Chapter 7: Klaus Union and the Pitcher

"Ah, crap..." Lionel cursed as he felt his finely crafted leather boots sink deep into the thick, gooey mud. He wiggled his foot, trying to pull it out, but the suction was too strong. With a resigned sigh, he pulled his other foot out of the mud and placed it firmly on the solid ground, his boots now caked in a blanket of dirt.

"I should have known better than to wear my good boots." Lionel glanced down at his muddy boots, lamenting about his bad luck. "Why does this always happen to me?" he muttered.

Nothing to be done, he continued to march in the mud, letting the squishy, slippery substance squished between his toes. He remembered the countless times he had done the same thing as a child, playing in the mud and getting dirty, not a care in the world. He took a deep breath and lifted his other foot slowly from the mud. However, once he noticed what he'd done to his boots, he realizes that his actions had only made it worse.

Refusing to give up, he took a few more cautious steps, and an epiphany struck him. He thought of the [Ingris Slime] in his flask and retrieved it from his belt, uncorking it, and pouring a generous amount of the liquid onto his boots.

To his relief, the [Ingris Slime] worked its magic, acting as a lubricant that allowed Lionel to easily slip his feet out of the mud without any resistance. He grinned in triumph, pleased that his quick thinking had saved his boots from certain ruin.

Lionel celebrated, grateful for the [Ingris Slime] saving his boots from the mud. He quickly re-corked the flask, secured it back to his belt, and resumed his task, feeling much lighter on his feet.

"I have to remember to always carry [Ingris Slime] with me," Lionel noted, "Who knows what kind of sticky situations I'll run into next?" He chuckled at his pun and made a mental note to refill his flask in case of sticky situations.

***

As Lionel walked deeper into the Hidoran forest, his eyes darted back and forth, scanning the dense foliage for any signs of the [Sunroot]. He had been walking for three hours, relying only on the directions outlined in his [Ulythes Herbs I] codex. He took a break, leaning against a tree trunk, and reached into his trusty backpack to grab a drink of water from his canteen. The codex had been instrumental in helping him identify the various plants and herbs along the way.

While resting, Lionel noticed a creeper plant climbing a nearby tree. He felt drawn to it and remembered reading about the plant in his codex. He quickly retrieved the book from his backpack and found the description of the Ashine plant, it was a parasitic ivy-like plant that grows along trees in forests.

[Ashine]

A creeper and parasitic ivy-like plant that grows along trees in forests. Its yellow-spotted shoots can be used to make an infusion that helps resist the bites of Tracolytes, preventing the spread of the deadly disease they carry.

Although Lionel was excited to find the Ashine plant and had heard it could be used as a natural remedy for various ailments, he also remembered the rumors about [Tracolytes]. These dangerous creatures were known for their ability to blend into any surroundings and ambush their prey from the shadows. [Tracolytes] have razor-sharp claws and vicious bites that can spread disease and cause painful, itching sores all over the victim's body.

He quickly gathered a few stems of the [Ashine] plant and placed them in his Dad's Oldie Backpack. He felt relieved knowing he had an additional layer of protection against the dangers of the forest. He also took note of the plant's features and described its unique traits, engraving its uses in his mind for future reference.

Taking out his sharp and clean scissors, Lionel began to carefully harvest some of the shoots. He made sure not to cause any injury to the plant. Lionel took great care in selecting only the healthy herbs in the vicinity, avoiding any herbs showing signs of disease or damage.

Lionel furrowed his brows, his mind racing with ideas. He wondered if the [Ashine] could help him counteract the effects of the dark and cohesive foreign essence of the "Sunroot". He quickly flipped through the pages of the Ulythes Herbs I codex searching for information about the properties and uses of the [Ashine].

After examining the descriptions, he found that the two plants were like two sides of a coin, with opposing and contrasting effects. The properties of [Ashine] could be used for contaminant effects and serve as a barrier, protecting him from the harmful effects of the [Sunroot].

Suddenly, Lionel's eyes caught sight of a splintered piece of wood scattered beneath a nearby tree, and a brilliant idea struck him. "I've never thought a stick could be this handy," he chuckled.

[Kahoy]

The Snapping Tree, also known as the [Kahoy] tree, can easily be found in forested areas known for its numerous splintered branches spread around its base. The tree earned its name due to the sound of its snapping twigs falling to the ground, a metaphor for its brittle nature. The bark of the [Kahoy] tree also sheds its outer layer, leaving a smooth and rubbery surface that can be used to create an adhesive substance similar to starch.

