Chapter 366: Temperature Difference
While being scolded by Haulon, we discussed our upcoming trip. We planned to set off the day after tomorrow, departing in the dark, stopping by Karn’s House, and then heading to Es while it was still cool. After all, Haulon could only use Teleportation near the temple where Karn was located. It was quite a distance to Es.
“Besides the City of Es, is there anywhere else you want to go?”
“I want to see a Dragon up close!”
“Denied.”
I was immediately shot down. How terrible.
“Go on your own. If you head to a Dragon’s nest, you’ll just get gobbled up.”
“Besides, the Dragons’ habitats are far from Es, and there’s no Teleportation there.”
Dinoss and Haulon chimed in.
Legendary Gold Rank, legendary Mage, legendary—what was it? Silver Rank? Wait, could it be an assassin… With the Butler around, let’s do our best!
“I’m fine with just the city. If I had to choose, I’d like to ride a boat on the Es River. It’s probably quite different from the boats here, right?”
“That’s true. In the evening, it would be nice for a boat ride.”
Retze’s wish was granted.
“Yes, yes! The Cinnamon harvesting site!”
“Why do you always want to go to such unreasonable places?”
“Jean, there are several rumors about Cinnamon harvesting locations, but the actual sites are kept secret. It might take days just to investigate.”
Retze scolded me.
“Hmm…”
“I hear both sea fish and river fish are delicious, so how about a food tour? I’ll join you.”
Haulon was trying to cheer me up.
“I’m going to eat a lot!”
“Make sure you’re hungry.”
I promised Retze and felt satisfied for now. A food tour with friends on a trip, a food tour!
“Such a simple structure.”
“Let’s prepare some digestive aids.”
Haulon and the Butler exchanged remarks.
And so, the day of the trip arrived. Yesterday, I had stayed at my House, working in the fields and orchards, and playing hard with Rishu, so I was fully prepared. There were some concerns about the black bugs, but I decided to forget them and just have fun. Either way, I was waiting for the results of the sewer investigation.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
We met at Kanum’s rental house with Retze and the others.
Haulon, our tour guide, was there, but the Dinoss Family found it quicker to come through my house, so we waited for them to arrive and went together.
“Dean, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has! Once the Guild pays up, I’ll pay off my debts.”
“Thanks? You didn’t overdo it, did you?”
“It was a long confinement, but I’m fine.”
He extended his fist, and I lightly bumped it with mine.
“Jean, good morning.”
“Good morning, Ash.”
I shared a light hug with Ash. I can finally do normal hugs now…!
“Good morning! I’m honored to join you.”
I greeted Chris, who was sparkling with excitement even in the morning.
After greeting Retze and Karn, we gathered around Haulon. Karn sat next to Haulon, as usual, with his legs spread in a kingly manner.
“Now, with this many people moving, we won’t be able to use any major spells for a while. Naturally, we won’t be able to use Teleportation for two or three days, so don’t forget anything.”
“Yeah, I’m all set.”
“If we don’t have it, we can just buy it there.”
Dinoss and Dean.
At first, I thought the two were quite similar, but Dinoss was actually quite meticulous in his preparations. Their fighting styles were bold and similar, but it might be that Dean was imitating the story’s Dinoss.
“Alright, let’s go.”
With Haulon’s words, my surroundings shifted, and I felt a change in temperature against my skin.
“Whoa! Amazing!”
“That’s incredible! As expected of the legendary Great Mage!”
“Indeed.”
It was the first experience of Teleportation for everyone. The children were excitedly squealing at the suddenly changed scenery.
We emerged in the middle of a desert. Where was Karn’s temple?
“Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve been home.”
Baylis stretched widely—he had actually grown. His golden skin and hair flowed like the golden sand of the desert.
“Lord Baylis.”
Haulon lightly bowed his head to Baylis, who had returned to his original form. Baylis didn’t say anything special to Haulon and casually wrapped an arm around Karn’s neck, giving him a loose hug.
“Beautiful! But somehow a bit scary…”
“The aura is different too.”
Dean and Chris exchanged comments.
“Although it’s not the season for the temple to open, I’ll clear the way.”
As she said this, she slowly waved her hand, and the sand began to shift.
The fine sand at my feet moved rapidly, and my view sank lower and lower. Walls of sand formed around us, and the ground beneath my feet felt solid, unlike the sand.
Before us appeared a well. So, that giant worm-like creature won’t come out until the right season, huh?
“This is the mark of the Great Mage.”
“You keep slipping that title in, don’t you? Just call me Haulon.”
The patterns drawn on the well were the same as the ones Haulon showed me for Teleportation. That means our ancestors are buried here, right? I hope I’m not stepping on them…
“…”
Karn silently began to descend the well’s stairs.
With all the branches gone and the crumbling temple buried in sand, the priests who once served Karn in the room with the King’s Branch still had their ties to this place.
“The King’s Branch here was incredibly beautiful, even when blackened. I wanted to show it to you and see it again.”
Haulon murmured softly.
“If you ask Karn, he might show it to you, right?”
I said, nudging him.
“Since King Tildonai was freed, the branch should no longer exist. It’s strange how the king has managed to prolong his life, but he took pride in being a king and loved his country and the King’s Branch that protected it. —Please don’t touch too much on the subject of the King’s Branch.”
Haulon gazed at Karn’s back with a look filled with sorrow.
“Have you not talked about it yet?”
“Eh, was that something I was supposed to talk about?”
“Man, the temperature difference is terrible.”
The Butler and Retze muttered quietly.