บท 28: Chapter 28: Branched Off

Pearl said that we should split up to cover more ground. At first I was reluctant to agree but I know that she can handle herself to a decent extent.

She's quite smart and strong in the usage of magic for her age. And not to mention her magical affinities are seeming to be more than the four basic elements.

With enough practice, she could become a royal court mage by the time she's my age.

But I have to focus on my task. I need to look around the area and find out some clues regarding the mysterious illness that appeared two weeks ago.

I shouldn't take too long to do this task. I want to meet back up with Pearl and be with her in case she needs protection.

She's still a child, after all. I was once like her. Adventurous, free spirited, and short for her age. Very short.

But the thing is, is that Pearl is better than a lot of other children around her age. I mean in the prosperities of magic and swordsmanship.

Her talent for magic is unnatural for her age. And not to mention that she can't even remember her past.

I want to help her. I really do. But I can't help her if she can't remember where she is from and if her parents are alive.

But that doesn't matter anymore. Not one fucking bit. I'm her mother now. Not whoever the fuck left Pearl to die in the forest.

Pathetic parents, if I must say.

I should start to focus more on my surroundings and maybe find out some clues regarding the mysterious illness that showed up around two weeks ago here.

All around me are just buildings that just look...sad. It feels like they are also affected by the illness.

I know that makes no sense, but it makes sense to me. That's all that matters.

I began to walk further down the pathway of houses along the street and I took a left turn when the road split off at a small intersection of buildings.

To the right looked to be another set of houses. In front seemed to resemble some shops and small stalls set up. And to the left was an open area in between the buildings.

I got into the open area and in the middle of the opening, there was a fountain. It spurted water from the top and the water made its way to the bottom.

I guess the water is then sent back to the top and shot out again to only go in an infinite loop?

I saw a man standing near the fountain on the side opposite of where I am. I began to cautiously walk towards that general direction.

The man noticed me and waved. It was a human. He said to me, "Greetings, fair maiden. How art thou in this fine day?"

A little bit dramatic, don't you think? And not to mention the old dialect from two hundred years ago.

I kept about six feet distance in between us for a simple safety measure. I then said to the man, "I guess I'm doing just fine. I would like to ask you something, though."

The man smiled and said, "Why you may ask me anything that you desire!"

He seems a little weird but it's better than nothing. I then asked the man, "Do you know anything about the illness that appeared in this area about two weeks ago?"

The man kept on smiling. He then said, "I may have heard a little something about that, yes."

Oh? So he might have some valuable information, then? I want to try and get it out from him.

I then asked, "May I know what you have heard about it? I'm on a mission from the Mayor to find out more about the illness."

The man smiled and said, "I only have one condition." I then skeptically asked, "Alright. What is the condition you need?"

The man smiled and said, "That girl you're with. The fox child. She was holding a white fur fox earlier when I saw you two talking near the other side of town. I'd like to know where she got the fox."

Oh. I thought he was going to ask me to go out with him or something. Or maybe even tell me to suck- let's stop there.

I then said, "Is that all?" The man nodded his head. I then told him, "The nearby forest that leads to the city of Rybim. We found the fox there in the far part of section two of the forest."

The man smiled and said, "Thank you for the incredibly valuable information. I've been wanting to get a fox for myself for quite some time now. Alright. I'll now uphold my side of the deal."

He continued, "I am the person that keeps track of water conditions. Like how murky or polluted the water and its main source is. The water in the river back there in the middle of town has become polluted with a monsters blood. I'm not sure what monster, though."

That's great! I now know what to go do next. I smiled and said, "Thank you, kind sir. Have a great day!"

I bet Pearl has already started going up the river if she's figured it out already. I should try and catch up to her if she is already down there.

-[At the River]-

Yeah. Now that I got a good look at it, the water looks murky and darker.

I also noticed that next to the river is a pair of small footprints. They match Pearl's boots almost perfectly from memory.

I should probably hurry up and get down there with her. She could get attacked by a monster any second now! I can't let that happen.

The footsteps go on for a while. I'll run the rest of the way! I can make it to her faster! Good thing I did a ton of stamina training during my knight academy days.

Without it, I would've lost many suspects during chases. I'm glad I actually trained hard. If I didn't, I'd also be pretty bad at travelling.

You know, since you have to walk a lot. And I mean a LOT.

It took Pearl and I a few weeks to get out of the forest, for example. And it was hindered due to monsters attacking us and vice versa.

But, fighting with Pearl, is quite enjoyable. Not only to I get to fight, but at an added bonus, I get to watch a little fluffy tail run all around me and the enemies.

I just love it so much! And, I've made a decision. I will help beastmen become more integrated in society.

They have been discriminated against for hundreds of years. And, only recently, they've gained more rights.

But, the bad thing is, they are still eligible for slavery. If someone has a beastman slave, nothing can truly be done unless it was an unlawful purchase.

What I mean is that if I were to purchase a beastman slave from a legal slave trader, it would be fine.

But if I were to kidnap a beastman child or adult, an either enslave them or sell them without a slave permit, I would be committing a crime.

Shit. Enough about all that information! I need to get to Pearl!