Round 9: Freys and the Dragon (Part 2)

Milia’s wrist was red, and though it hurt terribly at first, no more serious injury remained. Josen glanced at Forty-Seven, who was sitting alone on a dune in the distance. The latter’s steel-black wings were slightly spread, and his eyes resembled two floating will-o’-the-wisps; it was unclear where he was looking. He had the unmistakable appearance of a demon.
At that moment, Freys and Abazig were in the midst of a fierce battle. It seemed Abazig had finally found a conversation partner to his liking.
“The Northern Merchant Alliance? I’ve never heard of it. When I went to the north to hunt thunder dragons, it was still a barren land. Merchants are indispensable, but they can never become the rulers of the continent! In fact, I think you have a talent for learning magic. Why not come with me on a journey across the continent? I guarantee you’ll become a great mage! Look at what’s hanging around your neck—a rare white crystal. That’s why I say you have the potential to become a great mage!” Abazig, now back in his old man’s form, spoke at length, offering various tempting suggestions. It was unclear whether he was just teasing Freys or truly serious.
“Hehe, you overestimate me. I’m just an ordinary merchant who can’t handle big scenes. It’s already a great honor for me to be able to talk to you. How dare I hope for more?” Freys smiled broadly, unsure whether he was dealing with Abazig or truly believing he wouldn’t have such luck.
“The smell of blood in the air is getting stronger. Perhaps another continental war is about to begin. This is an opportunity—either die in the wilderness or become a hero. I’ve seen too many such things. Come here, let me see your face. Lord Abazig can see your future through your facial features… Your journey will be full of hardships. Be careful—disobeying your master’s orders will bring disaster!”
Abazig’s words made Freys pay attention. “It’s said that the Agus Empire and the elves of the Sleeping Forest are about to go to war. War is an opportunity to make money, but dying because of it would be bad. Do you know anything about this?”
“Hmph! Humans are so insignificant, fighting each other for meaningless reasons. I’m thirsty. Give me your water bag! You clearly are a miser, even carrying a water bag around your neck. You look like a shelf. What? War? There’s always war, everywhere. The hatred between mages and elves has lasted for centuries. I don’t think this time it will resolve anything completely. Oh, this water bag looks interesting!”
“This was a gift I intended to give you. Please accept my admiration for you!” Freys, suppressing his pain, solemnly expressed his respect to Abazig.
“A magical creation, huh!” Abazig fiddled with it a bit but didn’t drink from it. Then he threw the water bag far away, not into Freys’ arms. “I thought it was rare snow silkworm skin… I don’t want this! Magic may bring convenience, but it’s not something worth collecting!”

“Oh, oh… By the way, Lord Abazig, as for this white crystal, I earnestly ask you to accept it. In my hands, this precious gem is nothing but an ornament…”
“Hmm, this one…” Abazig held the crystal up to his eyes, unsure if he could tell anything about its quality in the darkness: “It’s not very pure; there are some green impurities! In my cave, there’s a white crystal ten times larger than this. Let me tell you, its color is like snow, and when you touch it…”
The others stared at them in astonishment.
The word “talk nonstop” must have been created just for Abazig and Freys. They talked about the quality of white crystals, then the origins of various gems, from there to the local customs, and then to various annoying monsters. Abazig then boasted about how he had single-handedly destroyed a frost giant tribe and described the details. Freys listened eagerly, interspersing appropriate questions and expressions of surprise. When Abazig stopped to catch his breath, Freys began talking about the vile goblins and werewolves he had encountered on the trade routes, how cunning and brutal they were, and how he had led a fierce resistance. This made Abazig look down on him, who then took over the story. Meanwhile, Freys kept pulling out all sorts of small items from his clothes to show Abazig, taking the chance to ask questions about things that interested him…
They kept talking until dawn broke in the east!
“Very good! Very good!” Abazig held the white crystal along with a few other shiny gemstone trinkets: “You’re really an interesting person!”
He stroked his yellow beard, satisfied: “I should go now. Back to my lovely home—I wonder how I could sleep here for so long! If it weren’t for those two jumping around on my head, I might have kept sleeping… But starting tomorrow, I’ll be able to enjoy the dawn light in a warm bed! Step back, human. Lord Abazig will remember you!”
Then he began to swell and transform back into a dragon—another cloud of smoke rose as the giant dragon’s massive body flew deep into the desert: “By my judgment, the weather will be good these next few days! You can set off with confidence!”
Watching the brass dragon disappear into the dawn light, Freys sat down on the ground, his clothes soaked with sweat. He took the water bag the mercenary had picked up for him and gulped down several large sips. It seemed the entire night of talking had left him exhausted: “I’m dead tired… I’ve suffered heavy losses… I’ll live a few years less… Ah, ah, ah-choo!”
With the help of the mercenary, Freys climbed onto the camel. The bright sunlight made him shiver. He glanced at Josen and Milia, his voice tinged with fatigue: “Alright, let’s go back, pack up, and set off—Please, stop causing trouble for yourself!”
Forty-seven had left sometime earlier, unnoticed even by Josen. It’s hard to pay attention to anything else in front of a dragon—but what good would it do even if you noticed?
But why did the brass dragon Abazig say he wasn’t a half-Purgatory creature…

Fres wrapped himself in a blanket, sitting listlessly on the back of the camel. The desert’s night wind, coupled with communicating with a dragon, had taken a toll on him. Upon returning, overwhelmed with fear, hunger, and thirst, he ate a lot and drank most of a bag of honeyed water, only to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea along the way. He also developed a high fever the next night—had it not been for Jason using his “disease removal” ability to treat Fres, the 200-pound man might have perished in the desert.

“Mr. Jason… I feel a bit cold again… Could you treat me again?” Fres squinted through his blistered eyes, too tired even to check the weather. Since the brass dragon had said the weather was good before leaving, it must be good—after all, there were several large gems at stake!

“Mr. Fres, the nights in the Desert of Noise can be extremely cold, and you know that better than I do. You’ve caught a chill, and your existing gastrointestinal issues have worsened due to improper diet. It will take time to recover. My ability can only reduce your fever. Avoid honey water for a few days; have Mann prepare some hot soup for you…” Jason leaned forward from his horse, touched Fres’s hand, and said.

“Sigh… For such a little money… living like this, exposed to the elements all day… It’s strange if my health doesn’t break down.” Fres sniffled. The sunlight didn’t bring any warmth to his body. “At least we’re almost out of the desert… I must rest properly at the guild’s base for a couple of days before continuing… How’s your companion, Milia?”

Jason glanced back at the solitary, slender figure at the end of the group, his gaze filled with concern.

It seemed she still harbored resentment—Jason didn’t know how to comfort her. The dark figure under that cloak had become an unsolvable knot in Milia’s heart. Obvious evil was roaming nearby without restraint, yet everyone except her seemed to turn a blind eye…

A faint worry arose in Jason’s mind, though rare. There had indeed been cases where holy knights deviated from their ideals and beliefs during their trials, leading to their downfall. If…

He shook his head firmly, trying to dispel those ominous thoughts.

As the caravan continued its journey, the weather finally became a bit milder after two days.