Chapter 536: A Guide Who Doesn’t Know the Way

Meanwhile....

The Kingdom of Ferrund was already bustling with activity by the time Adam and his companions arrived at its outskirts.

Tall stone walls surrounded the settlement, with armed guards stationed at the gates to inspect travelers and merchants. Carriages lined up along the main road, while merchants shouted over one another as they advertised their goods. It was an ordinary scene for a prosperous kingdom, but for Adam and Azrynn, the guards presented an inconvenience.

They had no intention of explaining their identities or answering unnecessary questions.

Fortunately, Adam had a solution.

Deep Camouflage.

His figure gradually faded from sight, his presence disappearing until even the faintest trace of his existence became difficult to detect. Azrynn and Sylphy followed suit, their appearances concealed by the skill’s effect.

Adam glanced toward the little spirit floating beside him.

"Hey, Sylphy. Aren’t you going to hide yourself?"

Sylphy puffed out her chest, looking thoroughly offended by the suggestion.

"Hmph! There’s no need for that! I’m a great spirit, you know! Ordinary people can’t just see me whenever they want!"

Adam stared at her for a moment.

"I see."

"What?!"

Sylphy’s face twisted with indignation.

"At least pretend to be impressed! Do you have any idea how many spirits would dream of becoming as great as me?!"

"None. Absolutely none."

"YOU!!!"

Adam ignored her increasingly shrill protests and turned his attention to Azrynn.

Deep Camouflage could conceal their presence, but maintaining its effect required physical contact. Since he intended to fly over the walls rather than risk being spotted on the ground, there was only one practical solution.

He bent down slightly and lifted Azrynn into his arms.

For a brief moment, he wondered whether she might become embarrassed. Carrying someone in one’s arms like this was practically a scene straight out of a romantic story, after all.

Yet Azrynn remained as composed as ever.

She simply adjusted her position in his arms, making herself comfortable enough to avoid interfering with his movements.

Azrynn glanced at him.

"Am I too heavy?"

"Not at all."

He answered without hesitation. Given his physical strength, carrying her was hardly a challenge.

Still, he couldn’t help noticing how feminine she felt in his arms. Her slender figure rested comfortably against him, and a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered around her, reminiscent of sunlight warming fresh leaves after a cool morning.

Adam briefly wondered whether it came from her clothes or some subtle elven trait.

He decided not to ask. It would probably invite another round of Sylphy’s irritating commentary.

Sure enough, the little spirit was already grinning.

"Oho! So this is why you wanted to carry her! How romantic!"

Adam shot her a blank look.

"Keep talking, and I’ll carry you by the wings and use you as a flag."

Sylphy immediately covered her mouth, though the mischievous sparkle in her eyes suggested she had no intention of staying quiet for long.

Adam spread his wings.

With a powerful beat, he lifted himself and Azrynn into the air. They rose above the rocky ground, gliding toward the tall walls of Ferrund. His wings moved steadily, keeping their ascent smooth while Deep Camouflage concealed them from the guards stationed along the ramparts.

The soldiers continued their patrols, completely unaware that three unexpected visitors had just passed above their heads.

Sylphy followed effortlessly, drifting through the air as though she were swimming in an invisible river. As a wind spirit, flying required no more effort from her than walking did for an ordinary person.

Once they were safely beyond the walls, Adam descended toward a secluded corner between several buildings. He landed quietly, folding his wings away before setting Azrynn back on her feet.

She straightened her clothes and glanced around.

"We’re inside."

"Indeed. And without having to explain ourselves to a single guard. I’d call that a successful entrance."

Adam surveyed their surroundings, taking in the narrow streets and the buildings constructed from stone and timber. The kingdom was already bustling with activity. Merchants arranged their goods, residents hurried along the roads, and the occasional cart rattled over the uneven paving.

What caught his attention most, however, was the population.

Humans were present, but they were far from the majority in this part of the city. Demi-humans could be seen everywhere, ranging from beastkin with animal ears and tails to individuals whose features bore more unusual characteristics.

