The Limits of Control

Waterwood Town.

The "water" came from Waterbelly Snakes, and the "wood" from golden camphorwood.

These were the two great specialties of the area, or, one could say, its two great sources of wealth.

Most people in town depended on Waterbelly Snakes and their various derivative products, while some residents made their living growing golden camphorwood.

The heartwood of golden camphorwood was pure gold in color. Not only was it hard, but it also gave off a distinctive, calming fragrance, making it highly prized by wealthy merchants and nobles. Golden camphorwood could be crafted into furniture or used as incense material, and its value was exceptionally high.

Owl landed on a rooftop and happened to see several people frantically loading golden camphorwood onto a carriage in the courtyard. Another man held a club, sweeping it back and forth to drive away the Waterbelly Snakes approaching them.

It was not that these people had no fear of death. There was simply too much golden camphorwood.

But the golden camphorwood did not actually belong to them. It belonged to a wealthy merchant who had already been bitten to death by a Waterbelly Snake. The sight of that wealth had stirred their greed, and they wanted to claim the enormous fortune for themselves.

If they could get this golden camphorwood safely out of Waterwood Town, they would never have to worry about money for the rest of their lives.

What a bunch of idiots. They want money more than their lives, Owl cursed inwardly. With a thought, he sent a Red Thread darting into one of the men.

I can't control him?

Owl discovered that although he could see through the man's eyes after the Red Thread entered his body, he could not control his movements.

He had intended to control the man and