Winter passed just like that, and soon after, spring returned.
Spring in this world doesn't have cherry blossoms in full bloom like in Japan which is kinda sad; instead, if you were in Fittoa, wheat fields would start rising high above the ground, or if in Milbots, giant vineyards would begin sprouting leaves, creating a green field stretching to the horizon. Accompanied by gentle, cool breezes and the scent of flowers, contributing to a joyful and colorful atmosphere. Patches of ice and snow on high mountain peaks would begin to melt, creating crystal clear streams. If one ventured further to the forest edges, one might occasionally encounter animals like deer, squirrels, and rabbits running around. It is exactly a scene that anyone would marvel at and feel grateful for this life.
However, in the Demon Continent in general and Gaslow in particular, they don't have that luxury. There are no clear streams, only streams of acid flowing from fissures spewing toxic gas. There are no flowers or grass; the things sprouting up are just dried animal carcasses from winter turning into undead. As for wildlife...
"ROAR!"
There are only things like ferocious black dragons or Basilisks hunting for prey after a full winter's sleep.
In short, apart from it not being cold anymore and having less fog, this place is still as boring as usual. As a scenery enthusiast like myself, this is unacceptably terrible, I want a refund.
And do you know what is even worse than that?
It's what comes after that, sum-fucking-mer. The heat is unacceptable, the land is burning hot and your sweat can't even touch the ground when it comes out of your skin. It's dry, scorching and the monsters are like having some doping, they roam the land and become unnecessarily hostile to everything, including their own kin.
Everyday, some kind of monster would come to the Fortress and knock on the door. And in some cases, a horde of dragons came out of nowhere and attacked us from the sky with their acid breath.
In summary, I hate this place.
But I didn't come here for a vacation or tourism. I am at Necross Fortress to train to become stronger and wait for news about the people I cherish. For that reason, I quickly overcame what is called the despair of the scenery to continue my training sessions.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh*
A series of arrows from the Rapid-Fire Trio were fired; they were all their strongest shots. With this volley, they could completely take down a squad consisting entirely of Advanced swordsmen.
*Thwack! Thwack!*
However, after a period of training like my life depended on it, I could completely neutralize them with ease. Not just dodging anymore, but using the two swords in my hands to block them all without breaking a sweat.
And this wasn't a single wave of arrows either. True to their title, the Rapid-Fire Trio immediately fired another volley without pause. With each bow, they fired three arrows. And with a shooting speed faster than a normal person's sword swing, on average, each of them had to fire nearly two hundred arrows a minute if going all out. If one said that just this trio could defend a city from an attack by an army of a thousand, it wouldn't be impossible.
But I'm not a normal person anymore. So this pouring rain of arrows is just a normal occurrence to me.
"Enough!"
"Eh? Ack! Gurgle gurgle..."
Just as I heard Calina's signal to stop, I lost focus, and an arrow pierced through my throat, leaving me writhing on the ground again. Luckily, this has happened enough times that I had a recovery magic circle ready on my hand, so I just needed to channel mana into it, no need to focus or use voiceless magic. Of course, this consumes more mana, but when your throat is being slit like this, no one is calm enough to use voiceless magic.
"Haa... We haven't even reached halfway through the session, Master Calina?" After regaining my voice, which was still clear and hadn't broken yet, I glared at Calina reproachfully. "By the way, next time you call for a stop, can you not shout like that? I was concentrating."
"If you get distracted just because of a shout, you are still very weak, Sir Hero."
"Well, you're right. But..."
"Besides..." Calina continued, cutting me off. "I think this exercise has lost its effectiveness."
"Huh?"
"As I see it, you have found your 'Path'. So from today, you will be a North Saint."
That summer, even though everything else was like hell, I achieved my first 'Saint' rank title.
Instead of two years as planned, after more than just a year, I had completed my goal at Necross Fortress. Impressive, right? A 14-year-old North Saint he he he. Meanwhile, Isolde also made significant transitions; just four days after I found my 'Path', my 'wife' also achieved that title.
Truly, competition makes people improve by leaps and bounds, doesn't it?
It can be said that this is one of the few times I defeated Isolde in something. But considering I have practiced North God Style since I was four, a ten-year journey, compared to her just one year, it does make me feel a bit bothered. So even though I won, I didn't feel glorious at all, but could only sigh and continue training even harder.
…
A few days later, an old friend of mine appeared again.
…
"Yo."
