Vincent deeply sighed after not getting any traces from Tara and Rem.
The two just disappeared and he wasn't even informed about their plans.
They were now a few kilometers away from the battlefield and he was unsure whether he will still get to see those two.
"Is there anyone injured?"
The Divine Doctor asked. Currently, there were only seven people alive in their previous large group. They have decided to settle inside an abandoned cabin since it's already too dark to continue on the road.
"Our injuries are mostly healed. Thank you for asking, Doctor Ji." Raymond answered.
The seven survivors were Divine Doctor Ji, his servant called Arem, Raymond from the Primal Sword Sect, Ladislas from the Black Torrent Mercenary Squad, Alfred, Dennise, and Vincent.
"At this rate, can you guarantee that I can arrive in the Arms City safely? You know that even if I'm capable of fighting, I'm at most at the level of a normal warrior, right?" The doctor added.
"It will be difficult." Raymond honestly answered as he looked at Alfred and Vincent. He had clearly seen how amazing these two were, so he can only try to get their assistance.
Previously, they were at most, travel companions. There is really no commitment made with them that would make the two sacrifice themselves in order to fight the enemies of their sect.
However, with the current status of their group, Raymond can only try to officially recruit them as their guards.
Raymond then expressed his thoughts about this as he tried to convince Vincent and Alfred.
"Since I needed to visit the Arms City as well, I will naturally help you. However…" Vincent's voice trailed as if he was thinking of something.
Raymond understood this as he immediately added.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Since we will be officially hiring you, we will make appropriate compensation for your work. It will surely be worth over 100 gold coins so please support us for a few more days." Raymond humbly said.
Though he collected the swords or weapons of his fellow disciples, it's not like he could give them to Vincent as compensation.
"I will look forward to that then."
Vincent replied with a smile as they spend the rest of the night filled with heavy hearts. Many of their companions died and they are still on an unsafe part of the road.
They can only take turns guarding the cabin against being attacked by some wild beasts at night.
On the next day, the Divine Doctor finally noticed the changes in Dennise's condition.
"Hmm? You're already getting better? It seems that Sir Vincent's medical knowledge is more impressive than I thought." Doctor Ji commented after observing Dennise for a while. It seems that Vincent had gotten this doctor's respect.
"Yes… He's really good." Dennise replied with a smile. She now has rosy cheeks and her eyes brightened in contrast to her previous listless expression.
"I'm nothing compared to your skills, Doctor Ji. I just happen to possess something that could cure her slowly." Vincent said as the doctor no longer engaged with the conversation.
"We're close to the small town… This is the last town we'll see before we arrive at Arms City." Ladislas said as he pointed at the town.
Their group continued to travel and was finally able to properly have a rest in a small town closest to Arms City.
After arriving in this last town, Vincent and the others bought various things before finally resting at an expensive inn.
This time, since there are only a few of them, Raymond decided not to be stingy as he chose a fancy accommodation in this town filled with travelers like them.
Perhaps because the town always has travelers going to Arms City, this place has several taverns and impressive inns.
While they were having a meal at an inn, a few people recognized the Divine Doctor and even asked whether they could get his help. But as expected, he didn't accept any of them and the Divine Doctor even named the two doctors and alchemists within this town and confirmed that they studied under him for a while.
They should look for those people if they weren't in critical condition.
Since none of these people had urgent things needed, they easily scattered away as Vincent's group had a peaceful time eating.
"Hey… I heard that there were some changes at the Celestial Mountain. I heard that many people around that place have died recently."
"Hmph! That's old news. It was already confirmed that the one causing this problem is a beast stronger than any common Magic Beasts."
"I don't believe it… Those creatures have never appeared in the past hundred years. How could they just appear so suddenly?"
"Who knows? Maybe those creatures were woken up by someone?"
As they were peacefully having their meal, a group of mercenaries started talking about their encounter at the Celestial Mountain.
"It's my first time hearing about that but I can trust my source. I'm sure that it's a Celestial Beast without any doubt!"
"What?!"
"Isn't this a serious problem? I heard that the Barbarians are planning to invade… There's also that Rebel Army led by Duke France… If there's a Celestial Beast roaming around the Celestial Mountain, isn't this country about to collapse at this rate?"
Vincent heard their conversation as he asked Alfred about it.
"This is your first time hearing about the Celestial Beast?" Alfred asked in shock. He thought that Vincent is some kind of a noble considering his skills. However, if he's not aware of things that were taught in the Academy, it appears that he wasn't from the nobility as he thought.
"Yes… I grew up in a small village so I'm not too sure about the situation outside."
Alfred nodded at Vincent's answer as he started to explain what he knows.
"The Celestial Mountain is further south of the Arms City. So we won't be passing there but if a Celestial Beast is currently roaming around that place, we can't be too complacent. The Celestial Beast is not something comparable to a Savage Beast or even a Magic Beast… Though I haven't seen one myself, they were described as creatures that came from a different dimension."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAlfred explained.
"What does that even mean? Are you guys aware of this as well?" Vincent asked as he turned his head to Raymond and the others who were just listening.
"Yes. But I heard from the Sect Leader that the Celestial Beasts looked like Demons and not something that came from the heaven." Raymond replied. Well, he didn't really care about their appearance, the most important matter is that he knows that the Celestial Beast is an intelligent species and communicating with them is futile.
The Magic Beasts who gained high intelligence after their evolution can be talked with or even make negotiations with them. However, Celestial Beasts who were also highly intelligent creatures would never bother negotiating and will attack you if you offended them.
They may not be creatures that just act with their instinct like Savage Beasts but they can certainly appear like one.
"In any case, if that kind of beast was confirmed to have appeared, the Royal Family will surely send a group of Celestial Beings to subdue that creature. We just have to wait for them to deal with it."
Divine Doctor Ji added as he doesn't seem to be too worried. Unlike the normal mercenaries within the tavern, he has clear information about the strength of this nation.
He knows that many Celestial Beings are roaming around this land and the Royal Family may not even need to act as the County and the Marquisate at the border of the Celestial Mountain may just act by sending their Celestial Beings in battle.
After hearing the doctor's words, everyone sighed in relief as he indeed makes sense.
Because of that, they no longer worried about the Celestial Beasts as they continued on their way to the Arms City the next day.
At this time, Dennise already consumed a total of three +9 potions and has completely healed.
"This is 15 Mid-Tier Spirit Stones… We have mana crystals here as well, we can give you---"
"Stop… These 15 Mid-Tier Spirit Stones are already more than enough. I worked as an appraiser before so I know how valuable these things are." Vincent said as he already has several chests filled with Mana Crystals inside his spatial storage box.
"Thank you, Sir Vincent… We will continue to accompany you to the Arms City. Our relative is also there so we're planning to just visit him so we won't waste our journey here."
Dennise said but this is also because she wanted Alfred to continue helping their small caravan to bring the Divine Doctor and the goods to the city.
The Divine Doctor only observed Dennise for a moment before he gave a nod. It seems that he had also confirmed that Dennise's condition has been taken care of by Vincent properly.
As their group continued on their way to the Arms City, they heard several rumors about a fight that has occurred in the Celestial Mountain from their fellow travelers.
It appears that the Celestial Beast was being chased by two Celestial Beings and fled to its base in the mountain!