Chapter 125 - 121: An Acquaintance

Chapter 125: Chapter 121: An Acquaintance

Around one in the afternoon, Lu Wei’s group of four came to a large tree that had been split in half by lightning and chose it as a place to take a short rest.

They had a long way to go today, so starting a fire to cook would be too much trouble.

Still, they had to eat lunch.

"We’ll have to make do with this. We can have a proper meal tonight."

Using large banana leaves as plates, Bai Ya handed everyone a "simple lunch."

Bread, dried meat, cheese, and chunks of large parasol mushrooms.

She had also sprinkled some powder from a "sugar-frosted lily of the valley" on top.

The latter was a rather uncommon plant. In the early morning, a natural, sugar-like powder would condense on its petals.

It wasn’t very sweet, but it had a delicate fragrance and was said to be a substitute for white sugar on nobles’ dinner tables.

Bai Ya had found over a dozen of them by the water source while making breakfast this morning, so she’d gathered some, which now served as the perfect sweet seasoning for the parasol mushrooms.

"We won’t be taking another break this afternoon."

Lu Wei checked the map again as he ate.

Based on the shape of the nearby river, he estimated they were about six or seven miles from their destination.

If nothing unexpected happened, they could probably make it before nightfall.

When adventuring in a forest, every step had to be planned. You couldn’t just "go wherever the path takes you."

And traveling at night was to be avoided at all costs.

"Eat up. We’re leaving as soon as you’re finished."

After putting away the map, Lu Wei wolfed down his food, finishing everything in just a few bites.

The "speed-eating" ability he had perfected in his past life as a student left Furen and the other two in the dust, forcing them to frantically stuff food into their mouths.

At first glance, it looked like a competitive eating contest.

’They’re doing it all wrong.’

Watching the three of them wolfing down their food, Lu Wei crossed his arms and shook his head with the air of a Master.

’In his opinion, stuffing your mouth full doesn’t increase your eating speed.’

’In fact, stuffing too much food in at once restricts your teeth’s range of motion, which actually slows you down.’

’The key is to minimize chewing.’

’And to have complete faith in the resilience of your esophagus.’

’Choke to death or swallow it whole—you have to embrace that belief to master the art of speed-eating.’

After muttering a few things to himself, Lu Wei stood up, intending to use the moment to relieve himself.

He had only taken two steps when Hess, who had been sunbathing on the ground, suddenly got up and followed him.

"PURU~"

It waddled along behind him, still in its "big white ball" form, making it extremely conspicuous.

This showed that Hess’s [Color Changing] wasn’t one of the Passive Skills, like a chameleon’s, but one that required active use.

When it felt safe, it would remain its original white color.

’What’s this about?’

’Did it guess what I’m about to do and offer itself up as toilet paper?’

’I’m overthinking it. A man doesn’t need toilet paper.’

Glancing at Hess, Lu Wei couldn’t be bothered to deal with it and just let it follow him into the woods.

Before he could even find a secluded spot with a nice view, Hess suddenly ran in front of him and began to jump up and down.

It grunted "PURU PURU" as it jumped, its eyes fixed in a single direction.

’Does it want me to go over there?’

Lu Wei paused for a moment, suddenly reminded of the short videos he used to scroll through in his past life—

a house on fire, the sleeping owner completely oblivious, and the dog waking them up to avert a disaster.

Or when out for a walk, a dog suddenly runs up to a beautiful passerby, successfully helping its owner end their single life.

’Could there be an Elf over there?’

With a flicker of excitement, Lu Wei skeptically followed Hess.

After walking another twenty or thirty meters, he sensed something was amiss.

’There’s definitely something here!’

His brow furrowed. Lu Wei immediately drew Confession, slowed his pace, and entered Stealth.

High Perception wasn’t an all-seeing "third eye," so all he knew was that there were living beings up ahead, not what they were.

Goblins, Kobolds, bear goblins, Adventurers, an injured female Elf... anything was possible.

So it was always better to be cautious.

"RUSTLE~"

As the hem of his clothes brushed against the bushes, Lu Wei moved farther and farther from Furen and the other two, and his surroundings grew increasingly quiet.

A minute or two later, he suddenly ducked behind the trunk of a large tree.

He then peeked out, carefully peering through a gap in the vines toward a small clearing up ahead—

Just as he’d surmised that morning, it was indeed a four-person Adventurer Squad.

A man who looked to be in his thirties.

A burly female Half-Beastman.

A young man with a bow slung over his shoulder.

And a simple-looking Dwarf whose leg appeared to be injured, as he was currently cleaning the wound.

’Wait, what a coincidence.’

Lu Wei’s eyes widened in surprise as he got a clear look at the four of them.

Because he recognized the other three, all except for the Dwarf.

Or rather, he had met them once.

It was the elite squad from his first day in the forest, the one that had let him pick up five Giant Spider Silk Glands for free!

The reason they’d left such a deep impression was that one of them had made a Beastman joke at his expense!

’Something about ear piercings... so vulgar!’

’But that guy isn’t with them anymore.’

’This Dwarf must have taken his place.’

After observing for a few more moments, Lu Wei decided against going out to say hello.

This wasn’t the streets of Heitai Town, after all.

Although this squad seemed to be decent people, it was better not to go looking for trouble.

With that in mind, Lu Wei ducked back behind the tree, planning to retreat in silence.

