A little while later, we and the Heroes party split once more. Apparently they had to take care of some business in a A-Ranked Dungeon nearby before they could continue to Yiinao. Now, I did at first want to ask if we could possibly join them in that dungeon raid, however the Ancient One told me that it would burden us and drag on the time that it took to get to the city in time for the investigation of the shady business going on in there.

So, instead, we decided to split - giving them a couple of items to help them out, while also giving some advice on raiding A-Rank dungeons.

Although, to the advice their response was:
'We have raided A-Rank dungeons before, we'll be fine!'

...Yeah, I don't know about you all, but that is usually a set up for a complete and utter defeat in which half the party dies inside the dungeon. Or at least, that would be the classic Isekai troupe path.

Before we actually split, I gave Kio a small extra gift from me, labeling it - 'As a gift that will help in hard times'.
What it was? That isn't important. After we had said all our farewells and given all our gifts - Me, Wezrall, Odale and Frindel resumed our travel towards Yiinao.

I remained in my human form for a while longer, until we were fully out of the heroes party sight, before switching to my Snake form and quickly wrapping around Wezralls neck, as he had already switched to his Wendigo form.
And back on the road we were - after a small 'side quest', we were finally continuing our way towards the City of Merchants Yiinao.

It honestly felt good to be back on the road - it had felt like we had lost a lot of valuable time with the entire Heroes Party group.
Although... To be fair, we were already on track to make it there in around a week compared to the month or two that it should take us...

So I suppose a little delay didn't really hurt us that much.

[Wezrall] "My Lord, may I know why you gave that Druid girl that amulet? Wasn't it very rare?"

Wezrall suddenly asked.
I didn't reply at first and remained silent while around his neck, before clicking my tongue and looking up towards the clear sky.

"Sure, it was rare - but it didn't seem like it was supposed to be in my hands in the first place."

I replied, before looking back down, sinking my head slightly into my body before closing my eyes. Wezrall looked a bit sceptical, however simply sighed at my reply.

[Wezrall] "The more I try to understand you, the less it makes sense..."

I chuckled lightly.
I suppose, from their point of view - I am quite the strange one.

But to be fair, I could never have the guts to tell them of my past life. Especially Frindel, who may interpret it as the Deities having 'summoned' me to this world after my death.
And trust me - I wanted anything but to start a conflict between two factions of Divinity.

So, without elaborating any further, I slowly drifted off into light sleep, as our carriage continued its march towards the City of Merchants.

   Meanwhile...
       At the main headquarters of
          The Hand Sons of Tritery...

       Within a large hall of the hideout, a man dressed in quite a fancy suit stood, looking outside of what seemed like a window, which had a view out over a large cave within which many, mang members of the organisation were going on with their activities.

This man in the suit, was a highly dangerous man. He was known by many titles in his time - however, the only one that really mattered and he accepted was his title within the organisation...

"Forbidden Fool" - the strongest of the 8 Harbingers of Tritery.

Suddenly, another person entered the room - a female with lifeless look in her eyes, as well as a white porcelain mask covering her face.
For a bit, it was silence, as the female approached the man in the suit, before eventually she stood by his side, staring through the window as well.

[Dinyu] "So tell me, what brings you here Vivianne?"

The man in the suit stated.
The female that had entered the room was the 3rd most powerful Harbinger of Tritery - within the organisation she was known as 'The Puppet'. This title was granted to her, due to her extraordinary control and skill over 'Puppetry Magic' and 'Voodoo'.

[Vivianne] "Can't I check in on how my colleagues are doing?"

Dinyu remained silent for a bit, before chuckling.

[Dinyu] "I'm sorry, but if you think that I'd believe a psychopathic woman like you would have such an innocent motive, then maybe you should lower your expectations."

He replied, before turning to face the woman.

[Dinyu] "Is this about the Heroes Party?"

Vivianne didn't reply at first, however after a bit, she nodded in response.

[Vivianne] "Indeed. I heard that they have left the Holy Capital and headed off across the country."

She replied, turning her head slightly towards Dinyu. The man upon hearing this, raised an eyebrow towards her.

[Dinyu] "Oho? So the Holy Capital has finally decided to let their little pets run free?"

[Vivianne] "Not exactly... As far as I understand, they apparently have enchanted items on them, which allow the Holy Church to keep an eye on them at all times."

Vivianne stated as Dinyu turned around and walked over to a fancy chair, before sitting down and picking up a cup of tea that had been sitting on a small round table by the chair.

[Dinyu] "I see..."

He replied, sipping the tea before placing it back down onto the small round table.

[Dinyu] "I assume you have more to say than this? Surely you didn't come here to inform me of something I already know."

Vivianne shook her head in denial.

[Vivianne] "You're right, there's more. Apparently..."

She began, approaching the seated man.

[Vivianne] "Apparently Olhade has decided to personally go and take care of the Heroes Party while he can."

Upon hearing this, Dinyu pulled his right hand into a tight fist, before his whole body trembled lightly.
Afterwards, he let out a small laugh.

[Dinyu] "Ahahah... You're joking - Right?"

