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The sun sure feels nice.

"Jeina—" I call out to get her attention. The slow racketing of the moving wagon is making me drowsy.

"What is it Red?"

"There is some Manaworth growing by the road, right there behind the blue bush." After pointing out with a paw, I'm back to being lazy, lying sprawled on my side atop the crate of alchemist's supplies.

The blonde gnome's eyes lit up and she jumps of the wagon, her gathering tools in hand she rushes to collect the herb - not the first one since this small exodus started.

Jeina is a herbalist and always on the lookout for fresh ingredients, even while on the move - main reason they choose to travel this route in the first place as the area is full of unique flora. She also doesn't seem to fear me as much, and Rose likes her - maybe it's something about the herbalist class?

We've been on the road for a whole day and nothing came out to bother us. A giant six meters tall golem following the big caravan behind Jarred's cart might be partially responsible. I've decided to ride with the gnomes, as their vehicle was the only one with a proper suspension - go figure. The beasts pulling it are also less jittery around me than horses and oxen used by the others.

> Humprad. (4)

-More like, giant hamster with scales on its back if you ask me.

*Nyawn.

We actually yawn while basking in the afternoon sun of the mortal realm; Rose surprisingly really likes it as well - she even sent out a few thin vines which then started to sprout tiny leaves, and are now soaking in the radiance. -Heh, some hellish plant you are.

I can only smile at her antics.

The birds are singing further in the forest and weather is great as people march onward; under the clear blue sky they travel - we are heading south.

Can't decide if I wish to stretch now, or just stay lying as we currently are.

-I think it is the cat form that we took, which is making me feel so lazy - having a demon wandering around was causing the people around to become nervous; so I've opted to spare all of us some trouble, hence the change.

They are also more likely to answer my questions this way.

We were able to figure some things out about what happened a month ago - nothing certain but I'm feeling positive... And also a bit more worried at the same time.

-And you know what, shapeshifting into this body comes with a lot of interesting perks I wasn't aware of before; it feels good - and we could almost doze off lulled by the sound of the cart wheels rolling on the uneven surface, as the caravan of refugees moves along this old forest road.

I'm starting to understand cats much better now, no wonder they nap all the time if that's how they feel.

-Or maybe it is all the the mana swirling inside of us right now, flowing through my channels - slowly expanding our pool. We are taking in as much as possible, taking advantage of our prolonged stay in this rich realm.

...

Besides this thing offering the most comfort, the passengers and cargo are also most interesting; a family of gnomes in the business of alchemy, decided to move out of the kingdom and into the Empire. Some political drama we don't care for making racial tensions raise - whatever.

During their long journey, the five of them ended up staying at a certain old inn, on that faithful night when the undead showed up - and now we are here.

What I'm more interested in, are their tools and equipment - wouldn't mind getting my claws on some of the ingenious stuff they have in here. I've never seen such things even in that creep's tower. Those guys must have some talent.

So, I've been pointing out to them some of the more valuable magical herbs growing nearby - those rich in mana that got picked up by my Mana Sense, in hopes of maybe making a deal of some sort, or learning new and interesting information about the craft.

You can make really fascinating stuff with alchemy - if you know the recipes. From sleeping gas to bottled fire, to healing and mana potions. Poisons and remedies. Elixirs to increase Attributes or turn you invisible... There is so much you can do.

*Meow *yawn...

Damn I love this skill. The warm sunlight feels amazing, and as I mentioned Rose also likes it... Yet there is a slight issue: as we have learned the hard way, her roots if exposed would burn under the sun - but strangely only the roots, and I'm suspecting that the Vampiric Embrace may be responsible for this unexpected weakness. -Will have to be careful with our traits in the future, there is so much that the descriptions do not mention.

Anyway— my strategy worked, and they would whisper to me some secrets of their craft in exchange for magic tricks that stabilized a few of the more volatile mixtures. Promising not to share those with anyone was not an issue to me at all - whom would I even teach those to, the centipedes?

"Got them - there was a lot, thanks Red!"

The magical weed she gathered soon ends up in a special container, one of their own design - it uses a very interesting enchantment. It is the best thing they taught; a formation to ward off external influence from contaminating and spoiling your work during the creation process - we might finally be able to try some alchemy back in hell if it actually works as I think it does.

