novelraw Chapter 334: Visitors from Naris
Chapter 334: Visitors from Naris
"So, Owl-kin actually cannot fly?"
"Mhm, our wings don't have that function now... but the people in the tribe still really like decorating their wings, especially the males. Their wings are larger than ours, the females. When dating and marrying, we also choose partners based on whether their wings look good or not..."
"So they are used for courtship now?"
Fisher looked up at the somewhat miniature pair of wings behind Freya, suddenly discovering the difference between Owl-kin and winged demi-human species like the Cangniao-zhong. Actually, the ancestors of the Owl-kin should have been capable of short-distance gliding. According to Freya, the Owl-kin were originally a tribe living on the northernmost coastline of the Northlands, making a living by hunting marine fish for generations. The war in which the Phoenix-kin defended the Northlands didn't affect them. It wasn't until the Phoenixes disappeared that they slowly came into contact with the six clans and humans.
"'Courtship' sounds a bit too strange, doesn't it? Like you're talking about animals... Don't you really like demi-human species?"
Fisher shot a speechless glance at Valentiina beside him and explained to her,
"To some extent, all living creatures you can see are animals: humans, Owl-kin, the six clans, and even Phoenixes are all included. No matter how high their rank is, they will still have corresponding biological characteristics and laws. Perhaps some special creatures don't need to reproduce, but most life forms do, and therefore require specific methods of choosing a mate... Strength, intelligence, attractive appearance, and whether their reproduction ability is strong enough are all crucial factors. This is especially important for understanding an unfamiliar demi-human species."
Valentiina opened her mouth, then looked up and down at Fisher who was recording data. Through his white shirt, the contours of his muscles were faintly visible. This made Valentiina start to suspect if this guy was hinting at something to her, causing her fair cheeks to somehow heat up slightly again, but in the end, she didn't say anything.
"Alright, the record for the Owl-kin is pretty much done. Thank you for your cooperation, Officer Freya. You really were a great help..."
"Not at all, I didn't really do anything, I don't deserve such praise."Fisher made the last stroke on the sketch of Freya's appearance in his notebook, then pondered for a moment before writing 'less than or equal to Rank 5' next to 'Life Rank.' This meant that the general rank of the Owl-kin was in the 'Humanoid Rank'.
He had originally wanted to ask Valentiina for help, but this Eldest Miss had no experience in this kind of demi-human research. When working, she would look left and right and often asked questions completely unrelated to the research. This made Fisher finally lose his patience and decide to do the research himself.
"Then next, Kexiening, are you ready?"
He turned his head to look at the Slime mother and daughters huddled into a ball behind him. After he said this, her two daughters beside her immediately pushed Kexiening out, and then vigorously shrank further into the corner of the room. This scene left Fisher not knowing whether to laugh or cry, while Valentiina curled her lips and mocked,
"No wonder the Moon Princess's least favorite among the six clans is the Slime-kin. This kind of snobbish, unfeeling fellow is indeed very hard for me to accept as well..."
"Their family is relatively unique among Slimes; otherwise, they wouldn't have stayed in the Northlands until now instead of returning to the Borderland... If you ever have the fortune to meet other Slimes, you'll know that this species is actually a very interesting one."
"I'm very curious as to what you saw in the Slime Borderland that makes you evaluate them this way?"
"I'm also very curious as to what exactly you saw in the True Ice that made you lose your composure like that last night?"
"..."
Valentiina, sitting in her wheelchair, puffed out her cheeks slightly, and her hair stuck up a bit as if bristling. If it weren't for her disabled legs, she would probably be coming over to beat Fisher up right now. But even so, the resentment generated by Fisher's detestable personality almost materialized, prompting Fisher to silently sit a bit further away from her, afraid that she would suddenly stand up in a fit of anger and hit him.
Fisher didn't plan to tell Valentiina about the Slimes infiltrating all over the world, as it would be helpful for future matters. He just asked Kexiening to sit in front of him, right where Freya had just sat, then started a new page and wrote the new vocabulary word 'Slime-kin' on it.
When he was researching Freya just now, the Demi-Human Girl Completion Handbook in his embrace had already heated up slightly; presumably, he had achieved the first stage of biological research. Fisher wasn't pushy about the social research progress, since researching the Owl-kin was completely for completing the Cotton Candy sequence.
"After the research is done, you can leave here and return to the Borderland. Don't worry, it won't take long."
Hearing this, Kexiening nodded and spread her soft, limp body out on the sofa. After all, having just watched how Freya was researched, she wouldn't panic inside now.
"Wait a minute, your name is... Fisher, right? I've been a little confused before. Ever since the first time we met, you seemed to be looking at me with a very strange look. Have you seen me or heard of me somewhere before?"