Ah! Man-God. Hello, I hope you have a good day!
"Oh, you look happy, don't you? No, don't tell me, let me guess hmm... You are already a North Saint, right?! Congratulations!"
Yes, yes, thank you. Though actually, that's not exactly the reason I'm happy. I'm happy because I know I'm about to receive some useful advice.
"Oh my, you are still as pragmatic and heartless as ever. Not happy to see me again? That hurts."
I'm just kidding, ha ha. Actually, I wanted to meet you to say thank you. If not for you, perhaps Isolde, Elinalise, Talhand, and even Rudeus's master Roxy would have been captured and made slaves for Atofe forever. So, thank you for that. Please accept my bow as a tribute.
"Ah, you're welcome. As I said, I always consider you my best friend. As long as you trust and follow my guidance, your life will be guaranteed to be wonderfully excellent."
Seems so. Anyway, do you have any information on my friends and the Boreas family?
"Actually yes. Because you are going in the right direction so I got that information too."
Right direction? Ah, the searching for the Immortal Demon Empress Kishi-something right?
"That's right, Roxy had found her. Perhaps it won't be long before you hear the news. Maybe it will come tomorrow, who knows."
Oh, oh. But I'm still wondering, you can foresee the future, right?
"Correct. That is why I know what is best for you."
Then I have something I don't quite understand. If so, why don't you know where I will meet Eris in the future?
"I can only see a few things about to happen and the extremely distant future, like a whole hundred years from now, not every moment and time. Putting it that way, surely you understand, right?"
So that's it. Understood. So you check what is about to happen, then look straight at an extremely distant point to see how that event will affect after a certain time huh?
"That is correct."
But even so, it might not necessarily be the best thing, hmmm...
"What do you mean?"
Ah, nothing. Just some random thoughts. I'm just worried that there are many things that might look bad at first glance but in the long run turn out to be good. Like me accidentally getting stuck in the labyrinth and meeting Lord Lan Xin. If I hadn't met him and been taught the techniques of the Blood Tribe, I wouldn't have been able to defeat Atofe nor be this strong as I am now.
"That sounds about right, but if you hadn't been stuck there for nearly two years, you wouldn't have had to confront Atofe. Instead, you would have met Isolde in Millishion Continent very early on, so they wouldn't have needed to come to Vasile to find you. In that case, you wouldn't have needed to fake marry her for anything. And whether you are stronger or not, it depends on how much you train anyway."
Ah, right... I forgot about that. This butterfly effect is truly complicated. Please don't misunderstand, I'm just thinking randomly like that, not doubting you or anything. Please don't get mad and stop giving me advice, my beloved sir Man-God.
"I understand. At least you are much less difficult to talk to than Rudeus. Even now he still doesn't trust me, it's very sad."
If it's Rudeus, I can understand why he wouldn't trust you. The way you talk with that appearance really resembles a typical villain. To be honest, I'm even afraid that one day you'll get bored and decide to ruin my life just because you feel like it.
"Come on… Why would I ever do that?"
Ah, sorry. I think that because sometimes people playing games still have that mentality. Like wanting to see their character make wrong decisions to get a bad ending just for fun. Some psychos even build a pool and throw their characters in then remove the ladder to watch them die slowly in pain.
"I am not that kind of person. I swear. I want to see my friends to be happy."
Yes, yes, I trust you. I already know the consequence of not following your advice anyway. And speaking of Rudeus, how is he doing now?
"He rescued Lilia and Aisha from captivity by a Shirone's Prince almost a year ago."
Really!? So Aisha and Lilia have been found?
"That's right, all thanks to my guidance. I am truly a kind god, aren't I? Although rescuing the two of them was a bit difficult, Rudeus and his friends succeeded. Lilia and Aisha are at Millishion by the help of your Master."
Huh? Master...? Wait! Master Reida!? Ah right, the last I heard she was in Shirone.
"Correct. The Water God is an acquaintance of Lilia, so instead of siding with the kidnapper, she switched to helping the Greyrat family escape. Thanks to that, the plan went quite smoothly."
I see. Although I'm a bit surprised that Lilia knows Master Reida, knowing everything is settled is truly reassuring. If so, if Norm is with Paul, and Aisha and Lilia have also been found, then perhaps only Zenith is left for the Rudeus family to be reunited. Good for them.
"And sooner or later you will hear news from the Boreas side too. From what I eavesdropped on, it seems they are all in safe places."