Hopefully this trip won't face any delays and we will arrive at the port tomorrow evening.

*Nyawn.

Oh, what's that? There in the forest...

-I should go check on Jarred and Angie.

——

...The swamp stinks. Swarms of mosquitos are a constant annoyance that only intensifies as the sun slowly moves towards the horizon, and he already dreads the evening - some of those damned bugs are the size of his finger!

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Jarred swats away a particularly persistent one that tried to gauge his eye out. Right now he is discussing plans for the evening with the people in charge of their security.

"— so that's the plan. At least for today."

-I was able to purchase some of the dried herbs used by the locals to ward them off, yet it's not a perfect bug repellent; many still try to get a taste of him. It cost me a lot but there's not much that can be done about that, they will need the money.

Being forced to travel the old southern highway was far from ideal, and not at all according to the original plan. But he is glad they've listened to the veterans' advice... It likely saved their lives; these bogs are notorious for travelers, but it's better to suffer here, than getting torn apart by the undead. Thankfully none of his company's employees they took with them died last night - but sadly one of the hired guards... Eh-

—Grandpa really chose the worst time to kick the bucket. *Sigh!

"-Please don't give me that face. I understand that this isn't perfect for a merchant caravan to waste daylight, and will likely cost us another day-" The woman in charge of this mercenary group pulled him out of his melancholy. "But people are exhausted - especially the children, we shoul-"

"Ahh- no. No, I was just thinking about something else. Sorry about that-" Running a hand through his disheveled hair, he refocuses at their conversation. -Damn, he is also tired.

"I completely agree that we should find a place to set up our camp a bit earlier today. None of us had a proper rest that night." Reassuring them, he then looks at the column of depressed people marching ahead; their faces filled with gloom after being forced to abandon their homes, the heads hang low on the slumped shoulders - refugees. There were not enough carts left for everyone to ride, and they had a lot of injured.

C.C. and Marcus are both reliable people, and know what they are doing. Ex soldiers likely - a lot of them around, ever since this kingdom decided to get rid of the more problematic elements from their military; that means anyone who might have developed any connections, or pro Empire sentiments, after their joined efforts of pushing the goblinoids past the Dragon Peaks.

Well, for people like him, that just means cheaper and more competent guards and employees, as many of them were looking for some stable income after being sacked.

—Suddenly he notices that the constant buzz of the insects that's been driving him crazy was gone, not a single fly dares to make any noise. -What?

A lustrous black cat jumps on the driver seat of his wagon-turned carriage - right next to him, and now looks at them with curiosity while tilting its head. Jarred gulps despite himself, he knows it is safe and yet...

This is no ordinary cat.

Sometimes - just like right now, it would have that uncanny aura around, and a pair of tiny horns will show up on its forehead; only to disappear when you turn your head. It is the eyes though that are the worst, when those turn black - it's almost as if it was looking straight through you and into your very soul.

Meow was much more powerful the he expected; the demon he summoned, and then irresponsibly let loose into the world without any means of control...

He was really scared he messed something up back then during the ritual, it looks much different than during their first meeting, apparently he– is it? Yeah, he - was very adamant about it, is a shapeshifter, so that explains some things—

"Is something wrong?" Marcus asks the creature seriously - The old veteran is marching despite being covered in bandages, and keeps pace with their horse drawn carriage.

"It's fine, nothing serious..."

—Jarred was so glad and relieved; they are apparently dealing with some kind of a devil that honors agreements - and not a chaotic creature looking to burn the world. The book clearly stated to never, under any circumstances trust the creatures summoned from hell. No matter how cooperative they seem to be.

Out of those, apparently devils are the most lawful when it comes to deals and agreements; but even these will seek to further their own goals first, so you need to make a proper contract... there was no time for that though.

-But at least until now, nothing bad has happened. They were alarmed when Marcus told them about the cursed gift he received - C.C. was almost ready to punch Jarred for that, for not keeping a shorter leash on his demon...

