Chapter 4: Time to Say Goodbye
True to Druidic tradition, they didn’t use spices or complex cooking methods, relying solely on local, natural ingredients. Their meals, as a result, were rather bland.
Maggie, however, having tasted the feast’s leftovers brought by Abyss and his companions, was now enamored with these high-calorie Ossi delicacies. She ate until she was stuffed, her stomach full to bursting. She had become completely docile, practically fawning over Leona, who had been diligently feeding her.
Finally satiated, she spoke less, her usual chatter reduced to a normal level.
“I’d love to bring some back for my master, but he would scold me, so… I’ll pass… burp!” she said, patting her distended belly. “I, Maggie Sesilian, will repay your kindness someday… burp!”
Abyss shrugged. “We’ll discuss repayment later. We have some matters to attend to now. Perhaps you should excuse yourself. We’ll talk after we’re done. We have our own priorities.”
“Hmm? How long will you be? Can I wait in the palace? I can transform into a plant. They won’t notice me,” Maggie asked, blinking her large, innocent eyes. “I don’t mind waiting. My master says it’s unhealthy to move around right after a meal.”
“I’m not sure how long it will take,” Abyss said, spreading his hands. “We need to discuss our plans.”
He was telling the truth. His memories hadn’t fully returned. The girls had only given him a brief overview of the current situation. His next priority was to inform Givia that the Lord of Nightmares was no longer a threat. And it was time to say goodbye. He couldn’t just leave without an explanation.
“Whatever, whatever,” Maggie said, her easygoing nature evident. Even without a promise of help with the sacred tree, she wasn’t upset. Were all Druids so agreeable? “I’ll transform into a tree in the palace gardens. I’ll bloom a few pink flowers. You can find me there.”
“Alright,” Abyss said, nodding.
Maggie, carefully holding her stomach, walked to the window. As she was about to transform into a bird and fly away, she turned to Abyss. “Oh, right, you’re the Druid, aren’t you?”
“I was wondering when you would ask,” Abyss said, patting his chest. “Yes, that’s me. I’m a Druid.”
“Eh…” Maggie looked at him, puzzled. “You’re the palest Druid I’ve ever seen… Oh, right, you have three female companions. That explains it. Yes, you do look the most like a mage among the four of you.”
“What do we look like?” Leona asked, curious.
Maggie, now completely charmed by Leona’s generosity, readily answered. “You look like a Dou Warrior, but you’re too short. Perhaps my master’s growth potion could help. The black-haired lady looks like a scholar, but I know she’s an alchemist. And the golden-haired lady looks like a teacher, her aura so refined, almost like a princess’.”
Her assessment was surprisingly accurate.
“Your master has a growth potion?” Leona asked, her eyes lighting up.
“Yes!” Maggie, sensing her interest, seized the opportunity. “He brewed it for a stunted rabbit, and it grew to a normal size within weeks. You should try it! It might work!”
“You want me to drink animal medicine?!” Leona exclaimed, slapping her forehead.
“Humans and animals are essentially the same, at least according to Druids,” Maggie said, nodding sagely, then clapped her hands. “Oh, I almost forgot. What’s your name, Druid-senior? I’ll send a message to my master with a bird. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“I’m ABC Belator. I’m sixteen years old, almost seventeen,” Abyss said, introducing himself with a serious expression.
Rebecca giggled. Leona whistled nonchalantly. Flora, hearing Abyss use the nickname Leona had given him as his real name, hesitated, then decided not to correct him. He seemed so attached to it.
“ABC? That’s a stylish name. You’re only sixteen?” Maggie asked, surprised. “You’re so powerful at such a young age! Who’s your master?”
“My master is… um… I forgot,” Abyss said.
“Ah, forgetting is good,” Maggie said, grinning. “My master keeps trying to disown me, telling me to forget him. But he always comes back. I don’t know why he dislikes me so much.”
This talkative elf girl seemed oblivious to her own chatter. Abyss and his companions could only imagine the despair of her fellow Druids.
“Well, I won’t bother you any longer. I’ll be going now. Good luck with your mission!” Maggie said. “And remember, Elder Belator, the Druid community needs you! Over a thousand Druids are waiting for your guidance!”
With a chant, she transformed into a plump pigeon, its wings flapping with some effort as it flew away.
“We should visit Queen Givia. The Ossi Kingdom no longer requires our assistance. It’s time to continue our journey,” Abyss said, smiling at the girls. “But I don’t know where we’re going yet. We can discuss our next move on the road.”
Leona, hearing this, frowned, her head bowed in thought.
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