Really? If that's true, I can sleep peacefully, thank goodness.
"I am happy for you too. But listen, after receiving the news, go with Isolde to Millishion to report Zenith's location to Paul."
Eh? That's natural. Did you go through the trouble of giving advice just for that?
"Actually, I just wanted to see you. The advice is just a secondary reason, understand?"
Aww... How touching. If I were a girl, I might have fallen in love already.
"So be it. See you again, I hope you will soon find your loved ones. Good luck, my friend."
After those final words, I startled awake, returning to my bedroom at noon as usual.
…
Just as the Man-God predicted, a letter from Master Roxy was sent the next day. The content was that she had found the Demon Empress Kishirika Kishirisu in the town of Kurasuma, a place about a month's journey northwest of Necross Fortress. The location of each member of the Greyrat and Boreas families had also been found through the Demon Empress's Demon Eyes. According to the information, it seems Eris and Lord Sauros are both in the Royal Capital Ars. Philip and Hilda are in a kingdom located in the far eastern region of the Strife Zone. The Greyrat family members are all in Millishion, except Rudeus who is somewhere in the Northern part of the Central Continent for some reasons. Maybe he's searching for his mom?
And talking about his mom, Zenith is stuck in some labyrinth on the Begaritt continent according to what Kishirika said. Roxy is on her way to Millishion to report this information to Paul together with Talhand. Meanwhile, Elinalise will cross the sea to return to the Central Continent to break the news to Rudeus.
And that is exactly why Isolde and I sat down together at lunch to consider our next plans.
"I will go to Millishion with Roxy and Talhand." I said straight out. "Then I will ask Paul to take Larry back to Begaritt for me."
"Um." Isolde was still reading the letter and thinking about something. About ten seconds later, she finally spoke her mind. "I think if we go to Kurasuma to return with Elinalise, it would be faster. You could also ask Roxy to take Larry along, couldn't you?"
I thought so too. After all, that place isn't too far, and Elinalise also said she would prepare a few more things and board a ship in a few weeks. I really want to return to Asura as soon as possible. Because the first thing I want to do is go find Eris, obviously. But The Man-God himself suggested going to Millishion so I don't think I should go straight to the Central Continent. I believe he must have some reason so let's just follow his advice.
But I don't think I should tell Isolde that I'm listening to some shady god. After all, she is a Millis believer; hearing me say that, she would surely say I shouldn't listen to those seemingly dark… ah no, 'white censored' forces of unknown origin. So I have to think of another reason, hmm...
"To be honest with you, I want to visit Millishion once in my life." I lied blatantly. "You are also a Millis believer, so you understand, right?"
Millishion is kinda like Rome back to Earth, it's the Capital of all Millis Faith so they have many interesting sites and religious meaning. So I think my reason could be valid.
"You have a point..." Isolde blushed slightly. I truly didn't expect her to react like that. "I am also curious about what that place looks like. Everyone says it's even more beautiful than the Royal Capital Ars."
Ah right, I completely forgot Isolde is still a teenage girl curious about the world, isn't she? Quite cute.
"Then let's go to Millishion together."
"Yeah."
So we had decided on our direction.
Immediately after, I went to meet Moore and announced my departure. The captain of Necross Fortress didn't seem too surprised and immediately promised to prepare everything necessary for the trip and organize a farewell party that evening.
It was a rather chaotic and fun party. I laughed a lot, and then the next morning, the emotional moment of farewell took place.
"Sir Hero, Princess Isolde, I am very sorry that our training time has to end here." Calina, in her excessively verbose and dignified mode, was the first to speak. "Compared to previous students I've had, apart from Lady Atofe's grandson, you two are truly the best students I have. However, even though you have grasped the 'Path', you should also know that the world out there is very large..."
Yeah, this lecture about knowing how to be careful and not risk one's life, I've heard it probably a billion times, so I don't have to listen to it. Anyway, Calina just wants to talk, not necessarily caring whether I care or not.
"Sir Hero!"
"Ack!"
While Calina was still talking, Arcantos jumped on me and hugged me. Accompanied by his five huge wolves.
"Woo hoo hoo hoo! Sir Hero! With you gone, who will cook hotpot for us!"
So it was because of the food, not because you miss me? If I recall correctly, this same Sir Arcantos and his wolves criticized my food a lot back then. But since I started researching local cuisine seriously, this group has been the one demanding to eat the most.