But just then, a white shadow he had completely forgotten about shot past him with a SWOOSH.

As it ran, it grunted excitedly:

"PURU PURU!!"

...

...

「Kalin Port. The rear garden of a suburban manor.」

The afternoon sun cast a golden filter over everything. Vast beds of colorful flowers, obviously tended by an expert, were as beautiful and vibrant as works of art.

Beneath a large, patterned parasol, Freya’s fingertips rested gently on the handle of her porcelain cup. The flower-sugar tea inside was a clear, golden-red, and a few petals of sugar-frosted lily of the valley slowly unfurled, releasing a delicate, sweet fragrance.

Beside her was a small, round table woven from white rattan. On it, next to an exquisite tea set, sat a three-tiered silver dessert stand.

The top tier held scones sprinkled with moonglow moss, the middle tier had muffins filled with honeydew berry jam, and the bottom tier featured several translucent, jelly-like cakes.

Such exquisite desserts, perfect in appearance, aroma, and taste, couldn’t be bought in Heitai Town for any price.

However, the desserts on the stand remained perfectly arranged, proving they had not been touched.

One must have desserts with tea; this was a rule among the nobility.

Even if they were just for show.

"This Lu Wei, who’s mentioned repeatedly in the reports."

Setting down the letter she was holding, she placed it neatly on a stack of envelopes at her side. Freya turned to the old butler next to her.

"Is he Furen’s captain?"

"Yes, my lady."

The old butler nodded. "Although they have never accepted a quest from the Adventurer Association as an official squad, the letters from Heitai Town confirm that Young Master Furen has indeed joined this Mr. Lu Wei’s party."

"Is he a Professional?"

"That point is unclear, but he likely is not."

The old butler answered with great precision. "Mr. Lu Wei’s father passed away just one month ago, after which he became an Adventurer and a freelance merchant. All of this is mentioned in these letters."

Freya nodded. "I saw. It seems he and Furen get along quite well."

The old butler smiled. "They must share similar interests. After all, Young Master Furen is around the same age."

"Mm. When will Gante and Cersei be back?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"Good. Then I will depart the day after tomorrow."

Freya rose to her feet. A few strands of hair cascaded alongside her smooth neck, giving her a noble and saintly air.

"Prepare a bag of Gold Coins for me, along with a sturdy rope."

"Yes, my lady."

"Oh, and one more thing."

Glancing back at the sun-drenched garden, Freya stated calmly, "The milk orchids and the dawn lilies are both white. They shouldn’t be planted together."

"You are right."

The old butler nodded. "I will tell the gardener to separate them."

"No. Just uproot them."

"And shall we uproot the milk orchids or the dawn lilies?"

"All of them."

"Yes, my lady."

After a slight bow, the old butler watched Freya depart. He then walked unhurriedly over to the gardener, who was busy at work, and relayed the young lady’s order with precision.

"My apologies, but you’re dismissed."

...

...

"What a coincidence! It’s you!"

"Are you here on a quest, too?"

"You’re all alone? Don’t you have any teammates?"

"Oh, right, this Fur Ball is..."

「Back in the Gelan Forest.」

Since Hess had suddenly dashed out, Lu Wei had no choice but to brace himself and step out from behind the tree.

After all, if he had been a moment later, the man’s Longsword would have sliced the little creature in two.

Fortunately, the squad seemed to bear him no ill will; in fact, they were quite friendly.

’Probably because we’re acquaintances,’ he thought.

"Yes, I’m also here to complete a request."

"This is my, uh... pet."

Lu Wei smiled awkwardly, cautiously keeping a distance of two paces from the man.

Then he shot a fierce glare at Hess. Even though Lu Wei was holding it up, the creature was still grunting "PURU PURU." He snapped:

"Shut up!"

"..."

Hess seemed to sense his anger and immediately went quiet.

The man just laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Aside from not being able to fight, Fur Balls really do make perfect pets."

"You’re pretty lucky to have caught one."

"These things are a huge hit with the noble ladies. I heard they sell for five Gold Coins in the Royal City."

’Hm?’

’They’re that valuable?’

’A noble’s pet, even?’

Lu Wei froze, and his gaze toward Hess instantly grew much more amiable.

Just then, the faint sounds of urgent shouting drifted over to them.

"Brother Lu Wei! Where are you!"

"Captain! Hess!"

It was clearly Furen and the other two; seeing that he hadn’t returned, they had come looking for him.

"I’m over here!"

Seeing as things had come to this, pretending to be a mere passerby was no longer an option. Lu Wei had no choice but to shout back to help them pinpoint his location.

Soon, with a rustling of leaves, Furen was the first to emerge from the woods.

Bai Ya and Mirana followed close behind.

"Brother Lu Wei, what’s...?"

Seeing such a lively scene here, the three of them couldn’t help but stop in their tracks.

At that moment, the man also turned to look at them.

Perhaps out of courtesy, his gaze didn’t linger on the trio for long, sweeping over them only briefly.

But in the next second, his eyes widened in disbelief, snapping back to the golden Eye of True Sight badge on Bai Ya’s chest.

And then...

"The name is Marcus."

The man immediately bowed his head, placing his right hand on his left shoulder in a gesture of utmost respect toward Bai Ya.

"Good day, esteemed Miss Mage."