efforts
The death of his mother had shaken the whole family, and he could understand Eldrin’s decision to retire in the countryside after being left alone
The night slowly closed its curtains on the sun, the wagon found a clearing alongside the s and Luthais prepared the ca the [Strider Deer] to one of the trees; they would not reach the hunting grounds before a day’s worth of journey frohout the night
The docile ani everywhere to replenish the strength it had used to pull the cart
Larger than the average horse, the ular inhabitants of the forest
The half-elf was one of the rare seventh-rank powerhouses, and had no fear for any of the living beings inside this range of the Wilderness either Unless he were toor disturb one of the hidden terrors, there was al here
Even as the head of a House, he didn’t bring along any servants to drive the cart, establish the camp or cater to his selfish needs, as he had no troubles protecting a whole caravan by himself
Wiping down thethe si the peacefulness of the woods, filled with ani the way between him and the stars
“hello traveller Do you mind if I share the campfire with you?”
Just as the half-elf was about to retire for the night, a call froe of the clearing took him by surprise
No one should have been able to sneak up on him, especially in the forest where attacks of deadly predators were soh he had indeed been lost in thoughts He circulated the aura in his body to reinforce his defenses before answering the inquiry of the unknown man
“I don’ta spot near my fire to anyone, but I can’t trust someone with a hood on Feel free to join me after you take it off”
Turning his back on the wanderer, he placed a slab ofthe sounds of clothes rustling and steps approaching, clearly confident in his ability to deal with the stranger, even if he were to try to attack his back
The smell of the food intended for dinner started to spread in the air while the previously hoodedhi
After gripping his guest’s wrist and shaking it, the half-elf started the conversation
“Theco journey is much appreciated
Do youme your name?”
The handsoure that had been hidden under the cowl coupled with the hunificant extent andLuthais decided to dispel the aura he had gathered for defensive purposes
Good-looking to the point he would be called handso ath to secure the newcooodwill of countless ladies, and the ease he was displaying in all his movements revealed a certain amount of self-confidence
After taking a flask out of histhe presuer replied
“Isn’t it considered co someone’s name in the capital?” he chuckled and continued
“Anyway, the na for rare plants and treasures while travelling near the edges of the forest Thank you for letting ht”
The friendly teasing didn’t bother the half-elf, he had indeed acted rudely by asking for anotherhis own, but the answer also uncovered a bit uest to this fireplace
If he was a peddler, he was supposed to present his guild card to ascertain his profession, yet he chose not to and only hand over his flask
Taking a swig frootten poisoned by drinking soer that had appeared mysteriously on his route in such a re the hu because their aura tended to dissipate too fast when it wasn’t focused in an attack, and his mana was only at the second rank, insufficient to probe soth
On the other hand, his intuition didn’t warn hiardless of how suspicious Weiss looked, and he trusted his keen instincts that had gotten hih plenty of battles, both on the battlefield and in the capital
Yet there was only one thing that bothered Luthais
“You are right, I’m indeed late with my introduction I’au? I didn’t say anything…”
Luthais had to be careful in case Weiss was from the city, an assassin sent after hi a fake identity too; after all, concealing one’s identity when roaerous places was a commonplace practice for the cautious adventurers
“Ah, it’s the accent that gave you away I’ with a lot of different people in es Judging froer trading houses, aren’t you? It’s very well crafted”
A on without one about his refined clothes should have alerted the battle-hardened half-elf, but the fire seeaze into the flaroup, Luthais needed to get ready at the moment to fend off an attack, yet he only took another sip of the flask and chatted some more
“You have an eye for details, … I’ll give you that Please forgive me, but I’m really tired and will retire Feel free to eat the meat, it was meant for you … “
Unable to fight the sudden drowsiness, he got up and walked to his tent with the assistance of the human
“Of course, you’re very drained after such a long journey, Luthais
Just lie down and relax, and take your ti your father had been very pleasant so you deserve a slow pace to enjoy the scenery”
The half-elf guessed that so with the sentence that Weiss had just uttered, but as he was about to voice his questions, he realized that he was no longer able to keep his eyes open
Waking up a little later than usual, Luthais rose from his blankets
The burned-down remains of the fire barely concealed the traces of the charred , he re a little Fortunately, he was healthy again, and very hungry, the kind of longing that one would feel after a harsh sickness, or following days of starvation
In spite of that, the tallsaved so rounds, and even after staying about a week at his father’s place and telling hiues in the royal court of Thurgau, he had still a lot of time left of his stay
Packing up his tent and sleeping bag, throwing theo space of the cart, he broke up the camp, scattered the ashes and fastened the harness on the [Strider Deer], who appeared to have feasted quite generously on the grass around the tree it was bound too, al ready to make the return trip towards the capital
His goal already being taken care of, Luthais didn’t want to rush back to his work, although he wished to be ho the royal academy
“Tio home!”
Snapping the reins once, the half-elf signalled thehih the tips of the trees of the surrounding forest
Whistling a little melody to express his joyfulwind on his face as he began his slow journey
The wet leaves were glistening after a short rain shower had drenched the clearing where Nisha was currently finishi+ng her dailyroutine