Meow was never his. This summoning was an act of desperation; when he saw his wife standing there in the inn - pale from worry and cradling her belly... He just had to try and do something— anything.

And he did something stupid, again. He summoned a demon, hoping that knowing its name would give him at least some leverage, even with a hastily drawn imperfect ritual... After that first time and the strange offer, Jarred studied the black book more carefully— and was terrified at his own foolishness, and at what could have happened was luck not on his side back then. Shiver, runs down his spine.

He rolled the dice - and got Meow.... Thank the Light for having mercy on this idiot; Jarred was never a pious believer - that had him leave the house and move to Kora, but he started considering his past life choices a bit more in recent months, after the letter from h—

"...A bunch of mortals - likely bandits, were waiting in an ambush up ahead." That offhand remark makes his thoughts flip upside down.

"Bandits!?" He looks down at the crazy demon that is currently - without any care, peeking inside the carriage.

Elen is resting there on the many pillows meant to stop the shaking - together with some of the children from the hamlet and the innkeeper's wife Angie that came to help, and she is reading them stories from some of her favorite books. Jarred almost lost his train of though again at the marvelous sight. Ahhh- Isn't she beautiful; in not very long we will be reading to our child like this too. Also devilishly smart, his beloved had some amazing ideas that really made the business b- "Wait- what about the bandits!?"

Elen and the rest of the passengers look at him from inside, alarmed by his outcry. "Is everything alright?" she asks worried.

Both veterans also seem to expect some more explanation and watch it with serious expressions.

"Like I said– it's fine; they turned tail as soon as the big guy appeared from behind the trees." Aptly named Meow then cranes his neck and looks behind the wagon. There, a giant made of earth and stone follows them silently.

Despite the sheer size of the thing, not even the smallest tremor accompanies its slow, long stride - making you almost doubt it is even real. Yet another proof of how dangerous of a gamble he decided to play.

The fight that night took his breath away-

Marcus nods to his companion. "Carol stay with our employer, I will go ahead to warn the guys. With Greg out we don't have anyone to reliably scout the road." He then runs ahead in a slight jog.

"Nice." Hearing such a comment, Jarred can only shake his head at the carefree 'cat' that decided to close its eyes toward the sun, and just started basking in its rays shining over the road - and old rarely used highway, cutting through the dreadful, gloomy forests growing over this dangerous marshland filled with monsters and bandits. He can't wait until they leave the swamps behind.

At least we escaped the undead - hopefully.

——

Reggie fancies himself somewhat of a shaman, since being a kid he could feel the spirits of the swamp. He can even do Magic!

Most of the time it will be used to stop one of the guys from bleedin' out, or to start a fire when the wood is wet - it's always wet out here in the swamps. He can also keep the bugs out and away from himself, but that's his little secret, *hehe.

"Wot'z 'o funy Reg"

He cringes at the orc that must have heard him. "It's nothin, hush. The boys are comin' back."

Two of the brutes joined their band after the war; somehow gettin' themselves separated from a clan or somethin, and endin' up deep within the kingdom. Boss took a fancy to the savages whom are always happy to bash some skulls and took em in as his 'enforcers'. Keepin the rowdy bunch in check is lotta work, best to 'delegate' it - or so he says.

Reggie ain't complainin' - he knows not to cross the man, and avoided the tender 'tendering' their new members provide to anyone who did.

Oh, the lookouts are back.

"Caravan, big one. Lots of folk there, not much guard."

"Nice. Rich one?" He ask the man whom he sent to the road. -Much more traffic here recently, lots of loot.

"Eh, some maybe. Other not so, like they grabbed all they could and ran. Lot injured, also kids and women."

Reggie thinks, and decides they go for it. Whispers of gold too temptin' to pass.

"Think we can do them?"

"Aye, some of them little folk there playing with illusion tho. Can't fool me."

"Illusion?" Now that's odd.

"Showing things that ain't there, easy to see. Gnomes like the stuff and there's cart full of em. Tricks to scare you."

Hmmmmm— hmm. Mage means they must be rich.

"Go call for the boss and the rest of the gang, we follow and hit em at night."

"Me'm goin' ter crump dim."

"Sure we are." He smiles to himself, last weeks were very lucky.

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