In the west of the city in 20 kilometers distance there is a forest called Toren apparently. And right now, I’m standing at the edge of the forest.

Reason I’m standing here instead of entering is, I feel certain familiar presence from this forest. I feel the fucking firewood. Closer I get stronger the feeling gets.

I suppose he did say that his roots extend far. I haven’t exchanged words with it for two years. Frankly for some reason I’m looking forward to our meeting.

As soon as I enter the forest.

“Sup brat.”

Yup I guessed right.

“Sup toothpick.”

“You sure got mind for scheming, don’t you?”

“You have been watching me?”

“I told ya. Wherever my roots reach.”

“Then why didn’t you call out to me?”

“There is too little green above the surface in that city. And I tried to call out to you through your world tree as soon as you exited that blasted desert. But you ignored me altogether.”

“Oh, sorry about that. I’ve been busy.”

“I know.”

After entering the forest, I take a deep breath. Not as good as the air in The Forest. But good nonetheless. Much better than that suffocating city.

“Why didn’t you call out to me in the desert?”

“That desert is too dry for my root to grow near the surface so, I couldn’t contact your world tree since my roots grow too deep.”

“That is reasonable. Since you’re here, can you give me some info about this forest?”

“There is nothing that can threaten you in here. Actually, there isn’t much that can threaten you outside The Forest now. You may be small-fry in The Forest but outside you can be considered quite strong.”

“Is that a compliment? From you?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Anyway, I need more elaborate information about this forest, dude.”

“Fine, in the outer region you will only find vermin. If you want something that will threaten the safety of that city but not exterminate it, you need to go to the middle section. There is a giant pack of wild salamanders. If you manage to get them to attack the dukedom, you can achieve your goal to fabricate a danger.”

“Thanks for the info.”

After that I start to walk to the middle of the forest. While walking I see the target of my quest. Lucile was right they are just an overgrown rat. But look in their eyes are wilder than the city rats.

And I need their front teeth as a proof of extermination. I simply walk behind them in my camouflage and stab them with my mana spear.

I manage to collect fifty teeth after two hours of hunting. I really need to get myself storage item. Carrying this crap is unpleasant.

After completing my quest, I start to head to the middle of the forest. During my travel I encounter many beasts, but most of the are too stupid to notice me under my camouflage. So, I simply pass by them and walk deeper into the forest.

“How much further?”

“How small did you think this forest is? It may not be The Forest, but it is still a forest. It will take you two more days to reach the salamanders’ nest.”

“Seriously? Shit.”

I suppose I don’t have any choice then.

………

“So, what did you find about the 47, Rize?”

“Not much is known about him. He appeared out of nowhere three four days ago and registered at the under guild. After getting your order I tried to find him, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. I think he left the city.”

“Since you couldn’t find him that must be it. I will ask more about him from Owl. You wait for him and as soon as he comes back to the city inform me.”

“I understand, your highness.”

My spy once again melds into the shadows. I always wondered how the Drows do that. If it was possible I would love to learn that.

Now, let’s ask more from Owl.

“Owl, are you there?”

“I’m here, your highness.”

“I need to know more about 47.”

“Frankly, I don’t have a lot of info about 47. He appeared in front of my door four days ago and asked me how to register at under guild. I gave him the robe and he accepted his first mission. And the following night he finished his first mission and on top of the he managed to kill a shade single-handedly. After confirming his strength, I decided to pull him into our side.”

“So, you mean to say that you decided to trust him simply because of strength he showed?”

“There was that too but there was something else too.”

“What is it?”

“Well, I will just come out and say it. It was my gut.”

“Are you being serious right now?”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Okay, I will humor you. What did you gut tell you?”

“That it was better to have him on our side that on the other side.”

“Okay. Then what will make me believe your guts too?”

“I have been an adventurer for almost a century now, your highness. It was not only my luck that made me who I am today.”

“Okay, I suppose that sounds oddly reasonable for some odd reason. But I will decide only after meeting him in person.”

“I understand, your highness. Friendly reminder your highness. Don’t bother sending your drow after him.”

“And why is that?”

“Your drow subordinate may be impressive at stealth compared to most but compared to him she is a newborn baby. She may believe I don’t know where she is, but she can’t evade my detection. As for him I seen him disappear in front of me and couldn’t tell he did. And people like that tends to have an excellent perception too.”

“I may heed you warning, Owl. That is it for now.”