Watching the shy girl leave, the three adventurers paced aimlessly in the waiting hall. EeDechi still had the nagging feeling of being secretly watched by humans, though the odd sensation flickered faintly, almost fading away.
According to the announcement, it'd take about half an hour for the teleportation array's energy pool to Slane Theocracy to finish charging. In thirty minutes, they'd leap from E-Rantel, the "harmonious melting pot of all races," to Slane Theocracy, a place that despised non-humans and worshipped human supremacy.
From E-Rantel to Slane Theocracy, there were three cities to choose as their destination. Barrett picked Berdystch, a city leaning toward the southern edge of Slane Theocracy. Starting from Berdystch, they'd cut through a few small towns bordering Elf Country and reach the fringes of the Eight Greed Kings' desert.
Two sharply dressed kobolds approached the three adventurers. Their skin was scaly, with two pale little horns sprouting from their heads, and their bright yellow, round eyes gleamed vividly.
Both kobolds were decked out in black waiter uniforms, with white shirts underneath and emerald-green bow ties. Anywhere else, seeing kobolds—usually pegged as a savage race—strutting around in human clothes would've looked downright bizarre, but this was E-Rantel, where even non-humans had to play the part of polite gentlemen.
Judging by their getup, they were attendants at the central teleportation hub. One had a short sword dangling from his waist, while the other, with green skin, gave a slight bow and said, "Honored guests, since you've opted for our top-tier international teleportation service, please follow us to the VIP lounge. We'll serve up some tea and snacks for you to kick back and relax."
The teleportation array to Slane Theocracy didn't come cheap. Barrett had strong-armed the Golden Apple tavern boss into coughing up the permit, but the 800 gold coins? That was straight out of his own pocket.
The green-skinned kobold stepped forward, his tone smooth as butter. "Allow us to handle your luggage."
He turned to the other kobold, whose lighter skin and younger-looking face made him seem less seasoned, and said, "Otoka, grab the luggage cart."
"Sure… luggage cart?" The younger kobold blinked, caught off guard, then spun around and headed toward the staff area.
"Hey!" the green-skinned kobold barked, stopping him. "The luggage cart's right there in the spatial pouch on your waist. What, you forget already? Two years hauling bags, and you can't even remember this? How the hell do you live up to Supreme Overlord's golden teachings? Don't tell me you're still hungover from last night."
"Sorry, sorry!" The younger kobold fumbled frantically in his waist pouch, pulling out a small handcart.
"My bad, Otoka's always been a bit of a dumbass. He only moved to E-Rantel from the wastelands three years ago. Me, though? I'm an Honorary Citizen of E-Rantel," the green-skinned kobold said to the three adventurers, his tone dripping with pride over that fancy title.
Barrett unslung his hefty backpack and handed it to the green-skinned kobold. EeDechi followed suit, passing over her cloth sack.
The green-skinned kobold gave a slight bow as he took the sack. When he looked up, his eyes locked with EeDechi's, a flash of shock darting through them. His body went rigid for a split second before he snapped back to normal.
EeDechi narrowed her eyes slightly, a suspicion creeping in that this kobold might've clocked who she really was. Barrett picked up on the green-skinned kobold's weird vibe too, his right hand quietly sliding to rest on his sword hilt.
The green-skinned kobold loaded the luggage onto the cart and dipped his head. "Let me guide you all to the VIP lounge."
Everything seemed normal. The younger kobold with the short sword at his waist pushed the cart, while the green-skinned one led the way. They climbed a spiraling ramp to the wide-open second floor. The first-floor hall had been pretty empty, and the second floor was even quieter.
"I'll grab some snacks and fruit. Please wait here for a bit," the green-skinned kobold said before heading off, his steps stiff. The younger kobold trailed behind him like a lost puppy, sticking close.
Barrett sensed something was off. He turned quietly, his eyes tracking the two kobolds. Just twenty minutes left until the teleportation array to Slane Theocracy fired up—screw-ups at a time like this weren't an option.
Back in the day, Barrett would've already whipped out his dagger and slit the kobold's throat. Nipping any potential trouble in the bud was his style. But now? EeDechi would probably call him out for butchering the innocent.
At the corner, the green-skinned kobold suddenly stopped. He slid open a clear cover on the wall, revealing a red fire alarm button and a pitch-black alert button underneath.
Barrett got it in a flash—the green-skinned kobold had figured out who EeDechi was! If he hit that fire alarm now, the teleportation array would shut down, giving the kobold plenty of time to snitch to the Sorcerer Kingdom's higher-ups.
No time to think—Barrett hurled his throwing axe. Too late. The green-skinned kobold's fingers were a hair's breadth from the button.
At the last second, a blinding flash of steel sliced through. The kobold's fingers dropped like chopped candles, severed clean off.
The green-skinned kobold stared at his gushing hand, a terrified scream about to rip from his throat. Then Barrett's axe, riding a cold gust, buried itself in the back of his skull. He hit the ground like a plank.
Who the hell had cut off the kobold's fingers? Barrett yanked out his sword, only to see the younger kobold—the one who'd been trailing like a shadow—standing there quietly. His short sword gleamed with icy light, dripping with fresh, red blood.
EeDechi stepped up beside Barrett, catching the whole bloody show.
"Who are you?" EeDechi demanded, eyes wide, locked on the younger kobold.
The young kobold pulled out a white cloth, wiped the blood off his blade, and sheathed it. He walked toward the three adventurers, step by step. Then he fished out a pink potion and chugged it down.
In moments, his appearance shifted. The scales on his skin faded away, his complexion lightened, his jutting snout and nostrils shrank back, his rough hands turned smooth and soft. His round yellow eyes stretched long, and a wild mop of red hair sprouted from his bald head, looking like a bird's nest.
One second, he'd been a rugged-looking kobold; now, he was a bona fide human teenager. EeDechi studied his face, a nagging feeling tugging at her—like she'd seen him somewhere before.
The redheaded teenager's face lit up, his bright brown eyes sparkling like gems, full of hope and reverence. "Hero, it's me—William Scott!" he said.