CH 85

When the sun had set, and the birdfolk returned, Zynis and the others began to move. They would split into four groups and search the area around the lake.

While it was night, there were boats floating on the water, and torches that used magic stones reflected brightly on the surface.

On the side of the lake that was opposite to the villa, there were steep cliffs. And just like the mirror lake in the dwarf lands, there were caves where the water seemed to be pouring from. However, the cliffs were not too high, so you would be able to climb them from the other side and get a good view of the surrounding area, including the town and villa.

Zynis was currently standing on top of the cliff. The air that blew from the lake moved his ash-colored fur.

“My first form feels the best for this place. I see. It’s important to know which skin to inhabit.”

He said as he pointed his nose windward. If Dilon were there, he would have muttered, ‘That’s not what I was trying to say…also, you may think that you sound cool when you say that, but you really don’t.’

“However, this side of the lake is clearly thicker with miasma. I didn’t notice it during the day. But we’re much farther from the Shadow World now that we’re inland. So it should be thinner than it was in Midland.”

Zynis sniffed in different directions.

“Hmm. This way.”

He headed to the north side of the cliffs where the lake ended. There were several small caves here as well. There was one cave that you would be able to enter from the ground, and there were four soldiers guarding the entrance. Two soldiers blocked the cave. And two guarded it from a short distance away. He could feel the miasma coming from the rocks of the cliff.

“It’s strange that there are guards here at all. Why are they protecting this cave? Hmm.”

Then the guards turned and seemed to be looking inside. At the same time, a small group of people approached them. They were dwarves who were escorted by soldiers. As Zynis continued to watch, a group of dwarves and soldiers went inside the cave as another group came out.

“Father.”

“Dilon.”

Dilon approached him quietly.

“There’s a dwarf settlement over there.”

“A settlement?”

“It’s a short distance away from the town. There are only about ten houses, maybe. It doesn’t seem like they are being forced to stay there, but isn’t it strange that there are enough dwarves here to create a settlement?”

“Look.”

Zynis indicated towards the cave.

“Ah! I see. They are being made to work then. But I’ve never heard of ore being mined inland.”

What Dilon was saying was true. It wasn’t that the human territories had no natural resources at all. But they had no problem leaving the mining and smithing to the dwarves, since they were so skilled at it.

“They seem really exhausted. Dilon. Go and follow them.”

“Got it.”

Dilon disappeared quietly.

Zynis stayed up and watched the cave for the whole night. But aside from the dwarves and soldiers leaving after a few hours, nothing else changed. However, even when the cave should have been empty, there were still four soldiers guarding the entrance.

When he returned to the first spot in the morning, the others were all gathered there and had returned to their first form. Zynis also transformed and asked them to make their reports.

“I’ll start.”

Ortha began.

“I tried walking through the town once everyone was asleep. I didn’t notice anything strange. If I had to point out one thing, it would be that I barely smelled any grilled fish, in spite of being so close to the lake.”

“Hmm. Next.”

Zynis said as he nodded at the brisk report.

“My turn.”

Corete said.

“I mainly watched the lake. There were so many lights on the boats. I knew there had to be something.”

“So?”

Zynis urged him to continue.

“Half the time they watched the water, the other half they watched the sky.”

“And what was there to watch?”

“I don’t know why they were watching the sky. However, I found out why they were watching the water.”

Corete looked serious.

“No.”

“Zynis. I don’t know what you are thinking, but I’m sure you’re wrong. They were looking for the merfolk.”

“The merfolk…”

It wasn’t unthinkable. After all, the lake was supposed to be connected to the sea. There were always rumors about people seeing merfolk.

“And how did you know there were merfolk?”

“Because I saw them.”

“You did?”

“Their heads came out of the water. But the humans didn’t notice them.”

“What? They are so stupid.”

If the merfolk were stupid for poking their heads out when there were guards on the water, then the guards were even more stupid for not noticing them. Zynis looked a little exasperated.

“So much for being careful when going to the mirror lake.”

Dilon said. He was about to say more when Ortha interrupted him.

“So, Corete. There is more, isn’t there?”

“Yes. It seemed like the merfolk were interested in the villa. Of course, there were even more lights over there, and they could not get close.”

“But merfolk will walk on the land like it’s nothing. Just like birdfolk can live in the sky and on land, the merfolk can live in the sea and on land. There is probably something they want to do, if only they could get out of the lake.”

Kleo, who hadn’t been part of the night reconnaissance, said.

“What’s happening…”

“Before we start speculating, it’s your turn, Dilon.”

Dilon looked surprised and then straightened his posture.

“I checked the area behind the town. And I discovered a small dwarven settlement. There appeared to be a family living in each house, because I saw children. We think they are working in the cave near the lake, but we don’t know what they are doing exactly.”

“Merfolk and dwarves. Is this really inland?”

Ortha looked puzzled.

“I was watching the cave. Soldiers and dwarves went in and out, but I wasn’t able to learn anything other than the fact that they were guarding the entrance.”

Zynis said. Then he looked towards the lake.

“Also, the miasma is very thick here.”

The others nodded.

“Now, this is not enough information to take back with us. What are the merfolk trying to do? What is happening in the town? We need to investigate this further.”

Zynis decided their direction.

“Corete, Ortha, Dilon. You all go to the nearest town and disguise yourselves as merchants and then return. You can conduct your business while you investigate.”

The three nodded.

“I and two of the birdfolk will stay here and continue to search. I want to see if I can talk to the merfolk during the night.”

The birdfolk nodded. However, they seemed a little restless.

“What is it?”

“Would you mind if we went out a little farther during reconnaissance?”

“Of course. It would look strange if you just flew here all day.”

“Good. It looks like there is going to be a complicated wind current. I want to go and check it out.”

“Uh, right. Very well.”

Kaela seemed very excited about it, but Zynis looked a little disturbed. But birdfolk would always be birdfolk, regardless of their color.

“Well, until tonight, then.”

Everyone moved in order to fulfill their role. This was the morning of the day that Maki and Chiharu reached Lowland.