"You noticed. I suppose it's expected of a Slime... I went to the Southern Continent before and met a demi-human slave trader named 'Colin' there. We had some history, so of course I also heard your name. It was only later that I heard this Colin was your son, and that he had stolen your circus. Interestingly enough, after he left you, the circus was still called the Kexiening Circus, and the Boundary Flute he used kept playing your name."
"So it's like that... That brat..."
The green Slime in front of him opened her mouth upon hearing Fisher's words. The third tentacle on her head also drooped down, making her look somewhat weak and feeble. It wasn't until Fisher reached out and began touching the soft, warm gelatinous tentacles on her body that she looked at the ceiling somewhat mockingly and said,
"I've been the dullest Slime in the clan since I was a child. Unlike my kin who could easily earn money, I never did a single proper thing. Moreover, my biggest flaws were that I was an opportunist and a miser. Ever since the father of these three children passed away, I became increasingly unconcerned about them... To my own children, I was also petty and calculating, wishing I could squeeze endless Value out of their bodies. So until one day, Colin stole all my Value overnight and fled the Northlands while I was fast asleep."
"But he didn't dare to return to the Borderland either. If it weren't for this trip back, I wouldn't have even known he had started the dirty business of trading demi-humans, and was even captured by some Dragon Queen. Not only is the circus gone, but he probably won't keep his little life either..."
Fisher roughly felt the gelatinous skin on her exterior, only then realizing that beneath that green, resilient gelatinous skin lay the true jelly-like texture of bodily fluids, which was also quite chilling. It felt quite magical to Fisher. But he was also listening to Kexiening's words, though his face didn't show any specific expression, he just asked her,
"Are you lamenting because your son is going to die, or because your circus is completely gone?"
"To tell you the truth? A bit of both... By the way, since you are doing research, you probably don't know how Slimes reproduce. Before a little Slime is born, there are no special signs. It's roughly just that one day you wake up from sleeping, and suddenly find a puddle of wriggling stuff beside you, like a piece of flesh suddenly fell off your body."
Kexiening and Fisher's conversation felt like a casual chat. As she spoke, she also moved her body according to Fisher's instructions, but this made Valentiina, who had been listening from the side, furrow her brows slightly.
"My dead husband was very happy, but I didn't feel much. Because just catching a night's sleep, I suddenly had three more mouths to nurse and feed. I had to buy clothes, buy fake skin, and handfuls of money flowed away like water. At night, they would howl loudly, making it impossible for me to sleep. They were like three lifethreatening burdens, so annoying."
"What I originally thought was to raise them until they could make it on their own without owing them anything, and then quickly let them leave so I could have some peace. Once they became adults, whatever they did outside had nothing to do with me. If something happened, they shouldn't come looking for me; I have nothing to do with them... If it weren't for that guy stealing my things, these two would have been sent to the Borderland by me, and we'd be strangers."
Valentiina's face turned slightly cold as she listened. She turned to look at the two Slimes huddled into a ball on the bed, rubbed her temples, and said coldly,
"You really are something else to be a parent to that extent. No wonder those two weren't polite to you back then; anyone who didn't know better would think the three of you were enemies."
But after listening to Kexiening's words, Fisher suddenly stopped his research actions and looked up at her.
"Mhm, but it sounds like you aren't completely without affection for your children. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be dragging your daughters around wandering everywhere without much money on you. It seems they haven't starved to death yet, right? A Slime's calculating nature constantly reminded you that these three little lives were destined to be a money-losing venture from birth, but blood ties and sentiment invisibly deepened the connection between you and your offspring..."
After saying this, he looked down and sketched a few more strokes for the Slime's portrait in his notebook, depicting the shape of the Slime's gelatinous skin lifelike. Valentiina looked down at Fisher's delicate and exquisite brushstrokes, wondering why a scholar could draw so well. Or did all magicians who engraved magic possess this ability?
"Kexiening, after hearing what you just said, I roughly know what you're thinking. Let me remind you: don't travel to the Southern Continent in an attempt to save your son. Even if it's just due to a sudden impulse or a sudden realization on your part, I remind you that the other party still remembering you as his nominal mother isn't for this..."
Kexiening opened her mouth slightly, quite surprised by the delicate nature of this scholar's thoughts, not understanding when this tiny thought buried deep in her heart had leaked out. But Fisher simply continued,
"Regardless of the past, your son has committed an irreparable major mistake. Many demi-human species in the Southern Continent who lost their homes to war lost even their final freedom and dignity because of your son. They were squeezed dry of every last bit of value on their bodies, leaving behind pain a hundred times deeper than the regret you feel now. That Dragon Queen will not spare an evildoer who poisoned their compatriots. Going there wouldn't change the outcome..."
"Furthermore, this outcome is the inevitable fate of Colin's failed investment. Your lack of involvement makes it no different than bearing responsibility for a company's bankruptcy, although this responsibility has already transcended the laws stipulated by Naris. But, Kexiening, if you go, the nature of it changes. For a pure merchant like Colin, there's no need to add another slice of unnecessary suffering. Your clansmen know this deeply. If there had been a possibility to save him, they would have brought it up when negotiating the price last night."
