Chapter 559 - 558: Revisiting an Old Place

Chapter 559: Chapter 558: Revisiting an Old Place

After finishing that, Colin felt a little bored again.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

The door knocked softly a few times.

"Is that Ale? Come in." Colin then mentally ordered the `Invisible Servant` to open the door.

A moment later, the door opened.

Ale was standing in the doorway, a paper bag cradled in her arms.

"You’re back early today, Colin." Seeing his expression, Ale tilted her head and asked, "Did something good happen today? You seem really happy."

Perhaps it was just because he had someone to talk to now. Colin didn’t explicitly state why he was happy, simply saying, "Donkexes’s new equipment arrived today. Also, we’ll be able to go to that Ancient Empire ruin soon. I’m just waiting for Kase and the others to get back."

"Is that so? I just bought some small cookies," Ale said. "Orelia really likes sweets like these, but she’s always trying to save money for more meaningful things, so I thought I’d share some with her."

"She’ll probably be very happy to see these cookies, then."

As soon as he finished speaking, a fair, delicate hand offered him a cookie.

Colin took the palm-sized cookie and took a bite. He could taste a lot of butter and white sugar, along with a rich, buttery aroma.

Sitting beside him, Ale also took out a cookie and began to eat.

"Colin, what’s the best dessert you’ve ever had?"

"Probably something called a mousse cake, but that kind of cake would probably be a bit troublesome to make here."

Colin actually knew how to make that kind of cake; he just didn’t know what could substitute for gelatin in this world.

"I’m not a big fan of desserts, though. Or rather, I don’t like white sugar. I do enjoy honey, after all." Ale had a nostalgic look on her face. "My dad used to use `Speak with Animals` to communicate with bees. He’d trade them flowers for honey and turn both of us into little bees so we’d be satisfied with just a tiny bit."

"That’s pretty unusual," Colin said.

The two started chatting idly, slowly passing the difficult time.

Colin watched the fireplace crackling before him, feeling as if he too were a stick of butter or something, slowly being melted by the heat of the flames.

When evening arrived, Colin finally got up and went downstairs with Ale to inform the other members of their team one by one.

-----------------

「The next day at noon.」

Pedestrians on the main road between the Dock District and the Grand Market kept turning their heads to look at the huge warhorse in the middle of the street.

Although everyone knew of the massive breed of horse called the Hoar Horse, it was rare to see one so spirited within the city. Moreover, the horse was surrounded by a few adventurers who looked like trouble.

Feeling the gazes from all around, Colin looked up from the map in his hands and glanced at his companions.

He also quickly checked to make sure the little owl was still perched obediently on his shoulder, lest he have to go all the way home to get it.

Ale had changed into her Dragon Patterned Robe, Dorn was fiddling with the beautiful Precise Dagger in his hand, and the Frost Giant’s Giant Axe on Kase’s back was as eye-catching as ever.

As for Orelia... she was carefully checking the hemp rope on her shield, making sure not to expose the strange face on it.

’This party really has a lot of Magic Items,’ Colin thought.

Of course, the Half-plate Armor he wore, which emanated a cold mist, was also one of the reasons they were drawing so much attention.

While Colin didn’t draw much notice when walking down the street alone, it was a completely different story when he was with the other members of the party.

Then again, maybe most of the passersby were simply worried about being attacked by this strange-looking group.

Although their feat of Dragon Slaying a few months ago had brought Colin and his party some fame, the daily news cycle in Thousand Masts City didn’t keep their names in the headlines for long. Most people now wouldn’t recognize them at first glance.

Colin waved his hand, fanning away the cold mist that had settled on his map, and continued to hurry along with his head down.

Big Hoof Treasure, burdened with a mountain of gear, snorted in dissatisfaction. Kase, walking beside him, casually pulled a bright red apple from his bag and stuffed it into the horse’s mouth.

The apple, a size larger than a fist, was chomped into Big Hoof Treasure’s mouth and devoured in a few CRUNCHES.

After eating the apple, the frighteningly large horse was still not satisfied and snorted again in discontent.

"Are you sure we bought everything we need, Mr. Shadow Anvil?" Orelia asked, stroking Big Hoof Treasure’s mane.

"I think so. Two tents, ten Flash Bombs, ten Smoke Bombs, five vials of Thousand-Mile Eye Oil, five packs of Wind-Ear Powder, and ten Antidotes..." Dorn said slowly, counting on his stout fingers. "Of course, if you all still don’t feel secure, we can always buy more."

Ale sighed. "Let’s not. I think spending a thousand Gold Coins on all this stuff is already crazy enough."

"At least they’re useful. One Flash Bomb is enough to disrupt the vision of most subterranean creatures. That way, Pointy Tail won’t have to waste time casting `Daylight`," Dorn argued.

"I’d still prefer it if you called me Orelia," Orelia said with a hint of helplessness.

"From now on, everyone carries two Flash Bombs and two Smoke Bombs. Your potion pouches should have one High-Level Healing Potion, and your Medicated Bandages must have two Antidotes."

Dorn continued, emphasizing, "On our adventures from here on out, we must strictly adhere to this standard. This way, we’ll have plenty of consumables on hand for emergencies when facing multiple enemies."

"This time, we’re heading to the area around the Witch’s Hammer Mountain Range, east of Holy Tear City." Colin said while looking at the map. "Conveniently, we can take a ship directly there, then pass through the forest at the foot of the mountains from Holy Tear City to reach our destination."

"Then why don’t we just take a Teleportation Array?" Dorn asked.

"A second-class cabin on the ship only costs seven Gold Coins per person, but a Teleportation Array would probably be over fifty. Plus, without an express service, we’d have to wait in line for several days. All things considered, taking the ship is better."

Still looking at the map, Colin added, "Of course, if we were willing to cram into the hold with everyone else, the fare could be reduced to just over one Gold Coin per person... Hmm. To think I’m now buying second-class tickets without a second thought. I guess I’ve been spoiled."

"Spoiled? By Moradin’s beard, are you some kind of ascetic monk from the backwoods? Your future wife is going to have it rough!" Dorn was rendered speechless by this remark, his white mustache twitching.

Kase said with a grin, "So let’s just take the ship. Little brother Colin is sharp when it comes to this stuff."

"I think you’re just afraid of array-sickness," Dorn retorted, mercilessly exposing him.

Kase, however, turned a deaf ear to this, as if the words were just a gentle breeze blowing past.

Amidst the lively conversation, the group soon arrived at the docks of Thousand Masts City.