Since the other party didn't want to talk about it, Gray naturally didn't press the matter.
Judging from the current situation, Xilǐ'er is still quite friendly; no one wants to provoke a guy who is practically immortal, especially with his troops nearby.
Gray had nothing to ask, but Xilǐ'er raised a question at that moment:
"Where are you headed? This location is rather far north; it doesn't seem to be an area your trade route passes through."
"Indeed."
Gray didn't deny it; he slammed his glass heavily on the folding wooden table.
"I've had too many unlucky things happen to me lately."
"I was originally carrying a lot of goods back to Graycast Corridor to hand in my report, but I encountered a large group of Blood Corpse on the way. I suspect that there's a big guy reviving nearby, maybe... the Duke or one of those higher up."
"What location?"
A glint of light flashed in Xilǐ'er's eyes:
"I am here on the orders of the two emperors to clean up the resurrected Blood Corpse in this area."
"Really?"
The joy on Gray's face was genuine.
Although I really wanted to reveal the Grand Duke's position to the Second Holy See, telling Xilǐ'er was also a perfectly acceptable option.
At least when facing the Blood Corpse, these three forces are on the same side.
Gray thought for a moment, found a map with curled edges, and roughly drew out the area that had almost cost Xilǐ'er his life.
"So this is the place?"
Xilǐ'er's right hand, clad in iron armor, stroked his chin:
"This place is too close to the Graycast Corridor, and it's not even within my assigned jurisdiction..."
He thought for a moment and added:
"Once this cleanup mission is completed, I will inform the two emperors of this matter when I return to Twilight Capital, and ask them to make a decision."
"Okay. As long as we can kill those guys, that's fine."
Gray nodded emphatically and asked again:
"So, what area did you clean this time? If it's classified, then don't say."
"It's no secret."
Xilǐ'er poured himself another glass:
"We're heading north of Klaf City; there seem to be some issues there that we need to investigate."
"It's still several days' journey there, otherwise I wouldn't have been drinking today."
" Klaf City?"
Gray frowned:
"I think I've heard that. I remember my teacher saying it's very dangerous there, so I won't go. You must be careful."
"That's for sure. I have plenty of experience hunting Blood Corpse."
Xilǐ'er's tone sounded somewhat arrogant and nonchalant, but Gray knew he wasn't exaggerating.
This guy has at least fifty years of experience hunting Blood Corpse, although most of it was accumulated in the Demon Realm rather than the Wilderness of Chaos. However, judging from the lower-level Blood Corpse, the difference between the two is not significant.
"So, it was that endless horde of Blood Corpse that blocked your path and forced you to abandon your goods."
"Those beasts."
"So what are your plans now? This location is already a bit far north. If you want to return to the Great Labyrinth City via the Eternal Domain, I can write you a letter, and the guards at the passes along the way should let you through."
You have quite a lot of face.
Gray disagreed with Xilǐ'er's suggestion. Although it was a good idea from Cyril's perspective, Gray believed that if he took that route back to the Graycast Corridor, he would face endless scrutiny.
It would be better to go to the Second Holy See!
"The goods are lost, and I'm too ashamed to go back to the Great Labyrinth City. I'm planning to go to the Second Holy See again."
"Will they restock for you?"
Xilǐ'er frowned. In this world, it was unprecedented to ask a supplier for free replenishment due to transportation losses.
"It's not about restocking... I still have some funds left, so I'll just buy some more."
"I see. Then you should have a chance to see Ed on your trip, right?"
"This..."
Gray didn't know why the other person suddenly mentioned that person, and after thinking for a moment, he said:
"If all goes well, I will definitely pay my respects to that Son of God."
"Um."
Xilǐ'er's expression stiffened slightly, and after a moment's hesitation, he said:
"Without his help, I wouldn't have been able to get through that difficult time."
As he spoke, he unsheathed the knight's sword from his waist and placed it on the folding wooden table.
"Then please help me deliver this sword to that person, as a way of repaying the debt of saving their life."
Gray looked down at the weapon that had suddenly appeared on the table; it was a simple yet exquisite knight's sword.
The weapon is about one meter long, with a blade about one meter long. The guard, grip, and other parts are all engraved with intricate patterns, and the Psionic Energy Circuit on the blade are equally complex.
This sword seems to have cleverly struck a balance between a greatsword and a short sword, and it is pleasing to the eye in itself.
It can be used in any situation, even in places where there is no need for combat, and can be worn as a ceremonial item to enhance the user's sense of authority.
From any perspective, this is a true masterpiece of the Eternal Domain.
Compared to this sword, Xilǐ'er's lances and javelins, engraved with Psionic Energy Circuit, seem as vulgar as ornate wooden sticks.
Gray stared at the knight's sword, speechless for a long time.
Only after he had roughly estimated its value did he speak seriously:
"Since this is a gift you gave to that person in return, I will definitely deliver it personally."
Having said that, he raised his glass, awaiting Xilǐ'er's response.
That's good. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again in the future.
Xilǐ'er also raised his last cup, and the two clinked glasses and drank their wine. The knight then rose to leave.
He descended the side ladder of the Antasia and untied the reins that held the Radish:
Goodbye, fellow merchants. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again in this wilderness.
Gray stood at the side door of the warehouse and waved goodbye.
Goodbye, knight. Hopefully, by then, the Blood Corpse will have disappeared.
The clanging of metal armor mingled with the sound of horses' hooves. Gray let out a long sigh of relief, reached for the cold, heavy longsword he had expected, and strode up the stairs.
On the second floor, Nora, also relieved, locked the small dark room again. She quickly went to Gray's side and examined the weapon in his hand:
"It looks like a good product; that young man should like it."
Gray nodded:
"I think so too. Actually, the alchemy and enchanting items from the Eternal Domain are quite useful; it's just that we already have more reliable machinery."
Nora raised an eyebrow upon hearing this:
Are you sure you're not just hiding your greed?
Gray shook his head and explained:
"There's nothing to be greedy about. Compared to Psionic Energy, machines have indeed benefited most people like me who lack talent. I think that's the meaning of machines."