Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Dumplings and Dragons / Story
As Dragon Boat Festival draws near, Gray Raven marches forward on a vast plain and finally arrives at a village near the capital.
It is the eighth village they have been to. When looking beyond the forest in the distance, the majestic buildings of the capital can already be seen.
But right now they have something else to do.
This is the eighth crate that Gray Raven has given out. Each time Liv gives a crate full of materials to the villager chief, she is met with the same response.
You don't need to pay us. We only want you to use them in the right place.
Although still holding it back, the crowd begins to cry out in awe. To them, gathering bamboo leaves in a forest full of monsters definitely is not easy.
Among the villagers' thankful messages, Gray Raven quickly bids farewell to them to avoid being surrounded again.
The Nameless Sage has been waiting outside the village.
This is already the eighth village, Madam Liv.
I'm worried that you will end up giving all the materials away.
Would you like me to keep the materials reserved for entering the Realm of Dragons on your behalf first?
We didn't really reserve any materials...
I almost forgot. But even if we have given everything out, we can still return to the starting point and collect again, can't we?
The Nameless Sage looks at you, hoping you can persuade them.
The Nameless Sage lets out a sigh.
I am just concerned that re-collecting materials would waste too much time and make you miss the best window.
Each year, this is the best season to search for the Realm of Dragons, because the chance for the realm to appear is the highest during this time. We learned this from many generations of adventurers.
Chance to appear?
...I just looked it up. It seems to be a common setting in fantasy worlds. The mission's target area is right there, but cannot be observed due to some reason.
Are you implying that area will hide by itself?
Besides, the monsters in the north have been getting a little unsettled. They may come down at any time.
The young people were talking about it not long ago. Some large, scary things had appeared in the Northern Wilds and slaughtered other monsters.
You open the Heroes' Journal left by the Travelling Wizard and find the Real of Dragons is located right inside a large red circle underneath the Northern Wilds.
You also notice that the Nameless Sage is looking a bit strange.
...
No, I'm just worried that the monsters would invade the Realm of Dragons directly if we keep wasting time here.
Rest assured that we will get there as soon as possible.
Really? That's fantastic. When are you going to head out? Like, right now?
Well, regarding this, we still need some help from you.
Um... Maybe... Perhaps I did say that. Fine, what do you need?
Are you sure? I don't have anything from the Realm of Dragons with me. All Twin Souls in the nearby towns have been used up in making the replicas. You may not have any left.
Whatever. You can still try your luck in the capital... There should be some replicas of the Ancient Triangle from the Realm of Dragons left there.
The Nameless Sage takes out a staff from his robe as he speaks.
You nod to Lee. He takes the staff and begins to identify it.
"Staff of Detection". It can point out the approximate direction of the original owner of an item.
Lee takes a glimpse at Lucia and Liv. You all spontaneously move out and stand in four different corners.
Lee then takes out the robe he took from the Travelling Wizard earlier and puts it over the gem on top of the Staff of Detection. He releases his hand, letting the staff fall.
The gem points at the Nameless Sage, who quickly looks at the forest behind him and moves aside. The staff rolls on the ground and points at him again. The Nameless Sage dodges again and pretends to look at the plain behind.
Lee, Lucia, Liv, and yourself all begin to smile as you watch the Nameless Sage dodging over and over again until he stops.
You must be tired. Do you need some rest?
Ah... Um... Thanks, heroes... I think there might be some problem with this staff, so...
Don't worry, we have a lot of time. This time we can take it slow...
Flash magic!
A blinding flash bursts out from the Nameless Sage's hand. He leaps up as the team temporarily loses vision...
I immediately use the enchanted necklace "Magic Protection" that the priest in the last village gave us.
Lucia rolls a Dexterity check.
I want to use the "Lucky Ring" given by villagers to increase Lucia's chance of success.
Acknowledged. Calculating the result... Lucia rolls a critical success.
The Nameless Sage has a head-on collision with Lucia's sheath. He falls on the grass like a fly slapped by a swatter.
Ayla rolls another Luck check for the Nameless Sage. Fortunately, he did not pass out from the bash... How unfortunate.
The Nameless Sage unconsciously holds his arm up to cover his face when the team approaches him.
Gotcha, you evil-minded agent.
I'm no agent! I am the Sage who summons heroes to help our people. I have never lied to anyone!
Aren't you the Travelling Wizard?
What Travelling Wizard? I don't know that guy.
He only made us fall from high above, asked us to do a lot of tasks for him, and ran away with all the rewards and some materials...
And turned us into children because "it was easier to hide", so he could easily get away...
Commandant said we ought to beat him up if we ever got to see him again.
All Gray Raven members roll an Intimidate check. The results are... Success, success, success, and success.
Seeing the four smiley faces, the Nameless Sage feels like the world is spinning around him. He is terrified and shakes his head.
You can't do this to me! I used to be a hero like you, then I took an arcane missile to the knee.
Fine, I'll pay, I'll pay.
The Nameless Sage cancels his camouflage spell and turns out to be the Travelling Wizard himself. He puts 10 gold coins in a line in front of you.
The Travelling Wizard took out another 5 gold coins to compensate you.
The Travelling Wizard took out another 1 gold coin to compensate you.
Hey, enough is enough. I'll show you what I have up my sleeve.
The Travelling Wizard suddenly points to the sky, shooting a flare-like light ball upward. It then explodes into fireworks.
Calling all former heroes! Come help me, my friends!
Soon, another similar light ball rises to the sky from not far away and explodes into three mocking faces with their tongues out, along with a spell that delivers a voice message—
You deserve it.
...
What do we do now, Commandant?
In the flash of an eye, the Travelling Wizard twists his body from an impossible angle and kneels to the ground, as if he and the earth have become one.
I'm sorry, mighty heroes! I promise I will never, ever, never-ever do this again...
Just surrender what you earned from the frauds.
...Um, I'm terribly sorry, but I have spent it all.
Because the orphanage needed a lot of money...
Gargh! What are you doing?! Nooo! Help!
Commandant rolls... Success. There aren't many coins left on him, but a letter of appreciation with childish drawings on it catches your attention.
Looks like he didn't lie this time.
Still, what you did was not right, Mr. Wizard. You were supposed to pay them out as rewards. No matter what you want to do with them, you need to seek approval first.
I had no other way out... The orphanage would go bankrupt if I didn't do that.
Gray Raven members exchange looks with one another.
That's not true, Mr. Wizard.
We can waive our portion, but you must return the rest to the others.
But I don't have that much money.
Then tell them the truth and try to talk with them.
If they can't accept it, you should work hard to earn more coins so you can pay them back.
The Travelling Wizard didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stares at Liv and thinks for a while, then lets out a sigh.
...Fine, I give up. I have never met any heroes like you.
Good. I hope you can keep your promise.
You no longer have any reason to stay here. After a short discussion, you decide to continue heading toward the capital.
What are you going to do?
To finish our unfinished business. Like you said before, we are going to save this world.
...
Fine. I asked you to do it, so I should provide my help too.
Besides, maybe you really can find that place and enter it.
It's been a long time since anyone ever got inside the Realm of Dragons.
How about a real "transparent deal"? I will provide you with real, much-needed help, as long as you can do me a little favor...
So, what did he get into this time? Or is he being bullied?!
The sudden shouting has scared the Travelling Wizard. He immediately bounces up from the grass.
A few well-armed adventurers rush out from the forest and gaze at Gray Raven.
He must have got into trouble again, sigh. Ever since I knew him, he has been doing this non-stop...
Dear heroes! We used to be heroes too. Can you please return him to us after beating him up?
