Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 124 (Part 1)

Just a day away from reaching the small town of Hedenes in the Hedenes region, Rodin decided to set up camp.

It was a place where monsters could appear at any moment. It was safer to rest in a secure spot than to move through the night and risk danger.

Dinner was prepared by Matthew.

As always, Matthew’s cooking was satisfying, no less impressive even when compared to Margaret’s.

Once the meal was over, Larry immediately began sparring with Karis. The sound of their exertions and clashing metal echoed without pause.

During this time, Rodin taught Bianca magic. The lessons were primarily focused on mathematics and runic language, but occasionally he also taught her magical imagery techniques.

Rodin’s group was busier at night than during the day. As a result, bedtime was always around midnight.

In the dim dawn light.

At a time when even Larry was still asleep, Rodin opened his eyes quietly.

As he rose, Karis and Jena, who were keeping watch, approached.

“Sir, you’re up too early.”

“Please rest a bit more, sir.”

“Hm, something feels off.”

An indescribable unease gnawed at him. It wasn’t because of a nightmare, yet an overwhelming sense of discomfort enveloped him.

“Should we check it out?”

“Yes, I think we should. Jito.”

―Kkueng.

Jito, who had taken the form of clothing, reverted to its original form. Jena handed a blanket from the carriage to Rodin.

“Thank you.”

“No need to mention it.”

Rodin draped the blanket over his shoulders and looked up at the sky. The sun had not yet risen, but fortunately, tonight the moon was big and bright.

“Jito, scout the surroundings for me.”

―Kkueng.

Jito shot up like an arrow and circled the area once. Sharing Jito’s senses, Rodin checked its vision.

“Damn.”

“What’s wrong, sir?”

“There’s a giant beast. Not too far away.”

A monster lay sprawled across a wide plain. It had dug into the ground slightly to rest its back, lying there in a seemingly carefree manner, unbothered.

“A giant beast? How far is it?”

“Hold on. Jito, start at this side and slowly turn your gaze toward the beast.”

Jito’s perspective moved gradually from the camp toward the giant beast.

Through the mountains and forests to where the giant beast lay. Now that he could see the full scope, Rodin made a rough calculation of the distance.

“If I move at full speed, it’s about a two-hour distance.”

“That’s not too close. We should be able to avoid it.”

“Yes, that’s a relief. If it were any closer, we’d have had trouble.”

The giant beast was practically a mass of magical energy. Rodin would have sensed it if it had come any nearer.

But for ordinary people, it was different. They were much less perceptive and could be caught unaware.

There were even stories about people roaming around trying to hunt or observe such a beast.

If they stirred up the area, Rodin’s group could end up dragged into a fight.

“How could something that big come so close without us feeling any tremors?”

“It’s not that it came here; it’s that we entered the area where it rests.”

Jito’s eyes showed the scars on the beast’s body. Small singed marks to significant burns were scattered across it. There were dozens of such wounds.

However, none of them seemed fatal. Even Rodin could have shrugged off injuries of that magnitude.

“Has it been resting for long?”

“It seems to be resting due to those wounds. But… wait, there are people around it?”

From a greater distance, more people surrounding the beast came into view. They were a few kilometers away from it, but their numbers were in the thousands.

“There are people around the giant beast. About 10 kilometers away, and their situation looks bad. Many are injured.”

“They’ve already clashed once.”

“Looks like it happened about three or four days ago.”

It seemed that they had fought fiercely and then retreated from each other.

The giant beast probably just wanted to rest, while the people surrounding it had been forced to withdraw, unable to continue fighting.

“It could reignite any time.”

“Maybe, or maybe not. It doesn’t look like the human side is preparing to fight again. But I don’t see any blade marks on the beast.”

“Are there no high-ranking knights?”

“That, I can’t tell. It’s hard to gauge from Jito’s vision alone. But with thousands gathered, there must be some high-ranking knights. Ah, Jito, check that side more closely.”

Rodin, scanning through Jito’s shared vision, halted and directed Jito to focus on a specific area.

At least a hundred knights were gathered. Turning Jito’s gaze slightly, Rodin spotted another group of more than a hundred.

“It’s strange. Why haven’t they managed to take it down despite so many knights?”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Going around is better.”

Rodin decided to avoid the battle.

Fighting without enough information about the giant beast was reckless. It could be far stronger than expected.

Moreover, there were three people in the group who would be of no help in such a fight. If they got involved, someone could easily get hurt.

“That’s the right call.”

“Jito, come back.”

Jito returned swiftly. Rodin removed the blanket, and it quickly adhered to him and transformed into clothing again.

With the help of Undine, he washed up and finished his morning training. By then, Larry and Matthew were awake.

He practiced swordsmanship with Larry, sweating from their exertions, while Matthew prepared breakfast.

“I have something to say.”

After breakfast, he gathered the group.

Rodin informed them about the giant beast not far away and explained that they would be taking a detour to avoid a confrontation.

“I’ll follow whatever you decide, Big Brother Rodin.”

“I agree, brother. Safety is more important.”

“I’m okay with it too, sir.”

Everyone understood Rodin’s choice.

After wrapping up their morning preparations, they turned the carriage around. Though it meant retracing their path, they were willing to take the risk.

*

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