Chapter 246 - 9.19
Again, Elduin woke up in the carriage with his Big Ero sitting on the opposite seat facing him. Big Ero acted as if nothing happened when he was unconscious. Elduin asked. "Big Ero, what happened? How did I faint? Is it because of that harmonica?"
Elduin darted his eyes immediately at the beastman who sat on the coachman seat. He acted as if nothing happened, just like Erolith. Erolith tried to pacify Elduin by patting his head and said. "Little Eld, you did faint when Maroch played his harmonica. But it was because his calming spell is way too effective on you. So instead of getting drowsy, you fainted instead."
Erolith shook his head and sighed. "Elduin, you must be too tired with the journey, so you are sleeping soundly before."
Again, Elduin felt something was wrong with Big Ero’s explanation. Elduin would just nod and believe everything that his Big Ero said if it was the old him. But now that he understood how Big Ero could also betray him, he had nobody to believe.
’Do you think you can fool me like this, Big Ero? I will watch and see what you will do with that beastman, and I shall strike when the chance is open.’
The carriage paced through the forest at noon and stopped when Maroch could see a beastman settlement with its daunting bear and lion hides. The tiger beastman had a habit of skinning their dead enemies and used their beast hide for daily purpose. Maroch stopped the carriage and asked Priest Erolith and King Elduin. "Your Majesty, Your Divinity, we will be reaching my settlement soon. May I know if you are willing to meet the village shaman? He has the key to enter the Marduk Lake."
Erolith was unsure whether it was a trap or not because this was Urduk they were talking to. He was full of deceit and maliciousness. But Marduk Lake was indeed the place they needed to visit to get the essence of the Earth.
"Since there is no other way, then let’s just meet that Beast Shaman," Erolith decided. He looked towards Elduin. "Elduin, you are okay with it, right?" Erolith asked.
"... Yes."