241 A storm is brewing

Ben was worried about the horses. He wanted to trust Vincent, Ester, Lupa, and Iris with keeping the horses well-fed and appropriately taken care of.

However, Ben feared that placing the horses in the hands of people who needed to rush toward their destination would be dangerous for the horses. He felt it was a gamble to offer his deceased friend’s horses.

*Thud* “My mate. This is what we found in the cave.” Lupa placed a ball of cloth with cold smoke rising from it. She excitedly opened it and asked, “One of these two has a wired smell. Can this help?”

“Let me see.” Vincent picked a mushroom in one hand and a withered yet soft and fresh flower in the other.

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[Name] Tell Root Flower

[Condition] Fresh, Frozen

[Description] A flower that grows in damp and dark places. The flower absorbs the moisture from the air and stores it in the roots. The larger the pedals, the more water stored in its roots.

[Effect]

.....

*Minor Moisture Absorbtion

*Minor Moisture Reduction

*Minor Energy Regeneration

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[Name] Razaros Mushroom

[Condition] Fresh, Frozen

[Description] A white luminescent mushroom that grows in damp places and uses the sunlight to mature. The more nutrients, the brighter the Razaros Mushroom will glow and emit heat.

[Effect]

*Minor Fire Affinity Boost

*Minor Fire Resistance Boost

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“Iris, do you know how to extract the water from inside this Tell Flower Root? Its liquid should help the horses recover their energy. Crushing what remains should help the horses feel energized.” Vincent explained. He hoped Iris would say yes and create a way to help the horses run farther.

“Tell Flower Root? I believe it costs two silver each and is hard to find. Nobles tend to feed these things to their horses. Additionally, the horses love to eat them. Some say to feed in low doses or the horses will get addicted.” Ben explained.

“I think I can do it. ” Iris replied.

.

[20x Tell Flower Root (Rare Quality) gained.]

[40x Razaros Mushroom (Rare Quality) gained.]

.

Vincent stored all of the frozen items. As he was following Ben to leave the house, Plow started barking.

*Pho, pho, pho!*

“Stay here Plow, only those who can fight are allowed to go. Your ability will only last for a few seconds, so it is better to stay here and protect Tula and this good family. I will be back, I promise.” Vincent felt terrible as he saw Plow begging with a pair of eyes about to leak a waterfall of tears. Plow didn’t want to be abandoned again.

“Vincent Vincent. I want a reward for waiting!” *Pho* Plow requested.

“Okay. I promise to give you five small favor vouchers when we return from the cave. You can use them whenever you want, so you can spend all the time in the world thinking what you want with them and when you should use one.” Vincent promised and suggested a way for Plow to stay busy.

.

[Promised Quest: Promised Plow to offer a reward upon return.]

[Complete the agreed promise by returning after leaving.]

[Quest conditions to be met.]

*Arrived at promised destination 0/1 (Not Met)

*Returned from promised destination 0/1 (Not Met)

[Rewards]

*Familiar Plow – Mutate Trait – Bond Boost

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*Lusterfall City – The south gate stables*

Sometime later, five people gazed at two strong brown horses. While Ben prepared the horses and looked for an excellent third horse, Kazumi suggested.

[It is better to use two horses. I don’t know about Ester, but Lupa most definitely doesn’t know how to ride a horse. You are in the same position, but I can help you master horse riding in a short time.]

-Thank you for being the voice of reason. I said we need horses since there aren’t cars in this world, but I forgot how I never rode a horse.-

“Ester, do you know how to ride a horse?” Vincent asked.

“My father had a horse. He used to give me rides and taught me the fundamentals of horse riding... but it’s been a long time now.” Ester replied.

‘More speed without control is counterproductive. Kazumi is right about two horses. ‘ Vincent thought.

historical

“We will take these two horses. Previously, I said three in the heat of the moment, but only Ester and I can ride and control a horse.” Vincent announced.

Lupa frowned. “What about me? I want to go fast!” She said with dissatisfaction.

“Fine... you can ride with me as compensation. What do you think?” Vincent didn’t have time to start a back-and-forth discussion.

