I accepted the offered payment, meant to guarantee my mouth would be kept shut. Maybe it wasn't such a good deed, but between that and then, at some point, being mysteriously silenced? After all, while Aison was something like a friend by now, I doubt he will cover for me, especially if I go against the wishes of what turned out to be a long, very long game for the Throne.

And so, I found myself lying or, at least, obscuring the events that occurred in Chubu, giving a tailored explanation. One specifically prepared for the [Trade Guild] representatives I would meet, Sidharth in Bigradh and Zelindo in Megvuroz.

I can't say that I enjoy this, but the opposite would not be true either. After all, with what I learned, there is nothing better than just keeping out of the stuff. Especially with now Lindar being the actor, not the nonexistent Rador. So, in short, do everything to show that I had nothing to do to everyone but the involved people. As for the latter, I agreed to what they wanted, so they shouldn't have much to say, should they?

Still, I need to [Record] the truth, even if to know what to avoid saying. And to make sure I don't overlook something in the sequence of events and revelations, I should do it in parts, showcasing the actual truths I should avoid.

First of all, let's [Record] my awakening. The actual one, not the brief one during which I drank a [Healing Potion], the one I have to thank for healing most of my injuries. The rest naturally disappeared thanks to the [Perfect Health] blessing, leaving not even a single scar, but that is a different story and shouldn't be in this part.

_______

The same as before, my first sensations were of laying on a soft mattress, but as there was hardly any pain now, I felt comfy, nothing else. {Wait, where am I? And where is my armor? Everything else?} Recalling one of my last thoughts before blacking out, others surfacing, I decided to skip over the bliss and joy, concentrating on my situation. {First, before everything else, [Status Screen].}

Health 96/100 % Wounds and Injuries: Whole Body, Blood Loss, Minor. Effects: Hastened Recuperation, Magic, In-Effect. Under Influence, Magic, Treasure, In-Effect.

With my thoughts starting to wander between the time that passed for me to heal and the unknown item helping my recovery, I had to mentally slap myself back to reality, commanding my eyes to open.

A room in all shades of grey, that was my first impression, and it was accurate. The enormous, with the walls being tens of meters apart, room was brightly illuminated by a faint whitish light, which fell on the grey stone of the floor, walls, and roof. The bed I was on, with the comfy mattress, one so pleasing as nothing else I had laid on, its base was also made of stone, as were the chairs nearby or the desk and stools at the right side of the room. Even the door, barely visible from my spot, was also of stone as it was also grey, even if of a slightly darker hue.

At first, I assumed there was no one else in the room, but as I attempted to sit up, a female voice stopped me, "Don't move yet. Only a day has passed since you started healing, and no potion can mend all the wounds you suffered."

"Who is it?" My first reaction was to ask, but then considering I probably was being impolite, not the best side to show when in an unknown place, I quickly added, "Except for some light aching, I feel fine and ready. Maybe a bit in the dark as to where I am, so please excuse my manners."

"There would be no way for your body to heal so quickly with a single [Healing Potion] of purple grade." I nearly heard how the voice owner shook her (?) head. But a moment later, she exclaimed in surprise as my [Mana Sense] indicated something scanned me, some magical development I felt neither the need nor had a choice to block, "Impossible! Just what are you made from?"

"The blessings of my Goddess have helped me, as they always do." Quickly reacting to the surprise with the only explanation I could give, especially as it was the truth. Still, that impossible-to-avoid scan was worrying. So I quickly returned to my questioning, considering that it should be okay to ask, in response to already answering something myself, "But, where am I? And who are you? If you are the person responsible for healing me, then I thank you."

"Not a person but a dwarf." I heard a light laugh, and then the one laughing appeared before me without me noticing how (!). As I saw her, it was a young woman dressed in the same grey tones from around, wearing a long tunic that draped all of her body, reaching the floor. She was indeed a bit short, at some 140 cm. Yet, except for that, at least without checking her [Status], nothing indicated her as a dwarf. Well, I didn't expect a beard or something, but I don't know - I assumed that maybe female dwarves were stockier or had some other difference.

NAME LEVEL (Only above average) Craftmaster, Sharagzian Kingdom - Wisened Elder, Sharagzian Kingdom - Strength 14 Body 18 Mana 33 Willpower 21 Magical Affinity 1 Plants 22 First-Aid 17 Poisons & Antidotes 18 Medicine 19 Herbs 16 Critical Thinking 13 Nature 16 Earth 14 Life 21 Utilitarian 12 Mana Sense 17 Healing Knowledge (Talent/Trait) -

"...Then excuse me, but my thanks still stand, and they come from the bottom of my heart." With [Status Screen] being indetectable, and no matter how surprised I was, especially at the [Wisened Elder] title, I only stayed silent for a moment before half-raising from the bed and inclining my head in thanks.

"They aren't needed, truly." The woman shook her head, following up with a small explanation, "I ended up only giving you a single potion, no merit for a healer. As for the bandages, judging from the quickness, they weren't even required."