[Vivianne] "You know I don't have a sense of humour - I can't make jokes."

Vivianne replied, tilting her head slightly to the side. Dinyu had a rather unsettling grin on his face, which also seemed to have a hint of anger to it. He once again let loose a small laugh, before sighing heavily.

[Dinyu] "Hahhah.... So... Olhade has decided that he has the right to do what he wants?... How intriguing."

He stated, before looking at Vivianne.

[Dinyu] "Do you perhaps know where the Heroes Party is headed? So we could track them down potentially."

Vivianne nodded.

[Vivianne] "I do know... But I doubt you'll want to track them."

Dinyu raised an eyebrow, before Vivianne looked back towards the window that was now behind her.

[Vivianne] "As far as I am aware, they're headed to the City of Merchants, Yiinao."

Dinyu lightly choked on his tea, spitting some up before swallowing it all.
Afterwards he looked down at his left hand, his gaze a serious and cold one.

[Dinyu] "I see... Well, that means we are unable to get involved and Olhade is on his own."

He stated, crossing his legs.
Vivianne looked at him with her lifeless eyes, sharpening her gaze onto him lightly.

[Vivianne] "Are you still afraid of the one who lives in the city? You know... 'him'?"

Dinyu immediately clenched his hands into fists tightly, however did not reply. Memories of the time he had wished to forget came flashing back, as a gruesome scene was painted, without Dinyu, beaten half to death laid on the grass with a silhouette of what looked like a demon standing over him.

He grabbed his head lightly, before scuffing, the memory flashbacks disappearing.
Vivianne watched him for a bit, before exhaling and walking back towards the rooms exit, opening it using her hair.

[Vivianne] "I'll leave it up to you what we do about Olhade. For now, I'll head back to my laboratory."

She stated, before leaving the room, slamming the door behind her.
Dinyu still seemed a bit shaken up for a little bit, before he exhaled and shook his head lightly. Thinking back on his past wasn't going to help him in anyway.

The Harbinger looked back towards the window inside his office, deep in thought as his eyes narrowed down onto a giant crystal which hung from the caves ceiling.

[Dinyu] 'Olhade... If you survive that journey... I'll kill you.'

He thought, before picking up his cup of tea and taking a sip once more.

   Back with Faofa
       and the Others...

        We had stopped to camp out for the night. Frindel and Odale were already asleep, sleeping soundly inside the carriage, while me and Wezrall were both still hanging around the campfire which crackled lightly under the cover of night.

It wouldn't be very long now until we make it to Yiinao - only around 6 or so more days until we had finally arrived to the city.
While sitting next to the campfire and staring into its fire, a sudden memory of a 'promise' I had made long ago came back to me randomly.

It was the promise I made to the Kitsune that I had fought around... 2? 3? Weeks after my reincarnation into this world.

I don't remember exactly how long after my reincarnation that encounter happened, but it was around the time I decided to finally start exploring further on after spending a few days just chilling in a single place.

Anyways, the memory of that mistake promise I had made to her suddenly came back and slightly made me a bit... Sad.
I had promised to find the man who killed her little sister and kill them for her... But... Unlike Arabors promise, to which I had made progress in completing, this promise I....
I had almost forgotten about it.

Not because I didn't consider it important, but because it was just... So absurd.
I mean, I could never actually find the man if I went around looking for him and if anything, looking for him could alert him and cause him to start avoiding any kind of detection.

Wezrall seemingly noticed my slightly bad mood and tilted his head to the side slightly.

[Wezrall] "Everything alright my Lord?"

I quickly shook my head, before nodding lightly.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking..."

I replied with a reassuring tone, before staring back into the campfires flame.
It was quite... Mesmerising - if I had to say so myself. I don't know exactly what was mesmerising about it, but something about how a flame burns, especially when it is a campfire, simply had this... Magical energy to it.

Hah... Ironic isn't it?
Magical Energy? Get it?....

Okay, I'll remain quiet.

As I stared into the flame, I sighed lightly, sinking my snake head into my coiled up body.

"Sometimes I wish I hadn't made that promise..."

I mumbled to myself lightly, closing my eyes slightly.

[Iyka] "Excuse me- YOU WHAT?!"

A sudden voice shouted in my head, startling me and causing me to open my eyes back open immediately before looking around confused.

....Am I going insane—

[Iyka] "How RUDE! First you say that you wish you had never made a promise to me and now you're saying that I don't exist?!"

....Wait a second...
Ancient One?

I can confirm....
The voice you are hearing is the voice of the Kitsune that you had 'killed'.

.....
OKAY, WHAT THE FU—

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Hey! Apologies for this chapter being delayed.
I had something happen on Sunday, so I was unable to get it out on Sunday, so I was forced to delay it until today (Monday).

I hope you understand and don't hate me for not releasing it sooner ^^.

Anyways, I want to thank you all for still reading my story, a 103 Chapters in. I truly love writing this story and I'm glad to see people love reading it.
I have a lot of fun writing it and I don't intend to stop writing it any time soon.

Anyways—

Next Chapter:
104. -
"A Fox in Cats Clothing."