Lionel quickly retrieved his knife and started whittling the stick into a sturdy rod strong enough to support his weight. He reached for a piece of cloth from his backpack, sliced it into pieces, and used it to create a makeshift sack. He then placed the [Ashine] inside the bag and used the strips to wrap the rod tightly, ensuring that the [Ashine] was securely held in place.

Once he tied the knot, he fastened the makeshift belt around his waist, letting the infused cloth hang gracefully down his hips.

Equipment:

[A bundle of Kahoy Sticks]

[Ashine Barrier Belt]

[Ashine] (collected)

[10 Uncommon herbs] (collected)

"What's that?" Suddenly, he heard a voice calling out to him, a faint sound coming from a distance.

Lionel quickly spun around, searching for the source of the sound, but saw nothing but the rustling bushes surrounding him. Without hesitation, he pulled out his [Wand of Illumination] and muttered a spell. The wand lit up with a brilliant light, casting a luminous orb above him, giving him a sense of security.

Lionel walked cautiously, scanning the thick foliage, hoping to find any signs of the creature. The murmurs grew louder and more distinct, and he could feel its presence getting closer.

Just as Lionel was about to break into a run, a large, sleek panther creature emerged from the shadows, its glowing eyes glaring at him. He raised his staff, bracing for an attack, but the monster only stared at him for a while before turning and disappearing into the forest.

The creature's coat was black as coal, blending effortlessly into the shadows, and its eyes were bright, fiery orange. It stood tall and proud, with a sense of dignity and authority that radiated from its form. It was definitely not a [Tracolyte], but something much more alive and sentient.

Lionel quickly opened his codex and searched for any information about the creature, but he couldn't find anything that matched its description.

But then, a thought came to him. "Wait, Uncle Ben? Stop messing around," he called cautiously.

But as seconds went by, Lionel's uncertainty grew. He could only hear the leaves rustling and the distant hoot of an owl. The bright wand in his hand shivered slightly, sending faint pale lights in the middle of the night.

"Uncle Ben, if it's you, this isn't funny," Lionel called out again, moving towards where the panther disappeared. He flicked the wand closer to his face, its light reaching deep ahead. However, as he came closer to the spot, nothing was there—just the sound of his chest pounding inside him.

"No. It must be just my imagination," Lionel calmed himself.

"The [Sunroot] should be here," Lionel thought calmly this time. "I just have to look for it."

As he walked further into the forest, Lionel could hear the faint sounds of merchants discussing an influential group known as the Klaus Union. Curious, he decided to listen and lean on to their discussion. He hid behind a tree, careful not to be seen, tugging his ears on their conversation.

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The restrictions had been eased in some parts of the zone due to the upcoming ceremony, with vendors setting up their stalls and merchants displaying their wares. The place was humming with activity, attracting people from all corners of the Kingdom of Elastrade, gathering various herbs and supplies for the incoming ceremony.

As he hid in the bushes, he noticed a commotion outside near the marketplace. There was smoke and noise, enough to catch his attention. From there, he saw people watching a robbery with interest, a drifter doing their best to cheer, and some calling out the guards. Obviously, someone had gone to great lengths to create a spectacular mess. The halfling continued to sprint and leap through the walls, evading the pursuing guards, leaving a trace of magic seen on the mark on his footprints. The disturbance felt comedic, and oddly enough, it fit perfectly into the festive mood of the bustling marketplace.

Lionel brimmed with a smile. He couldn't help but feel amused at the spectacle, filling him with such surprise. Who wouldn't be? He had been living in the wilderness for two days, without any clue of the luxuries of city life.

He was used to a simple life, relying only on the resources that nature provided to him. He also enjoyed plenty of hugs. Even though his family was renowned, luxuries and thrills were still a foreign impression to him. Not that he could be blamed for it, but his family, especially his father, preferred a life of solitude, away from the incessant opinions of the masses.

"The Klaus Union is becoming too powerful," one of the merchants shook his head.

"We need to do something about it," another merchant blurted in. "We can't let them have all the power. We need to challenge their grip on the kingdom."

"The Klaus Union," whispered one of the merchants, "It's a formidable alliance of merchants who have established a widespread trade network throughout the Kingdom of Elastrade."

