Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Dorothy's Cabin
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Now, I'm not just any crow.
I'm a crow with a myth!
"Caw caw caw."
My wings felt a bit puffed up, but nothing really changed in any tangible way.
No new skills, no new feathers.
The status window just said a myth had been added, so I figured, "Okay, cool?"
Maybe humans will build something in my honor later, but that's far in the future.
Still, it felt good to accomplish something.
We left our mark on Skarnas, after all.
And clearing the quest shot my level way up.
That's a solid ten levels up.
Considering levels get harder to gain the higher you go, this is pretty satisfying.
Compared to past rewards, it feels a bit light, but for sacrificing a few feathers, I got off easy.
Just nine more levels, and I can evolve to a higher species.
The two new traits don't seem combat-useful, and they're these weird ones where I only know the names, but they tie into a new quest.
That's satisfying enough.
The more quests, the better.
Sub quests don't need forcing; I can knock them out when the timing fits, like this one.
Let's check the new sub quest.
[Duality]
Your infamy and fame have spread far and wide.
Some fear you, while others praise you.
They will sense your divinity amid the ominous aura, and your ominousness amid the divinity.
Your duality will enrich the tale more than any predictable story.
Quest Clear Condition: Increase Influence
Sounds a bit vague and lofty.
Feels like an extension of the last quest.
The difference? Last one was boosting influence in Skarnas; this has no regional limits.
Keep doing what I've been doing, and it'll clear naturally.
Thinking about my track record, just startling humans when they show up and planting some feathers on baldies should do it.
Losing feathers hurts, but unlike those baldies, mine grow back.
Fluff's already sprouting where they fell.
I'm reverting to that chick-like look.
Still, with my grown beak and talons, plus the overall size, I don't look harmless—just threateningly chick-ish.
I have this baseless confidence that once the fluff fills out, it'll turn to feathers and restore me fully.
No more naked chicken vibes.
"Whoosh…."
Whoosh seemed to pity my featherless state and draped cloth over my head.
Sweet, but these are regrowing feathers!
Don't look at me like that.
"Excellent. Not only did you repel the Emerald Knight, you coated him in silver."
Kiwi, perched on my shoulder, spoke in his deep, resonant tone.
"Hmm. And since you handled my task, I owe you thanks as well."
Muna's task?
"Well, we had a brief connection once. She didn't recognize me, though."
How could anyone miss a talking kiwi?
Even in a flock of a hundred, I'd spot Muna instantly.
That plump butt, the clothes and hat.
"Kweek kweek."
Why the sudden chirpy noise?
Stick to the deep voice, man.
Anyway, everything wrapped up nicely.
We've done all we can in Skarnas.
Freed the ghost bride's grudge, eliminated the Eternal Night host.
Bertolt was my enemy, but as a knight, he'll do the righteous thing.
Investigate properly, take fitting measures.
The victims here can rest in peace.
...Though most got forcibly sent off by my silver coins.
No reason to linger in Skarnas anymore.
If my goal was lounging in my nest, I'd stay put, but that's not it.
I know Eternal Night has multiple hosts, and where to go next.
The Tin Lord, mentioned by the Scarecrow before dying.
Head there.
But first, one stop.
"Caw."
The space where I first opened my eyes.
Dorothy's cabin.
Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion.
Names from The Wizard of Oz.
Dorothy's the protagonist, and the witch who tossed me here is Dorothy too.
She's long gone, but traces might remain.
After leaving Skarnas, we followed the forest path.
"Ho, this is it? Not as far as I thought."
Kiwi said, craning his neck up.
Come to think of it, Muna lived in a kiwi tree nearby?
Sage and witch in the same spot? No coincidence.
"Fortunate the wind carried my seed here to sprout. Facing that witch directly would've been ugly."
Muna visited for research.
Dorothy tied to Eternal Night.
Makes me suspect she's behind it all.
Maybe she stayed briefly to check the Scarecrow, an Eternal Night host.
Picked up my egg in the process.
Then bailed when Eternal Night loomed.
Just speculation; no way to know for sure.
It's my theory.
Reach the cabin, find the next clue, then progress.
"Caw."
"Mm."
"Whoosh."
We all looked up at the tree together.
Normally, I'd burn it and hop up easy, but my flight's crap now.
Too few feathers; unavoidable.
"Caw."
"Mm."
We both eyed Whoosh.
"Sh, whoosh?"
Whoosh hesitated, cloth fluttering slowly.
Sorry, but you're our only flier right now.
Muna can't fly by nature, and I'm grounded too.
"Caw caw."
"Shoooong…."
Maybe Whoosh can carry us like a magic carpet.
Staring hopefully, Whoosh darted into me quick.
Thought it was embarrassment, but no.
Black cloth fluttered between my wing stubs.
"Whoosh."
Replacing my lost feathers.
This'll let me fly fine.
Not long-term, but tree-top's no sweat.
Fwoosh!
Made it up with Whoosh and Muna.
Door open, no human traces.
She left right after tossing me, probably.
"Caw."
I stared at Muna.
Felt like sage permission needed to enter.
"No issue up to the entrance. I vouch for it."
"Caw caw."
Cool, let's stroll in.
Tip-tap-tip, over the threshold.
"Stop. No further."
"Cheep."
I obeyed meekly.
Whatever it is, following the sage can't hurt.
"Impressive. Quite the magical traps set here."
"Caw!"
Why mention now?!
"No worries. A witch's traps are useless before a sage."
Muna met my gaze with those soulful eyes.
Looks unreliable, but his traits are rock-solid.
Scanning with tiny eyes, Muna murmured softly.
"Hm, that's it, then."
What? What?
Disarmed already?
"See this device?"
Kiwi's beak pointed to three colored buttons.
Gold, red, black.
Press those to disarm?
"Red holds fire energy, black the energy of night. Pressing them would envelop the cabin."
Straightforward as it looks.
"Mm, my beak can't reach. Care to help?"
"Caw caw."
Just press this one?
"Gold contains golden energy. Press it, and mana-infused gold energy covers the cabin."
"Caw caw."
Sweet, always wanted to hit a button like this.
*Press.*
"So just leave this one alone."
Cool, too late.
"Caw?"
Wait.
Did I mishear?
Don't press gold?
"Ah, already pressed it."
…
Why be so vague?!
What're fire and night then?!
"Fire and night would suppress the traps' power, naturally. But golden energy supplies mana to activate them—basic knowledge."
"Caw, caw!"
I flapped my wings.
Say that upfront!
My fault for getting used to Muna's speech quirks.
...But you screwed up too!
"You must listen to a kiwi to the end…"
Still, seems no biggie.
Look at his chill vibe.
*Clunk.*
Door shut, but he's unfazed, gazing soulfully as ever.
"No issue for me."
See? Just messing around.
…
Wait, Kiwi revives on death, right?
He's at full levels now.
"…Whoosh."
Quick-on-the-uptake Whoosh hid inside me.
Kiwi revives, Whoosh trap-immune.
Me?
"Another trial, perhaps."
Pain that can't kill me only makes me stronger.
*Ziiing.*
But this is too much, right?
Magic circles spawning everywhere before a featherless crow?
"No need for excessive worry. Endure this trial, gain something precious. That's the golden trial you chose."
Right.
I triggered the traps with that button, but it'll reveal hidden treasure or whatever.
Sounds good, actually.
If the sage calls it precious, it's gotta be rare.
*Roarrrrr!*
But how to endure this?
Fireballs flickering right in my face?!
…
"Caaaaw!"
Screw it.
No feathers to burn anyway—I'll manage!