Chapter 116.2: Magicians of Gypseal
「Yes, many caravans go missing nowadays. Moreover, the amount of missing cases in the neighboring kingdom, Towlet, has also increased as of late. I dispatched magicians from the association with our ships to investigate the case, but alas… the ship along with its passengers went MIA.」
Kepler shook his head as if he was in big trouble. He had reason to do so as even the people who were dispatched to investigate the missing people disappeared as well. They really couldn’t do anything about it. Thus, the case must’ve caused Kepler quite a headache.
What really happened still remained a mystery.
「Towlet Kingdom… If my memory serves me right, there should be many hippopotamus folk over there.」「Yes, Totona-sama. Moreover, the Sphinx seems to be quite busy too. Maybe, something that we don’t know happened over there.」
Both Totona and I exchanged a glance.
「Yes, you might find some clues if you go there. The problem is, we have no ship. At this rate, the only available method is using flight magic.」
Well, that might be our last choice. I myself had once flown from the Holy Republic of Lenaria all the way to Nargol in the past. That’s why it shouldn’t be impossible for us.
「I really wish I had come with Glorious at a time like this though…」
The reason why I didn’t bring Glorious was simply because he could easily be found by the Hero and the others; things were bound to get more complicated once that happened. That’s why I didn’t bring Glorious on this occasion.
「Kepler, are you sure that there really is no other option? This place should be close to the hippogriffs living quarters, right?」「You’re mistaken, Totona-sama. It hippogriffs don’t live near here.」
「Any other options then?」
「Let’s see… Oh! That reminds me, chimeras have been appearing quite frequently nowadays, but… But, those chimeras are…」
「Chimeras?!!!」
I unintentionally voiced my surprise upon hearing Kepler’s remark. Chimeras were demon beasts who took the appearance of a combination of many animals: the tail of a snake, head of a dragon, goat, or lion, etc. Since they had such unique appearances, I wanted to see one of them at least once.
Amongst the chimeras, some had dragon wings and could fly in the sky. We might be able to use them as vehicles if we could catch them.
「Yes, chimeras. At first, we suspected that the chimeras might be the reason behind the missing cases, but upon further investigation, all evidence proved that it wasn’t their doing, so we tried to further investigate the reason behind the missing cases.」
「Kepler-dono. Where can we find those chimeras?」
「Are you trying to capture a chimera? I advise you against it, they’re too dangerous. Though not as much as higher ranking dragons, chimeras are still ferocious demon beasts.」
A high ranking dragon, eh… It’s not a big deal then. Moreover, I think we could capture a bunch after subjugating them.
「Don’t worry, Kepler. Kuroki is strong.」
Hearing Totona saying that, Kepler sent a sidelong glance toward me.
「I see, if he really is as strong as rumored, then he might be able to do that… I understand. I’ll tell you where the chimeras frequently appear.」
It was decided then.
Let’s catch those chimeras.
But, there was something that I had to do before departing.
「By the way, Totona. We might meet the Hero of Light. Since things might get troublesome when that happens, I want to at least hide my identity… Or at least, wear a mask.」
Totona was really surprised when I said so.
「Why are you so restrained even though you’re stronger than Rena’s hero? But well, I love that pacifist part of you. Kepler, can you prepare something for Kuroki to hide his identity.」
「Yes, Totona-sama. As long as it’s something that the association can prepare for you, you’re free to use it. But, if you want to hide your identity more thoroughly, you might as well change your entire attire too. Many people in Gypseal have a good nose after all.」
Kepler gave us such advice. Sure enough, beastmen have good noses. Some of them might be familiar with the smell peculiar to the Nargol region.
「I understand, Kepler-dono. Can I leave my current attire with you for the time being?」
My current attire was trousers and a shirt peculiar to Nargol. There shouldn’t be any problem even if I don’t take off my ring, which connects me to Kuna.
「No problem. Then, please bring him some new clothes.」
Kepler called the staff of the association and ordered them to bring Kuroki a change of clothes. A few minutes later, the staff brought a lot of… cloth.
I took one look at it and, no matter how much I looked at it, it just looked like a piece of white cloth.
「Uhm, what is this, Kepler-dono?」
「I brought something that men in the association wear. Is it to your liking?」
Then I recalled something. Most men I met in this place wore nothing but a single cloth. It seems that even the sorcerers didn’t wear a thick robe like Totona, but a piece of cloth like the people outside. In short, they had nothing but that kind of clothing.
Moreover, there was nothing like underwear here. Maybe wearing underwear wasn’t a custom in this place. Upon a closer look, the beastmen basically wore nothing on their body. Their naked bodies were as exposed as centaurs.
Was this by any chance… A custom in Gypseal?
Now here’s the main problem, what should I do?
The women seem to wear one piece, but I honestly didn’t want to wear women’s attire. I guess I had no choice but to put a large piece of cloth over my head and make holes for my eyes.
That should be enough to hide my face.
「Well, thank you for your offer, Kepler-dono. I shall take this one then.」
I took a cloth, made holes for my eyes, and wore it above my head. I couldn’t see it for myself, but my current appearance must be quite fantastic.
「Kuroki, your current appearance is really amusing.」
Totona let out a chuckle as she spoke. But, I guess it really couldn’t be helped. There might be another way for me to hide my face, but that would create unnecessary trouble. If that was the case, I would rather make do with this appearance.
「Don’t laugh at me please. Come to think of it, what name should I use this time, Totona? I mean, using my real name will literally expose my identity.」
Even if I covered my face, my identity would be exposed if Totona called me by my real name. Thus, I had to use an alias.
「You mean, an alias?」
「Yes, do you have any recommendations for my alias?」
Totona pondered for a while when I asked.
「Okay then, Kuroki. How does Medjed (The Destroyer) sound to you?」
Thus, starting today, my name would be Medjed.
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