Chapter 246: 9.19

Again, Elduin woke up in the carriage with his Big Ero sitting on the opposite seat facing him. Big Ero acted as if nothing happened when he was unconscious. Elduin asked. "Big Ero, what happened? How did I faint? Is it because of that harmonica?"

Elduin darted his eyes immediately at the beastman who sat on the coachman seat. He acted as if nothing happened, just like Erolith. Erolith tried to pacify Elduin by patting his head and said. "Little Eld, you did faint when Maroch played his harmonica. But it was because his calming spell is way too effective on you. So instead of getting drowsy, you fainted instead."

Erolith shook his head and sighed. "Elduin, you must be too tired with the journey, so you are sleeping soundly before."

Again, Elduin felt something was wrong with Big Ero's explanation. Elduin would just nod and believe everything that his Big Ero said if it was the old him. But now that he understood how Big Ero could also betray him, he had nobody to believe.

'Do you think you can fool me like this, Big Ero? I will watch and see what you will do with that beastman, and I shall strike when the chance is open.'

The carriage paced through the forest at noon and stopped when Maroch could see a beastman settlement with its daunting bear and lion hides. The tiger beastman had a habit of skinning their dead enemies and used their beast hide for daily purpose. Maroch stopped the carriage and asked Priest Erolith and King Elduin. "Your Majesty, Your Divinity, we will be reaching my settlement soon. May I know if you are willing to meet the village shaman? He has the key to enter the Marduk Lake."

Erolith was unsure whether it was a trap or not because this was Urduk they were talking to. He was full of deceit and maliciousness. But Marduk Lake was indeed the place they needed to visit to get the essence of the Earth.

"Since there is no other way, then let's just meet that Beast Shaman," Erolith decided. He looked towards Elduin. "Elduin, you are okay with it, right?" Erolith asked. 

"… Yes." 

The carriage entered the territory, the tiger tribe peered, ready to unsheathe their claws if it was an invasion. But when they saw Maroch, they immediately retreated and opened the gate. They bowed their heads respectfully at Maroch, "Chief, welcome back."

The tiger beastmen bowed respectfully at Maroch without exception, which signalled something for Erolith.

[Maroch is the tribe chief? He just said that he is a beastman from the far east. He never told us that he is the village chief.] 

[Pupa: It seems so. And people really respect him.]

Yunyu had a question about Maroch and Urduk. But he refrained to directly ask because he felt that it was not appropriate for now.

Maroch stopped the carriage in front of his fellow beastmen. "I come here with two important elves, His Majesty Elven King, Elduin Wynforest. And His Divinity Elven Priest, Erolith Virdhitas. They are our distinguished guest. Please respect and take care of them."  "Yes, Chief!" 

Maroch opened the carriage door and bowed respectfully at Erolith and Elduin. "Your Majesty, Your Divinity, I will call the Shaman first and let my people prepare a room. Please wait patiently."

Elduin was still high and mighty. He didn't hide his displeasure at all. He looked disgusted at the savagery in this primitive beast clan. Meanwhile, Erolith smiled at Maroch and replied, "Yes, take your time."

Maroch walked away for a few steps before a scrawny beast boy shuffled from the crowd. "Big Brother!" the little boy called out loud. 

Maroch looked towards the scrawny boy, and his face cheered up. "Mewro, why are you here? I told you to rest until my return, right?"

The scrawny beast boy hugged Maroch tightly. "I really miss you, Big Brother. I thought you've abandoned me because of my… my…" Mewro looked sad. Maybe because of his scrawny body compared to his strong big brother.

Maroch rubbed his face on Maroch's waist. Maroch chuckled and fished something from his pocket, the potion that Elven Priest Erolith gave. 

"This is the potion that His Divinity gave to you. He is a generous elf with a pure heart. Go say thank you for him," Maroch said while pointing at the carriage. The scrawny beast boy slowly walked towards two elves, whose beauty was out of this world.

The Elven King was really handsome, more handsome than any elves they ever encountered. He looked strong and majestic as well. Meanwhile, the Elven Priest was beautiful with long and silky light blonde hair.

Mewro bowed his head politely. "T—Thank you… Y—Your Divinity… um… my name is Mewro… my big brother is Maroch…"

Yunyu saw how pitiful Mewro looked. His heart melted at how polite and cautious this scrawny beast was. He was probably bullied a lot when Maroch was not around. 

[I can see some of his bruises. He must have been bullied when Maroch tries to find the cure for his illness.]

[But this is so strange…]

[Pupa: What?]

[Urduk said before that Maroch was him before he turned into the corrupted beast, and his little brother died long ago. But look at this Mewro, although he is sickly, he is still alive and breathing.]

[Pupa: Now that you said it, it also makes me wonder.]

Erolith smiled at Mewro. He pointed at the potion and said, "Good boy, you can drink the potion now. I will help you."

Mewro stared at the potion for a moment and then opened the lid and drank the potion slowly. The beastmen watched Mewro drank the potion. Their expressions looked a little scared but said nothing.

After Mewro drank everything, Erolith put his hand on top of Mewro's head. "With the gentle light of Sacred Tree, give this young beastman vitality and nurture his body and soul."

Slowly, Mewro's bruises were healed with Elven magic, and his sunken cheek started puffing out again. He magically grew taller and taller until his head reached Maroch's shoulder level. 

The beastmen watched in awe, including Maroch himself. After a while, Erolith finally finished healing Mewro. Mewro turned into a vigorous young man, fit for his age.

Maroch couldn't believe his transformation. He looked at his brother, who was also stunned by the sudden change. "Big Brother! I am healthy now!"

Mewro hugged Maroch, but Maroch didn't reply. Instead, he stared at Erolith with confusion in his eyes. Because he couldn't believe what Erolith just did to his little brother. 

[Pupa: Ding! Urduk's Fatemeter increases to 90%.] 

Elduin's gaze darkened when Maroch stared at his Big Ero with obvious love in his eyes. He blocked Maroch's sight by pulling Erolith to his side. 

Maroch shook his head and ruffled his little brother's hair, "Say thank you to His Divinity Priest Erolith."

Mewro hurriedly approached the carriage again. "Your Divinity, thank you so much for your grace! I thought I would live as a waste for the rest of my life, but because of your kindness, I can help the tribe with my brother now!"

Erolith was really tired after giving at least half of his magic reservoir for the day to heal Mewro. He nodded weakly and smiled. "The pleasure is mine, be a good beastman in the future, alright?"

"Yes!" Mewro noticed the exhaustion on Priest Erolith and took the initiative. "Your Majesty, Your Divinity, I will prepare for your stay soon! Thank you for helping me!"