Lionel stood still, his heart beating fast as he listened to the merchants talk about the Klaus Union. He had never heard of this group before, but he could tell by the tone of their voices that they were powerful and held a lot of influence in the kingdom.

Lionel listened carefully as the conversation continued.

"It's only been a month since they established their group, and they've already managed to gain a lot of influence," another merchant added. "We need to act fast and come up with a strategy."

"But what can we do?" asked one of the merchants, sounding defeated. "They have the backing of some of the most powerful families in the kingdom. We're no match for them."

"We need to gather support," another merchant suggested. "We need to reach out to other merchants and traders who may feel the same way. If we join forces, we may be able to stand up against them."

"Yes," said another, "but how do we get everyone to listen? They may be afraid to speak out against the Klaus Union for fear of retaliation."

The merchants fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then, one of them spoke up again. "What if we bring in someone outside from the kingdom to mediate for us?"

"That's a good idea," said another. "Someone who is neutral and can be trusted to act fairly. Maybe a mediator from a neighboring kingdom could help us find a solution."

Suddenly, a man named Harold appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by a group of herbalists, joining the group of merchants in the middle of their discussion. Lionel cautiously perched behind the tree, studying the new arrival more closely.

Lionel noticed that Harold was an Anurand, clothed with the traditional attire of a dark, hooded robe with patterns knitted around the hem of his cloak. The emblem on his chest revealed his profession, carved with an inverted spear that crosses with a shield.

Harold's presence was like a sudden gust of wind, causing everyone to turn their attention toward him. The batch of merchants immediately quieted down, listening intently to what he had to say.

Harold greeted the group with a chuckle, "Greetings, my friends," he said, letting his charm play his role. "I have news to share from the Hidoran Forest. Beware and be cautious of a creature wandering in the forest recently. It's not a Tracolyte, but something more dangerous."

After Harold finished his grand introduction, one of the merchants, who had already heard of Harold's reputation, rolled his eyes and let out a humorous smile.

"Not this again," the merchant shooed, causing the others to chuckle.

Lionel couldn't help but stifle a laugh as he watched the merchant's reaction. Apparently, the so-called Harold was nothing but a pedant whose charisma made him invulnerable from backlash that concerned other's reputations.

"I thought this forest was supposed to be a low-level tiered zone," one of the merchants said, sounding surprised.

"Well, things are never quite as simple as they seem," Harold replied with a chuckle.

The merchants gasped in surprise, one of them asking, "What is it? What does it look like?"

Harold described the creature, causing the merchants to step back in fear. This was it, the opportune moment that Harold had been waiting for. His description of a dangerous creature lurking in the Hidoran Forest had the desired effect on the merchants, creating a sense of fear and urgency.

"But have no fear," Harold said with a smile, trying to calm their nerves. "I have brought some spectacular products of the finest herbs and remedies from the Hidoran Forest's herbalists. They will not only protect you from the dangers of the creature, but also alleviate any ailments you may have."

The merchants' expressions changed from worry to interest once Harold gestured to the herbalists struggling under the weight of the basket filled with herbs.

One of the merchants looked at the herbalist who had accompanied Harold and noticed they looked like they were struggling. "Are you okay?" the merchant asked. "You look like you could use some of your own remedies."

The herbalist smiled weakly and replied, "We have had a rough journey. But I have strong faith in our products. Our potions have helped us so far in our travels, and I'm sure it will provide you some help."

The merchants approached Harold and examined the herbs skeptically, questioning their effectiveness. "What makes these herbs so special?" one of them asked.

"Ah, now that's the beauty of it," Harold striking a bargain with the merchants, "These herbs are infused with magic, making them more effective than any ordinary herb you may find. And, the best part is, I am willing to strike a bargain with all of you."

"And as for the deal," Harold continued, "I'll make it even sweeter for you. Buy one of our herbs, and I'll guarantee you won't regret it. I only have the best intentions for you all, and make sure that everyone gets protected while exploring the forest."

"So, what do you say? Are you in?"

The merchants hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed to purchase one. They asked about the price, and Harold, with a chuckle, replied, "For you, my friend, I'll let you have it for a fair price."

The merchants eagerly took the herbs and thanked Harold and his group. In return, Harold added a few jokes to lighten the mood.

