Fantasy Lord: I Have a Moving Castle

Chapter 73: Chapter 26: A Minor Promotion, Wind Scythe Locust (Second Update!)

Chapter 73: Chapter 26: A Minor Promotion, Wind Scythe Locust (Second Update!)

Having secured control over the Ghost Flying Lizard and the Night Helmeted Owl to ensure the two Demon Beasts wouldn’t suddenly awaken and wreak havoc in the Garden Secret Realm, Char then set off with the Clover Mantis, Lantern Firefly, and Star Worm in tow.

With nearly a hundred strands of Praying Power almost at hand, he was truly full of drive, not wanting to wait a single moment—even if it meant going without sleep night and day for the past two days. He had to hunt for Demon Beasts everywhere, to swiftly gather the remaining Praying Power as well as potential new Magic Pets!

Beyond his overflowing determination, there was another reason for his sense of urgency: a strong, foreboding sense of danger had once again emerged in his heart. He urgently needed to recruit a powerful New Magic Pet to bolster his own strength and provide a greater sense of security.

After all, right next to him was a stretch of the Land of Undead that was still slowly expanding, and tens of kilometers away there dwelt a strong and greedy Shark Lizard Beast. Even though his own power had grown somewhat, and he had gained strong allies in Freyja and the Floral Blue Leopard, none of it gave him a sufficient sense of safety.

At this time, if he could recruit another Magic Pet with a Challenge Level of 6, then he would be able to find his backbone again, and his heart would finally settle.

Seeing that Char hadn’t slept all night and had only just returned without any intention to rest before heading out again, Freyja called out to stop him.

“Char!”

As Char was picking up his bow and arrow, summoning the Clover Mantis, Lantern Firefly, and Star Worm in preparation to leave, he stopped.

“What is it?”

Freyja seemed a bit hesitant, or perhaps she was considering her words. Nevertheless, after pausing for a second or two, she then spoke up, “Are you going to go capture Demon Beasts again? Take the Floral Blue Leopard with you; it can be helpful.”

Although Freyja didn’t understand why Char was working so hard, not sleeping the entire night and immediately setting out to hunt again, she still wanted to offer whatever help she could.

To Freyja, Char’s life-saving favor was beyond repayment, and even in her current state of severe injury, she very much wanted to help.

Getting up early to make breakfast even though her wounds had split open again, bleeding, she didn’t say anything—it was for this reason.

And now, wanting Char to take the Floral Blue Leopard with him—it was also for this reason.

Char was at first startled, but then he couldn’t help but smile.

“Okay!”

He added another sentence immediately after.

“Thank you.”

Freyja smiled too, then crouched down, pressing her forehead against the Floral Blue Leopard’s, whispering something in the Elf Language, which Char didn’t understand.

A few seconds later, she stood up and patted the Floral Blue Leopard’s behind. The Floral Blue Leopard, treading with the elegant grace of a cat, walked towards Char and let out an obedient meow mid-way.

“Freyja.”

“What’s up?”

“When I’m free, could you teach me Elf Language?”

“Of course, I can.”

“Also, I might need your help translating some things these next few days.”

“Great… I mean, no problem, I’d be glad to help.”

Char smiled, shouldered his bow and arrow, checked his gear, and gave a shout to his Magic Pets.

“Star Worm, Lantern Firefly, Clover Mantis, and Floral Blue Leopard, let’s set out!”

…

With the powerful addition of the Floral Blue Leopard, this time Char chose to let the Clover Mantis and the Floral Blue Leopard jointly kill the Undead, while he, along with the Lantern Firefly and Star Worm, stayed nearby. They kept watch for dangers while searching for Demon Beasts in the vicinity.

As a result, the efficiency of hunting the Undead to earn Praying Power had significantly increased.

Char glanced at the Star Worm which was accompanying him.

A lot of days had passed since the day he killed many a goblin.

In these days, he had hunted quite a few Demon Beasts, and before they were dissected and gutted, all of them were drained by the Star Worm.