I haven't told you yet, but if everyone remembers, I roughly owed Moore a debt during the time I forged armor for Isolde. The captain then asked me to do something to polish the name of the Fortress, like speaking well of this place on my travels, for example.
I found that a bit... inhumane. Life here is quite fun, healthy, everyone is fed and clothed warmly, but fundamentally, having to be away from family and being tied down for life is no different from being a slave. Although many people here are always happy, I can still see many occasionally crawling into a corner to cry alone whenever they miss home.
I initially intended to use my poetic 'talent', and Moore immediately stopped me. Ah no, I should say he begged me not to write poetry about this Fortress.
So after a long struggle, I decided to use my cooking talent, even though it seemed unrelated.
When I first started, many people still looked at me with concern because the dishes I made before didn't suit their taste. However, as a true chef, I immediately proved them wrong after completing the Gaslow cuisine menu.
Those were dishes made from 100% local ingredients. The spice ratio was seasoned to suit the lifestyle of warriors and changed according to the weather. So soon enough, it became the main standard set for the entire Necross Fortress.
Among them, the most famous is the spicy hotpot I once made in Vasile not long ago. Atur Style Spicy Dragon Meat Hotpot has now become a symbol of the strength and generosity of nature here, Moore advertised it like that.
Heh, suddenly I feel like a winner, don't I? So from now on, forever after, anyone who comes to this fortress for eternity will know my name.
"Don't worry." I clambered up. Then I crossed my arms, imitating the posture Peridot often uses to show his dignity. "I will definitely come back to ask Master Arcantos to teach me more summoning magic."
"Just go safely. We will miss you, Sir Hero."
So I was chased away just like that. The stomach still loses to sleep, they said huh?
"Sir Hero!" And the next one in line to say goodbye to me is the muscular man who's doing a Jojo pose of Joseph with both of his hands raised. "So the time has come huh?"
"Sir Peridot!" I greeted him with my Jotaro's pose with my finger pointed at him as well. "Yes, I think it's my time to go now."
"Hmgh!" Peridot nodded with a very manly pose and then took a box out of nowhere.
It's a long box, made from wood. It's kinda like a sword box. Ah no, it's definitely a sword box. It's exactly like the box in which the Boreas once stored their Lion's Tongue.
"I heard about your 'path', Sir Hero." Peridot said as he took the sword of the box. "So I made this sword for you. I hope it would help you in the battles you would face in the future. I called it the Black Blade by the way."
And yep, it's a short sword, one-edged with a curved blade of the kind. Not too fancy or anything I must say but the material is made of the finest alloy of the Fortress so it has a signature pitch black color, which, kinda like Shusui of One Piece in terms of appearance. Oh wait, Peridot literally called it as Black Blade as well, which literally means Shusui as well, isn't it? Now I have three swords too so I'm now officially the Vice Captain of the Straw Hat Crew.
Joke aside. The sword is far more than impressive. It's very balanced, the weight, the structure of the weapon is very suitable for a nimble swordsman like me. Peridot sure is the best blacksmith of this Fortress, he knows both how to make great and compatible equipment for almost everyone with ease.
"Woah. I'm speechless." I admitted. I don't know what to say with this gift.
"Then you don't have to say anything, Sir Hero." Peridot said it with pride. "Just bring honorable battles upon my swords. It's what I can ask for."
"I will." I bowed to my blacksmith master.
"My honor." Peridot did it as well.
After that, I said goodbye to Benebene, the Rapid-Fire Trio, and a few others I made friends with during the year here. Although initially, everyone was wary of me because I was the 'hero' who defeated their master. Then, thanks to the time I spent here, after many days of eating together, sparing together, and doing stupid things, they started to see me as a friend instead of some scary hero. Some of them even gave me letters and a few items to give to their relatives when I travel to Millishion.
Not just me, Isolde seemed to have a few friends of her own too. Just as on my side mostly males, Isolde's friends were the rare girls of this Fortress, including Calina. But because our swordsmanship master was busy rambling on about her super long instructions, she didn't join the conversation over there. I don't know what they said to each other, but occasionally I felt a few glances from those girls.
Hope they aren't badmouthing me...
Peridot also gifted Isolde a new sword as well. It's a longsword and seems very suitable for Isolde fighting style as well. I heard it can amplify magic somehow so maybe I will take a peek to learn a new thing or two when I have a chance to.