"Why did the tomato turn red?" Harold asked with a grin.

The merchants shrugged, waiting for the punchline.

"Because it saw the salad dressing!" Harold clamored, causing the merchants to burst into laughter.

"That Harold sure knows how to make a deal," Lionel thought and smiled. "And he's got a great sense of humor, too."

As the laughter died down, the herbalist stepped forward and bowed their head in gratitude. "Thank you, Harold," they said, their voice warm with appreciation. "Your protection and guidance were invaluable to us. Without you, we would never have made it this far."

Harold's grin widened at the praise. "It was my pleasure," he said, gesturing to the basket of herbs. "And may I add, that's quite the haul you've got there. You and your team have done an impressive job cultivating these herbs."

The herbalist nodded in agreement, their expression beaming with pride. "Yes, we've put a lot of effort into these herbs," they said, their voice tinged with satisfaction. "It's wonderful to see that our efforts are paying off. I'm sure the merchants will greatly benefit from them."

While talking with the group of herbalists, Harold continued to display his eloquence, and not only did his pitches lure more merchants, but also grabbed his chances to spread more rumors about the forest's myth and the treasures it bestows. Meanwhile, while the merchants were busy with Harold's sales pitch, one of the herbalists dropped one of their keys. The key rolled across the ground, unnoticed by everyone. The key appears to be crafted with ancient engravings, and as it slid along the dusty path, it landed on Harlold's foot.

"What do we have here?" Harold said, with his ever-so-amusing smile. But as he was about to grab the key, his foot accidentally slipped, and the key continued to roll again, landing on an inconspicuous tree this time.

"Oops," Harold awkwardly said, scratching his head.

The crowd, presuming it was just another of Harold's comedic antics, chuckled in amusement. But as everyone laughed along with the supposed stunt, the herbalist, who lost his key, widened his eyes in surprise. The herbalist stared in disbelief, unable to peel off his eyes when Harold accidentally knocked the coin away.

Harold, noticing his mistake, quickly turned his head in embarrassment. "This isn't going as planned," he thought. Just then, the herbalist, who's the leader of the group, noticed the anxiety of his fellow herbalist. The leader then quietly approached Harold, telling him about the significance of the key.

"It's a dungeon key," the leader said with a concerned voice. "We'll need it to explore the grove, or else... There's nothing we could do to fill our storage of herbs."

With a quick thinking, he decided to play it off with a chuckle for everyone to see. "Well, I guess I'll have to use my tricks on this one," he said, whispering near to the herbalist's ear.

Meanwhile, while hiding behind the tree, eagerly listening to Harold's amusing pitch, a coin suddenly landed on his feet, startling him. "Huh? What's this," Lionel said cluelessly. "Is it my lucky day?"

"Wait, something is fishy here," Lionel thought, examining the coin closely. "It can't be. Is this what Harold's looking for?"

"I thought it was a trick?" Lionel said with confusion.

As fate would have it, Harold's pitch reached Lionel's ears, explaining the incredible and exaggerated importance of the missing coin. But little did Harold know, the key was with him the entire time. To add salt to injury, Lionel quietly slid the coin to Harold, waiting for the perfect moment.

Just as Harold dramatically concluded his pitch, Lionel slyly rolled the coin across the ground, making everyone, including Harold, stood confused for a while. The unexpected twist left the audience in fits of laughter, which led Harold to scratch his head in confusion.

To save him from the embarrassment, Harold quickly thought of a phrase, picking up the coin with a grin. "Tadah! The coin that appears and disappears again!" he announced, letting everyone see the coin.

"Sure, buddy, as if you're going to fool us with that," one of the onlookers laughed.

Lionel smiled, enjoying the moment. There's little much else Harold could say or do to salvage his situation. After all, even the herbalist couldn't help but join in the laughter, amused by the unexpected turn of events.

"Whoever you are, you have my gratitude and my deepest displeasure." Harold silently smiled at the distance.

"Isn't that the great Harold in the flesh? It's rare to see you bested like this. It's a delight to the eyes," a voice spoke.

Harold turned towards the voice, spotting an old friend, Byron, among the onlookers. "Byron! You always know how to find me in the most amusing situations," Harold said with a grin.

Byron approached, clapping Harold on the shoulder. "Well, I must say, this is a side of you I haven't witnessed before. Getting outsmarted by a coin, who would've thought?"