Next day, early morning. Alex and Kalina prepared to leave the village.
At first, He thought that a giant bird of prey might be his mode of transport. But he soon came to the startling realisation that it was a duck, a wild duck. He was flying across the continent on tier 2 wild duck.
'Duck Airways, Air Duck, Duck Airlines…Kinda cool, I suppose.'
It would take them 20 hours to reach their destination. And the distance covered during the journey will be thousands of kilometres.
So, after careful deliberation, they decided to rest during the night. Even though the magical beast was strong, it would still get tired.
3000 kilometres away, in a dense forest, Alex made the camp. Other than Kalina, the tamer of the magic beast was the only one present. So, lighting a campfire near their tents, Alex took out a few dishes he cooked from the inventory.
Due to the features of the inventory, he didn't even have to heat it before serving. The cooked food looked exactly the same. As if it was just made. It didn't change one bit after being stored inside the inventory.
"Arav, what does your duck eat? Fish perhaps? I don't have any fish, but I have some meat with me." After placing the food on a table he took out from the farm warehouse, Alex asked Arav. Looking at the bird, Alex assumed it to be the kind that eats fish.
Arav was the tamer of the giant flying magical beast. He worked for the merchant group Taka was part of. He was a young man not much older than Alex. So, Alex was curious to know how he subdued a giant flying magical beast.
After flying for hours on the magical beast, Alex wanted to know if he can also tame magical beasts.
"Ahh…Sir Meru. He is a wild duck, and he hates it when people compare him to just a duck. Just call him 'little bead' when you approach him. And he is well-fed. We don't need to feed him until we reach the city." Arav replied.
"Sorry about that, My bad. Will little bead eat meat? If so, Can I share some with it?"
"If you really want to, you can give him anything Sir. He will eat it without complaint." Arav said after a moment of deliberation.
"Okay." After saying that, Alex took out one of the thighs of the giant buffalo he procured. It was a piece of meat weighing one to two hundred kilograms. Then he walked towards the magical beast.
In the past, whenever he encountered a magical beast, it tried to kill or eat him. So, Alex was a little wary of it in the beginning. But after getting to know it a little bit. Alex now understands that magical beasts which are tamed behave differently from the wild ones.
During their journey, the beast did not once behave in a hostile manner towards him or the tamer. It was docile and peaceful. He could also see a glint of intelligence in the beast's eyes.
Occasionally, he felt like the beast understood what the people were saying. So, he was not afraid to approach the magical beast.
"Little bead, here take it." Alex raised the meat towards the magical beast.
It curiously looked at Alex before blinking its beady eyes and bringing its beak down to grab the meat.
"Gulp…" It swallowed the piece in a gulp.
'A piece of meat weighing more than a person swallowed in a gulp. Great!' Alex could see the piece of meat travelling down the throat of Little bead.
Eating that, Little bead gave a satisfied look. He rubbed his head against Alex asking him for a pat. And Alex fulfilled it happily. He patted the head as wide as him and ruffled the fluffy feathers on the top.
"Little bead seems to like you, Sir Meru. He usually doesn't let anyone touch his head." Arav said to Alex.
"Is that so"
'I also like Little bead soup.' Alex thought.
"How old is he?"
"Little bead is just two years old. That's why it's so playful. When he reaches his prime, he will become a tier 3 beast Emerald duck. A beast that is known for its beautiful emerald-like feathers near its head and neck."
"Tier 3! It will become that strong. How did you tame him?"
"Ah… That. He was a hatchling that I looked after. After that, he became my companion."
"Seems like the best time to tame a magical beast is during its infancy." Alex probed to know more about taming.
"Yes, to build long-lasting trust between the tamer and the magical beast, it is better to tame them while they are young. Would you like to be a tamer, Sir Meru."
"No, I was just asking because I was curious." After saying that, Alex moved away from Little bead and walked towards the dinner table. The poor Little bead who didn't know what Alex was thinking was dejected to see him leave.
Thankfully, Little bead soup was not made.
"Our food is ready, let's eat it while it's warm," Kalina said while motioning for Alex and Arav to sit down.
'I made it. I know it's ready. Who are you to invite me to eat?' That is what Alex wanted to say. But he was used to it now. He didn't bother saying anything.
—----------
Next day.
"Flying on a tamed magic beast coast a lot, right? How can you afford it? Did the poor stone heads get rich quickly?"
'It took you a lot of time to ask me that. What was your brain doing yesterday?' Alex thought that while answering amicably.
"No, this is free. Sir Taka is paying for it. Ah… the warm beautiful landscape of the south. It's mesmerising, isn't it? I should have come earlier. Kalina, did you travel to the south before?" Alex said while looking at the lush green forest below them.
Unlike the cold and dry northern region, the southern region was warm and beautiful. It was a great change of environment for Alex who lived in warm climates in his past life. It felt better than living in the extreme colds of the north.
"Yes, Of Course. How else would I know in detail about this land? Why else would I come here to investigate?" Kalina raised her nose up while answering.
"Yes, that makes sense. You are not stupid enough to come here without doing due diligence. So, Can you give me some information about the south. For example, tribes, population, places to visit, people to not offend, etc."
"Hm, I can if you say why we are travelling to the south," Kalina asked.
"To do business."
"What?"
"To do business and make money. That is my goal. While at it, I will try to help you. But what risk I take on is up to me. So, don't be too happy yet. I will help you find information, but fighting bad guys will not be included in the service."
"What if I paid you?" Suddenly out of nowhere, Kalina proposed. She was beginning to understand how the brain of Alex worked.
"Now you are speaking my language. How much are you going to pay?" Alex asked with a smile.
"As much as I can. Then it's a deal. However, the right to accept your commission will be up to me."
"Okay, then let me tell you about the city. Thira is a city governed by the thousand-headed serpent tribe. It is a port city on the southwest side of the central continent."
"Does that mean that it is a trade hub?"
"Yes, not only that. It is the link between the western and central continents. Most western traders come to this port to trade. Thus it birthed a thriving market. People from all over the world come here. So, the population is much more than in the icy north."
"Even though I hate to say it, I applaud your selection of places to do business. Thira is the best city you can trade in."
"Ha ha… From your explanation, I think it's better than I initially thought."
"Isn't this your first time away from home? Stick close to me and follow this big sister. Or else you would offend the people here. Although it is the best place to trade in, some of the tribes here are extremely dangerous. A mistake could cost you your life."
"Okay, if you are willing to take care of me. I have no reason to reject your offer."
While they talked, Little bead quickly flew to Thira, the city of waves.
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