Chapter 162: The Wolf-Masks Escape South (1/2)

Hermes read through the second testament very carefully.

He didn't understand the contents very much, but this was likely due to a lack of context.

'We probably have to find the rest of the tablets to piece together the full story,' Hermes hummed to himself.

However, one strange aspect of the tablets still instilled his curiosity.

Embedded into the thick clay plates, metal protrusion was clearly visible.

The same metal was in the two other tablets that Alex possessed, hence, this probably had significance.

Though, he had to leave these inquiries for the time they found the rest of the crypts, so he stuffed it into a crease-like pocket in his toga.

”Thanks, Amaruq.”

”It is my pleasure to serve the one who has solved our strenuous nutritional situation.”

Amaruq bowed to him.

Hermes then recalled a matter he should probably discuss with the leader of the tribe.

”There is a volcano that allows the livelihood of the tribe, is there not?” Hermes asked the man.

Amaruq raised his head, and nodded, ”Yes, Lord, a few inactive volcano mounts are present near the tribe.”

”This is just a baseless premonition of mine, but I feel like it might turn out to be quite dangerous for the tribe in the future.”

Amaruq frowned, and he replied, ”I don't truly know whether we can move from here or not.”

He kept his attention on the other's reaction, and when he saw that Hermes kept a calm face, he exhaled in relief and continued.

”Our ancestors speak of a direction that eventually leads to lusher lands, but a gigantic stretch between our fertile, volcanic land, and this lush land is a huge expanse of barren and snowy wasteland.”

”I see.”

Hermes stood up and left the hut.

The itch he felt in his nose was not due to cold, and he had to further investigate this matter.

The tribespeople was going to prove very useful for a plan of his, so he couldn't afford to let them die.

Amaruq ran out of the hut, thinking he had angered the god.

”Which direction are the main volcanic mounts in?” Hermes stared confusingly at the terrified tribesman.

Amaruq pointed towards woodlands and a hilly area in the distance.

”Are you not mad, Lord Wolf-Mask?”

”I'm not, I just need to probe.”

”In any case, be ready for an emergency evacuation.”

Amaruq rubbed his head and was puzzled by this, but Hermes already flew away.

The latter's sense of intuition was one that developed from being the foster parent of Apollo, god of prophecy, and his time with Hecate.

When he felt an omen as strong as this, he wouldn't be able to stay still.

The air was as chilly as usual, yet the god once again impressed the tribespeople as he faced the strong, cold winds on his flight.

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It didn't take too long for Hermes to reach the rupture of the mouth of the volcano.

Over the crater, noxious and heavy gasses coalesced into an ominous smoke.

Hermes flew high enough to be at a safe distance.

From his angle of sight, he saw that while most of the volcano was inactive, the small slit from which poured out the smoke revealed the high internal pressure inside of the magma chamber.

”If only Hephaestus or Alexei-boy were here,” He raised his eyebrows in annoyance.