“Of course, Granny Kasi, I am always your friend,” Tyler pledged with the utmost sincerity.
Having spent such a long time together, Tyler considered Granny Kasi a friend worth having, whether it be her experience as a “Level 67 Mercenary Sage”, or her expertise as a “Level 12 Gatherer” and “Level 14 Pharmacist.” These were all areas of knowledge Tyler greatly desired.
Moreover, Granny Kasi held crucial information about the “Earthly Ghost,” a clue closely linked to the “Singular Demon God.”
Considering that today marked the second day of “Tyler providing the Earthly Ghost with false information through Granny Kasi,” her solitary, rapid ride indicated where she was headed, even without the use of Tyler’s mind-reading technique.
·
“Banning, you didn’t seem surprised to see me. Just how much do you know, young man?”
Granny Kasi didn’t rush off but instead started to chat with Tyler while sipping her drink.
“Haha, it’s just a hunch, Granny Kasi. You don’t seem like an ordinary person,” Tyler replied.
“Fine, I’ll take your word for it this time. Aren’t you curious as to why I concealed my power?”
Granny Kasi, a straightforward person, broke the awkwardness of having her secret exposed, and casually engaged in conversation with Banning.
“Haha, I am indeed curious, but I dare not ask. If you are willing, I am all ears,” Tyler responded with a smile. He wouldn’t become casual just because Granny Kasi was easygoing. Understanding someone’s secret often entailed risks.
“Hmm, it’s better not to disclose my secrets… However, I can give you a piece of advice: immense power always brings disaster; being an ordinary old granny is the best!”
After hearing Granny Kasi’s words, Tyler nodded in agreement.
Power, strength, wisdom, and wealth – possessing too much of any of these would inevitably invite disaster. This was almost an unavoidable rule.
·
Since Granny Kasi was unwilling to divulge more, Tyler didn’t press further. However, he still wanted to “care” about Granny Kasi’s future.
“Granny Kasi, after you reunite with your family, will you return to Sunny Town?” Tyler asked.
“Nonsense, of course, I will! I can’t bear to part with the folks from the Traveling Merchant Caravan.” Granny Kasi laughed heartily.
From her spirited demeanor, Tyler believed she could easily live to a hundred.
“What about the Earthly Ghost? Won’t it matter if you betray it?”
This was the real question Tyler wanted to ask. He initially thought that raising this question would make the conversation serious, but to his surprise, Granny Kasi still maintained a relaxed demeanor.
“Of course not. If there was going to be trouble, why would I betray it for you? Could it be just for your handsome face?”
Saying so, Granny Kasi burst into laughter again.
From Granny Kasi’s perspective, she didn’t know Banning’s true power nor the intricate relationship between Banning and the divination rabbit. Thus, if necessary, she would sidestep Banning and cooperate directly with the divination rabbit.
However, if Granny Kasi were to do so, it would put Banning in a difficult position.
“Why did you work for the Earthly Ghost?” Tyler asked again.
“You’re asking even though you know,” Granny Kasi sighed, and then fully explained her relationship with the Earthly Ghost.
From the beginning, Granny Kasi worked for the Earthly Ghost in hopes of obtaining information about her lost family members.
Now that she had the divination results from the divination rabbit, she no longer needed to work for the Earthly Ghost against her conscience.
In addition, Granny Kasi told Tyler that the true form of the Earthly Ghost was in the Abyssal Empire, and its control over the serpentine species in the Human Alliance was not a significant threat but merely a means of communication.
Most people were willing to work for the Earthly Ghost due to interests, and only a few were members of the Shadow Serpent Society.
Therefore, even if Granny Kasi betrayed the Earthly Ghost, there was nothing to worry about.
“The Shadow Serpent Society?”
“It’s an organization established by the Earthly Ghost.”
“Won’t they try to kill you?”
“No, they are busy preparing for some ‘big event.’ I don’t know the details, it’s very secretive.”
Granny Kasi didn’t hide anything, and Tyler saw it clearly through his mind-reading technique.
Having said all this, Granny Kasi was mostly rested.
She mounted her horse with a gallant air, demonstrating a spiritedness that belied her age.
Tyler even had a feeling that if a fight were to break out, Granny Kasi, a Level 67 Mercenary Sage, might be stronger than Albert, the Level 73 Curse Swordsman.
In the world of the Prison Star, the significance of battle lies more profoundly in experience and skill, rather than a simple triumph of numerical superiority.
“Young man, I hope our paths cross again in the future!”
“May your journey be blessed with tranquility.”
The silhouette of Granny Kasi disappeared into the distance amidst a whirl of dust.
The parting was such that the date of their next encounter remained uncertain.
.
After bidding farewell to Granny Kasi, Tyler was about to set off when he noticed another visitor approaching.
(What’s going on? Everyone passing through the Northern Outskirts seems to have chosen today to congregate.)
Tyler initially had no intention of acknowledging the newcomer, but the extravagance of the latter’s appearance piqued his interest.
Emerging from the billowing dust storm kicked up by the horse’s hooves, a heavily armored knight was galloping towards Tyler.
The silver, glittering armor, the sturdy, embellished square shield, the ostentatious yet practical long-handled war hammer… Even without using his identification ability, Tyler could tell that this person spared no expense on his equipment.
Then, his gaze fell on the knight’s warhorse, which sported the same extravagant style. Besides the silver-and-white armor, it was adorned with a bright white silk ribbon at the bottom.
This ensemble endowed the heavy armored knight with an aura of power, grandeur, and opulence.
But of course, it was all form over substance.
Before the stranger could get close, Tyler already harbored a distaste for him. Once he was within range, Tyler identified his details.
━━━━━━━━━
Garvit, male, 32 years old, , Emerald City Cavalry Unit · First Cavalry Unit · Captain
Life Energy: 5827 / 5827
Endurance: 937 / 1211
Magic Energy: 1090 / 1090
Production Occupation: None
Manufacturing Occupation: Blacksmith – Lv6
Combat Occupation: Heavy Cavalry Knight – Lv50
Skills: 2 / 2
━━━━━━━━━
Glancing at these numbers, Tyler noticed the imbalance.
The “Heavy Cavalry Knight” apparently prioritized life energy and defensive strength as a frontline shield, while their offensive capabilities remained unclear. 𝒪𝗏𝒍xt.𝐜𝒐𝓶
Reflecting on the previous “Lv73 Cursed Swordsman, Albert”, who possessed less than 5000 life energy, his endurance and magic energy were two to three times that of this heavy cavalry knight.
(The type of combat occupation significantly influences the growth of numerical attributes.)
Tyler wanted to examine the stats of this man’s warhorse too, but at that moment, the heavy cavalry knight pulled a sharp stop, slowly circling to a halt near Tyler.
“Hey, lad over there, you will guide me.”
The heavy cavalry knight commanded Tyler with an air of entitlement.
Perhaps in the world of the Prison Star, knights are considered a cut above the common folk. However, Tyler had no intention of obeying this “custom”.
“I’m busy, I have a meal to catch.”
Without a backward glance, Tyler turned and walked away.