Cambourne Ridge. A long caravan, heavily laden with goods, advanced steadily.

Glen, driving a deer - drawn carriage, took the lead at the front of the convoy.

These locals had dwelled here for an indeterminate span of time, amassing a considerable quantity of resources. Prudent in their preparations for a potential hasty departure at any moment, they had long readied their carriages and steeds.

Coupled with their personal wealth, this gave rise to a caravan that, at first glance, was replete with merchandise.

Glen intended to first repair to Daof's magic abode. After paying his respects to Daof upon the latter's return, he would then continue to lead the caravan back to Bayek.

Upon learning of their return to the magic house, the two young maidens still seemed to harbor a sense of unfulfilled longing. Nevertheless, this journey had proven rather enriching, and they had accrued a certain measure of experience and knowledge.

Should they embark on future expeditions, they would be less encumbered by trepidation.

After a day's journey, the caravan reached The Demonfall Valley around eight or nine in the evening.

When Glen informed those hailing from Cambourne Ridge that this was the domain of his mentor, a fifth - level mage, they all betrayed signs of profound unease.

"You need not be overly constrained. Simply await outside for a few days, and we shall resume our journey anon."

Upon hearing Glen's words, their countenances assumed a complex expression, and they seemed at a loss as to how to respond.

However, Leaves and Mushroom reacted quite differently; their responses were rather vehement.

"What?! Are you departing? Pray, do not leave! Please?!" Leaves' eyes welled with tears instantaneously, and she clung tenaciously to the hem of Glen's garment.

"Do not leave! Do not leave!" Mushroom promptly flung herself into Glen's embrace, her large eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Glen, somewhat vexed, could only stroke the heads of the two young girls and gently intone, "I have numerous affairs to attend to in another locale, where there are individuals awaiting my return. I must depart. However, I shall return, or you may request the teacher to accompany you to visit me."

After much gentle cajoling and reassurance, the two young girls reluctantly acquiesced to the fact that Glen was to take his leave.

Upon their return to the magic house, Mako, upon beholding the tear - stained visages of the two young girls, initially surmised that the journey had been less than pleasant.

Only after Glen's explanation did she smile and offer words of comfort to the two young girls, not forgetting to admonish Glen lightly.

Subsequently, Glen recounted to Mako, in private, a general account of the experiences during this journey.

Mako first bade Glen retrieve the cylindrical object given to him by the white wolf for her inspection.

With a single glance, she discerned its nature.

"This is a vessel employed by mages in the previous century to store knowledge. Typically, it contains a mage's research records on a particular field. I have just perused it, and it appears to document aspects related to the conduction of magic arrays, including the configurations of some exquisitely designed central nodes. Presumably, the creator of this item was of no lower rank than myself."

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Upon hearing this, Glen merely inquired, "Can I make use of it?"

This was the matter that most concerned him.

"Assuredly, you cannot. However, fret not, for this is a matter easily resolved for me."

As she spoke, Mako extended her hand and made a beckoning gesture towards the upper floor.

An exquisitely crafted quill pen descended through the air and alighted in Mako's hand.

"This is a magical creation of Daof's, possessing the puissance of a second - level mage and well - versed in various ancient tongues. It can transcribe the knowledge within this container into the common language. You may take it and utilize it for the time being."

Scarcely had she finished speaking when the quill pen circled around Glen and finally hovered above his right shoulder.

"Thank you, Teacher Mako!" Glen cast a glance at the quill pen and then expressed his gratitude earnestly.

Mako merely smiled and then continued, "I have found no corresponding entity in my memory for the giant you mentioned. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, I shall conduct a thorough examination of your person to ensure that the other party has not left any hidden machinations within your body. When Daof returns, I shall have him examine you once more. Additionally, I must inspect the items you have brought back."

Glen, of course, nodded his assent.

Mako led Glen into her exclusive laboratory and directed him to recline upon a special cot.

After a flurry of activity, Mako procured an array of curious contraptions and commenced a comprehensive examination of Glen's body.

In the end, she even detected the wolfsbane concealed within Glen's cells, a testament to the meticulousness of her inspection.

However, apart from this, no other anomalies were detected, which provided Mako with a temporary sense of relief.

Upon exiting the magic house, Mako proceeded to inspect, one by one, the items Glen had brought back.

Those from Cambourne Ridge adopted a deferential demeanor, bowing repeatedly upon catching sight of Mako.

Mako paid them no heed and focused solely on inspecting the goods.

For each item she examined, she apprised Glen of its name, purpose, and usage taboos, thus sparing Glen the trouble of familiarizing himself with these details.

It was not until she came to the red greatsword that Mako's voluble discourse came to a halt.

"Teacher Mako, are you unable to fathom this as well?" Glen inquired in a hushed tone.

Mako furrowed her brow and replied, "Based on your conversation with the giant, this object is highly likely to be associated with the deities. However... I can detect no trace of any high - level aura upon it, nor even the slightest flow of magic power or elements."

Glen, too, lowered his head in contemplation. With his current level of knowledge, it was naturally impossible for him to unravel these mysteries. He was merely pondering how to maximize the value of this greatsword.

A hush descended upon the scene.

A group of onlookers in the distance, including the apprentices of the magic house, all wore expressions of intense curiosity, wondering why the two had suddenly fallen silent.

"Alas, I, too, am unable to make sense of it. Let us await Daof's return. Perhaps he will have a different perspective," Mako said, breaking the silence.

"Very well. Then we shall await the return of Teacher Daof," Glen concurred, ceasing his ruminations.

The following day, Daof had already returned.

He stated that all the arrangements that could be made had been implemented. Provided there was no deliberate investigation into the cause of Morogen's demise, the matter was likely to remain concealed for an extended period.

After listening to Glen's account of the experiences during his sojourn with Leaves and Mushroom over the past few days, Daof immediately conducted another comprehensive examination of Glen.

Unlike Mako, Daof not only detected the hidden wolfsbane within Glen's body but also discerned that Glen's soul seemed to exhibit some divergence.

However, he was unable to articulate precisely how it was different.

Nevertheless, he surmised that this might be the reason for Glen's peculiarity.

Glen could not help but be impressed. Fifth - level mages were indeed in a league of their own. He, too, believed that it might be the transmigrated soul that had led to the transformation of his body, rendering him so extraordinary after being infected with wolfsbane.

Daof then went to reinspect the caravan of goods. He did not overlook any item merely because most of them had already been appraised by Mako. Instead, he painstakingly examined each one anew.

Finally, his scrutiny came to rest upon the red greatsword. To Glen's disappointment, Daof, too, detected nothing amiss.

However, Daof informed Glen, "Although I am uncertain as to the material from which this greatsword is fashioned, I can affirm that it is the hardest material I have ever encountered."