And finally, of course, Moore, Lady Atofe's right-hand man, was the most thoughtful. He brought out two huge bags of luggage that I guarantee the two of us couldn't carry.
"Sir Hero. Here is the equipment and food for your trip. I have prepared enough portions for the other three people too."
But before I could say anything more, Moore's men led out a giant Lizard. What is this? Emergency food?
"This is a Transport Lizard." Moore explained. "It is a very durable creature and accustomed to traveling long distances in the harshest places of this Demon Continent. With it, everyone will move more easily."
"Oh oh oh! Thank you, Sir Moore."
I immediately marveled and walked over to that huge lizard. Although walking isn't that difficult for Isolde and me since we run nearly a hundred kilometers every damn day. To the point that I even learned how to sleep while running. But carrying luggage and traveling with mages, even experienced ones like Roxy or Talhand, it wouldn't be convenient for them to walk that far. So indeed, if we have it, moving will be truly easier.
"And here." Moore handed me a card engraved with a bat symbol. "It is a token for Lady Atofe's guards returning to their hometown on vacation. As long as you are on the Demon Continent, just show it, and no one will dare to make your journey difficult. All costs when taking the ship from Wind Port to Zant Port will be free."
"Oh, thank you."
Truly Moore, you are exactly the only person in this fortress to whom I can entrust this life.
"If possible, please promote the image of our Necross Fortress. You can tell any strong warrior that you became this strong is thanks to us."
"Uh..." I regret what I just thought to myself immediately.
I know I did get stronger thanks to people here but I don't think I should do that. Fooling people to sell their life isn't something my moral compass would accept.
"For every warrior who comes here because of your invitation, I will pay."
"Deal." I agreed immediately.
Well fuck it, money is money. Moral won't pay the bill.
"Did you really agree to that?" And out of nowhere, Isolde was standing right next to me and glaring. "Really?"
"What? It's money! If someone is stupid enough to fall for seductions about power and honor and stuff, if not me, someone else will lure them anyway. So I'd rather be the one enjoying the commission, right?" After defending myself, I gave a thumbs up with an extremely convincing smile. "And I will share the money with you."
"I don't need that money." Isolde rolled her eyes. "But whatever, up to you then."
After finishing her sentence, she also turned her back and walked away, arranging her belongings on the mount. Although Isolde said that, I am sure she would still be disappointed if I really followed Moore's suggestion.
Anyway, just saying that to make the captain happy; I would never actually do that. Money is indeed a tempting thing, but I don't think I'll have the occasion to return to the Demon Continent in the near future. So me acting as a brand ambassador for Atofe won't have much economic benefit.
Not to mention I might be cursed by some families for generations for making their loved one leave the family forever. I can't let my image be tarnished just for money. Now that I am a hero, I must live up to my title. If not, Hero Himmel would be disappointed in me.
But wait, if I promise but don't do it, that is also an act that isn't very righteous, is it? Sigh... Well, let's just leave it at that.
"Sir Moore, I apologize for this inconvenience. About what you just suggested, perhaps I have to refuse."
Moore raised his eyebrow slightly for just a split second, then he also returned to his usual calm face.
"I understand." Judging by the tone, Moore seemed to understand something entirely different. "After all, respecting your woman's opinion is a very precious virtue of a hero."
True, Isolde was the reason for me to state the refusal directly, but being misunderstood like this is fine too. Saves me from being seen as a fickle person changing his mind instantly without reason.
And yeah, I am indeed the type who would be henpecked. Even though Isolde isn't my wife, I'm already tamed with just a few short sentences. And if it were Eris, I might even get punched a few times.
Hmm... Suddenly I want to be punched by Eris so much. I kind of miss her cute violent side, not gonna lie.
But it's okay; according to Isolde, if there are no problems, in just over half a year, I will be back in Asura. Also because of that, I look forward to returning home even more, he he he.
"Wish Sir Hero and Princess Isolde a safe journey."
With those words from Moore, we also finished our farewells with Necross Fortress. It's a bit of a pity that I couldn't see Lord Lan Xin or Lady Atofe again because it seems they are helping me find the Demon Empress.
I made a vow to myself that when I return, I will give each of them a bottle of my finest wine from the Cluel family cellar in the Royal Capital. Except for the bottle made purely from Isolde's saliva, I can't give that to anyone. The first few bottles have been aged for over seven years now; if they haven't turned into vinegar, they are guaranteed to be delicious, ha ha ha.
