"Then keep a good distance from the Griffin training ground!" Fitt chimed in.


    "I..." Barke was on the verge of protesting but, as if struck by a recollection, he smiled and said, "No matter. In a few days, my adorable Veronica will be here. I''ll be by my goddess''s side and won''t have to lay eyes on that despicable old codger again!"


    With that, he made to leave.


    Fitt suddenly inquired, "How did you come to know that the delegation from the Frost - winter Kingdom is about to arrive? Given your standing, where did you obtain this intelligence? And wasn''t the Chief of Deffa your goddess?"


    Barke laughed with self - satisfaction. "Don''t underestimate me. When it comes to matters concerning my goddess, I''m capable of anything. And finally, who''s to say I can have but one goddess?"


    He left with a most infuriating retreating figure, striding away with purpose.


    The White - Clad One was silent for a moment, then suddenly remarked, "The old lion is in a rather dire state at present. When you attempt to persuade him, refrain as much as possible from uttering words related to family."


    Fitt, lagging slightly behind, nodded. "I understand."


    The female knight then steered the conversation towards the delegation from the Frost - winter Kingdom. "I recall that the last time the Frost - winter Kingdom dispatched an envoy here was in May of last year. By all accounts, they shouldn''t be sending another mission to our kingdom so soon. I surmise that something significant must have occurred."


    The White - Clad One nodded, immediately validating Fitt''s supposition. "Every hundred years, hordes of monsters materialize in the frigid North Continent. Calculating the time, it seems about right. They must be coming on account of this very matter."


    "Are you suggesting that they''re coming to seek assistance? But they didn''t do so in previous instances..."


    "Of course, this time is different. I have a premonition that a momentous event is about to unfold on the North Continent. I suspect that some individuals in our kingdom''s neighboring realm have also detected something amiss."


    "Evil constantly endeavors to encroach upon this continent, yet we shall vanquish it time and time again!"


    Fitt''s tone resounded with a bellicose spirit.


    "Your martial fervor is both your virtue and your flaw," the White - Clad One commented.


    "That missing level - seven werewolf often appears in my dreams. I''m uncertain what he''ll bring to this place, but I must make preparations for all potential calamities that may befall us in the future," the female knight said, placing her hand upon her chest.


    The White - Clad One cast a sidelong glance at Fitt, who was positioned slightly behind him. "You will encounter him once more."


    ...


    In Bayek.


    Glen was engaged in the practice of magic when a farm laborer came to report that a black lizardman had emerged outside, and he didn''t seem to be a local townsman.


    Solray? … Realizing who it might be, Glen promptly went out to extend a welcome. He still held a keen interest in the lizardman who had invented the electric lamp.


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    On the quiet byway, the black lizardman, accompanied by two young boys, was pushing a small cart forward with a palpable sense of trepidation. They perpetually had the sensation that unseen eyes were observing their every move.


    Indeed, this was the case. The farmworkers, well - versed in the art of concealment, were vigilantly monitoring their every action from the shadows.


    "Mr. Solray, it appears as though no one resides here. Perhaps we should return," one of the young boys said timidly.


    "There''s no mistake. Mr. Glen provided me with this address, and we made thorough inquiries on our journey here," the black lizardman affirmed with conviction.


    "But why is knowledge of this place so scarce? We had to ask around for so long before finding someone who knew of it. Could there be something inherently wrong with this place?"


    The black lizardman was about to counter when a familiar voice, carrying from afar, instantly dispelled the concerns of everyone present.


    "Mr. Solray! What brings you here so unexpectedly? You ought to have sent a letter in advance!"


    Glen came running, waving his hand in greeting.


    "Mr. Glen!" The lizardman immediately stepped forward and embraced Glen.


    After disengaging, he exclaimed with excitement, "I simply couldn''t contain my impatience any longer! I''ve resolved all the issues, and I''m eager to showcase my work to you!"


    "That''s splendid! Let''s proceed to my abode and conduct a test at once! I had every confidence in your ability!..."


    Glen then engaged in an animated conversation with Solray as they made their way back to the town. The workers hidden in the shadows, realizing that their surveillance was no longer required, returned to their tasks on the farm.


    Solray''s attention was wholly absorbed by the conversation, and he didn''t even notice that the town he was entering was quite extraordinary. However, the two young boys did notice and were eager to alert Solray, but they couldn''t find an opportunity to interject and could only fidget in frustration.


    Upon entering the house, Solray wasted no time in unloading his finished product from the cart. As the rain - proof tarpaulin was peeled back, a light bulb, assembled upon a complex mechanical box, was revealed to Glen''s view.


    "The one atop should be the illuminating electric lamp. What, then, is this contraption beneath?" Glen inquired, pointing to the mechanical iron box below.


    "This is a power source I''ve designed. Otherwise, a solitary light bulb would be of no use," Solray explained.


    "As a matter of fact, I''ve already installed a circuit system here, specifically tailored for the electric lamp you crafted," Glen said, with a hint of resignation.


    Solray was taken aback. He hadn''t anticipated that the other party would hold his invention in such high regard and had even gone to such lengths. He was deeply touched.


    Nevertheless, out of habit, he proposed, "Might I have a look at your circuit system? And how did you manage to resolve the power - source issue?"


    Glen offered no further elaboration but simply led Solray to examine the magic - energy generator he had constructed, along with the connected electrical wires.


    The two young boys were directed by Glen to the parlor, where the elven housekeeper was instructed to serve them with desserts and fruit juices. The two were promptly enthralled by the delectable offerings and completely forgot about their teacher.


    "Is this the power source? It appears rather simplistic. How does it generate electricity?" Solray''s flat lizard head studied the magic - energy generator for an extended period but remained perplexed, prompting him to pose the question.


    Glen, well - aware that the other would likely be unable to comprehend, had prepared an explanation in advance. "It''s quite natural that you find it difficult to understand, Mr. Solray. This is a device that generates electricity by harnessing magical power. It makes use of the forces of magic."


    Upon hearing this, Solray''s lizard eyes widened in astonishment. "Magic!? Electricity generated through the union of magic and machinery!? Oh ho ho! This is truly extraordinary! When you commissioned a mage to create this, I''m certain the mage was equally astounded, no doubt!? Hahaha..."


    Glen''s expression froze. He pointed at himself. "I am the mage."


    "Hahaha... Cough! Cough!" Solray''s laughter caught in his throat. "Wait, what did you say? You''re the mage!? How could this be!? Aren''t you a merchant?"


    It was hardly surprising that Solray was taken aback, as he had indeed never encountered a merchant who was also a mage.


    "Being a mage is quite costly. Hence, I need to earn more coin, don''t I?" Glen said, spreading his hands.


    "Indeed, that''s true..." Solray scratched his head. Subsequently, disregarding this revelation, he exclaimed with excitement, "Then let''s waste no time in seeing if my electric lamp can be powered by your generator! If all goes well, then I can truly claim success!"


    "I''ve been prepared for this moment."


    Immediately, the two set about their endeavors within the house.