I follow a river connected to the pond where I picked up the white lizard, and on the way I find something that looks man-made.
It looks like a road. It’s clear that someone removed big rocks from this path, and there are marks that show wagons came through here. I turn and follow this path.
“Oh… Is that it?”
I stretch upwards while sitting on the saddle and look at what looks like a military camp in the distance.
I tell Hipopo to slow down and approach the camp while making sure I don’t alarm them. But when we are a few dozen meters away from it, Hipopo suddenly stops.
“Hipopo?”
“Bumomo.”
Answers Hipopo.
After hearing this, I come down and leave the lizard in a baggage bag attached to the saddle.
After confirming that it won’t fall, I take my medallion out of my pocket, hold it high, and raise my voice.
“My name is Rust, and I am a master ranked alchemist. My sect is one that centers around gathering those in search of truth. I came to this land after being invited by the knight Kalin, and await your reception!”
After I finish introducing myself, I see the ground rise in two places a few meters in front of me. With the sound of falling sand, two figures holding spears jump out of the ground.
“Welcome Master Rust. There are monsters in this area that mimic humans, so excuse us for meeting you here in this manner.”
Says one of the two people in front me, sounding like she wasn’t hiding underground until a few seconds ago. She appears to be a woman, judging by her voice.
Her body is wrapped in a gray cloth. Even her face is hidden with a cloth, with a big red eye drawn on it.
So this is what Hipopo was warning me about. If we got any closer we would’ve been within their range of attack.
“That was a superb hiding technique. And those cloths were made via transmutation, correct?”
“And yet you easily noticed us while we were hiding. I can see why Lady Kalin proudly said you are not just an ordinary person. And these are normal cloths.”
Says the person with the red cloth, before the other joins in as well.
This one also has a cloth covering her face, but it has a blue eye drawn on it.
“Is that a monster on the back of the riding beast?”
The woman with the blue cloth says while pointing her spear at Hipopo’s bag. The magic elements on the tip of the spear shine, and I put myself on guard after sensing real bloodlust.
“Stop it Roa.”
Says the woman with the red cloth.
“But Ahri!”
“We cannot defeat Master Rust, not to mention his riding beast.”
Says Ahri.
“…Really? All right big sister.”
The magic elements on the tip of the spear disperse.
“I apologize for my younger sister, Master Rust.”
Says Ahri while bowing.
I’m relieved about avoiding a pointless fight. I really don’t want to get in trouble immediately after reaching my new post.
If the two women in front of me aren’t using magic items, they probably have some sort of special power regarding their vision. The younger sister can probably see far away, since she saw us coming, and the elder sister can probably see people’s strength. I did hear that to the west there is a family whose members are very prone to having magic eyes.
Still, I guess this white lizard really did raise alarm bells. It is a monster after all. I have to keep this in mind.
“I see. I fully understand your concern, but I swear on my medallion that I will take responsibility for this lizard.”
I say while showing them my medallion. If necessary, I will kill this lizard and make up for any damage it causes.
“Thank you for your lenient words. Now follow us, and we will take you to Lady Kalin.”
Says Ahri.
I put my hand on the back of Hipopo’s neck, and we follow them into the encampment, and my new workplace.
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