Some had fur covering parts of their bodies, while others possessed horns, scales, or other traits that distinguished them from ordinary humans. Despite their differences, they moved through the streets with an air of familiarity, as though this diversity were simply a normal part of everyday life.

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"So, Ferrund is predominantly inhabited by demi-humans?"

"That’s what it looks like," Azrynn replied, observing the passing residents with quiet interest.

Sylphy floated between them, looking rather pleased with herself.

"Of course! Ferrund has all sorts of people! It’s much more interesting than those boring spirit gardens!"

Adam glanced at her.

"Didn’t you complain the entire time Proserpine was forcing you to come with us?"

"Th-that’s completely different!"

Ignoring Sylphy’s renewed outrage, Adam turned his attention back to the city. He felt that this place was so crowded with demi-humans that he didn’t see a single human.

Azrynn turned toward Sylphy, who was still sulking over Adam’s earlier remarks.

"Sylphy, can you guide us to the ancient temple?"

The little spirit immediately perked up, floating a little higher as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Of course! I know the temple’s interior very well! There are all sorts of interesting places inside, and I remember the corridors and rooms like the back of my hand!"

Azrynn waited for her to continue.

Sylphy’s proud expression gradually faltered.

"...But I don’t remember where the temple is."

Her words made the atmosphere silent for a moment.

Adam slowly turned his head toward her.

"Sorry, let me make sure I understand. You remember the inside of a temple, but you have absolutely no idea where to find it?"

"That’s right! What’s so strange about that?!"

"Nothing at all." Adam nodded solemnly. "It’s perfectly normal to remember the furniture in a house while forgetting which house it belongs to."

"That’s not the same thing!"

"Really? Then perhaps you could explain the difference to me."

Sylphy opened her mouth, only to close it again when no convincing answer came to mind.

Adam gave her a sympathetic look.

"Don’t worry. If we ever need someone to guide us through a place they can’t find, I’ll be sure to call you first."

"YOU’RE MAKING FUN OF ME AGAIN!"

Azrynn sighed softly at their exchange, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Sylphy, please try to remember. You said some spirits had visited the temple before, didn’t you? Surely you heard something about its location."

The little spirit crossed her arms and thought for a moment.

"Hmm... I remember the elders talking about a place near the Kingdom of Ferrund. They said some dark elves had taken refuge there a very long time ago. But I wasn’t there myself, and nobody ever bothered to tell me exactly where it was."

"So you know the general area, but not the precise location," Azrynn summarized.

"Exactly!" Sylphy declared, as though she had just provided an invaluable contribution.

Adam rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Wonderful. Our guide knows the destination exists, remembers what it looks like inside, but doesn’t know how to get there."

Sylphy flew straight toward his face, glaring at him with all the fury her tiny body could muster.

"I’m a great spirit! You should be grateful I’m even helping you!"

"Of course, of course. We’re incredibly fortunate."

Adam raised a hand and gently pushed her forehead away as she tried to get closer.

"Now, Great Spirit Sylphy, why don’t you use that incredible wisdom of yours to tell us where we should start looking?"

Sylphy grumbled under her breath, swatting his finger away.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! I will remember it and make you regret underestimating me!"

"I trust you. Great Spirit!"

Adam’s answer came so quickly that Sylphy narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Azrynn, meanwhile, looked toward the busy streets beyond their secluded corner. Finding an ancient temple in an unfamiliar kingdom would not be easy, especially when their only lead was a vague recollection from a spirit who couldn’t even remember where the place was.

Still, it was a lead.

"We should start by asking the locals," she suggested. "If the temple is truly ancient, there may be records or legends about it."

Adam nodded.

"Agreed. Let’s find an inn or a place where travelers gather. Someone might know something."

He glanced down at Sylphy.

"And if our great guide remembers anything useful along the way, we’ll consider it a bonus."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT LIKE YOU DON’T MEAN IT!"

Adam grinned.

"See? She’s learning to understand me already."

With Sylphy’s indignant protests following them, Adam and Azrynn stepped out into the crowded streets of Ferrund, beginning their search for a temple whose location had somehow escaped their guide’s memory.