Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Troll Named Gramidin
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Richer turned back to Gramidin and posed another question.
"So why did you hide and watch us before showing up so late?"
"I came hoping to get information on my master or other shamans. As you said, I need more knowledge to fully become a shaman."
It was the reaction he'd expected. But since Richer didn't have the information Gramidin wanted, he shook his head.
"Unfortunately, I don't know much about other shamans. I only traveled with Mrazdin for a short while."
"I see... In that case, why did you come looking for me?"
"We got a commission from Helio City. They said some unknown entity had set up in the mountains and was causing harm. We came to investigate."
Gramidin scowled and crossed his arms. The sight of his thick, three-fingered hands folding over each other felt profoundly strange.
"Causing harm? I haven't hurt anyone. I just put up a barrier to keep people away. No one's died, and no one's been injured."
"That's threat enough. It's only natural to feel fear in the face of an unknown phenomenon."
Gramidin looked a bit dissatisfied but didn't argue the point. He must have suspected as much himself. Elder Richer continued.
"You're lucky that someone connected to your master like me showed up this time. But the next ones won't be so friendly."
Gramidin replied with an arrogant tilt of his chin.
"Let them come if they dare. My enlightenment may be lacking, but I'm not some pushover who'll kneel easily. You lot got caught in my shamanic barrier, didn't you?"
Hearing that, Elder Richer burst into loud laughter.
"With your skills? You might hold off a few at first. But soon a high mage from the Volterio Kingdom will come, then high mages from the Empire. If that doesn't work, the Tower Master himself might show up. And it won't just be mages—they'll come better prepared each time."
Gramidin kept his arms crossed stiffly, but he didn't boast that he could fend them all off alone.
In the end, he let his shoulders slump and let out a deep sigh.
"I picked the most remote spot I could find, and this is the mess I get. It's frustrating."
Tae-jin chimed in.
"Why not settle somewhere less remote, like a small research lab, instead of holing up in these mountains?"
He shook his head.
"Can't do that. Shamanism doesn't always produce consistent results—unexpected outcomes happen a lot. Someone could get caught in the crossfire."
Elder Richer asked another question.
"If you want somewhere even more deserted, wouldn't the northern snow mountains or western deserts be better?"
"Too far. I couldn't even get basic shamanic materials there. Even settling in a forest where I could scrounge some, I still ran short, causing all sorts of chaos just for a simple ritual."
Gramidin pulled back his sleeve to reveal his right upper arm. It was shriveled like a mummy's, just as Elder Richer had described—evidence that he'd sacrificed part of his own body as an offering.
Elder Richer looked mildly surprised after hearing the explanation.
"Don't tell me you're experimenting one by one because there's no one to teach you?"
"What choice do I have? My master taught me shamanism and then up and died. I only had about half a year of proper training."
"You hadn't been Mrazdin's disciple for long?"
"Not long at all. Not even two years. But the biggest problem was how long it took to receive the seal. Others say it only takes a season, but I started in spring and didn't finish until winter."
"How does receiving the seal work that it takes so long?"
"Can't explain it in words. You have to experience it yourself to understand."
Elder Richer clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Anyway, you should move. Viscount Helio already requested reinforcements from the capital once. They brushed it off as a false alarm the first time, but he won't be ignored forever."
"I'd move if I had somewhere to go, but there's no spot as remote as this with access to basic materials."
"No. Practicing alone isn't the key. You won't improve much just holing up here. I don't know much about shamanism myself, but I do know you can't master it through self-study alone."
Gramidin furrowed his brow at that. With his threatening, elongated tusks and a scowl, he looked incredibly intimidating.
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"Live as a half-baked amateur shaman, or find another shaman. No matter how much you experiment alone, do you really think you'll achieve mastery before you die?"
Gramidin sighed and tilted his head. He seemed to recognize his own limits.
Tae-jin wondered what it would be like if he'd had to self-study magic without Elder Richer. Achievement aside, would he have even kept up consistent practice?
"I'd love to meet other shamans and learn from them too. But didn't you say you don't know any?"
"We don't. But instead of waiting for rumors to reach this backwater, it'd be better to travel around and hunt for clues. Shamans may live quietly, but they don't leave zero traces."
Gramidin sank into thought, and Tae-jin spoke up in place of Elder Richer.
"I'm heading to the Empire's capital right now to gather information. If you want info on other shamans, why not come with us?"
Tae-jin made the suggestion, but Elder Richer looked more shocked than Gramidin.
Tae-jin gave Elder Richer a quick glance and pressed on. The elder seemed willing to trust his disciple for once and didn't interrupt.
"The Empire's capital?"
"Yeah. I hear it's where the most information on this continent gathers. We're after the same goal—gathering info—so traveling together makes sense, right?"
Gramidin paused, deep in consideration. He seemed to find it a worthwhile proposal.
"I'll need some time to think. Can you give me a couple days?"
"Two days. We'll wait that long. Any longer won't work."
"Got it. I'll send word by tomorrow night."
"Send word? How?"
"Don't worry about that. Just wait."
"Alright."
Tae-jin turned on his heel with confident strides, and Elder Richer and Pavilion followed behind.
Needless to say, Elder Richer was flustered. Tae-jin had suddenly jumped into the conversation and all but decided to travel with Gramidin.
"Tae-jin. Wasn't that too rash? We don't even know his temperament well, and you're inviting him along just like that?"
"It was going to end up this way anyway. That troll can't stay in these mountains forever, and he has nowhere else to go. Plus, from what you've said, he needs to find other shamans eventually."
"True. But we have no reason to take him with us. We know next to nothing about him to just add him to the group."
"From talking to him, his speech is stiff, but he communicates fine, and he doesn't seem like the type to do anything crazy. Just look at how he put up the barrier to block access without hurting anyone."
"That just means low risk."
"Isn't experience the most important thing for a mage? We could learn about shamanism on the road. Like how you traveled with that troll Mrazdin."
"Fair point, but..."
"You said you don't know how to open Gates either. If even a mage of your caliber doesn't know, maybe shamanism holds a clue. I want to boost our chances, even a little."
Elder Richer seemed convinced by Tae-jin's logic. Tae-jin elaborated further to persuade him fully.
"You once said you know three paths to the truth."
"Yes. Magic, shamanism, and divine power. Most mysteries fall into one of those."
"I'm a mage, so magic is my path. But that doesn't mean we should ignore the others. Trust me on this one."
Elder Richer looked a bit uneasy but ultimately accepted it.
Pavilion, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind. Unlike Elder Richer, he knew they could part ways anytime if it didn't work out.
The three descended the mountain path and reported the situation to Viscount Helio.
He immediately sent soldiers up to check if the strange barrier was gone and practically jumped for joy.
"Thank you. You've lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I'd love to reward you properly, but this remote place doesn't have much to offer."
"No need. We didn't help for pay. It's only right to aid those in trouble, but since you insist on a token of thanks, we'll gratefully use it for travel expenses..."
Elder Richer said as he smoothly accepted a pouch with a natural gesture. Inside were three gold coins along with a fair amount of silver.
Tae-jin peeked into the pouch. It was his first time seeing gold coins. They were smaller and plainer than he'd imagined but far more finely crafted than the silver ones.
Elder Richer handed one gold coin to Pavilion, but he waved it off.
"I didn't do much."
"Nonsense. Wasn't it thanks to you that we escaped the most dangerous barrier?"
The elder insisted, and Pavilion reluctantly took the coin, looking a tad awkward.
"I never got pay like this even back in my mercenary days..."
"First commission in ages, and it's a big one. Congrats."
Pavilion pocketed the gold with a grin.