A brief yet enriching sleep left Jason brimming with energy.
He awoke just before dawn, stretched briefly, and once more opened the book Sir Lorde had given him.
This book contained not only information on monsters, secret techniques, and rituals but also a wealth of knowledge and some secrets, essentially a compact encyclopedia of the “Mystical Side” of Lorde.
To face future challenges with greater ease upon his return, Jason did not skimp on time spent reading.
And reading was always a pleasure.
Pleasurable times, however, are fleeting.
As daylight brightened and Peters had replenished their supplies of food and water, Jason, clutching his book, mounted the carriage.
Watching the distant village recede, Jason carefully removed his clothes and leapt off the carriage.
The charge of practice resumed once again.
Peters spoke the truth.
Jason felt somewhat disappointed.
He had been hoping to go hunting along the way, which would not only fill his belly but also allow him to complete the ‘Night Watcher’s’ advancement. Knowing from Peters’s recent account, the last unfulfilled condition for advancing as a ‘Night Watcher’: to hunt ten different creatures and be well acquainted with their characteristics, had now become 9/10.
Feeling utterly disappointed, Jason once again reached out for two corn cakes and ladled himself a bowl of porridge.
“But I can’t confirm whether it’s true or false.”
Peters suddenly remembered something but cautioned Jason before sharing it.
Subsequently, he took the last corn cake in his hand and poured the last of the porridge into his bowl.
“There are rumors of a sea monster at ‘Hans’ Port!”
“Some say it’s a gigantic octopus.”
“Others say it’s a terrifying crocodile.”
“And there are those who say…”
Peters related the rumor he knew with utter concentration, and then, he saw Jason trembling all over, swallowing saliva incessantly.
Peters asked in surprise.
He certainly didn’t think Jason, the ‘Bärsturm’ warrior, was afraid.
Could something have happened?
Jason responded like that and climbed onto the carriage.
Peters looked down at the empty pot and the vanished corn cakes, sinking into deep thought.
He had only eaten a bowl.
He hadn’t touched a single corn cake.
Was this what his teacher once said about focusing on food during meals and not talking?
After stirring the campfire a bit, Peters believed his teacher was right.
The journey continued.
With the rumor Peters spoke of, Jason felt even more anticipation for ‘Hans’ Port.
Their pace was quickening.
One reason was the increasing urgency of time.
The other was Jason’s growing familiarity with ‘Charge,’ which allowed him to sprint great distances at even faster speeds. Peters had no choice but to spur his horse to catch up, although in the end, Jason still fell down, albeit with control, and he wasn’t far from mastering it completely now.
When the scent of seawater began to mix with the wind, Jason knew he was getting close to ‘Hans’ Port.
By noon on the 25th, Jason heard the sound of the waves and saw the port city come into view.
Sheets of white sails merged into one against the azure sea.
Colored rooftops arranged in a haphazard yet harmonious manner lined the foreground.
Seagulls soared over the tall lighthouse.
As the warm sea breeze blew, their pleasing calls followed.
The chill of autumn was instantly dispelled.
“What a delightful city.”
“The Federation’s jewel: Hans Port!”