Chapter 141: Sea

Ethan was even more confused after hearing Rhazak’s words. "In that case, when the turtle beastman came, why didn’t you just give him the Blood Rabbit’s liver?"

"I wasn’t in the west at the time." Rhazak was one of the few beastmen who regularly left their territory to wander, when the turtle beastman had visited, Rhazak had been traveling through the northern part of the Great Forest, by the time he returned, the Ravager Lord had appeared, he never got the chance to hand the liver over.

"I think this should be of help to you."

"If I give this to the merfolk, I could probably get a handsome reward, are you sure you want to just hand it to me for free?"

"We are friends, friends shouldn’t bicker over such things." Rhazak said it like it was the most obvious fact in the world, then urged Ethan to accept.

Ethan looked at the jerky in his hand, Ethan looked at the jerky in his hand, smiled, and said, "Then I thank you very much."

"No need to thank me, when I visit the central region, just don’t forget to treat me to a feast."

"You’re welcome anytime."

After the celebration banquet ended, Ethan and his group packed their luggage early the next morning and prepared to set out.

Although the beastmen who had participated in the battle had enthusiastically invited them to visit their tribes, their time was limited, so they had no choice but to politely decline every invitation, they had to decline every offer.

"What a pity," they said.

"When you come back, you must come visit us."

"Alright, when that time comes, I’ll bring fine wine and good food to treat you properly."

The beastmen prepared lavish gifts for them — various kinds of jerky, dried fish, and everything else one could think of, Ethan looked at the carriage piled high with food.

’Looks like we’d better hurry, once we get back to the cabin, I can turn all this jerky and dried fish into cured meat dishes.’

"I hope you find what you’re looking for."

"Thank you for your good wishes," Ethan replied.

After saying goodbye to Rhazak, Ethan climbed onto the carriage, Liora and Pearl followed suit.

Zharok grabbed the reins, turned back to Rhazak, and called out, "We’re off, see you next time."

"Goodbye, I’ll keep an ear out for any news about ruins for you."

"Haha, then I thank you." Zharok grinned, waved, and snapped the reins, the carriage sped away.

"Ethan."

"Hmm?" He had been sitting in the carriage, mulling over their upcoming itinerary, when Liora leaned in close, she snuggled up beside him, tilted her head, and asked, "Why did you help those beastmen?"

"You mean, why did we fight the Ravager Lord?"

"I felt that if we left it alone, once its forces grew stronger, it would threaten the central region sooner or later."

"But those beastmen were strong enough to defeat the Ravager Lord even without your help, why did you risk yourself?"

Ethan smiled, in the past, back in the Ascendant Tower, his companions had asked him a similar question, they said that with his abilities, he could have controlled the entire tower and made himself its ruler, yet he chose to use his power to help the weak.

Why?

"Because I can, and because I should." The same answer as before.

He patted Liora’s head and spoke calmly. "I have the ability to help them, and the spare capacity to do it, my help can reduce their casualties and allow them to live better lives, since that’s the case, why shouldn’t I do it? Not to mention, I got a pretty precious gift out of it, too."

Ethan patted the box containing the Blood Rabbit’s liver and smiled proudly.

Liora seemed very satisfied with his answer, she nestled happily into his arms.

"But you can’t always be this generous, meow~"

"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

Pearl’s scolding drew a chuckle out of him.

By the time they saw the ocean again, seven full days had passed since leaving the cabin.

Along the way, Ethan had kept Zharok fed nonstop, helping him recover stamina and boost his speed, even so, it took a full seven days to cross more than half the Great Forest.

Ethan couldn’t help but marvel at just how massive the Great Forest truly was, even after crossing more than half of it, there was still so much more.

"I never want to do this a second time," Zharok groaned.

"Nothing we can do about it — blame the forest for being so big, come to think of it, it’s been ages since I’ve seen the ocean."

An endless blue horizon stretched before them.

This seemed to be Liora’s first time seeing the ocean, she stared into the distance, mouth hanging open, unable to close it for a long time.

"Ethan, Ethan."

"What’s wrong?"

"Can I go play in the sea?"

"Of course you can."

The moment she had permission, Liora bolted toward the beach with excitement, Pearl chased after her, afraid something might happen.

Watching them running across the sand, Ethan smiled, shook his head, and started unloading luggage from the carriage.

"By the way, where is the Turtle Tribe?"

"They’re nearby, let’s eat lunch first, then go visit them." Zharok planned to find the Turtle Tribe, ask about the merfolk’s whereabouts, then track down the Mermaid Queen, he eyed the ingredients Ethan was pulling from the carriage and couldn’t help but swallow.

"Do you need my help?"

"No need, go play by the sea, it’s rare we come to the beach — can’t just go back empty-handed, right?"

"Oh, then I’m leaving this to you, I’m going to go play." Zharok sprinted toward the water.

Liora and Pearl immediately splashed him.

Splash!

Seawater flew up in high arcs, Zharok wasn’t one to be outdone — he swung his massive hands and kicked up even bigger waves.

Ethan watched them splashing by the sea, smiled, shook his head, and started a fire to cook, once they tired themselves out, they’d be starving, he needed to prepare plenty of food.

"What are you making?"

"Roasted meat, why?"

"I drank too much seawater, I’m a bit thirsty."

"Hold on." Ethan pulled out the chilled juice he had prepared beforehand and handed it to Zharok.

Zharok grabbed it, ran back to Liora and Pearl, and shared it with them, Ethan smiled and returned to preparing the ingredients.

"Phew... I’m so hungry. I don’t have any strength left..."

"Ethan, I’m hungry, meow~"

"I’m hungry."

Just as Ethan was nearly done, the three of them dragged themselves back to shore, soaking wet, they’d clearly had a great time.

"Do you want to change your clothes first? Be careful not to catch a cold."

"No need." Liora held up two fingers in a V-sign, full of confidence.

’If they were cold, I’d build a fire for them, since they’re fine, I’ll let them be.’ Ethan tossed a few towels their way and started roasting the meat.

He sprinkled his special chili powder over the cooking meat, a mouth-watering aroma erupted on the spot.

"Smells so good." The scent drew Zharok, Liora, and Pearl over like moths to a flame.