"Wait, so?"
"So, this Wingless Dragon is owned, a domesticated beast of burden. There's no record of Feathered Dragons being tamed, but among the Asuka Wingless Dragons, many sub-types have a long history of coexistence with humans," Fang Hong looked at the two with a hint of pity, "I really don't know if I should say you both are lucky or very unlucky."
Parker sat down heavily on the ground.
The Walnut underground didn't mind much, wiped his face, and curiously asked, "What's in that bag, which letter, and who sent it?"
"Maybe someone was ahead of us," the Big Cat answered, "but we'll see soon enough."
He opened the mud-covered pack, took something out, which was a dazzling Crystal. Walnut underground was the first to recognize it and couldn't help but exclaim, "Earth Origin Crystal!?"
The Big Cat continued to pull out a few more pieces of Earth Origin Crystal, finally extracting a letter.
He unfolded the waterproof Parchment, squinted, and read out its contents:
"Today is September 11th, the supply station was attacked.
The enemies are a group of Construct Beasts, seemingly not controlled by anyone, with Levels ranging from 20 to 30. These damned things attack any living creature they see.
We need support. Please, anyone who sees this letter, deliver it to the momentary Flash at Barvat Camp. Those people in urgent need of help will thank you."
From, Burkeaso."
"I guess the person who wrote this letter is a local," concluded the Big Cat.
"Natives wouldn't use the term September 11, it's now...?"
"Cold Raven Month," Hilveld added.
"Yes," Fang Hong nodded, "the Colin people have three different calendar systems within three years, with 36 months per cycle, which the Invokers can't fathom."
"Not many locals can figure it out," Hilveld said with a smile, "this was once a method for the Magicians of the Star and Moon Tower to monopolize Knowledge, which gradually became tradition. However, this does reflect your people's tone; the locals' writing style is slightly different from yours, provided the person is literate."
Fang Hong knew that outside the Kingdom's central regions, ordinary literacy rates were not high.
And even in Alchemy thriving areas, literacy rates were only about sixty percent.
"But I guess the Holy Chooser should have a Communication Crystal," the Big Cat said.
"Communication Crystals aren't omnipotent, and the person who wrote the letter might not know that momentary Flash," Fang Hong replied.
"Not know?"
"Like that momentary Flash could be the mentioned person in charge at Barvat Camp, that could be the case."
The Big Cat stroked the whiskers on his chin and nodded.
They further inquired with Underground Walnut and confirmed that Barvat Camp was indeed the name of an Adventurer camp at the southern foothills of Mount Pieriad.
With that, the situation became clearer.
It seemed that the ability to mine Earth Origin Crystals from Mount Pieriad was indeed no secret locally.
And Adventurers, to 'pan for gold' in Mount Pieriad, had even established a supply station on the mountain, though it seemed unknown why the station was attacked by Construct Beasts.
In the context of Eteliria, Construct Beasts and Constructs are distinct.
The latter specifically refers to man-made artifices, but Construct Beasts can naturally form, like Roaming Clockworks, Activated Armor, and Walking Mud Dolls.
There could also be misjudgment, where artisans disguise Constructs as natural creatures to attack others; such incidents have occurred.
Now, the issue was not who attacked the supply station, but why the station was attacked.
Going by the letter's date, it was sent three days ago, indicating the attack happened around this time too.
Yet the Walnut underground had never heard of Construct Beasts in the Guild, so neither did the Art of Conflict Guild nor the Lizardmen hear about such matters at the initial time junction.
The origin of these Construct Beasts thus piques interest.
Fang Hong couldn't possibly turn back to deliver the letter; he intended to see directly what had happened, hoping someone would still be there upon his arrival.
After this little episode, the group moved on.
However, until nightfall that day, they encountered no trouble.
They crossed a mountain pass on the western edge of Mount Pieriad and reached the plateau on the summit.
Yet Mount Pieriad seemed unmoved, still standing quietly on the horizon.
For the next two days, they finally found the narrow mountain path that led into the gorge lined with precipitous cliffs.
The region visible from the Seven Seas Traveler, taking them three days to reach on foot.
As they ascended further, the temperature dropped sharply, with traces of glacial erosion appearing on the slopes. At this height, other than stony barrens and the occasional shrub, little vegetation was seen.
Parker led with Zaozi exploring upfront, as the latter was a Ranger.
Regarding the underground Walnut's group, Fang Hong harbored some thoughts. Left with no destination after leaving the Art of Conflict Guild, they were currently escorting Beiji, although they too would need to consider their future.
The Forest ahead might still need manpower, and under his current conditions, recruiting outside wasn't easy. Even if some didn't mind the Grey List, he wouldn't dare accept them lightly.