"Whether you are doing it to make up for past regrets or wanting to see the final outcome of your bloodline, this is not the optimal solution... After all, right in front of you, there are two readily available possibilities to make amends. In the end, they might become someone like Colin, or they might become two normal Slime-kin. This somewhat depends on you."
"Bloodline creates an innate connection between parents and children, but this connection doesn't mean it's unbreakable and uniquely exclusive. I am an orphan, but because of the selfless love and attention of others, I don't feel that lacking parents is a sad thing... And it is exactly because of this that I am more grateful than anyone else to the relatives who share no blood relation with me."
Fisher's pen tip paused slightly. He seemed to hear a certain nun's reprimand again, which gave him quite the impulse to go copy the 'Scripture of Creation' right now... Never mind, that sounded a bit too foolish.
Kexiening turned her head to look to the side, only to see her two daughters still huddled in the corner of the bed. Whatever it was due to Fisher's words, they also looked at Kexiening at the same time. But after just one glance, noticing the other party was also looking at them, they hurriedly lowered their heads again. After a long silence, Kexiening finally exhaled and slowly said to Fisher,
"I understand. I won't go to the Southern Continent. After matters here are settled, I will take Keria and the others back to the Borderland, even if it's just to serve Zu Zu... Thank you, Mr. Fisher."
"No need to thank me; it was just a tiny hint. Ultimately, the right to decide still lies with you... Alright, the matters on the record are pretty much done. I just have a small question about the past history of Slimes. Valentiina... Valentiina?"
Fisher turned his head, only to see Valentiina staring at him blankly. A little bit of light faintly flickered in her pale silver eyes. It was unclear if she had had an episode again and seen a prophecy of the future.
"Eh? Me... Cough, cough. I'm fine."
Seeing Fisher about to lean closer to observe her, the dazed Valentiina hurriedly snapped back to reality and waved her hand. She wasn't seeing the future due to some Phoenix bloodline again. Of course, she would also absolutely never admit it was because those words from the other party had touched her heart and made her body temperature rise.
"As long as you're fine."
Just as Fisher sat back in his chair somewhat confusedly, a sudden knock came on the room door. Valentiina and Fisher both turned to look simultaneously, only to see the large door pushed open, revealing Heidelin outside with an extremely serious expression.
"Heidelin? I... I came over to watch Mr. Fisher research demi-humans. There are other people in the room, nothing happened."
Seeing it was Heidelin, Valentiina subconsciously waved her hands and began explaining, deeply afraid that the terrifying Heidelin would report this to the family, or privately nag her like reciting scriptures to stay away from Fisher.
But this time, Heidelin had no such thoughts.
With a somewhat serious expression on her face, she first gave Fisher inside the room a deeply meaningful glance. After a brief pause, she turned her head to look at Valentiina and said in a deep voice,
"Eldest Miss, a group of people came downstairs strictly asking to visit you... Those people are from Naris, and they said they want us to hand over a fugitive wanted by Naris, Fisher Benavides."
When this was said, Valentiina immediately turned to look at Fisher beside her, her expression also instantly becoming serious. Although they had previously predicted that Naris would very likely come looking for him—after all, Fisher was a Naris wanted criminal worth so much money, which should mean he was a very important existence to the Naris Queen as well—the time they had predicted was much later than now.
No matter how heavily he was wanted, Fisher had drifted north from the Southern Ocean for months, passing through the ocean, the Patroshen Islands, and then arriving at the Sardin Woman's Country, before finally heading north from the Sardin Woman's Country to Nivaren and Mya. She had just arrived in Mya, and they had already caught up. It was hard to say they hadn't been constantly keeping an eye on his overseas movements...
The more the Queen cared, the greater the resistance the Turan family would face. Even though the Turan family's scale was indeed massive and they weren't the least bit afraid of Naris within the Northlands, this applied to the entire Turan main family. What if the family members felt there was absolutely no need to shelter Fisher, or Naris bypassed her and reached some agreement with the main family? That would be troublesome...
No matter what, facing Naris, Valentiina had to rouse her spirit to one hundred percent.
Her expression quickly calmed down. Even before Fisher could open his mouth, she had already given the order,
"Thus, Heidelin and I will go down to meet these guests who have traveled from afar from Naris. But I will not hand over Fisher; this is the agreement reached when he gave me the Cangniao-zhong sigil... Heidelin, don't tell the family about this matter yet; I will personally speak with them tonight. As for Fisher, continue your research here for now. It's best if you don't show your face; just leave it to me to handle."
Valentiina pushed her wheelchair toward the outside of the room. Heidelin straightened the hair accessory on her head and answered, "Yes," before following the Eldest Miss out of the room. This left Fisher alone in the room with shifting eyes. He walked over to the window, looked at the city filled with wind and snow downstairs, and began to ponder.