Gnome Zotes

Moria was exceptionally enthusiastic and friendly towards fellow devotees of Radiance.

Li Wen really wanted to ask him why he was looking for the Ghost Fairy, presumably with his own agenda, and why he felt the need to get involved in her affairs.

But then she thought, she was part of the Radiance Spectrum now. No matter how outlandish Moria was, he couldn't possibly label her a heretic. So his intentions were likely sincere; he probably genuinely felt the place was too dangerous and thus proposed they go together.

Since a powerful ally was voluntarily offering to carry her through a dungeon, why refuse?

So, Li Wen readily agreed.

"Thank you, fellow believer, for offering your help. My companions and I will not forget your kindness. You may call me Mephisto."

"There's no need for that. Just call me Moria."

Moria also let out a hearty laugh.

"I've told you all I know. I won't keep you two any longer. Please, leave." Granny Marsha cackled a few times before disappearing into the mirror, clearly unwilling to exchange any more words with Moria.

"Do you know the location of that ruin?"

Moria asked at this point.

"I don't, but someone does."

Li Wen walked out of the treehouse and saw two people whispering below, furtively discussing something illicit. Coincidentally, Li Wen recognized them; they were the Wild Mages who had previously attempted to "fish" for her, along with their accomplice.

As for why they were here, Li Wen could only attribute it to Moria.

"Who are they?"

Moria, following her out, heard the question and immediately looked helpless, rubbing his forehead slightly. "Them... they're two Wild Mages blinded by greed. I'm planning to take them to Leicester City. I heard the Magic Society there takes in and disciplines people like them."

Moria descended the stairs and walked directly towards the two.

"What are you doing?"

Upon hearing Moria's voice, the two immediately flinched, clearly still traumatized by the Firstborn of the Holy Temple.

"N-nothing!"

"That's good," Moria said with a hint of relief. "I'll take you to Leicester, as long as you behave yourselves... Of course, before that, you'll have to accompany us to the underground ruins in the Black Forest. Don't worry, I'll ensure your safety."

The two Wild Mages wore smiles that were more painful than tears. They would have much preferred Moria to let them go rather than take them to Leicester, but that was clearly impossible.

"You're bringing them along?"

Li Wen frowned.

These two Wild Mages, a man and a woman. The man was scruffy and wore tattered clothes, looking more like a middle-aged con artist than a noble and mysterious Mage. The woman was shorter and rather unremarkable, which explained why she was the one who made the move earlier.

Wild Mages were those who embarked on the path of magic without a teacher or formal training. They were generally very weak, and without guidance, many strayed onto crooked paths. If the Fire Mage from the Mystic Academy Li Wen encountered before were here, he could easily kill a hundred such Wild Mages.

In terms of academic knowledge, the gap would be even more insurmountable.

"Is there a problem?" Moria asked, confused.

After thinking it over, Li Wen shook her head repeatedly.

Since Moria had said he would take responsibility, she would leave it all to him, the Firstborn of the Holy Temple, to handle. After all, this time she just wanted to watch the show.

Li Wen turned back, searching for the Gnome stall owner she had seen earlier. Moria followed without a word. The two Wild Mages exchanged glances, and under Moria's imposing presence, they followed suit.

The Gnome stall owner was still at his stall, the items on the tattered cloth unchanged, clearly without any buyers.

Therefore, when the group arrived at his stall, the Gnome stall owner didn't show the joy of a customer's arrival. Instead, he thought someone had come to cause trouble.

"I don't have anything!"

The Gnome stammered, reaching out to protect his stall.

"We mean no harm," Moria quickly said.

Because he was wearing the knight's attire of the Holy Temple, Moria's words carried considerable weight. The Gnome lowered his guard, crouched to the side, and nervously twisted his fingers together.

"I'll do anything for you, but please don't take my things... at least not all of them."

Moria soothed the timid Gnome:

"As I said, we mean no harm, and we won't take anything from you."

At this point, Li Wen couldn't stand it any longer. She chimed in, speaking directly to the Gnome, "Do you remember where you found these things? Especially this bottle of potion."

The Gnome licked his dry lips. He recognized Li Wen. While her attitude wasn't exactly friendly, she didn't seem like a bad person.

"I remember some of it. It was very dark and gloomy in there, a place only people like us could enter."

"Then take us there. I'll give you a reward..." Li Wen then remembered she had spent all her money and had nothing to trade except her staff, so she changed the subject. "Sir Knight, my dear fellow believer, he will ensure your safety."

"And a satisfactory reward," Moria added smoothly, understanding the situation.

The Gnome stall owner hesitated, mainly because he couldn't bear to leave his stall. He had no companions here; if he left, his goods would surely be stolen.

Seeing this, Moria stated directly, "I'll buy everything you have. Name your price... Actually, will this be enough?"

He took out a gold coin engraved with a sun-like crown pattern.

This was not any currency circulating in the mundane world but a form of voucher commonly used in the hidden world, jointly issued by the Sunset Compilation Society and the Alchemist Association. It was commonly known as the Sun Crown, or Sun Crown for short.

The secular value of one Sun Crown was roughly equivalent to 22 Gold Pounds in Arthur. In the hidden world, however, its value was even higher.

The gnome's throat was a bit dry. He was a man who knew his wares, and the value of this Sun Crown far exceeded all the junk on his stall.

"This is too precious. Zotes is willing to... serve you, sir."

The gnome quickly took the gold coins, holding them to his chest as if they were precious treasures.

"Now, can you take us?"

Li Wen watched Moria casually hand over a Sun Crown and thought, That's really something for a Holy Temple knight.

"Yes, yes, no problem, I will take you, in Zotes' name."

The gnome, Zotes, said cautiously. He wanted to wipe the dirt and grime off Moria's goods, but Moria didn't seem to care, putting them directly into his pocket.