Chapter 179: Split Up
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As news of the missing orb broke out, the Holletta Royals and the Church trembled. They immediately launched a search campaign and investigations on those connected to the escort of the orb, including all knights and clergies. There were existing outposts of the church knights and the royal knights around Beinz Blood Lake. The area had been totally locked down and individual mercenaries were barred from entering. Only authorised mercenary groups and knights participating in the search operation were given an exception. It was one of the few incidents where the state required large scale mercenary service.
The stories of the goddess and ancient civilisation had aroused Vivian's interest. As an old vampire who had lived through humans' entire history, her hobby was to study the history of others. She posed a lot of questions, asking Becky about the ancient civilisation, so much so that the mercenary started to suspect Vivian was abnormal. Mostly because, she had spent half a day asking her the same, basic common knowledge questions. Fortunately, Becky was a typical mercenary, who cared about nothing except money and her own interests. As long as things were not detrimental to her, she would stay on the sidelines. For the same reason, if Y’zaks shapeshifted into a huge flame by any chance, and his flowing lava destroyed a city, she would not have done anything. There was no incentive to intervene...
The group had decided to head to Beinz Blood Lake. Becky tagged along; she was going to try her luck in finding the orb and claiming the rewards of a manor as well as the title of nobility. The opportunity was too attractive for her to decline. Furthermore, if she failed to find the orb, she could still pluck some precious ingredients around the Blood Lake. She figured that since there was a lockdown around the Beinz Blood Lake, and all resources were being put into the orb's search operation, there was bound to be a shortage of magic ingredients in the market. Hao Ren needed Becky as his guide while Becky needed a group so that she could tag along to the Blood Lake—a group of rookie mercenaries was all she wanted. She was a lone wolf; she would not have been able to get along with a veteran group. Also, no veteran group would want an outsider joining its party especially during such a time. So, Hao Ren’s group and Becky were a match made in heaven.
Becky was not worried about their ability to reach Beinz. The fact that these five people were able to come all the way from the Northern Empire to Holletta empty-handed was quite telling.
As they reached a junction leading to the town, Becky waved at them and said, "Let’s split up here. I’m going home alone to prep the gear for our journey. Don’t you lot need preparation too? We’ll depart today. Any problems?"
"We’re fine. We’re free after all," said Hao Ren as he smiled. "Of course, if you have private matters to attend to, we’ll wait till tomorrow."
Becky thought for a moment. "I’m fine. Let’s depart today. You lot can wait for me at the town's main entrance in the afternoon. Then, we’ll set off across the steppe towards the west. We should reach a village belonging to the mountain people. I know the village head. We can stay for the night and then head West along the mountain range on the edge of the steppe. That’s the shortest route."
Becky kept talking about their itinerary, and she made all the arrangements, totally disregarding the fact that Hao Ren had no idea about the places she was speaking of. She then turned around and headed home.
"A true doer," Hao Ren mumbled as he looked at Becky from behind.
Lily ran around Hao Ren. "Landlord, let’s go have some fun. Since we’re here, I'm going to buy some local specialties..."
"Then, you'll just need money." Nangong Wuyue clapped her two hands together. "Ahh, speaking of which, where do we get the money? We don’t even know where to have our breakfast!"
Abandoning their thoughts of a foreign world exploration, Hao Ren and Vivian realised the immediate problem they were facing: they did not have any money! Additionally, they did not know where to get it...
"Forget the hanky panky. We’ll see when we meet Becky again. Maybe we’ll borrow some from her. I’ll repay her with some gadgets next time," said Hao Ren as he glanced at their surroundings. "There’s still some time before noon. Let’s split up here and look around the town to get more information about this world. But, keep your heads down. Vivian, pay attention to anything related to Letta runes while the others, you can do anything you like. Lily, please stick with me."
Hao Ren began to look like a team leader during the briefing. Lily was the only one who curiously asked, "Why should I follow you?"
"Sounds like you’re not that willing."
"No, No. I’m happy to stick around you." Lily bobbed happily in front of Hao Ren again.
Hao Ren spread out his hands, and said, "Good. I need a bodyguard."
He was not telling the truth. Actually, he needed to keep Lily within his sights. She had been in a state of excitement since the moment they entered The Plane Of Dreams. Judging from her current state of mind, she could wander out of range on her own. One thing every one of them had to remember was, they could stay in The Plane of Dreams so long as they were connected to Hao Ren—the dream WiFi. The MDT had earlier calculated the maximum range they could roam, and it was more or less the size of the town, maybe one size up. If Lily happened to wander out of sight, she would have had an impulse to run all the way into the steppe...
The only regret he had was not bringing along a leash.
Everyone scattered and headed wherever they were supposed to be. Vivian was headed toward the building with a steeple. Hao Ren together with the husky sauntered along a quiet street and found a place to unlid the pot so that Lil Pea could get some fresh air. The little mermaid poked her head out. The unfamiliar open space frightened her: since she was boiled and hatched, Lil Pea had been staying indoors. In her mind, the entire world constituted of four spaces—the living room, the loo, the kitchen and the bedroom. She was stunned like a vegetable staring at the wide, open sky.
The little mermaid was in a daze, looking at the outside world but, she never thought of jumping out of the pot. Hao Ren was a little surprised: the little mermaid was usually hyperactive and full of curiosity but today, she seemed obedient.
"Maybe she's scared." Lily squatted on the ground, staring at Lil Pea. She used her finger to poke Lil Pea's face and said, "Landlord, it’s better if you bring her out more to look at the outside world..."
Hao Ren was indifferent. "Aren’t you afraid she’ll be sent for dissection?"
Lily moved her eyes and then, something came across her mind. "Landlord, I just remembered! When we were coming out from that junction, I think I saw a werewolf!"
Hao Ren was stunned. "Why are you only telling me this now?"
"Because I was too surprised to say anything until now." Lily’s mouth twitched. "Isn’t the existence of werewolves in this world normal? Raven said that too. All unusual creatures came from The Plane of Dreams."
Hao Ren felt like slapping her husky head. "The problem is you’ve seen it with your own eyes!"
Hao Ren looked dead serious but, Lily did not notice—she played with Lil Pea and mumbled, "That’s okay. There’s always another time. I heard there are more in the west."
It had been a while since Lil Pea was exposed in the open. But, Hao Ren noticed that the little mermaid had no intention to venture beyond the pot except for poking her head around. She was instead more interested in the MDT, which was soaked in the pot. The newly hatched fish was probably intimidated by the unfamiliarity of the vast world. Hao Ren put the lid back on and they continued to stroll around the town.
Walking the streets of a foreign world with a full set of strange attire on, a clingy, beautiful maiden and a pot in hand—Hao Ren was probably the only time traveller to have done so.
By noon, everyone was back at the rendezvous point outside the town. Apart from Hao Ren who was walking the dog and his daughter, everyone seemed to have gotten something.