After successfully clearing the Slumbering Marshland and activating the transport gate at its entrance, I proposed to Earl the idea of accompanying me back to Maceria.
He agreed but expressed the need to retrieve some documents from the Castor Tavern first.
As we approached the tavern, our attention was drawn to a significant commotion near the Ancient Tree.
A transport gate had suddenly materialized beside the large trunk of the Ancient Tree.
This is the same circumstances in our city, Maceria, where a transport gate appeared next to the Ancient Pillar after defeating the Goblin King in the Black Swamp.
Despite the Goblin King being considerably weaker than the fire-breathing Bloodred Salamander.
My cold fruit juice was already halfway consumed when I noticed Earl descending the stairs.
In his hands, I observed several pages of a paper book bound in a thick leather cover.
Curious about the contents of the documents, I was just about to inquire when he spoke up, revealing that it was a list of the residents' names in Castor Town.
He seemed to anticipate my question, answering as if he had read my mind.
After Earl informed Dorothy about where we were going, we headed straight to the Transport Gate at the entrance of the Slumbering Marshland. Since Earl hadn't been to Maceria since the appearance of the Ancient Pillar, he couldn't use the Transport Gate to get there on his own.
However, being with someone who had been there before, he could travel through it. "Transfer: Maceria," I commanded.
In a matter of seconds, we found ourselves inside the city of Maceria.
Earl took a moment to look around as we approached a scene where Old Man Gray was engaged in an argument with a group of people.
With Earl by my side, we got closer, and familiar faces emerged from the group – Ash, Neil, Rain, Claire, and Professor Klein, all fully geared up, were disputing with the Old Man.
"It's been two days since Asriel left the city, and we haven't heard any news from him," Ash expressed concern.
"What if a powerful monster got him?" Neil added.
The Old Man responded in a sarcastic tone, "A strong monster? Is there a monster stronger than Vice Guild Master Leirsa?" Claire and Rain almost burst into laughter at the notion.
"It seems like I ceased being human in this conversation," I murmured.
All of them turned their attention to me.
"What's the problem?" I inquired. "They wanted to follow you to the Wasteland of Riviera," Old Gray replied.
"I appreciate the concern, but remember what you can do and what you cannot?" I reminded them.
It seemed like Professor Klein couldn't dissuade them, so he ended up joining the group.
"Actually, I was the one who insisted on following you," Claire confessed softly.
I sighed and responded, "Sorry, I made you guys worried."
"You sure are a ladies' man, Big Bro," Earl suddenly remarked.
I noticed Claire blushing a little, and in response, I playfully knocked Earl on the head.
"Who is this young man, Asriel?" Old Gray inquired.
"It’s my cousin Earl; I found him in Castor Town a few kilometers away from the Wasteland of Riviera," I explained.
Earl introduced himself, "I’m Earl Brooks, Castor Town’s current leader," showcasing his skill in self-presentation.
"Big Bro Asriel, go eat dinner with your friends. I will handle the report and talk with Maceria’s Guild Master," Earl suggested.
I saw Old Man Gray smile, seemingly amused by my cousin.
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"I’ll take you up on that offer. I'll pick you up at the Guild Master’s office after I eat dinner," I replied.
I joined my friends at the Bellflower Dinner for dinner.
Ash and Neil bombarded me with numerous questions about my adventure to Castor Town.
Claire and Rain also appeared quite interested, listening intently to my story.
They expressed sympathy upon learning that Castor Town had lost some residents while attempting to procure food for their families.
Neil and Rain's eyes widened when they heard that the lowest-level monsters near Castor Town were Savage Bear, one level above the Goblin King, and that the Slumbering Marsh's boss was a fire-breathing Bloodred Salamander at an imposing level 40.
"Good thing we didn't go there," Rain remarked.
"By the way, the monsters in the Wasteland of Riviera are much stronger, and there's even a Cyclops residing there," I added.
They fell silent for a moment.
"So, we're basically dead if we follow you," Ash concluded.
"That's why Professor Klein insisted on going with us," Neil added.
"And still, Guild Master Gray won't allow us," Ash continued.
"Well, don't blame yourselves since the information regarding the Wasteland of Riviera was not given to adventurers lower than Gold insignia, but rather forbids lower-ranking adventurers to venture near the area," I explained.
They all seemed down, and it's been a while since our group cleared any monster area.
"Do you want to visit Castor Town?" I asked.
"Yes," they all answered excitedly.
"But we still need to clear Arachnia's Cavern with the other group as a rank-up requirement from the Guild," Claire said.
"And you're not allowed to be part of it because you're already strong enough to solo it," Rain added.
"I'm sure someone will observe you guys," I said, feeling a bit bad for not being able to participate.
"Professor Klein and Laila will be the observers while our group and Lucas clear Arachnia's Cavern," Neil answered.
"Lucas's group, huh?" I said to myself, getting an eerie feeling about it.
But I'm sure they'll be fine since Professor Klein and Laila are with them, I told myself.
I went back to the Guild Master's office after we finished eating dinner.
Before I entered, I heard Earl asking about the towering black walls that surround the city of Maceria.
"I'm curious about the black walls surrounding the city, what are they made of?" he asked.
"It's made of black corundum, crafted into blocks by our artisans," Old Man Gray answered.
"You mean emery," Earl suddenly stated.
"You're really a knowledgeable young man," he praised him.
"What level of monster can the black wall block?" Earl continued asking.
"The city wall is capable of withstanding a level 50 monster attack.
This can be backed by the recent Monster Siege when a level 45 Iron Golem managed to land an attack on the black walls but didn't damage it," Old Man Gray stated proudly.
I would like to listen more, but then Old Man Gray felt my presence.
"Why don't you join us, Asriel?" he said.
I slowly entered the room; it seems Earl also knew I was listening.
"You're worried about Castor Town's defense, ain't you, Earl?" I asked.
"It seems I can't hide anything from you, Big Bro," he stated. "I see.
I forgot about the possibility of another Monster Siege in another town," Old Man Gray stated.
"With regard to corundum blocks, we already used most of it in building the outer walls," he added.
"With regards to the supply of black corundum, we might find some a few kilometers on the Southeast of the Abandoned Mines," I stated.
"You mean the black mountain ranges in the far south?" Guild Master Gray asked.
"Yes, that place," I quickly answered.
"But how do you know we will find some corundum in that place?" Earl asked.
"Simply because I got some after defeating the class advancement boss monster subjugation quest Emeth level 60."
"A level 60 boss monster, how the hell are we gonna farm it, Big Bro?" Earl asked.
"We? You're gonna farm it," I said, smiling.
I just saw Guild Master Gray facepalm in disbelief.
"But first, we need to level you up, Earl," I continued.
"I see, with enough level, I can just spam..." Earl was cut off when my dad, Earl's uncle, entered the room.
"Earl! Is that you?" he said happily. "How's your mom and dad?" he continued.
He seemed to forget me and the Guild Master in excitement seeing his nephew alive.
"We can continue some other time; it seems there is a lot of catching up you need to do, Young Earl," Old Man Gray stated.
My dad just looked at me happily and walked beside my cousin as we headed home.
"I'm sure your aunt and cousins will be surprised," my dad said as we passed the entrance to the Guild Hall.
My mom had the same reaction when she saw Earl; they talked for a few minutes during dinner, and since I already ate, I went to my room after taking a short bath.
I just sat on my bed, slowly processing what happened in the past few days.
Then slowly, sleepiness got hold of me, and I went into a deep sleep.