Chapter 60 – Traveling with the Caravan

Over half an hour had passed since the caravan resumed its journey. Lotalan, with her childlike disposition, had long forgotten her initial displeasure. Though bored and curious about Punk, whenever she thought about asking the intently reading mage a question, those profound, icy azure pupils would surge from the depths of her memory. Thus… Little Lolita Lotalan could only sulkily withdraw her inquiry, comforting herself inwardly:

“I’m not going to pay attention to this big meanie anyway!”

——————Break——————

They say men are most attractive when focused—a truth that holds across the multiverse. Undeniably, Punk, with his half-Ancient Elf heritage, possessed extraordinary handsomeness. His ethereal, profound charm proved particularly lethal to a young girl like Lotalan, who was just awakening to romance. As time passed, she unconsciously found herself staring at Punk’s profile for an extended period.

Yet Punk, fully immersed in his magical studies, remained completely oblivious to Lotalan’s increasingly ardent gaze and her delicate, blushing cheeks.

After enduring consecutive days of warfare followed by frantic escape, Punk finally relished the rare comfort of a leather carriage seat. Free from the cacophony of wild animal cries, he could at last satisfy his curiosity by thoroughly examining Mainaixi’s “legacy.”

As for the infatuated little girl staring at him? Punk couldn’t be bothered to spare her even a glance!

Beyond recording some low-level potion formulas, Mainaixi’s spellbook primarily detailed two categories of magic: life-element evocation spells and kinetic conjuration spells. Given Mainaixi’s specialization as a life-element evoker, the documentation on life-element magic was exceptionally thorough. Unfortunately, Punk’s primary elemental affinity was aether.

Thus, life-element spells served more as reference and supplementary material for him. The kinetic spells, however, captivated his interest.

These spells boasted ancient origins but remained rare due to their demanding control requirements and steep learning curve. Yet their advantages were undeniable: remarkable versatility and formidable power.

Moreover, they constituted pure aether-based conjuration magic—perfectly aligning with Punk’s core specialization. With System assistance, Punk had no concerns about mastery difficulties or control precision. He decisively designated kinetic spells as his primary research focus.

True to his reputation as an established Formal-Level mage, Mainaixi’s notes contained numerous unique annotations and insights. While Formal-Level spells’ potency was unquestionable, their complexity far surpassed simple Apprentice-Level incantations. Even with System support, Punk found them profoundly abstruse. These exclusive notes often provided crucial breakthroughs whenever his reasoning hit dead ends.Time always passed swiftly during study. Unconsciously, Punk had been swimming in the ocean of knowledge for an entire afternoon. The “Mila” and “Chikasa,” which revolved around the Faerûn Plane day after day, had once again sunk below the horizon, and the unremarkable night sky once again enveloped the land.

The caravan stopped behind a wind-sheltering rock. The soldiers began swiftly setting up tents and preparing pots to cook dinner!

The soldiers’ food was exceedingly simple—merely boiling water, then stirring dried rations into a pot of pale yellow paste. At most, a few blades of grass were added as garnish before it was done!

In contrast, Lotalan, the Old Butler, and the Apprentice-Level warrior enjoyed far better meals. Their bowls contained fragrant bread and carefully cured dried meat, accompanied by a bowl of vegetable soup for nutritional balance!

Punk’s meal, however, was even more lavish than theirs. Not only did he have fresher white bread, but his dried meat was also thickly coated with a layer of honey.

When this meal was personally brought to Punk by the disgruntled Lotalan, the slightly hungry Punk did not stand on ceremony. As usual, he cast a poison detection spell before savoring it with the deliberate, refined etiquette befitting a Noble.

In the world of Faerûn, revering the strong was simply a matter of course!

While eating his dinner and listening to the Old Butler’s near-“report” introduction of Doleiz City and their caravan, Punk gained a fair understanding of Doleiz City.

First, the lord of Doleiz City was a Noble with substantial authority. Both Doleiz City and the surrounding spice farms were his fiefdom, though the city’s patron Formal-Level expert was a dwarf warrior.

Second, Doleiz City was located in a relatively remote area, characterized by mountainous terrain and hills, with inconvenient transportation routes. Nevertheless, it had become a prosperous city thanks to its abundant spice production.

Lastly, there were 126 small towns surrounding Doleiz City. These towns maintained close ties with the main city, most connected by well-established trade routes for mutual exchange. Moreover, these towns accounted for nearly half of Doleiz City’s spice production.

Regarding Little Lolita Lotalan’s caravan, the Old Butler held nothing back, so Punk learned they were heading to the legendary Doleiz City—”brimming with opportunities”—to seek business prospects and revitalize the Minohorn Family!

Though Punk held little confidence in this business team composed of a tsundere Little Lolita, a decrepit Old Butler, and an honest warrior uncle (the ordinary soldiers were utterly ignored…), he began to entertain some different ideas of his own.

Now that he could effortlessly brew Apprentice Rank and Apprentice-Level potions, selling these potions would be the optimal choice for an income source once he found a place to temporarily seclude himself and research spells. At the very least, the Apprentice-Level alchemists in Doleiz City would be no match for him in competition.

However, Punk had no time to personally promote or sell potions. Thus, he needed a spokesperson—one he could easily control and who wouldn’t readily betray him—to assist in marketing the potions.And now… wasn’t there a perfect spokesperson right before his eyes? Although the Minohorn Family’s influence was practically negligible, this very weakness made them easier to control. While Little Lolita Lotalan was impulsive and not particularly clever, these traits ensured she wouldn’t play any tricks!

Punk glanced expressionlessly at the unconscious Lotalan. According to Fearun’s noble etiquette, it was considered impolite for hosts to leave before their guests. Thus, the drowsy Lotalan had been forced to remain by the campfire with Punk and the butler until midnight. Now, exhausted from fighting sleep, she had finally succumbed to slumber.

Punk raised a hand to stop the Old Butler from waking his young mistress, then rose from his seat and headed toward the tent assigned to him (the poor Lotalan had to share a tent with her maid). He had decided to formally discuss cooperation with them when they approached Doleiz City.

Completely unaware that she had been chosen for a “great opportunity (or great trouble?)”, Lotalan slept soundly in her maid’s embrace. Under the glow of the indigo moon “Karl,” her silky red ponytail shimmered with flowing radiance.

(End of Chapter)