Chapter Six: The Departure-Transcendent Sorcerer(The grass is slowly turning green.)

Carriages were neatly lined up around the castle. Soldiers passing by were loading food, fresh water, and fodder for the horses onto the carts. In the woods, Hughes was growing accustomed to his newly awakened spiritual power. Although this awakening hadn’t brought him any tangible strength, he could sense a newfound finesse in his control over power.

“Young Master Hughes, the Earl has left instructions for you to go to the weapons shop in town—he says there’s something for you,” a maid approached Hughes cautiously, her tone tinged with fear.

“Did he say what it was?”

“No, Young Master Hughes, the Earl only asked me to inform you.”

“All right, I understand.” Hughes watched the maid’s voice dwindle and gestured for her to leave.

“The weapons shop, hm? It can only be a weapon or leather armor,” Hughes mused, straightening his attire as he walked out of the castle.

As he stepped beyond the castle’s perimeter, sunlight gleamed on his ornate leather armor. Hughes felt uncommonly cheerful—since arriving in this world, everything was finally falling into place. This was exactly what he’d wished for.

“I’ll go to town in a bit. Besides picking up my father’s item from the weapons shop, I should look around for ways to improve my abilities. The red fruit and black-scaled serpent gall have lost their effect on me; I’ve developed a resistance and can’t rely on them anymore,” Hughes pondered as he walked.

“Hughes!”

“Huh? Uncle Rale, it’s been a while,” Hughes greeted Rale with some surprise.

“Heading out, Hughes? Do you need someone to accompany you?”

“No need, Uncle Rale—I’m just going out for a stroll. Besides, there’s no danger in town.”

“That may be so, but caution is always wise. If you want to wander alone, I won’t stop you. Just be back to prepare; these supplies will soon be loaded, and by the Earl’s orders, we set off at dawn. Make sure you’ve packed everything,” Rale said, clapping Hughes on the shoulder before turning to supervise the soldiers.

Returning to the street, Hughes found it unchanged from his last visit. There were still few people; various sorts passed by, but the faces remained the same—each one bearing the marks of a life beaten down by hardship.

Soon, Hughes reached the weapons shop and met the owner, Reinham.

“Chip! Display data.”

“Beep! Reinham—Strength: 3.1, Agility: 3.0, Constitution: 4.7. Status: Healthy.”

Hughes was taken aback by the data, though he kept his expression neutral.

“Reinham’s strength and agility are average for a shopkeeper, but what’s with his constitution? Why is it so much higher? Does he have some unique trait?”

“Young Master Hughes, I’ve been expecting you,” Reinham greeted him warmly.

Most of the soldiers’ weapons and armor in town came from this shop, and Earl Clay spent a fortune annually on repairs and new gear.

“My father sent me to collect something,” Hughes said, his eyes wandering over the shop.

Swords and armor of all kinds hung on the walls, alongside some farming implements.

“Oh, yes! I know, Young Master Hughes—the Earl has already instructed me. Please wait a moment.”

Reinham disappeared into a back room. Soon, he emerged carrying a roughly four-foot-long brown box, adorned with golden lines forming the pattern of a golden bird—an object of obvious value.

“Young Master Hughes, this is something Earl Clay had me specially acquire for you. Please, open it.”

Hughes already had a good guess, yet still felt a ripple of anticipation as he opened the box. A flash of silver caught his eye.

Inside lay a silver longsword—a cruciform blade of elegant design.

Hughes grasped the sword, giving it a few experimental swings. The single-handed grip and slender blade were perfect for thrusting. He was instantly taken with the weapon.

“Young Master Hughes, the Earl had this sword specially purchased for you. It’s forged from the finest steel—the blade may look slender, but it’s remarkably resilient and perfectly suited to you.”

“It’s excellent. Thank you for your trouble.”

“Not at all, Young Master. As long as you’re satisfied,” Reinham replied, all politeness.

Hughes slung the sword across his back and left the shop, leaving the box behind—he had no intention of storing the sword away. A sword was meant for killing.

He wandered the streets, searching for anything that might enhance his attributes, but found nothing. From afar, he spotted Randall’s hulking figure blocking the road.

“Hey, Randall, what are you up to?” Hughes asked, resting a hand on Randall’s shoulder.

Randall jumped, his entire bulk quivering in surprise.