***

The magic item, the effect I had discovered before, was also the one that ran the scan on me, and from the results, Thafraeni learned the same as I, that my health was almost at 100%, and no real wounds or afflictions were remaining. Still, she would not allow me to leave bed for another day. And at the end I complied, especially after learning that I was in the care of the [Sharagzian Kingdom] people inside one of the guest rooms of their Embassy, located past the wall I had seen before when Yuld had attempted to introduce me at the Trading Post.

But as I yielded to her demand, she decided to keep me company, either to check or simply because she felt like doing so. And the conversation that followed was so interesting that I held no remorse for staying in bed during that day. Hell, I would probably have chosen to remain there for a couple of days more!

***

Thafraeni, [Craftmaster], [Magemaster], [Wisened Elder], and one of the leading healers of the [Sharagzian Kingdom], was possibly the most intriguing person or dwarf I had ever met. Appearing to be just some thirty years, she was actually over a hundred years old, a fact she related while laughing, explaining my surprise with a "Dwarves age slowly and also live longer than humans, so I do understand your surprise."

I don't know if she accepted my explanation about blessings. Still, even if she didn't, she would not touch the topic of my quick healing during the conversation. One she spent mainly answering some of my questions and explaining one or another thing about healing and magic, stuff I would find extremely interesting, as it was helpful, especially with me having nearly zero knowledge about all of that.

From things like my defenses, basically [Willpower], were far above average, so much that her [Analyze] didn't work, followed with explanations about the [Grey Ward] enchantment on the room, which interacted with the [Bed of Stone Healing] to hasten my recovery. And how only it had allowed her to scan my health.

Stuff like healing spells, both from [Life] and [Earth] magic, would not work if one had not a clear target for them, which she had not, and so only could bandage me and give me the potion when I had briefly awoke before. She also confirmed what I had heard before, that potions only worked on a conscious target who knew what they were drinking, as otherwise, the potions would pass through the organism without working.

She even explained things like potion grading, revealing that each one had a color grading. For example, the healing ones went from murky blue to a verdant green, purple being a mid-grade and the one that most renowned alchemists, potion makers, and healers would concoct. Note: The ones I got in Churg by the start of my adventures were green as grass!

The talk was good, but Thafraeni avoided touching on the current situation or how I ended up here, saying that I would learn everything the next day. So, while I did learn a lot, I remained in the dark about everything.

On a side note, I should say the food was unexpectedly good, as was the dark beer Thafraeni brought along the plate full of grilled meat, mushrooms, and what I assumed to be potatoes, although the latter were purple.

The next day, I would have several meetings, including one with Weral, [Craftmaster] Weralgeal. Yet, the latter hardly affected anything, as Weral mainly asked how I felt. Then, our talk was quickly overshadowed by the next one, where I met not only Yuld, [Craftmaster] Yulmaeck, but the first dwarf among the local dwarves, Fondraic Honormaul, [Craftmaster] and [Ambassador] of the [Sharagzian Kingdom]. And the contents of our talk are not to be touched with anyone but myself and maybe the dwarves.

_______

Happy as I may have been to see Weral, a known face, the talk with him netted me nothing, and when he mentioned it was time to reveal what happened, I was surprised by such a change. But as it would turn out, it wasn't that he didn't want to tell me everything, but that it was not his place to do so.

"Thafraeni said you are nearly perfectly healthy, so please dress up." He motioned towards a pile of clothing on one of the stone chairs near the bed, which had appeared without me noticing, probably overnight, "And please remember all your manners."

The bandages on my arms and torso had been removed by Thafraeni the day before, so I was half-naked. Dressing up felt like a good idea, even if I felt somewhat distressed by Weral's last remark. Words he wouldn't elaborate on further, maintaining his silence even as I battled with the heavily padded shirt, pants, boots, and a clearly reinforced vest, even if it looked like the most simple of leather vests I had seen. The only part of the attire that was mine was the belt, which except for the sword I still had in my [Inventory], had everything else, the dagger and the wallet with spare change. Well, my hosts did clean the belt, as from what I remember, it was definitively not clean when I passed out in that basement.

***

Fondraic Honormaul, the Ambassador, was imposing indeed. Yuld and Weral, the only other dwarves in the room, looked like small children standing next to him. While slightly lower than Yuld, he was nearly twice wide as the latter, and the pure muscle below his simple tunic and pants could shame any bodybuilder. Weral wasn't small by any measure, wide as he was tall, muscles bulging even below the padded clothes he used, and yet, the old dwarf outranked him with ease. And old he was, as even with the discovery of their slow aging, Fondraic looked past his sixties, his groomed hair and long (at last!) beard greyed out entirely.

Recalling Weral's words, I bowed, introducing myself first, and only then looked at the stern, grey-eyed man in front. A man whose simple clothes didn't do justice to him, as it was easy to imagine him in luxurious garbs, as it was equally easy to see him in armor, leading troops. And his stats only confirmed the impression.

