Chapter Thirty-Four: Rice Cake’s First Drink

The grounds outside the canopy were empty. There was no trace of Yelin or the unicorn, save for a series of muddy footprints that marked their path as they fought deeper into the woods.

Mael felt a twinge of worry. Migao was not only her best friend but also her kin. When she was just a small child, she had wandered off and lost her way; as if by destiny, a young Migao had appeared before her and guided her back to her doorstep. Before her memories were awakened, Migao had remained hidden in the woods near her home, playing with her until the day her memories resurfaced and she understood the mission she had been entrusted with. Only then did the two companions set off on their journey.

"Don't worry," Tana said, placing a slice of strawberry cake in front of her. "He may not be a serious person, but he knows his limits. Besides, your Migao is quite strong; it’s hard to say who might have won. Try this—it’s very sweet, it should suit your taste."

"By the way, Mael, what do you plan to do next? Will you continue searching for the fragments?"

"Yes, that is my mission." Mael replied, offering no further explanation. Although everyone present seemed to be Tana’s friends and therefore trustworthy, the idea of collecting fragments of the Great Will was simply too incredible to discuss.

"Do you have a specific method for finding them? Or a direction?" Finding fragments of the Great Will was not like searching for a lost purse; the scope of the search spanned the entire world, perhaps even the entire universe!

"No..." Mael shook her head. Even Nemere, the Goddess of Wisdom, had no way to pinpoint the location of the fragments; one could only rely on fate.

As they chatted idly, the gazes of Siya and the others grew increasingly astonished. Since sitting down, Mael had consumed three loaves of bread, four donuts, four slices of strawberry cake, and two large bottles of milk—and her hand was already reaching for another slice of bread! Such an intense intake of sugar was something no one present dared to attempt, with the exception of Tana. In Yelin's words, the caloric intake was astronomical, and it would almost certainly lead to weight gain and fat accumulation. Even Seria, who had a sweet tooth, consumed only half of what Mael had just devoured in a single sitting.

"Sister, could it be that the secret to justice lies in sweets?" Krauss looked on with envy, her own hands instinctively reaching for a cake to test the theory.

"I advise you to be rational. Everyone’s constitution is different; for all you know, your fat will just end up on your belly and thighs." Benosh glared at her sharply. If one could grasp justice through desserts, there would be no such thing as a flat chest in this world.

Just as Mael was finishing her sixth piece of cake, the rustling of leaves echoed from the distant jungle, and a mud-caked man emerged alongside a similarly blackened, mysterious creature.

"Hahahaha! A 'pure' unicorn? You’re filthy as a ball of mud! It’s hilarious. You’re not even as clean as a pig right now—and did you know? Pigs are actually quite fastidious!" Yelin made no effort to hide his disdain. He never expected that the first enemy he would face with his full strength after his class advancement would be a unicorn! Although Migao was larger than him, its agility was no match for his own. Its four powerful hooves and the sharp horn on its head had caused him no shortage of trouble.

However, Yelin himself was in a sorry state, caked in so much mud that he looked less like a human and more like a giant wild monkey. The man and the unicorn locked eyes for a moment, then both burst into hearty laughter. Migao was clever; it knew that without Mael present, it could only exert less than half of its combat power. It could tell that Yelin had been deliberately playing defensively to avoid accidentally harming it.

"Come on, come on. There's a river ahead. Let's go wash up." Yelin pulled out a bottle of beer from the Moonlight Tavern, popped the cap, and downed it in big gulps. After sweating through a fight, a crisp, cold beer was the best reward. "Do you want some? You probably shouldn't... but there’s clean water up ahead."

Migao nudged the bottle with its nose. It was an unknown drink with an unknown scent, and it was curious.

"You actually want to try? I've tried everything Mael has eaten, but she never drinks. This pungent, unfamiliar scent is quite intriguing."

"No, I can't give you any. If Mael found out I gave you alcohol, she’d probably skewer me with a sword-and-shield combo..." Migao paused, hesitated, and then gently tugged on his sleeve. Mael would never touch such things, and by extension, neither would it. If it missed this chance today, it might never get to taste this beverage again. It would be a great tragedy in the life of a... horse... of a unicorn.

"Fine, just one bottle. Consider it a sample. Once the rain stops, we have to head to Hendon Myre immediately. If you get drunk, there won't be any room for you on the carriage." He held the beer bottle up and poured it into Migao’s mouth. He secretly wondered if the creature had a refined enough palate to actually taste it. Migao seemed satisfied with the flavor—the light, crisp sensation was far more pleasant than milk or coffee.

"That's it, that's it. Only one bottle. Tug on my sleeve all you want, it's over. Let's wash up and head back."

***

"Migao, you're back." Mael stroked the unicorn's head with concern. Although it was soaking wet, it didn't seem to be injured. The polite Mael folded her hands and bowed slightly to Yelin to express her gratitude.

"Don't do that. Mael, stop doing that, it makes me dizzy..." Yelin turned away and waved his hands, flustered. Her natural, innocent demeanor was truly formidable.

"Shameless!" Siya pinched his waist hard before climbing into the carriage with righteous indignation, signaling that the rain had stopped and the road was clear to depart. Linus, eyes clouded with drink, sat in the driver's seat wrapped in a blanket, staring blankly into space with a furrowed brow.

Mael hitched a ride on the carriage, and as for Migao... the creature could shrink itself with a spell! It transformed into a soft, adorable creature the size of a puppy, which Mael tucked into a blanket in her arms. Yelin, initially shocked, calmed down when he glanced at Tana; if a dragon could do it, a unicorn certainly could.

"Stop. Please present your Kingdom passage permit." A simple roadblock and a few soldiers blocked the main road. This was a checkpoint set up by the De Los Empire outside Hendon Myre. They were only a few miles from the city.

"Here." Yelin handed over Linus’s permit. It was a special document marked for trade, which usually ensured soldiers would let them pass without hassle, as the real inspections for trade permits occurred at the gates of Hendon Myre itself.

"By order of Queen Skardi, for the safety of the Principality, we must inspect your cargo." The unexpected demand made Yelin’s eyes narrow. Queen Skardi’s order? The safety of the Principality? It was laughable.

"You lot... do you take me for a fool? Queen Skardi?" He activated his *Fifth Element*. The De Los Empire insignia on one of the soldiers' chests suddenly detached and flew cleanly into his palm.

*Clang.*

With a soft chime, the soldiers' own swords unsheathed themselves by three inches! Instantly, the soldiers broke into a cold sweat, panic washing over them. They had seen the trade permit and decided to try and squeeze some money out of this young man, never expecting him to be an Awakened! The hidden sword intent and the synchronized chiming of their own blades were the unmistakable marks of a Sword Saint.

"I... I’m sorry. We were intrusive. Please, go ahead." The soldiers hurriedly cleared the roadblock, nodding and smiling awkwardly as they watched the carriage depart. The De Los Empire was strong, but that had nothing to do with small fry like them. Provoking an Awakened was a recipe for disaster. As for whether the carriage contained anything detrimental to the Empire, they didn't care.

"He’s hardly an Awakened, though that *Fifth Element* is quite useful..." Siya tapped her chin, thinking the ability could have many practical applications. After all, there were many perks for Awakened individuals within the city of Hendon Myre.