Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 167 Familiar Stranger
"We'll probably depart around 3 PM. If there are no problems, we'll meet at the inn of the underground dwarfs at the West Third Gate." The dark elf merchant who came to visit was very polite and took the initiative to inquire about Rean's arrangements.

Before leaving, Purple Rose had almost everything arranged.

She estimated that Rean would return to Radiant City soon, so she made a commission agreement in advance with a reputable merchant guild in the underground city.

This chamber of commerce regularly sends caravans to Radiant City, and given the recent disruption and reopening of trade routes, there is a trip approximately every two days.

The other party took the initiative to come to them, in accordance with the agreement with Purple Rose, to inquire whether Rean intended to return to the surface with their caravan. Thanks to the newly signed contract between the two cities, commercial exchanges between the two sides have resumed, which has relieved these merchants.

They might not know who Rean is, but their attitude towards people on Earth is much better.

After all, anyone who gets personally seen off by the Goddess City Lord must be a powerful figure in their own right!
As the convoy was about to leave, Rean encountered Ms. Verna, who had come specifically to see them off, and her arrival naturally attracted everyone's attention.

Rean even noticed that the dark elf merchants didn't dare to breathe loudly, as if they might kneel down at any moment with just a glance from the matriarchs. This made Rean feel uncomfortable and further diminished his interest in dark elf society.

“I will take care of your sister, even if I feel she may not need it.”

The city lord's personal farewell can be seen as a declaration and statement of the relationship between the two sides, showing the various families and the people the new relationship between the two cities.

Her willingness to talk to people face-to-face is a political statement, implying that the people on both sides should reconcile.

As for the goddess's public entrustment of Rean to help take care of her sisters, Rean just listened to it without really listening.

The other party has already gone to Radiant City, accompanied by Sallyman and with Dania's full support, it would be very difficult for them to cause any problems.

The little incident passed quickly; the goddess was as busy as ever and left soon after.

The caravan set off smoothly, and Rean was arranged to sit in the most luxurious and best carriage. He was still sharing with other passengers, since it was unlikely that such a caravan would not be overloaded. Having a comfortable seat was already VIP treatment.

Purple Rose's arrangements were quite proper, and she was generous with the money. Rean was the VIP guest who was "escorted".

That means he can lie down the whole time and doesn't need to step in to help as a security guard when encountering enemies, as is the rule for many ordinary adventurers. Their way of traveling is to serve as a security guard for caravans while also mooching off their supplies.

It is said that there was also a semi-security commission, in which the merchant did not pay the security guards when there was no enemy, but the two parties were companions in the same caravan, and after encountering the enemy, they would be rewarded with a reward per "item".

Rean didn't care; he'd slack off whenever he could.

In fact, the fact that Purple Rose did not send Rean back to Radiant City directly also gave him the option to choose.

For Rean, it might not be necessary to develop in Radiant City. Even so, he still declined the city lord Verna's offer.

"Tsk tsk tsk, dark elves, so many years have passed, and they haven't made any progress. No, they've even gotten weaker. The new generation of gods really can't compare to Lolth."

Not long after he got into the carriage, the little black snake that had been wandering around somewhere also came out.

It seems that Kuku's range restrictions have no effect on him at all. Rean can't think of anything that could restrict it.

The only certainty is that it is indeed a "dead person," a "non-existent entity." As for why it can act recklessly, one can only say that the big boss can do whatever he wants.

"Don't say that. As for 'now,' I really have no power to interfere." The little snake was a little helpless; it had been telling the truth the whole time.

Yes, yes, yes, you're really saying it, and I'm really listening.

If you hadn't reversed my beastly transformation with just a few words, I would have truly believed it.

"That's different. You and I are one individual, and our inner selves naturally interfere. You can think of me as your own evil thoughts; the moment you have a thought, your behavior changes. By the way, I have a big deal here; I wonder if you're interested."

The little black snake flicked its tongue and said cheerfully.

"This city is the earthly divine realm of that new generation of Little Mirror Girl. She poured a lot of divine power into it, to the point that it's almost overflowing and wasting it. I'll teach you something interesting: go steal her, and I guarantee you'll rise to the top in one step."

Rean fell silent. Yesterday you were saying you didn't intend to interfere in anything or teach anything. Was that all nonsense?
Even if I succeed in stealing it, that would be directly stealing the power of a god. Wouldn't the god be furious? Could I bear that?

“It’s different. I can’t teach you directly, but there are ‘blasphemous priests’ in this city (priest professions that steal divine power). I’ll teach you to confront him, find a reason to kill him, get his holy emblem, and then use the power stored in it to steal divine power.”

The little black snake's eyes gleamed. It wasn't interested in the divine power, but it was somewhat interested in the chain reaction that followed its theft.

