Carrying the packaged wine and meat, Lu Xin led Robin out of the tavern.
Under a tree shade, Lu Xin turned to look at Robin behind him. The other had already nearly finished a bottle of wine.
“This spot will do. Tell me about the Misty Forest.”
“Alright. Deep in the Misty Forest, there’s a lake, and in it lives a creature left behind by a Life Witch.”
Robin spoke halfway, then glanced at Lu Xin in front of him, only to find no reaction — no surprise, no confusion.
“That bird has seven-colored tail feathers… When it cries, it can make trees grow and heal wounds.”
“I call it the Jade Morning Song Bird.”
Lu Xin listened as Robin finished talking about the Colorful Chicken. It was mostly the same, but he still thought the name “Colorful Chicken” sounded better.
He took a serious look at Robin. Gray robe, patched inner trousers, messy long hair.
Apart from his face being somewhat delicate, making it hard for Lu Xin to tell if he was male or female, Robin looked like a beggar.
Still, that fit Lu Xin’s impression of wandering bards.
But the fact that a person like this knew about the Colorful Chicken — had he been to the Misty Forest himself, or had he overheard knights talking about it?
Lu Xin thought the second possibility was more likely. After those knights returned, many of them went to the tavern to relax. Robin might have coincidentally heard about the Colorful Chicken.
But he couldn’t jump to conclusions. He had traded two bottles of wine for two pieces of information, so he’d listen to the second one first.
“Then tell me, what is the Elven race plotting in the royal capital?”
“The Elven race has suffered repeated defeats in border wars against human kingdoms. Now the Oberon Empire has contacted the various countries, preparing to counterattack.”
“And the Kingdom of Delk, being the closest to the Elves, has agreed to Oberon’s suggestion.”
“So the Elven race is planning to create a danger in the Kingdom of Delk’s royal capital that could annihilate the entire kingdom.”
Robin’s tone was very relaxed, as if he were discussing something trivial.
Robin looked at Lu Xin. The latter showed no change at all from his words. It seemed this young man was no simpleton either.
He never asked proactively, but before long, he would still find out about the young man in front of him.
Lu Xin snapped back to reality and said softly to Robin, “Mm, thanks for the information. It’s useful.”
By now, Robin had already started on his second bottle of wine, looking very pleased.
“Do you need me to lend you some money to buy more wine?”
“No need, young man. For me, if I borrow, I owe; and if I owe, I can’t leave.”
Robin was drinking honey wine. He waved at Lu Xin, then turned and walked away.
Lu Xin withdrew his gaze, picked up the food he had bought, and returned to the edge of the town.
—
Two days later, the knight order had arrived at the Kingdom of Delk’s royal capital, Silver Crown City.
Silver Crown City was located on the plains in the north-central part of the kingdom. Its walls were built with white granite, shining a silver-white color in the sunlight — hence the name.
The soldiers stationed outside the city had long received news of the Iron Wall Rose Knight Order’s return and simply let them pass.
Once inside the city, all caravans or pedestrians entering together had to make way for them and were not allowed to interfere with the knight order.
Audrey rode on her sky horse. The surrounding citizens all looked at her with admiration.
Ruilin watched the citizens along the road. Besides humans, there were many orcs and elves.
These people were not slaves; they were genuine residents living within the Kingdom of Delk.
The Kingdom of Delk’s policy toward these non-human residents was that as long as they had lived there for three full years without any criminal record, they could then be considered Delk citizens.
In fact, most races’ territories had other races living among them — the only exception was the Elven race, because they were arrogant.
Unlike the orc race, who would rather die than be slaves — unless they got free food and lodging.
After returning to the barracks, Audrey said to her subordinates, “Everyone, you’ve worked hard this trip. Collect your pay and rest well.”
“Hai Er.”
“Here.”
“Mm, you’ll send the list of fallen knights later and deliver the compensation to their families.”
“Understood.”
“Ruilin, go home first. I’ll go find the monarch to explain the situation with the Colorful Chicken.”
“Okay, come back soon.”
Audrey patted her horse’s head. The sky horse extended its hidden wings, flew into the sky, and disappeared.
She withdrew her gaze and walked toward the distant royal palace.
The guards recognized Audrey, saluted, and let her pass.
She walked through the long corridor, passed two courtyards, and finally stopped before a heavy door.
The guards at the door reported her arrival, received permission, and helped open the door.
Because it was Audrey coming, no one conducted a body search or confiscated her weapons.
At that moment, the monarch, Edmund Delk III, was sitting behind his desk. A map was spread out before him.
Edmund was fifty-two years old, with a few silver hairs mixed into his brown hair. He was in good shape, not overweight like most middle-aged men.
Audrey knelt on one knee, right hand over her chest. “Your Majesty, I have returned.”
Edmund looked at Audrey, paused for a moment, then said,
“Rise. And every time you kneel so earnestly, doesn’t your knee hurt?”
“I’m used to it.”
Edmund leaned back in his chair, looking at the knight commander he trusted most.
“You’ve lost weight. Was the food in Morning Breeze Town no good?”
“It was fine.”
“Then you weren’t eating properly.”
“……”
Edmund chuckled and didn’t continue the small talk. He gestured for Audrey to sit.
“Go on, what did you find?”
Audrey didn’t sit down. Instead, she placed the prepared report on the desk for Edmund to review.
Edmund picked it up and read it carefully, his expression alternating between frowns and relaxed looks.
“Let me ask you.”
“Please speak, Your Majesty.”
“This hair magic that Lu Xin knows — is it the kind I’m thinking of?”
“Uh, it should be the kind you’re thinking of.”
“He’s a talented man.”
“So in the end, you found the hidden treasure — it’s a colorful chicken?”
“Yes. Ruilin and Lu Xin found it. According to Ruilin, it’s a creation of the Life Witch.”
Edmund stroked the beard on his chin, glanced at the report again, and said, “But according to your report, this Lu Xin sounds more like a variety performer.”
“If you saw him in person, you would find his strangeness.”
Edmund was silent for a moment. He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night view of Silver Crown City. The lights of ten thousand homes flickered in the darkness.
“Have you checked his background?”
“I have.” Audrey thought for a moment and replied, “But I found nothing. He appeared in Morning Breeze Town out of nowhere. There is no information about him from before a month ago.”
“Oh? That strange?”
“Exactly. No one knows where he came from. Everything about him is unknown.”
Edmund looked at Audrey through the reflection in the window and said softly, “Do you think he’s reliable?”
Audrey didn’t answer immediately. In her mind, she recalled the days she had traveled with Lu Xin.
“Reliable,” she replied seriously.
“Then that’s enough. Have him come to Silver Crown City. Make sure he brings that Colorful Chicken.”
“I want to see this Mr. Lu Xin with my own eyes.”
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