I have five bottles, so here's the plan: give one to Atofe, one to Lord Lan Xin, I will drink one myself to celebrate, give one to Lord Sauros, and the last bottle for Rudeus's family to congratulate their whole family reunion would be beautiful. Yup! It's the plan!
"Thank you everyone for the past time; if possible, I will definitely come back."
With those final words, Isolde, Larry, and I sat on the Transport Lizard and set off south, to the meeting place with Roxy.
…
The place we are going to meet is the city of Zant Port located at the southernmost point of the Demon Continent. Generally, it's quite far. Unlike the last time going to Necross Fortress, now we have a mount, so moving is much more comfortable and faster. Although initially I wasn't used to sitting while rocking, to the point of getting... lizard-sick and throwing up countless times. Luckily, knowing recovery magic, I managed to survive.
On the way, of course, we couldn't avoid encountering all kinds of monsters picking fights. But now both Isolde and I are strong enough, so there weren't too many difficulties. If monsters come looking for trouble, they will just turn into a meal for the two of us. Well, since ingredients were plentiful, I only cooked the parts that Isolde and Larry specifically wanted to eat. What they rejected, I threw back out for wild beasts to finish off.
Generally, our journey didn't have many obstacles, if not to say it was quite boring.
So on the way, whenever we met monsters, we took turns showing off our swordsmanship instead of avoiding them like normal people. For example, that Red Hood Cobra that accidentally saw us and rushed over.
"Leave this one to me."
Isolde immediately jumped down from the mount with her sword already drawn. Not only that, she also started chanting a spell. Seeing this scene, I knew that monster's time was up.
"Hah!" Isolde shouted as she slashed her sword.
That blow didn't create any terrifying damage like Isolde usually creates. Instead, it was just a small scratch, cutting into the flesh like a paper cut.
But everyone, don't look down on that blow like that Red Hood Cobra. While it still thought that Isolde was just a lucky swordsman who dodged its first attack and wasn't strong at all, half of its body had already turned to ice.
"REEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Only now did it start to realize, but it was too late. The huge A-rank monster with deadly poison began to writhe in pain with an inevitable slow death.
"How was that?" Meanwhile, the person who caused that calmly smirked, showing off to me. "This blow can defeat even opponents with regeneration abilities like you."
"Yeah, yeah. I know, and put your sword away from me. It's scary as heck."
Indeed, that technique once forced Atofe into a position where she had to use her strongest ultimate technique so it's quite dangerous. If used on me, I might actually die, no joke. Truly, what is scarier than a female swordsman Isolde is a magic swordswoman Isolde; terrifying.
Thanks to knowing she wanted to be comprehensive like the first Water God and also being taught by different talented mages like Roxy and Moore, she improved very quickly. Plus Peridot too; although he doesn't know Water magic, since he is also a magic swordsman, he has a lot of good experience like being able to swing a sword while focusing on chanting.
The result is here, an Isolde who can already use an extremely complicated technique that can kill any target with just a small scratch as long as there is bleeding. To explain its complexity, even though it's just a normal attack used simultaneously with Icicle Field—an advanced spell but no one except Isolde can use the technique like her.
According to Isolde, it must happen right within 0.01 seconds when the blood just gushes out. Also because of that, it has become Isolde's 'Path', a magic swordswoman with the ability to time accurately to the millisecond. If it is pure swordsmanship, I can, but if it is magic, I give up even if I can use voiceless magic. Just as Calina said, learning someone else's 'Path' is seemingly impossible, so I don't try to learn it for what.
After all, everyone has their own special techniques, right? Just as Isolde cannot use my own special techniques like Chaos Fire Dance, Perfect Reverse, or the special 'Path' that I found not long ago.
But anyway, let's temporarily return to a more important issue.
Let's go harvest the carcass of that snake, la la la.
"Are you really planning to cook food with this monster?" Isolde looked at me excitedly holding a knife approaching the snake. Her blue eyes clearly showed some expectation. "I heard cobra stew tastes very good."
I don't know when Isolde has become a gourmet, but too bad for her, it's not something I want to do.
"Ah no, I don't intend to cook with this thing." I answered with a wide grin. "But to soak it in wine."
"Ah, so making wine, huh?" Isolde's face immediately darkened.
"Yeah! It's Habushu! Extremely high quality. If soaked with Water Saint wine, it will definitely be exceptionally Divine."
Isolde didn't bother talking to me for the rest of that day.