The blue flame was still igniting on the silver end of the crowbar.
After all the processes of purification, Caeson and Hawker identified that this flame was the impurity of the zombie. But the problem was—how to get rid of the flames.
Hawker said, "Caeson, why can't you dip it into water? Maybe it can turn off the flame… or you can just dump the crowbar."
Caeson thought about it. It might be a good idea to dip it into water, but this was not normal fire.
And I can't dump it. It could be useful for the further purification of zombies. Even though they don't survive after purification, maybe if it is used in the early phase it could make a difference. The crowbar can also be a good self-defense weapon against zombies.
He said, "We can't dump it."
Hawker also realized that it could be a game changer. But there was always danger in these types of exorcism-like things, and they knew nothing about this crowbar.
Mrs. Rhino, with her small fluffy body, rotated her head and said, "This crowbar can be useful."
Hawker asked, "Do you know about it?"
And suddenly he realized that she was the one who had mentioned soul purification before.
Caeson was also staring in shock. "Do you know about it?"
But after a moment he composed himself and asked, "How can we get rid of this blue flame?"
The rhino replied,
"I don't know about this stick. But in the place where I came from, it was ruled by conjurors who possessed celestial authority from heaven. They used to release the spirits of sinners who went against their will. A purple stick with a golden brooch of the sun was placed at the top of it."
"The name was Seraphic."
"This stick works the same as the Seraphic—at least in purification."
Caeson, Pinion, and Hawker were amazed by the unexpected history lesson from Mrs. Rhino.
Caeson asked, "But can we blow off the flames?"
The rhino replied, "You can't. But rather, it can be transferred into another thing which can neutralize it."
Caeson asked, "Such as?"
Mrs. Rhino tilted her head toward the fig tree standing in front of them.
It was a fig tree.
Caeson said, "Well… yeah. Minus minus equals plus."
He held the crowbar horizontally, aiming at the trunk, preparing to pin it into the tree.
He was about to run forward.
Hawker stopped him midway and said, "It could be difficult for you to stab it into the tree. It's dangerous too—you are only a human with a weak body."
Caeson said, "Then who will do it?"
Pinion moved from behind, rolled around the crowbar with his body, and suddenly threw it toward the tree.
From behind, Caeson looked disappointed and asked Hawker, "How did you tame Mr. Pinion?"
Hawker said, "I didn't. It was his choice. Yes, before we demolished the Mind Slugger zombie, I asked for his help—but not now."
In the very next second, cutting through the air, the crowbar penetrated deep inside the fig tree.
In another moment, the blue flame began igniting the entire tree from within.
A cracking sound echoed.
Like lightning had struck during a storm.
The fig tree started fluctuating—its branches and stems shaking violently, almost as if it were dancing.
Hawker asked in a frightened voice, "Mrs. Rhino… what is happening?"
The rhino replied, "I don't know. All I knew was only this part."
The fig tree slowly began to rot. Its branches turned black, and later the whole tree melted into a liquid.
That liquid spread around the group.
Caeson said, "What is this?"
It looked like something had vomited this strange liquid.
Tilting his upper body forward, he tried to touch it with the tip of his finger.
Hawker tried to warn him.
But it was too late.
Caeson had already touched it.
A dark red sticky fluid clung to his finger.
He sniffed it.
Caeson, in a surprised expression, said, "It is wine."
Hawker deliberately avoided touching it. But Caeson even tasted the liquid.
Hawker shouted, "Are you crazy? Why are you tasting it?!"
Caeson replied calmly, "There is nothing to worry about."
With the sharp hearing ability of animals, the little rhino suddenly heard footsteps and rustling sounds. Even though it was night, people were coming directly toward them.
They were holding lanterns, visible from far away.
Caeson quickly grabbed Hawker in his hand and ran along with Rhino and Pinion.
They hid behind trees far away from the approaching group.
It was a group of normal civilians gathering food during the night.
They wore cotton shirts and black pants. The ladies wore maid-like uniforms and some wore ruffled dresses.
After observing them, Hawker said, "Hey, we have found a better place. We can't roam in the forest forever."
Caeson replied, "Yeah, you're right. But look at us—a talking box, a walking rhino soft toy, and a rope. Wouldn't that be weird?"
After thinking about possible solutions, Hawker said, "I live in the mind palace, so I can hide there. Mrs. Rhino can act like a soft toy. And Mr. Pinion… carrying a rope yourself would not be suspicious."
"But the problem is how we can enter."
Caeson said, "I think we should wait until they return to their homes. Then we will follow them."
After some hours, the people gathered enough fruits. They brought a carriage with them and loaded the fruits into it. Soon they started returning along their route.
Caeson and the rhino had fallen asleep.
Pinion flicked his body against them to wake them up.
Caeson opened his eyes and mumbled, "Today I'm sick… I'm not going to school…"
But he instantly realized the situation.
"Oh! The people are leaving—we have to follow them!"
They followed the group through the forest.
After some time, they reached a place surrounded by large polished stone walls.
There was a huge wooden gate.
The civilians entered, and Caeson, Mrs. Rhino, and Pinion followed from behind.
Caeson started thinking about how they could enter.
Hawker went back into the mind palace.
"Mr. Pinion… can you do something?"
Pinion took a snake-like posture, thinking of a breakthrough.
Then he moved toward the carriage.
Laying on the ground, he slithered smoothly like a snake, carefully maintaining his position and hiding from the civilians around him.
He slipped inside the carriage.
After some time, almost all the people had entered, and the carriage was also about to enter.
The wooden gate was about to close.
Caeson and the rhino were still waiting outside.
Caeson walked back and forth nervously and said, "I'm hungry. I have to get inside."
Suddenly, a blue cotton shirt and brown pants appeared floating in the air in front of them.
Caeson was shocked.
But a moment later, he realized that Pinion was inside the clothes.
Pinion slipped out of the clothes and handed them to Caeson.
Caeson quickly wore them and picked up Mrs. Rhino in his hand.
She was surprisingly light. Even though she could fight and dig holes in the ground, her body felt soft and light—almost unbelievable.
Then Caeson said to the rope, "Mr. Pinion, can you adjust your size? Can you become the size of my waist? If I wear you as a belt, no one will suspect us."
Pinion did as he was told without any opposition.
Holding Mrs. Rhino in one hand and the crowbar in the other, Caeson walked forward.
They finally entered the kingdom of Cavorite.
It was a very large place. There were many big houses and people roaming around.
It was the first time Caeson had seen so many people after arriving in this zombie-infested world.