NAME LEVEL (A lot of close-to-average ones, keeping only the above ones. Or the unique ones *) Craftmaster, Sharagzian Kingdom - Ambassador, Sharagzian Kingdom - Strength 27 Body 24 Agility 13 Speech 18 Manners 17 Education 22 Persuasion 17 Willpower 21 Negotiation 19 Labor 12 Smithing (Armor-, Weapon-, Metalworking, etc.) 18 State 15 Danger-Sense 18 Crafting 17 Bludgeoning 14 Force 15 Close-Quarters 22 Shield-Combat 22 Counter-Attack 18 Block 19 Leadership 20 Command 15 Planning 14 Critical Thinking 19 Native Communication - Logic - Master of Many -

By now, [Jack of all Trades] wasn't so surprising, but, [Master of Many]? I couldn't help but note it. Especially as I didn't yet get such a title, so it was only my own guess about it being an upgrade of the former.

"Well met." While I followed most of the manners I knew off, Fondraic merely nodded, approached, and motioned me to sit as he did the same on one of the stools around the table. Surprisingly, both Yuld and Weral remained standing near the door as if honor guards they were.

Fondraic Honormaul was a direct person, a dwarf, at least with me. He didn't fall into the traps of pleasantries, directly excusing himself or themselves, as he spoke for the [Sharagzian Kingdom]. And afterward, beginning to relate their part of the story.

"Both Craftmasters, Weralgeal and Yulmaeck, indicated that you had some interest in the city, especially in the disappearance of the human women. So, I regret we didn't manage to meet before. After all, we are partially responsible for the circumstances leading to the kidnappings. As well as the danger you were forced to face." As the Ambassador spoke up, a dozen questions arose in my mind. But he didn't allow me to say anything, half-bowing as he continued, "So, please let me offer my sincere apologies for not guaranteeing your safety, something part of our trade deal."

I had no idea what he meant or the details of the deal he spoke of, so I chose to maintain my silence. And it would turn out as the right thing to do, as Fondraic would start relating everything by himself.

***

The explanation could be divided into three parts or elements.

The first one, the [Sharagzian Kingdom], was perfectly aware of the [Old Anear] Baron's machinations. In fact, they had agreed to a deal with the Viscount, only responding in protest while remaining passive as the Baron organized all of the incidents that, as planned, would lead to a war between the two Kingdoms.

The second one was actually an answer to a question that had occurred not only to me but even to the [Royal Hounds] in the face of Lelani and Aison. How would the Viscount deal with the Baron without having any forces except the [Lake Anear] Baroness soldiers? Why did the Viscount send his meager troops out while leaving himself undefended, only to calm the suspicions? The answer was as simple as it was unexpected, the [Sharagzian Kingdom] had guaranteed the Viscount enough troops to deal with any hostiles inside the city and assured him that Chubu in its entirety, including the outer section, would come under the Viscount's control.

As for the third one, it is the part I would need to forget, no matter who asks. Not because of a direct petition from Fondraic Honormaul but because it was too dangerous to follow up on that knowledge. And indeed, how safe was it to discuss the killing of Master Renrith? The planned one - not the one I was responsible for, even if the latter was probably no less dangerous to myself - one that would have occurred the same night, or morning, as Aison's and mine incursion into the mage's hideout.

So, being precise, Fondraic revealed that the [Sharagzian Kingdom] decided to support the Viscount in exchange for several concessions from the latter and the Crown itself. And that I had been an unexpected participant, one that they wanted to avoid by meeting me and explaining it before I was entirely involved. My saviors, to call them somehow, on that fateful last stand of mine were no one else than the dwarven soldiers tasked with eliminating Master Renrith, along with any traces of his experiments.

Here, a logical question - about why they would want to eliminate the experiments and proof of evil deeds could arise. But the dwarven Ambassador didn't hide the reasons. After all, they were half-responsible for the means he used. Indeed, the [Living Source], the torturous device used by Renrith, was something that the [Sharagzian Kingdom] developed and had provided the mage. An attempt to get him to their side - which was a part of the plan to hide the Viscount's involvement and to appear as just seeking vengeance against the ones to attack them. A strategy deemed failed, with potential implications for everyone involved.

The reason? Renrith siding with the Baron of [Old Anear], or at least, so it seemed by the last report they got, one received just as Aison and I interrupted the so-called meeting in the basement of the [Hounds] compound.

And the Ambassador, as the highest ranking one in Chubu, decision? Send their elites to kill the mage. Something that, as I now was sure of, turned out in my saving, as the people fighting in the repository were that elites, and the bolt that probably saved my life, was fired by no one else than Yuld, Yulmaeck, who commanded the operation.

***

Fondraic's explanations responded to several questions. But they raised even more as they left some unanswered. Regretfully, I would not get a chance to ask or confirm anything at that moment, as the old [Craftmaster] chose to pause after finishing his explanation. Immediately sending Weral to bring us something to drink, "I can't speak further, not before I water my dried throat." Explaining his actions, Fondraic raspily laughed.

Regretfully, I would not get the chance after either, as Weral returned a moment later, followed by no one else than Aison and Lelani, "They request Lindar, on the direct order of not only the Viscount but also the Neverc's King himself."