Barry Danton had begun speaking. The dazed little mushroom in Ruger's hand had only just stretched out its limbs and started bowing, looking somewhat anxious.
Ruger raised an eyebrow at this and held the Mushroom Person up before him.
"Is it starting?" Ruger asked.
"No, no, no. I hope I haven't disturbed any of you. I merely wished to confirm your safety. After all, I left in such a hurry that day, which was rather discourteous—I fear I may have caused you some trouble—" Barry Danton's voice came from the little Mushroom Person again.
"We are contractual allies. There is no need for courtesy."
Ruger said this in a low voice.
"Helping friends resolve their troubles is also the most basic virtue of an ally. As for the trouble you mentioned, that trouble has already become a pile of rotten flesh—" Ruger said, lying back down.
"As an expression of apology, if you ever hear of a place that causes people pain, please restrain your curiosity and do not waste your precious time going there. The Bearers have completely abandoned that place. Because of their abandonment, many people have gone there, but not a single one has succeeded. No one knows what that place is or what use it serves; all they gained was a fruitless return. Furthermore, I have learned that it was the Bearers' high-ranking wizards outside the island who made the judgment to abandon it. From the information I gathered and organized, that unknown high-ranking wizard may have personally said that this was not a place normal wizards could pass through—"
Through the little mushroom, Barry Danton delivered a long-winded speech.
Ruger and the others fell silent.
Barry, on the other side, seemed somewhat baffled and merely waited quietly.
"Thank you for sharing, sir, but I believe