Chapter 22 : Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Wolf Cubs, Messenger, and Dragon Scales
The crisis was resolved.
Caesar let out a long breath, only now feeling a chill across his back.
It turned out that, without him noticing, cold sweat had already soaked through his undergarments.
He looked at the Cave Stalker prostrating on the ground, docile as a large dog, and the plan in his heart became increasingly clear.
He tried using his mental power to issue a simple command to this big fellow.
“Guard the entrance. Don't let anything come in.”
The Cave Stalker acted as though it had received a divine decree. Its massive body clumsily turned in a circle, swiftly retreating from the cave, and like a silent boulder, merged into the darkness at the entrance.
A perfect gatekeeper, and a free one at that.
Caesar returned to the campfire, looking at the woman who remained unconscious and those three wolf cubs still trembling, before beginning to execute his plan.
He needed to contact Roland.
He needed supplies, needed a stable rear base, and even more, needed those “fence-sitters” back at camp to stay obediently in line.
He certainly didn't want to return after recovering from his injuries only to find his home base had been stolen from under him.
With Roland's Grand Knight strength, intimidating that rabble of scattered soldiers who weren't even Squire Knights would be child's play.
The key was making him understand his intentions.
He tore off another relatively clean corner of his own clothing, bit his finger open, and used fresh blood to rapidly write lines of brief instructions on the cloth.
Roland, I am unharmed, in mountain seclusion, breaking through a bottleneck, do not search. Announce this publicly.
You shall govern the camp in my stead, suppress all with the Grand Knight's authority. Those who show dissent, kill.
Three days hence at midnight, dispatch a reliable person to deliver clean clothing, medicine, fresh water, and food to beneath Dragon-Severing Rock thirty li due north of camp.
Repeat three times.
—Caesar
After finishing, he carefully folded this blood letter and walked before the largest wolf cub, the one that had first shown affinity toward him.
He bound the blood letter to the cub's leg, then picked it up, bringing his blood-stained finger to its nose.
He didn't speak, only using his other hand to release a trace of faint but pure Battle Energy. This aura bore some resemblance to Roland's iron-blooded presence—he had deliberately imitated it.
At the same time, he attached a wisp of his own unique soul essence mixed with dragon blood to the blood letter.
Go deliver this thing to the guy with a similar scent.
Get it done, and there'll be meat to eat when you return.
This was the most primitive form of communication, a gamble based on instinct and profit.
He was betting this quite intelligent little fellow could understand his meaning.
The wolf cub seemed to comprehend his intent. It lowered its head, carefully sniffing the blood letter and the scent on Caesar's fingertip, then licked his finger, firmly memorizing that unique aura mixed with dragon blood.
Animal senses of smell were far more reliable than human ones.
Caesar escorted it to the entrance. It looked back once, then transformed into a gray blur, vanishing into the dark passage.
Having done all this, Caesar finally truly relaxed.
The next three days would be spent waiting.
But he didn't idle about.
He devoted most of his time to cultivation. The eight Magic Cores in his storage space should be enough for him to use for a while.
However, before that, what he needed to do first was recover from his injuries.
The black-gold dual-colored Battle Energy slowly circulated within him, like a warm stream, repairing damaged muscles and meridians.
The Dragon Descendant Body's powerful recovery ability manifested itself thoroughly at times like these.
In just one day's time, his body's deficit had already recovered seventy to eighty percent.
Besides cultivation, he also had to care for that “high-priced investment.”
Every day he would use cloth strips dampened with fresh water to wipe down her body and clean her wounds.
The woman's injuries were improving at a visible rate under the healing potion and her own robust vitality.
The bruising around her wounds had already faded and begun to scab over.
She remained in a state of fevered unconsciousness, though, occasionally murmuring some indistinct words unconsciously.
“Father…”
“Brother… don't…”
“Cold…”
Caesar was indifferent to this.
He was merely a responsible “investor” who, while waiting for his investment to bloom and bear fruit, had an obligation to ensure the investment itself remained intact.
He had even discovered a small underground water pool deep in the cave, solving the water source problem.
The third day, deep night.
Caesar was meditating deep in the cave. That Cave Stalker continued faithfully performing its “gatekeeper” duties.
Suddenly, his mind stirred and he opened his eyes.
He heard it—those familiar footsteps belonging to the wolf cub, approaching from far to near.
He walked to the entrance. Moments later, the wolf cub he'd sent out as a messenger came running back, carrying a package larger than its own body in its mouth, swaying as it dropped the package at his feet, then raised its head, tail wagging as if seeking praise.
Roland hadn't disappointed him.
Caesar opened the package. Inside were clean linen garments, several bottles of quality medicine, a water skin filled with fresh water, and large chunks of dried meat wrapped in oilcloth.
He could finally change out of these blood-soaked clothes that were almost starting to stink.
After changing into clean clothes, Caesar felt as though he'd come back to life.
He tossed a large chunk of dried meat to the three jubilant wolf cubs. Just as he was about to deal with the bloody clothes he'd changed out of, a weak, hoarse voice—yet sounding beautiful as heavenly music—came from behind him.
“Water…”
Caesar turned his head.
Under the campfire's glow, the young woman on the stone platform had awakened at some unknown time.
Those sky-blue eyes of hers were staring at him unblinkingly, containing three parts confusion, three parts wariness, and four parts weakness impossible to conceal.
Her gaze swept from the unfamiliar surroundings to the wolf cubs gnawing on dried meat on the ground, finally settling on Caesar's handsome yet cold face.
“Was it… you who saved me?”