Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 97

“Giddy up!”

Andy and Rica spurred their horses with their whips. Thanks to their tireless efforts, they quickly reached Raftel.

“First, all of you stay here with Angel.”

I had already told the group that I would bring Caris.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright going alone? You’ve hurt your ankle.”

Admun gave me a worried look.

“It’s easier that way. And walking a bit is no problem.”

I was already remembered as a benefactor by the residents of Ego, so there was nothing to hold me back.

“I’m still worried. Isn’t the Water King’s territory underwater? Won’t you be able to breathe?”

Admun was always concerned about me.

“It’s okay. I have ways.”

I couldn’t help but feel grateful for his concern.

“Oh, right. Admun, make sure you learn how to use those shoes.”

Before taking off, I pointed to his feet. Admun was wearing Kata’s shoes, which I had bought at the auction house.

“Ah! I understand. I’ll practice diligently!”

I had taught him how to infuse Aura while coming to Raftel. His spirited reply followed.

[He’s probably going to practice that all night.]

He was the type to give his life for anything I asked. He had always been the one to silently carry out the tasks I assigned.

“Don’t overdo it. Just do it moderately. Take breaks.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Drew, don’t skip training either.”

“Of course. You be careful.”

And finally, my gaze turned to Aries.

“Aries, please take good care of Angel until I return.”

She was the one who could prevent Angel’s condition from worsening, so I had to ask.

“Alright, everyone, see you when I get back.”

I headed straight to the Portal Management Bureau.

* * *

Whoosh!

Having passed through the fifth portal.

“Welcome to Aital!”

I hurried on, greeted by the portal manager.

There was nowhere else to stop before going to the Ego Forest, so my steps led towards the dense woods.

[I’m coming here as if it’s my own home now.]

The path I had traveled for over a month. Crossing the fields and reaching the Ego Forest felt like it could be done with my eyes closed.

The first thing I took out upon entering the forest was a rolled-up leaf.

‘He said I just need to blow into this like this.’

The gift from the Leaf Tribe Chief, Grantel. As I blew into the leaf flute,

Pwee-ee-ee-

A clear tone spread through the forest. And with it, the bushes began to rustle.

As if a breeze was blowing, the bushes swayed from side to side for a moment.

Rustle.

A black shadow appeared from within.

“I knew it was you.”

It was Klal, the Leaf Tribe’s number one warrior, whose face I was now familiar with. It was all thanks to Grantel, who had given me the flute so I could call the Leaf Tribe at any time.

“You’re incredibly fast. I hadn’t blown the flute for long.”

“You know we’re the fastest in the forest. And I happened to be passing by nearby.”

Klal gave a small smile. He spoke again.

“But, have you already come back to Ego? You made it sound like you wouldn’t be back for months. Ah, not that I dislike you coming back here, of course.”

“Actually, I’ve come to see the Water King Tribe this time.”

“The Water King Tribe?”

His smile stiffened at those words.

“…Don’t tell me, did the Water King Tribe cause trouble this time?”

He thought that something bad had happened in Ego, like with the Ho Tribe.

“It’s nothing like that, I just have a personal favor to ask.”

“That’s a relief. It would have been really difficult to stop them if they had caused trouble.”

Klal sighed in relief.

“What favor are you asking?”

“A companion of mine is injured. I would like to borrow Ms. Caris’s ability.”

His eyes became serious again.

“Hmm. That’s not good. If you need Ms. Caris, it must be a serious injury…”

He immediately offered his hand.

“We don’t have time for this. I’ll take you there right away. Chief Grantel is also there getting treatment, so you’ll be able to see him.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

* * *

Swish!

A place where the refreshing sound of water never ceases. At the lowest reaches of the large river that cuts through the Ego Forest.

“It’s here.”

A vast lake, so wide it could be mistaken for the sea, spread out before us. It was the place where the Water King Tribe had established their home, the Lake of Life.

Plop.

Klal sent a single leaf floating on the lake. The faintly glowing leaf created gentle ripples.

The leaf slowly moved towards the center of the lake.

Bubble!

At that moment, bubbles of air rose around the leaf.

Splash!

A small shadow leaped out of the water with it.

“Who is it, I wondered, but it’s the Leaf Tribe’s number one warrior, ribbit!”

It was a small Water King Tribe member who looked just like a frog.

“It’s been a while, Frog.”

“What brings you so far, ribbit?”

“This boy says he has a request for Ms. Caris.”

Only then did the Water King Tribe member turn his gaze to me.

“A human? Ah! Could this boy be the one who’s been making Ego so noisy lately, ribbit?”

“Well, if making a fuss means getting the chiefs’ approval, then I guess so.”

“Hoo! Ego’s benefactor! I’ve heard you helped Ms. Caris too, ribbit! I’ll guide you!”

Frog approached, jumping across the surface of the water. He reached out his hand towards my head.

“Thank you.”

I quietly lowered my head.

Thump!

A large bubble popped out of his hand and enveloped my face. It was a layer of air surrounding my face, like a helmet.

“Hoo. You don’t seem surprised? Have you experienced it before, ribbit?”

A technique that any Water King Tribe member could use. It was a helmet that allowed you to breathe underwater.

“Ah, I’ve heard about it before.”

