Chapter 57

"Schalke, your letter, come and get it quickly." "Madam Basha, this is your son's letter, and there's another one, but I won't say who it's from. But considering his deep affection, you shouldn't... well, if you burn it, you burn it. Out of sight, out of mind."

Mallo only felt like an important person at this moment, as these powerful druids were willing to wait for him, their eyes filled with anticipation. Only one young man seemed completely unmoved, his eyes constantly scanning the cargo on the cart. From his attire, he was likely a druid apprentice. The last time he left here, he heard that a few students from other communities would come, and this was probably one of them.

There was definitely no letter for Zhao Mai. He had arrived on Joseph's bird claws, while the mule cart was already halfway there. Even if "Mad Rat" Green or the dwarf Sok had something to find him, they would have to wait for the next convoy. Zhao Mai was examining the equipment on the cart; his leather armor was a bit old, and he might be able to find something good here.

However, after looking at everything, he was somewhat disappointed. The commodity trade in this world was far less developed than on Earth. Good things wouldn't be displayed on shelves for anyone to choose from. Truly exquisite armor and weapons could only be obtained by custom order from a skilled craftsman. Just like his musket "Mammoth," it could only be produced by hand.

Druids not only receive spell training but also martial arts training and knowledge of plants and animals. Even apprentices must follow their druid teachers into the depths of the forest to survive in a completely natural environment. Zhao Mai's musket was incredibly powerful, but it only had thirty bullets. He couldn't use it to fight beasts, right? Those druid apprentices had long learned how to communicate with beasts, while he had no foundation at all.

There were still no crossbows, which meant that Nipo Town's ban had probably been in effect for some time, and it might have affected the surrounding towns as well. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard Merchant Mallo shout, "Master Duncan, there's a letter for you."

He's back? When did that happen? Zhao Mai followed the sound and finally saw his "main quest NPC," Master Duncan. This was a master with considerable authority, with thick, bushy eyebrows and brown eyes like eagles, making Zhao Mai feel increasingly uneasy. From the wrinkles and loose skin on his face, Master Duncan was probably between sixty and seventy years old, but his back was straight, and his arms moved quickly and powerfully. He extended two fingers like a pair of pliers, clamping the letter and pulling it from Mallo's hand.

"Master, please wait. Baron Pidus commissioned you to make a potion last time. Is it ready yet?" Mallo rubbed his hands, bowing respectfully and asking.

"Hmm, I almost forgot." Master Duncan pulled out a small blue cloth bag from his sleeve, about the size of a fist, tightly tied with a red ribbon. He ran his fingers over the ribbon twice, and the bag opened automatically.

Suddenly, the fate coin on Zhao Mai's chest began to heat up, vibrating in the direction of the bag. Zhao Mai remained calm, his face showing no sign of movement, still looking at Master Duncan with curiosity.

He reached into the bag and pulled out a bottle of pale apricot-yellow translucent potion, then retied the ribbon, and the vibration of the fate coin disappeared. The potion bottle Master Duncan took out looked larger than the bag, which meant only one thing: the small bag was a famous spatial bag, capable of blocking the mutual perception of fate coins.

Zhao Mai quickly followed, as this was a good opportunity to meet Master Duncan. "Hello, Master Duncan, I am the new druid apprentice Mike, nice to meet you."

Master Duncan glanced at Zhao Mai, grunted through his nose, and continued walking without stopping.

"Master, my father is ill, and perhaps the potion to remove the disease can cure him. I boldly request that you give me a bottle of the potion to remove the disease. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."

The druid shook his head, lightly flicked his sleeve, and walked around Zhao Mai. Zhao Mai gritted his teeth, unwilling to give up, and quickly caught up. "Master, you are a recognized master in potion-making. The potion to remove the disease is a beneficial spell potion and won't be used for evil. Please help me; I can't bear to see my father suffer from his illness."

Master Duncan acted as if he hadn't heard, walking around Zhao Mai again. He stood under a tree, placing his hand on it. With a soft puff, the druid disappeared from Zhao Mai's sight.

"Tree Escape!?" Zhao Mai clenched his teeth in anger but could only punch the tree in frustration. Druids are human, despite their neutral path, they still have various temperaments. Master Duncan might be one of those cold and unfeeling people, like frost and snowstorms in nature, a part of the natural balance.

But would Zhao Mai give up? Of course not. If he couldn't get any leads from Duncan, there was still Merchant Mallo. Seeing that he had already distributed the letters, Zhao Mai approached and started a conversation.

"Oh, young apprentice, do you need anything?" Mallo was quite familiar with druid community life and immediately began recommending items that might be useful during the apprentice stage. Waterproof and moisture-proof small bags, mosquito net hats to avoid insect bites, and powders to hide body odor.

Zhao Mai's mind wasn't on these items. He asked a few simple questions and then changed the topic. "I just arrived here and failed to ask Master Duncan for a potion. Can you tell me how Baron Pidus got Master Duncan to make a potion for him?"

"You're really putting me in a difficult position," Mallo said. "I only know that it happened, but I don't know what they said to each other. However, Master Duncan's daughter works as a tax official under the baron, which might be one reason."

"Do you know which baron?"

"Wolf Ear Town. Haven't you been there? It's at the northern end of Ashen Lake, near the mouth of the Greasy River." Mallo smiled at Zhao Mai. "But I suggest you don't go to Wolf Ear Town. You are a druid apprentice, and you are in this community. If you can't solve the problem here, you won't be able to solve it in Wolf Ear Town either."

"But I'm really in a hurry." Zhao Mai scratched his head and sighed. "But thank you anyway, I'll think of another way."

Mallo pinched his chin, his eyes turning a few times, and said to Zhao Mai, "You are an apprentice now, which is actually an advantage. I remember that in the community, some mentors post tasks for apprentices to complete. Perhaps there are tasks posted by Master Duncan. If you can complete them, you might be able to talk to him and make another request."

"Ah? I didn't know that." Zhao Mai quickly asked, "Do you know where the tasks are posted?"

"Um, I think it's under the only maple tree in the community."

Zhao Mai turned and ran over.

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