398 Stable Friend (1/2)

After settling Zero in, Truen prepared to leave alone.

”Are you sure you don't want me to come along?” the doctor asked. Truen smiled and patted his friend's head.

”I'll be alright. Why don't you take some time to find out more information about Derby Desert and the gnomes? Any news about the desert poppy would be nice as well.”

Zero agreed and waved goodbye to Truen. It would be more efficient if they split up to work separately in a town like this. Only a fool or a strong person with too much time to kill would stay here leisurely.

Zero took a look at Bob who transformed back to his human form after Truen left. The dragon felt slightly uneasy when he was trying to size up the innkeeper. The legend about him being a retired S rank adventurer must be true. If he was the old Eternal Dragon that everyone feared in his prime, Bob could easily smack that man into unconsciousness with a swipe of his claw. However, as he was now, Bob couldn't even take on Ruth. As such, he had to be careful.

Zero was planning how to complete his information gathering when he ended Bob's sullen mood. ”What's wrong?” he asked.

His dragon summon sighed. ”Sorry, master. That innkeeper is just too strong. I will only be a hindrance to you on this trip. We're currently in that man's territory and I can't help but feel uneasy. Why did he let us stay in a room when we haven't paid? Are we hostages now? Will he allow us to leave?”

Zero grinned. ”Only one way to find out,” he said and motioned for Bob to transform back into that black gecko. Bob was nervous but obediently did as told and climbed onto Zero's palm.

The doctor inspected the room and placed a few basic spells for detection. Then, he peaked out of the window through the gap in the blinds. Sure enough, there were a group of suspicious-looking thugs waiting for him and staring at the window. Ever since he was outside holding onto the sand walkers, these people have started gathering. It didn't seem like they were here to welcome him and Zero would rather avoid having to tussle with them and find out what he needed.

First, he had to play a few tricks to weasel his way out and secure an escape route. Like Truen, Zero didn't entirely trust the people in the inn or in Deadman Town. He didn't like the idea that some shady people were taking care of Ela and Grigoria. He had to secure their safety first.

Bob helped Zero to look out for suspicious people as Zero used a low-level illusion spell to cover his escape from the window. The stables weren't too far from the inn and all Zero needed was to buy some time. He was a fool to believe that the S rank innkeeper didn't know about their little trick but seeing as nothing happened, Zero took it as an approval. The low-level illusion was enough to fool the men staking watch over his room outside.

Bob felt a chill when a shadow loomed over Zero's small hooded figure. He wanted to alert his master but that piercing stare and directed killing intent made the dragon shiver helplessly. His instincts paralysed him and he urgently contacted Zero via party call.

”Hm?” Zero blinked when Bob screamed at him to run. He didn't run as urged to but turned around slowly to see a hulking figure covering the blinding evening sun.

”Hello,” Zero smiled and squinted. He couldn't make out the person's face but he knew danger when he was staring at it.

The man didn't budge so Zero stood up. He didn't even reach the man's shoulder and it didn't take a genius to figure out who was the better combat fighter between them. Zero backed away but maintained a steady stare. His chin was tilted down as a sign of cautiousness. While he is strong, Zero didn't want to attract any unwanted attention in a town like this.

”What are you doing here?” the man demanded in a deadly voice and Zero met his stare steadily.

”I was feeding my mounts.”

The silence between them made the tension rise but neither of them backed down. Whoever that man was, Zero wasn't going to allow him to attempt anything funny. He cast spells on the sand walkers so they would be safe from getting stolen or poisoned or harmed. However, if Zero and this man fought it out in the stables, the structure would collapse and Zero didn't put anti-crushing charms on them.

”Your mounts?” the man asked and Zero gulped but nodded.