“Oh, it’s you, Hughes. You scared me! I didn’t even hear you come up behind me,” Randall said, casting a reproachful look his way.

“Oh, come on. You’re a grown man, and still jumpy? What are you doing anyway?”

“Oh, I’m heading to my family’s trading house. A shipment arrived today, and my father wants me to learn how to count inventory.”

“Goods? What kind of goods?”

“I’m not sure—there’s a lot. Want to come see?” Randall grabbed Hughes’s arm, eager to drag him along.

“Why not? If there’s really so much, maybe I’ll find something useful,” Hughes thought, deciding to go with him.

“So many?” Randall exclaimed as they approached, seeing rows of carriages lined up, their contents still untouched. He looked instantly overwhelmed.

“How am I supposed to get through all this?” Randall pleaded, glancing at Hughes.

“Don’t even think about it. No way,” Hughes replied, refusing without hesitation. Just the two of them, faced with such a mountain of goods? It would take forever.

“What’s in all these?” Hughes walked over for a closer look.

“Oh, the crates are full of items unique to other regions—some jewelry, handicrafts, and various plants,” Randall replied, barely pausing his tally.

“Plants?” The word sparked a fire in Hughes’s chest. If only there were more plants like the red fruit.

Unable to resist, Hughes opened a crate, finding a cluster of grape-like fruit, though much firmer. He plucked one and tasted it.

“Beep! Unknown plant detected. Name? No attribute-enhancing components found.”

“Nothing?” Hughes quickly moved to another crate, drawing out a purple fruit the size of his fist.

“Beep! Unknown plant detected. Name? No attribute-enhancing components found.”

Unwilling to give up, Hughes tried more—one after another.

“Beep! Unknown plant detected. Name? No attribute-enhancing components found.”

…

“I’m almost full,” Hughes muttered, exasperated.

Eventually, he gave up. He tried over a dozen items, and none were of use.

“I thought, with so much here, at least one or two things would be useful…” Hughes closed the crate again.

“Randall, I’m heading back. Good luck with your counting,” Hughes said wearily as he walked away.

“Sure, I’ll come find you when I have time,” Randall replied, too busy to even look up.

Hearing those words, Hughes realized he ought to say goodbye to his only real friend.

“Hey, Randall, I almost forgot—I’m leaving,” Hughes said as he approached.

“Leaving? Didn’t you just say you were going back?” Randall still hadn’t caught on.

“No, I mean I’m leaving the castle—going to Sotto City,” Hughes explained, half amused.

“Oh, leaving the castle… What?! Leaving the castle for Sotto City?” Randall finally understood, his eyes widening.

“Why are you going to Sotto City? My father says it’s at least a half-month’s journey, and there are all kinds of dangers—wildlands, bandits… Why so suddenly?”

Seeing Randall’s anxious face, Hughes felt a surge of warmth. Despite Randall’s past mischief, he’d come to cherish this friend.

“I have a relative there. My father wants me to stay for a while,” Hughes answered, careful not to mention anything about sorcerers.

Seeing Randall’s worried look, Hughes quickly added, “It’s just for a while—I’ll be back before you know it. Don’t worry.”

“Take care on the road,” Randall said, giving Hughes a big hug.

“I’m off, then.”

“Right…” Randall’s spirits visibly sank.

When Hughes returned to the castle, the sun was already setting. The soldiers who’d filled the courtyards in the morning were gone—everything must have been made ready.

“Back already, Hughes?” Earl Clay eyed the sword at Hughes’s back.

“So, do you like the sword? I bought it just for you,” the Earl said with uncharacteristic tenderness. Anyone else might have been shocked to see such gentleness from the notorious, cold-blooded Earl.

“Yes, Father. I’m very pleased with it—thank you.”

“Good, as long as you like it. Rest early and pack what you need. We leave at dawn; someone will come to wake you.”

“Yes, Father, I understand.” Hughes returned to his room, carrying the sword. He packed his dagger, the Shadow Ring, and a small pouch of magic stones.

“Good thing I travel light—packing’s no trouble. Tomorrow we set out. I can hardly wait. Will the journey go smoothly?” This trip to Sotto City and the Sea of Death was Hughes’s first real journey in this world, and his heart was already in turmoil.

“No point worrying now. I’ll think about it tomorrow—time for sleep,” Hughes told himself, banishing his anxieties as he drifted into slumber.