Chapter 443: Leaf Town

“Task has been logged. Now recording and analyzing language data.”

Deep Blue began collecting, recording, and analyzing the local language, compiling it into a coherent system.

Though languages varied greatly, their underlying principles were similar, making integration easy for Deep Blue.

“Which direction leads out of here?” Helag asked.

Aed, unable to understand Helag’s words, realized he was likely a foreigner, hence the language barrier.

Standing up, Aed sheathed his black sword, signaling he meant no harm.

The black sword was Aed’s awakened ability, which he could dismiss when not needed.

Seeing this, Helag slung his long sword over his back.

After a moment, Helag pointed toward the forest’s edge and gestured in several directions.

Aed thought for a moment, guessing Helag was lost in Silver Frost Forest and asking for directions.

Aed walked a few steps in one direction, then turned and smiled, motioning for Helag to follow.

Helag understood Aed was offering to guide him and followed.

Thinking for a moment, Helag reached out and handed Aed a vial of Wiggenweld Potion.

Aed took the potion from Helag’s large hand, puzzled.

Helag mimed drinking, showing him how to use it.

The boy was severely injured, and without treatment, he wouldn’t last long.

Understanding, Aed didn’t hesitate. He uncorked the potion and drank it.

He didn’t believe Helag would harm him.

Aed was already gravely injured, near death. He simply wanted to guide Helag out before succumbing to his wounds.

Even at full strength, Aed knew he couldn’t match Helag, so poisoning him made no sense.

After drinking the Wiggenweld Potion, Aed immediately felt its miraculous effects.

His injuries began healing rapidly, faster than he’d ever seen. It was the first time he’d encountered such a potent potion.

“This must be a treasure!”

Aed had only heard of such wonders in stories told by wandering bards.

He’d always thought they were just legends, but now he was experiencing it firsthand.

To receive such a treasure so freely filled Aed with gratitude toward Helag.

“Getting this excited over a Wiggenweld Potion…”

Helag gathered from Aed’s reaction that the local medicinal knowledge was likely lacking.

At least, in Aed’s experience, high-quality potions were rare.

With his injuries stabilized, Aed led the way.

Familiar with the area, Aed navigated the forest without hesitation, guiding Helag through twists and turns.

Helag mentally mapped the path, realizing it would have taken him much longer to find his way out alone.

With Aed’s help, they exited Silver Frost Forest in just three hours.

In the distance, a small town sat beyond the forest.

The town was surrounded by wooden walls, with some sections reinforced with stone.

Helag observed the crude construction, thinking the walls would only fend off wild animals, offering little protection against real threats.

For demons, such walls were merely decorative.

As Aed led Helag toward Leaf Town, a bearded man emerged from a nearby bush, eyeing Helag warily.

“Aed, who’s this?” the man asked cautiously.

“Uncle Henk! He’s a foreigner and a powerful exorcist. He saved me in Silver Frost Forest. The new demon in the forest? He killed it. Everyone can hunt safely again. Oh, and Uncle Henk, you should send people to retrieve the demon’s meat.”

“It’s a big tiger, plenty of meat to last a while,” Aed explained.

Henk listened but remained cautious, glancing at Helag.

Helag’s imposing figure—over four meters tall, clad in dark gold armor, with a massive sword on his back—made Henk wary.

But with Aed’s reassurance, Henk couldn’t turn Helag away.

At least for now, Helag hadn’t shown any hostility.

Provoking him might bring trouble to Leaf Town.

More importantly, Henk needed to organize a team to retrieve the demon’s meat, a valuable resource.

Demon meat was edible, providing nourishment and strength.

Though ordinary people couldn’t absorb demonic aura like exorcists, eating demon meat still made them stronger.

Demon meat was precious, usually reserved for the town’s able-bodied men, the backbone of the community and its future.

After discussing the matter with Henk, Aed and Helag returned to Leaf Town, and Henk organized a team to collect the demon’s meat.

Helag’s towering presence drew attention as they walked through the town.

At first, the townspeople were fearful, but seeing Aed with him and Helag showing no signs of aggression, they relaxed.

Some children even dared to approach Helag, gazing up at him in awe.

One bold boy clung to Helag’s leg, climbing up like it was a tree.

Aed was horrified, fearing the consequences of angering such a powerful exorcist.

“Maggie! Get down!” Aed shouted, rushing over to pull the boy off.

Helag chuckled, gently lifting the boy by the collar and setting him down.

“Sorry, sir!” Aed apologized profusely, pulling Maggie along to apologize as well.

Maggie, seeing Aed’s seriousness, realized his mistake, his nose running as he bowed in apology.

Helag waved it off, indicating it was no big deal.

He wasn’t going to get upset over a three-year-old.

Seeing this, the townspeople’s opinion of Helag improved.

Their initial fear subsided, and they no longer worried that Helag might be a threat.

After all, what kind of villain would be so gentle with children?

tln : slow update because rn i have urgent business to attend at least 3-4 days.