Of course, I wasn’t surprised because I had experienced it myself a thousand years ago.

“I see. Then let’s go, ribbit.”

He put an air layer on Klal as well.

Splash!

I jumped into the water first.

“Let’s go too.”

Klal naturally followed behind. I, too, plunged into the Water King Tribe’s territory.

* * *

[The Water King Tribe is incredibly diverse.]

The Water King Tribe’s territory unfolded beneath the Lake of Life. The appearances of those I saw while following Frog were all unique.

Some had long whiskers like shrimp. A girl with attractive silver fins also caught my eye.

‘Humans can’t even imagine this.’

Most humans only know about the beast-people on land. It wasn’t easy to encounter the Water King Tribe in the water.

“Just go there, ribbit!”

The place we arrived at while briefly looking around the Water King Tribe was a giant coral reef where Frog’s blunt fingertip pointed.

A coral reef colony as large as an ordinary kingdom’s castle.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Water King Tribe’s castle.’

Sreung!

As we approached, they surrounded us.

“Who is it?”

“A human? And one is a Leaf Tribe member.”

“Frog, who are these people? This is the Water King Tribe’s castle. Unauthorized individuals cannot approach.”

Those who looked like seahorses held tridents.

“Ribbit! These people are Ms. Caris’s guests…”

Before Frog could finish speaking,

Chwaaaa…

A new being appeared, forcefully cutting through the water.

“Guards, lower your spears. I guarantee their identities.”

The seahorse-like Water King Tribe members aligned in an orderly fashion at his voice.

“Hup!”

“Shark!”

The Water King Tribe’s number one warrior.

[Shark is an electric eel-type member of the Water King Tribe.]

It was Shark, appearing with a huge physique.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Thanks to you. Have you recovered your strength?”

“There was nothing to recover. I was just dealing with that cat.”

Still full of confidence. I had already seen his skills, so it was confidence that was easy to accept.

“You came to find Ms. Caris? Come this way.”

Shark led the way first. We and the guards followed behind.

‘Convenient.’

Since he cut through the water with his large body, my body moved along effortlessly. Thanks to that, we quickly reached the coral reef colony.

[Was it this big?]

The Water King Tribe’s castle, which I faced up close, was much larger than I remembered.

‘It seems to have expanded a lot in a thousand years.’

There were hundreds of gaps between the coral reefs. Shark led us into one of them.

“This is the entrance. If you go inside, you’ll be with Chief Grantel.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Then Shark disappeared gracefully, cutting through the water. The guards followed him.

“I’ll wait here, ribbit!”

“I’ll be here too, so go and come back.”

Frog and Klal decided to wait at the entrance.

Tat.

I stepped into the gap in the coral reef.

A giant clam-made door at the end of the short corridor.

As if it had been waiting for me to come.

Creak-

The door opened.

“Ian!”

A small girl popped out from inside. Caris had a happy smile on her face.

“The guards told me with bubbles that Ian had come. What brings you here? Did you miss me? Ah, come inside first!”

A presence beyond the door.

“Have you come?”

“It’s been a while, Chief Grantel. I heard you were here.”

Grantel was sitting on a chair, receiving treatment for his injured arm.

“I’m told to come for treatment once a week. You’ve returned quite early.”

“I have a favor to ask of Ms. Caris.”

Caris’s eyes lit up at those words.

“From me? What is it! Just tell me anything!”

Her gaze was fixed on my ankle.

“Hup! Is it because of that? It looks like a bone is broken!”

Caris had already run over and was caressing my ankle. Her blue energy warmly enveloped my body.

[Caris possesses an amazing healing ability.]

The bones were quickly aligning and returning to their place, so I was also amazed. However, the purpose of my visit was not just because of my ankle.

“Actually, it’s not because of this. My companion is seriously injured. I want to borrow your ability.”

“Ah? Of course, I have to help. Where is that person? Are they outside the castle? Or in Ego’s forest?”

The girl nodded, as if she would run out at any moment.

“No, their condition is too serious to bring them here.”

“Ah, then where is that person?”

“They are in a village called Laptel now. I don’t know if you know it, but it’s a human village near the Zailo Mountains.”

Her expression hardened a little at my words.

“…A human village?”

She had been kidnapped by Dorn not long ago, so she must have been afraid.

“I guarantee your safety. Your help is essential. They are as precious to me as the residents of Ego.”

“Hmm.”

Caris fell into a moment of contemplation. In the end, she nodded.

“Okay. I’ll be safe if I’m with Ian.”

It was an answer that made me feel relieved.

“Thank you. I want to leave as soon as possible, when can you leave?”

“Coincidentally, Grantel is about to leave now. Would it be better to go right away?”

“I would be really grateful if you did.”

“Then I’ll go pack some things!”

Caris runs towards the clam door. Instead, Grantel wore a serious expression.

“What were your companions doing when they had such an accident?”

“They were attacked by monsters in the Zailo Mountains. It seems difficult to recover with ordinary methods, so I came to find Ms. Caris.”

“Hmph. That’s a big problem…”

It was the moment when Grantel’s sincere concern continued.

Creak-

Before Caris could reach the door, the clam door opened first.

“Who decided to take Caris to the human world!”

A thunderous roar echoed from beyond.