Having absorbed so much Life Essence and Magic Essence from those Demon Beasts, the Star Worm was already on the brink of breaking through, and this morning, when the Star Worm began its “Raging Absorption” on the Fierce Poison Rat,

the change in quantity finally led to a qualitative change, catapulting its Challenge Level up by 2!

It was only because the Star Worm’s “talent” didn’t work on the Undead that it hadn’t leveled up earlier with all the Undead Char had killed these days; otherwise, it might have reached Challenge Level 3 by now.

However, even without the ability to draw power from the Undead, the Star Worm successfully advanced to Level 2.

It might seem like just a small two-level rise from Level 0 to Level 2, but such an occurrence would be a miracle even for those powerful Demon Beasts.

Because even for those powerful Demon Beasts that are born at Challenge Levels 3, 4 or even 5, it is impossible to increase their own Level by two in such a short period of time.

This is a talent unique to the Star Worm, a miracle unique to the Star Worm.

Even the other Magic Pets under Char’s command couldn’t replicate it. Although they too can level up quickly, they can’t do it as swiftly as the Star Worm; the Lantern Firefly had only risen by 1 Level since its birth.

It’s worth mentioning that not just the Star Worm, but also the Lotus Leaf Frog had been promoted, and its advance even preceded that of the Star Worm.

Just last night, the Lotus Leaf Frog had completed its leveling up, only a few days after the Lantern Firefly.

With the Magic Pets advancing one after another, Char was in high spirits.

Now, the strength at his disposal had evolved into this: one Magic Pet with Challenge Level 5, one with Challenge Level 3, and three with Challenge Level 2 (including the Wind Winged Horse).

The combat power had multiplied immeasurably since his arrival.

One person was now equivalent to a reasonably strong adventurer team, and the majority of adventurer teams did not possess such combat power.

Because many adventurer teams set out with an average Level of just 2 or 3 and have a limited activity range; they basically adventure, treasure hunt, and take on commissioned tasks only within the vicinity of their hometown.

An adventurer team active within the realm of a dukedom or kingdom is already considered elite, after all, without sufficient strength, it’s impossible to journey that far.

Any danger encountered on the road could easily lead to heavy casualties and the disintegration of the team, or even total annihilation.

Without undue modesty, Char’s current strength had already stood out from the ordinary; even if his power were to stagnate now, he could live a life of prosperity and meet a good end—unless caught in a turbulent era.

But judging from the snippets from Freyja, it seemed that he had not arrived at an auspicious time; it was an age of turmoil.

Finally, another first-kill mission was completed.

Char watched as the Praying Power he had been accruing broke through to a hundred strands, his heart bursting with a spectacular fireworks show.

Without a word, he sent the Star Worm to inform the Clover Mantis and the Floral Blue Leopard.

Mission accomplished, retreat!

Then he glanced at his backpack again, which contained a locust.

Due to the limited range of activity, his haul this time was two-thirds less than last night, having encountered only one Demon Beast.

It was a Wind Scythe Locust, capable of releasing large wind scythes, with a Challenge Level that had reached 2.

But since it did not meet his candidate criteria, Char showed no mercy and, after some effort working together with the Lantern Firefly and the Star Worm, killed it.

Choosing to recruit the Wind Scythe Locust rather than the Rain Sound Kingfisher would not suffice; not only did the latter fit more with Char’s image, it also added another attribute. The abilities of both completely overlapped; anything the Wind Scythe Locust could do, the Rain Sound Kingfisher could do as well.

Soon, the Clover Mantis, the Floral Blue Leopard, and the Star Worm returned.

Char immediately set out, eager to return to the Garden Secret Realm. Although he had not captured enough Demon Beasts that suited his preference, he already had two candidates, the Ghost Flying Lizard and the Night Helmeted Owl; barely enough, perhaps.

After all, only one could ultimately undergo transformation; there was no use in capturing too many.

But often, when you hold no expectations and view things with equanimity, that’s when surprises happen.