Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 82

82. Gift from the Merchant Clan (2)

The top warrior of the Merchant Clan walked ahead on the stone path.

‘Impressive.’

A wide path that seemed spacious enough for half a dozen merchants to walk abreast. Piles of carved stones formed the floor.

On both sides, there were occasional massive stone decorations.

[It’s all elephants.]

Numerous decorations in the shape of elephants.

‘Typical of the Merchant Clan.’

They had clearly marked their territory.

It was rare for wild animals to openly display their habitat.

[That means they’re confident.]

‘Even the fierce Tiger Clan wouldn’t dare to attack easily.’

Even if they exposed their dwelling, no one would dare to attack; that’s how confident they were.

Of course, the Ego’s rules prohibited residents from attacking each other, but instinct was another matter.

“I heard our Chieftain took a liking to a human, so I was looking forward to it……”

The giant, walking ahead, glanced down at me.

“To think it would be such a young human, it’s unexpected.”

“Is that so?”

“He doesn’t express himself well. For him to praise a human as useful, I had high expectations.”

He himself spoke in an equally blunt tone, which seemed to be a unique trait of the Merchant Clan.

‘I became friends with the Merchant Clan the latest even in my previous life.’

[Ah, I remember that Merchant Chieftain. He was so picky.]

Even as Adonis, they were the last race to open their hearts.

‘But once they open their hearts, there’s no more reliable ally.’

[True. But why was it so easy this time?]

They never yielded, no matter how much effort I put in to win them over. But this time, they were the ones who showed me favor first.

‘I see. Enough to stop the Tiger Clan Chieftain.’

A simple race that lived as things flowed. Like the stones placed here, they lived as they were, without much interest in the world.

“Anyway, nice to meet you. As I said, I am Gulah, the top warrior of the Merchant Clan.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Ein.”

The giant’s massive hand pointed to a building at the end of the road.

“We’ve arrived. It’s there.”

A building that seemed to be carved from huge stones.

‘They even built something like this. They weren’t the type to make something like this.’

[Right. Weren’t they just living near the stones?]

A massive stone door that only the Merchant Clan could open greeted us.

Creak…….

The door that Gulah personally opened. Beyond it, a crude but magnificent interior unfolded, a huge cavity that was tens of meters wide.

“Welcome.”

The one welcoming us from the innermost part. The Merchant Clan Chieftain, whom I saw yesterday, raised his hand while sitting on a massive stone chair.

“Sit down for a moment and have some tea.”

A table prepared in front of him. On it, tea with rising steam was prepared.

“Thank you for the invitation, Chieftain.”

“Don’t mention it.”

As I sat down and picked up a teacup, the Merchant Clan Chieftain opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“You must be wondering why I invited you? Actually, I’ve been having some concerns lately.”

Grantel, who was with me, stared at him.

“Living without worries as things flow is your characteristic. For the Merchant Clan Chieftain to have concerns, it must be unusual. What’s the matter?”

“Of course, we may seem to live without worries. We also try to live that way.”

The Merchant Clan Chieftain nodded politely. After taking a sip of tea, he continued.

“But if it’s something that threatens the Ego, wouldn’t things be different?”

“Something that threatens the Ego?”

Grantel was surprised by his words. The Merchant Clan Chieftain’s gaze turned to me.

“Yes. But…… that boy solved it.”

“Ah! You mean this incident.”

“That’s right. Actually, I was investigating the disappearing residents myself. But I couldn’t find any clues. I don’t have the ability to talk to trees like you do.”

The Merchant Clan Chieftain gave me a gentle smile.

“But that little boy solved that problem. I can’t help but be grateful.”

Although he had a simple nature, his concern for the Ego was by no means small. And he not only found a clue but also solved the case.

‘So that’s why he likes me.’

[He scratched where it itched.]

There was no way he wouldn’t like me.

“Thank you. I was able to avoid disaster thanks to your help.”

After looking at me for a moment, he chuckled.

“It’s nothing. It was fun to see that Tiger Clan Chieftain flustered. He’s such an arrogant guy, I’ve wanted to mess with him at least once. Haha! I was able to do it thanks to you.”

The Merchant Clan Chieftain smiled for a moment. Perhaps embarrassed, he soon hid his expression and sipped his tea.

“But how did you find out that it was Hirei who did it?”

“It was a coincidence. I happened to see a different race at an auction house, and when I followed him, he was trading with the Tiger Clan. So I was able to pass the information on to Grantel. After that, Grantel’s hard work was great.”

“Oh. But Grantel, did you believe that child’s words as they were?”

This time, the Merchant Clan Chieftain turned his head towards Grantel.

“This child brought our clan’s token.”

“You mean the Leaf Clan’s token?”

“Yes. Is there any reason not to believe it?”

“Hmm.”

The Merchant Clan Chieftain nodded. For the residents of the Ego, tokens were significant. Because they were items given only to benefactors, anyone who had them would be treated with kindness.

