Chapter 46: Seeing Akara Again (Part 1)
The next morning, I opened my eyes early. The fresh morning air, mixed with the scent of grass beside my nose and a faint smell of dirt, made me feel completely refreshed. Gus, who was sleeping next to me, was currently hugging the Large Tree not far away, muttering something incessantly. I had no idea what kind of sweet dream he was having, sigh...
As for Doug, that snoring guy, Gus and I had kicked him to the other side long ago.
"Morning, Wu."
Just as I got up, Shali's voice came over.
She was hanging Clothes on one side of the Courtyard. I felt a bit ashamed, as I thought I was the first one awake.
"Yeah, Auntie Shari, you're up early too. Uncle Lars is truly blessed to have married you."
Due to Lifespan, although Shali was already around 40 years old, she didn't look old at all. Calling her 'Auntie' felt awkward. Lars, on the other hand, perhaps because he had always lived under immense Pressure, looked completely like an uncle, even though he was about the same age as Shali.
"Auntie Shari, I want to go to Akara's Place for a trip. If they wake up, please tell them." I let out a big yawn.
"Okay, I understand. Come back early, or breakfast will get cold."
"Yes, ma'am, I shall obey your command."
My voice came from outside the wooden fence.
Akara's Tent, no matter how you looked at it, was so small. In comparison, even the small patch of empty Grassland around it seemed quite spacious. The grass in the Grassland was neatly trimmed, and the morning dew gently hung on the leaves, reflecting the warm morning Light in a myriad of colors.
A Lounge Chair was placed outside the Tent, and Akara was sitting there, enjoying the morning sun. When she heard my Footsteps, she didn't show any expression, as if she had already known I was coming.
"Young man, the morning sun seems quite nice today. Looks like another good day."
"I think so too, Lady Akara."
I smiled slightly and bowed to Akara.
"I am truly sorry for disturbing you so early."
"It's alright. When you get old, you can't always sleep even if you want to. I always wake up early. But isn't it nice to be able to enjoy such a beautiful morning and have someone come to chat with this lonely old woman?"
"Come, please come in."
Akara stood up from the Chair and led the way into the Tent.
When she brought a steaming cup of Spirit-Clearing Water In Front of me, I was Affirmative that she might have already known I would come, or at least, had guessed someone was coming. The Power of the Great Eye was truly terrifying. I couldn't help but feel another layer of reverence.
Akara and I chatted for a bit, then talked about Trials. I half-truthfully told her about some of the problems I encountered. I didn't know if she saw through my lies. In Front of her damned Great Eye, I always felt uneasy when lying. But thankfully, Akara didn't seem to care much. She still pointed out my shortcomings one by one, especially a small detail: the function of stacking potions. Akara mentioned it casually, but it gave me a sudden Realization. No wonder that female Druid was chugging potions when fighting Corpsefire.
After I finished asking everything I needed to ask, the Atmosphere fell silent. Akara didn't speak either, just quietly drank her Spirit-Clearing Water, seemingly waiting for me to "walk into a trap."
What should I do? To be honest, witnessing the strange Power of Akara's Great Eye today made me even more apprehensive. The words I originally wanted to say needed to be Pondered over even more. However, this kind of Matter couldn't be hidden at all, and if I didn't get Akara's support, even with the Bugged Amulet, it would often be useless.
"Lady Akara, I want to go to the Cold Plains for a Trial."
I was silent for a moment, then finally started. My heart was pounding.
After saying that sentence, the Atmosphere became silent again. After a while, Akara, who seemed to have built up my anticipation enough, suddenly smiled, "My dear Wu, why are you so nervous?"
"I..."
Akara waved her hand.
"Wu, everyone has their own Secret. The original intention of the Power of the Great Eye is to Help others find the correct direction, not to pry into others' **. Although I am very curious about the Speed of your Trials, you are not our Enemy. Therefore, I will not pry into your Secret. This is also not allowed by the Great Eye; it is abusing the Power of the Great Eye and Blasphemy against my belief."
Akara's kind face bore a gentle Smile, but every word she spoke made me tremble with fear.
"This old woman, I am old. Many Matters can no longer wait for the process; I can only predict the Result. I believe, Wu, your Strength will bring us good news and open up a new situation for us. Just that is enough."
Even a fool would understand the meaning of Akara's words. I was overjoyed. This Result was much better than I had expected. I had originally prepared for the worst, which was exposing the Existence of the Bugged Amulet. I didn't expect that before I even said anything, Akara had already stopped pursuing it.
Fortunately, I didn't get carried away. I still understood the meaning in Akara's words very well.
"Lady Akara, please rest assured. My Life belongs to Sanctuary, and my loyalty and honor also belong to Sanctuary. I will not do anything that harms Sanctuary." I swore solemnly, adding silently in my heart – unless absolutely necessary.
Both of us got the answers we were satisfied with. Naturally, I was extremely happy. Akara also seemed to be in a good mood. Due to regulations, although she believed me, she couldn't let me use a Town Portal directly to the Cold Plains. However, she told me the specific Zone where the Waypoint in the Cold Plains was located, giving me a general direction.
While Akara was still in a good mood, I took out the pile of blackish things that Corpsefire had dropped last time.
"Lady Akara, what are these things? Do you know?"
"Oh?" Akara curiously touched the pile of things. It seemed the Great Eye wasn't omnipotent after all.
"Ah, it's Demon Core and Crystal Ore."
Akara said with surprise.
"What are they used for? I looked at this large pile of blackish碎块 (broken pieces), and there were actually two kinds of things inside."
"Demon Core, after being ground into powder, can be used to make Town Portal Scrolls. As for Magic Crystal Ore, give it to Charsi. With these ores, her Success Rate might be higher."
After a pause, Akara continued, "This pile of broken pieces, after being ground into powder, can make many Town Portal Scrolls. Wu, if you don't mind, I hope you can sell these broken pieces to me."
"Not at all. Lady Akara has already given me the Tome of Town Portal and the Book of Identification. Consider these a gift to you, Lady Akara." I said sheepishly. Anyway, I wasn't short on Gold Coins now, and keeping these broken pieces was useless. It was better to do her a Favor.
"How can that be? This old woman, I am most afraid of others giving me things. If someone sees it, that would be a great crime of corruption and bribery."
Akara said with a Smile. I couldn't help but chuckle. I didn't expect her to have such a humorous side.
"Wu, I know you're not short on Gold Coins. How about this, I'll trade you Town Portal Scrolls for them. These aren't things you can necessarily buy just with Gold Coins." Akara said with a chuckle, pulling out over 10 Scrolls from a shelf and handing them to me.
"This is all my current stock. Take them."
I didn't stand on ceremony. These Town Portal Scrolls were good things.
"Is the Book of Identification also made from this kind of Demon Core powder?"