Lupa nodded with a smile. “I guess I don’t want that much speed now, hehe.” She giggled.

“Wait for me outside. I will be done in five to ten minutes. Ohh, you have that special storage, right? Fill take bucket or two with water and take some hay as well while waiting.” Ben said.

A while later, Vincent helped Ester to get on the horse. Ester tried leading the horse as she remembered, and it worked. She moved in circles and even jumped a minor obstacle.

Vincent, Lupa, Kazumi, Iris, and Ben stared with their eyes open wide from surprise. They couldn’t believe the statement she said earlier.

Vincent noticed Iris fiddling with her fingers and a sad expression. “Iris, we can make it in time with your help. Don’t lose hope.” Vincent encouraged Iris as he helped her get on the horse with Ester.

Helped by Ben, Vincent climbed the horse. Lupa sat in behind him next. She smirked and wrapped her arms around Vincent’s waist to keep her balance.

“I will need to report this to the City Guard Captains that I trust and know they are righteous. I hope you will all return as you left and bring these two beauties back in one piece.” Ben said.

Then he looked Vincent in the eye and asked, “You and I know what might happen. Are you, Vincent of another world, going to kill a human of this world for non-humans classified as intelligent monsters?”

Vincent turned his head and looked at Ester and Iris. ‘Am I willing to kill a person for the first time in my life?...’ He contemplated. But the moment his eyes saw Iris closing her eyes and resting her head against Ester’s back, Vincent reaffirmed his decision.

[Ben is correct to ask this question. Not only we... we might end up murdering someone, but you, as someone from another world, killing someone from this world will make Ben think about if we are safe for Tula’s family to let us stay with them or not.]

-Insightful as ever, Kazumi. Thanks for pointing things out for me.-

Vincent confidently looked at Ben. “I never killed a person in my life, but if it comes to protecting someone, I think I know who’s a life I will prioritize first. I’m not a blood-thirsty murder and beside me are those who can help me stray away from such path.” He stated with a confident voice.

Ben nodded and took a step back, “I sent a message to let you guys leave without being stopped by the soldiers guarding the south gate. Also, hehe... take care of Tula and her family if anything happens to me.” Ben joked with a severe tone. Even his chuckle sounded grim.

Vincent became worried. “What?... ” He replied before... *Whistle*

Ben made a brief high-pitched whistle with three fingers placed on his lips. The sound was different than any whistle Vincent heard before, but he didn’t have time to think about the sound.

The two horses immediately bolted forward as the unique whistle ordered them to charge ahead.

“I hope this life will remain the same after you guys return...” Ben said to himself. He turned around and left to make a detailed report with the intention to mention the sight of bears and boars fighting for territory instead of bandits.

Ben had no intentions to mention Vincent or the girls associated with him. It might spell everyone’s doom if any of them receives the order for a thorough investigation.

Furthermore, Vincent’s recovery would mean he suddenly acquired great wealth and healed his body in such a suspicious time. The interrogation wouldn’t be a simple one, and now that Vincent has recovered, he doesn’t have an excuse not to remove his shirt or anything covering his waist to hide the hero mark.

Not to mention the high-profile investigation it would become because Demel Blackheart is a Viscount. Additionally, the main family branch of the Blackhearts is of the noble rank Marquis. It could be easy to turn a suspect into a culprit with such a rank.

Ben fears the situation will become complex and dangerous. Ben decided to use all contacts and all favors he built up in the years. A storm was brewing, and Vincent was heading into it.

*Rumput Forest*

“Woa~, woa~, there.” Vincent gently pulled the reins and controlled the horse to stop after a few attempts. “Ester, let us stop here.” He said to take a break and allow the horses some time to rest.

Vincent jumped down and noticed Lupa looking at him with a grin. She opened her arms and waited for Vincent to help her get down. As a fighter who climbs, jumps, and falls from trees with incredible energy, getting down from a horse is as easy as walking for her.

*Sigh* “Here, let me help you.” Vincent helped the sly Lupa get down. “I am not in the mood for jokes, and” *sigh~* “my body aches from the first time riding a horse. Learning while driving is difficult.” He continued while stretching his back.