“Moreover, that token had a slightly strange aspect.”

“Strange?”

“Yes. Do you know how old it is?”

“It must be about 10 years old.”

It was the Merchant Clan Chieftain’s answer after briefly scanning me. Because I looked like a teenager in appearance.

“It was a thousand years old.”

“What?”

“Don’t be surprised. The human from a thousand years ago that you mentioned yesterday. The human who tried to send our Ego residents out into the world……”

Grantel’s warm gaze turned to me.

“Is that child’s ancestor.”

The Merchant Clan Chieftain’s exclamation followed.

“Ha!”

The big breath taken in a short moment contained many emotions.

“So that’s how it was. That’s how it happened.”

Nodding, he rummaged through his chest.

“Then this gift will suit you even better. It’s an item that your ancestor left in the Ego a thousand years ago.”

His words were enough to inflate curiosity.

‘Huh, mine? What is it?’

The item he placed on the table a moment later.

[What was this?]

A leather belt decorated with a red jewel.

‘Ah!’

A memory suddenly flashed through my mind.

‘I stole this from Delema.’

An item I stole from Juan Delema’s mansion while he was away.

[Really? I’ve never seen it before?]

‘Maybe you couldn’t see me from then on. I started being chased by the Pentagram right after that.’

Oberon said he couldn’t approach me after being chased by the Pentagram. It was natural that he couldn’t recognize this item.

[I see. But why is this here?]

‘I secretly entrusted it to a Merchant Clan member I met while running away. I asked him to run away to the Ego with it. The Pentagram guys were reluctant to come to the Ego.’

[What is it that makes them do this?]

‘It’s a magic tool.’

There was no need for me to add an explanation. Because the Merchant Clan Chieftain told me instead.

“We didn’t know what this item was, so we did some tests.”

He continued, holding up the belt.

“This belt can store mana. You can take it out and use it. But once you use the mana, it takes quite a long time to collect it again.”

To be exact, the red bead located in the center of the belt. That was where mana could be stored.

[Crazy. It can do that?]

‘I’m not sure, but it seems like that’s what it is.’

When I first brought it out a thousand years ago, I couldn’t know its use either. However, the powerful mana felt from the red bead on the belt only made me guess its use.

“We don’t use mana, so we have no use for it. You’re a wizard, right? It seems like it would be much more useful.”

Then the Merchant Clan Chieftain handed me the belt.

“……Thank you.”

It was a sincere word.

A magic tool that could store mana. It was an artifact that could not be found anywhere in the world.

If it were revealed to the world, its value could not be measured.

‘The stored amount is at least 7-star or higher.’

The red bead contained much more mana than the amount accumulated in my body, so I couldn’t help but smile.

[It seems to be full of only pure mana from the Ego.]

‘I don’t know exactly how to use it, but I’ll have to find out gradually.’

For me, who was operating magic, it was no different from having a minimum of 7-star mana as a supplement. A magic tool comparable to Fragarach had come into my hands.

“Since your ancestor entrusted it anyway, it would be perfect if it returned to your possession. It’s just that it has found its owner now.”

It was the Merchant Clan Chieftain who laughed heartily.

* * *

“Then when are you coming again?”

After coming out of the Merchant Clan village, at the entrance of the Ego’s forest, where I arrived following the Leaf Clan’s guidance. Grantel’s regretful voice was heard in my ear.

“I don’t have a promise yet. But I will definitely come back.”

I had no choice but to come back. Of course, I had to see the residents of the Ego.

‘How can I miss this opportunity?’

I had confirmed that I could rapidly gather Aura in the hall.

“Yes. Separation is also necessary for a new meeting. Is the next destination the Zailo Mountains?”

“Yes. That’s why I applied the scent.”

A worried expression flashed across Grantel’s face. Soon, a gentle smile formed on his face.

“It’s a dangerous place, but you’ll be able to do well. I’ll be cheering you on from afar. Come back to the Ego anytime. Everyone will welcome you.”

“Thank you. Chieftain. And Klal.”

I bowed to him, who was next to Grantel.

“I was grateful too. See you next time.”

Since it wasn’t a permanent farewell, I put aside my regrets and moved on.

[You got a lot from here this time.]

‘I know. I was lucky.’

The opportunities and items I got from the Ego. But the most important thing was something else.

‘Perhaps the biggest gain is them.’

The residents of the Ego that I had to become friends with someday. I couldn’t have imagined getting so close to them so quickly.

Because I had even gained companions who would be the biggest supporters in my future endeavors. I was able to leave this place in a good mood.

[The day is almost over.]

The time when the sun was setting. Aital, which I arrived at with a quick pace, was as quiet as ever.

‘No. Today is just beginning.’

Creak.

As I opened the door of the brightly lit inn.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Did you have a safe trip!”

Those who welcomed me.

“Let’s go. To the Zailo Mountains.”

They were already ready to leave.