The dark elf gods are notoriously stingy and vengeful.

The snake already had a plan that was destined to succeed.

"That girl with the divine veins has no defenses against you. You can easily trick her into bed, and then you can easily betray her and rise to the top in one step."

Rean covered his face and focused his attention on the spellbook.

Perhaps it is the "snake" in the story, whose temptation to commit crimes is merely an instinct. Rean senses this, and to it, it is all a joke.

It would be great if it worked out, and it would also be great if it didn't. Even if Rean completely disagreed, it would still be a possibility for the future.

Words leave their mark, and once Rean acquires this knowledge and this idea, it could influence the future.

This "understanding" was also what the snake told Rean!
It makes no attempt to hide its amusing nature and seems to relish Rean's struggle to resist temptation, knowing all along.

"Tsk tsk tsk, what a determined heart, just like mine back then. Don't you want to turn the tables and become the master? It's too humiliating to be suppressed by that little girl who has my bloodline. I can show you a way."

Rean was focused on his book, having already decided to ignore the snake's allure, though for this moment he was indeed tempted. At this time, although there were three other people in the carriage, no one noticed the small black snake, as if it didn't exist. Fortunately, Rean had recently mastered telepathy, otherwise he would have been considered insane.

"No, no, no, they've already seen you staring at me. They think you're probably hallucinating. Didn't you see they're all keeping their distance from you?"

If we can't see anything big, something small will do just fine. The snake is silently counting down; it should be almost over.

"To them, paladins are far more dangerous than assassins, especially those with hysteria."

The snake, unlike any other big shot, was constantly talking throughout the journey.

Rean couldn't shake it off or ignore it. It always revealed some subtle secrets and information, making Rean subconsciously listen attentively.

But when I listened carefully, I realized it was all useless complaining and rambling.

Rean was a little numb. Say whatever you want, I can't hear anything.

"By the way, do you want to know that silly deer's weakness?" Instantly, Rean's attention was drawn away again.

Information about the evil god who was about to destroy the city and its weaknesses? Rean was very interested, but...
"No, I don't want to pay the price of becoming a beast."

"Tsk tsk tsk, you've gotten smarter."

If Rean agrees, the snake will likely lose another memory about the Deer Beast Lord, and Rean's beast transformation will probably surge even further.

But this time, it might not be able to save us.

Rean had a strong feeling that it was a bit boring and he was tired of playing it.

It desperately needs new entertainment, and it would accept even Rean's death.

After all, it was information that Rean actively requested to obtain, so he deserved to be tricked.

From its perspective, Rean's life is probably nothing compared to the normal reincarnation of the Thousand-Faced Dragon. If one dies, the next one will follow.

Rean looked at the book, trying hard to recall the knowledge that Kuku had stuffed into his head, attempting to master the new spell model as soon as possible.

This time, although his learning of second-circle spells was clearly a bit too advanced, the newly added "second line of thought" was so useful that it proved to be able to analyze second-circle spells relatively easily.

If I were to actually become a second-ring mage and return to Mage Street, I would surely become famous.

Reaching the second tier through a "short-term course" of training is quite an achievement and would earn the attention of those great mages.

He tried to ignore the increasingly noisy snake and focused his attention on the book.

He realized that it seemed the snake really couldn't harm others, or rather, it didn't want to.
"Boom!"

The sudden explosion sent the entire carriage flying briefly.

The series of explosions blocked the road ahead, and two groups of goblins riding dire wolves surrounded them from the left and right.

They have been keeping an eye on this caravan all the way.

"Ouch, that hurts." Rean rubbed his head; he had bumped his head directly into the top of the carriage.

Given his reaction speed, he probably wouldn't have fallen for this trick if he hadn't been so focused on his book.

"Haha, you fell for it, didn't you? That's why you're ignoring me!"

Rean fell silent. Was this guy's deliberate nagging just to make him focus on his book and then react slowly? Although it was incredibly boring, it seemed to make sense.

Rean sighed and slowly picked up his sword.

Let's hurry up and solve the problem; he's already heard the goblins' battle cries.

"I suggest you take this a little more seriously. There's an old acquaintance there; she'll be very happy to see you."

Rean paused. The snake's advice might not be a good thing, but if he didn't listen to its "good intentions," he might make a fool of himself the next moment.

Then, it waits to laugh at you.

Rean carefully extended the blade out of the carriage window, using the reflection of the blade to observe.

"Uh, how did these two things end up together?!"

Behind the goblins charging with horns, several tall ogres stood guard.

On the head of the largest and ugliest one of them was a bone "glowing crown." No, it was a familiar skull, its eyes blazing with fire, screaming gleefully.

"Kill it! Eat it! Alas! The taste of a traitor!"

"Holy crap! That lich isn't dead yet?!"

(End of this chapter)