Chapter 215: The Wandering Merchant’s Quest (4)
“Why am I even taking part in this childish farce?” Fiego could not comprehend the situation it found itself in.
The spirit felt like an adult forced to play along with a group of children, watching from the sidelines as they took their pretend games far too seriously. To it, this entire quest seemed little more than a mockery. Yet, Ketal seemed completely unbothered. The barbarian’s calm voice broke through Fiego’s thoughts.
“There’s no need to rush,” Ketal said, sounding utterly at ease as he walked at the group’s rear, his arms folded. “We have plenty of time. It’s better to enjoy things slowly and steadily than to push ourselves for no reason.”
His words were accompanied by a relaxed smile as he watched the others moving ahead, embroiled in their own small arguments and worries. There was genuine enjoyment in Ketal’s gaze, an appreciation for the journey and the company, rather than just the outcome.
“You monster...,” Fiego muttered. Fiego wasn’t thinking of Ketal’s strength, but of the man’s mindset. To the fire spirit, Ketal’s way of approaching the world was unfathomable, alien even to a being older than most nations. Fiego’s thoughts swirled as it lashed out with a sweep of pure flame, incinerating an ogre that had dared to charge them. The monster didn’t even have time to scream before it was reduced to ash, not a single bone left behind.
“So this is a dragon’s lair. How did we even get here?” Fiego looked around, the ancient magic in the air prickling against its essence. As far as it knew, the dragons had long since hidden their lairs from the surface, cloaking them in secrecy to avoid unwanted attention.
“You’re right,” Ketal replied as if reading Fiego’s mind. “We came here through the Wandering Merchant.”
“You mean that monster? I suppose there’s no other way. If not for them, you’d never have found this place.”
Ketal glanced at the spirit, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “You know the Merchant?”
“Of course. That creature has existed on the surface since before I even came into being.” Fiego’s tone was uncharacteristically flat, almost grudging in its respect. “No one knows what they want, or where they rest. They’re a being of pure mystery. I can’t imagine why a human would choose to deal with them. Humans are impossible to understand sometimes...”
Ketal smiled at that. “If our interests align, I see no reason to refuse. Is it different for spirits?”
“The Merchant is not a creature of nature. They’re closer to an enemy, to us.”