Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The taste of the gigantic Ruro Fruit was sweeter and more fragrant compared to ordinary Ruro Fruits. The juices were plentiful and the texture was crisp and refreshing.
While George was gorged on the fruits, Celia sat down to meditate.
She’s been casting one spell after another on their way here. Even though they were mostly simple, low-level spells that consumed very little magic, they really added up.
At this point, Celia had less than 10% of her magic left. If she did not recover soon, she would become a burden to George.
Thus, even if she didn’t see the Ruro Fruits, Celia would still have suggested that they stop and rest up.
The lively atmosphere died down yet again and the forest returned to its usual tranquil state.
Only the occasional chewing sound from George could be heard.
The gigantic Ruro Fruit was large enough to feed a family of three for a whole day, but it was devoured by George in an instant.
George’s stomach was like a black hole. No matter how much food he ate, he could immediately digest and absorb it.
He might eat fast, but he digested even faster.
With a forest full of fruits, he no longer needed to hold himself back and could eat as much as he wanted.
When Celia opened her eyes again, she couldn’t tell how much time had passed.
The concept of time seemed to not exist in this forest. It felt as if even her perception of time was dulled.
This feeling made Celia uncomfortable. She took out her magic timer and checked the time.
“Three days have passed! How did I meditate for so long?”
Surprised by how long she had meditated, Celia quickly stood up and shook off the leaves covering her body.
She looked around and realized that George was nowhere to be seen.
All she saw were large patches of bare trees.
“George!”
She called out. Instead of staying where she was, Celia set off in search of her partner.
The path was covered in fallen Ruro tree branches and leaves. As a result, every step she took was accompanied by crisp crunching sounds.
All these fallen branches and leaves were casualties of George’s Ruro Fruit harvest.
“Looks like he ate quite a lot. I wonder if he’s full this time?”
As Celia swept her gaze over the now-barren fruit trees, she couldn’t help but wonder if George was finally satiated after having so much to eat.
Having lived together for so many years, no one knew better than Celia the pain George had suffered over the years.
The feeling of never being full and always being tortured by hunger was not something an ordinary person could endure.
“George!”
Following her shout, Celia heard movement from a nearby pile of leaves.
She turned to look and noticed something odd. Celia moved her fingers through the air and immediately a breeze formed and swept all the leaves away.
What emerged was George, asleep and content.
Celia walked closer and couldn’t help but stare at George’s unguarded expression as he slept.
It had been a long time since she last saw George like this. The last time she saw this side of him was back at the orphanage.
Back then, George’s appetite wasn’t this big. In fact, he was no different from the average person.
Then one day, his appetite suddenly grew exponentially. George grew hungry very quickly, and enduring the torment of hunger became a daily affair for him.
Because of this, even when he fell asleep at night, before long, he would be woken by his hunger. Then, he would have to go to the kitchen to find something to eat.
Seeing George sleep soundly for the first time in so many years, Celia held her breath so as to not disturb his sleep. Instead, she moved to lay down beside George.
Meanwhile, George’s body was undergoing a tremendous change. Even he did not expect himself to undergo a third evolution just from eating all the Ruro Fruits in the vicinity.
George fell asleep peacefully with an unprecedented sense of satedness.
During the process of evolution, George’s body would exude an inexplicable pressure.
Other than Celia, every creature that approached George would experience this anxiety-inducing pressure.
Thanks to this pressure, all the snakes, insects, beasts, and even monsters in the forest subconsciously avoided the area they were in.
Meanwhile, Albert and party stood outside the waterfall, exchanging uneasy glances amongst themselves.
“It’s been three days and there’s still no movement inside.”
Barron frowned at the motionless waterfall, sounding worried.
Behind him, the Chiropteragon that had disappeared previously reappeared. Its aura was much weaker than when it first appeared.
Petting his partner, Barron looked at Albert, who was resting with his eyes closed, and voiced his assumption.
“Do you think they’ve already left?”
“It’s not entirely impossible. Boneyard Range isn’t far from here. If there’s an entrance there, maybe we’ve been waiting here for nothing?”
A short distance away stood Gared. He was also stroking his partner, Peg. A large, handsome white eagle.
Despite their words, Albert didn’t look worried at all.
He had already obtained rather detailed information regarding these questions from Prophet Harley.
There was only one way in and out of the cave. All they had to do was wait patiently at the exit.
Over the last three days, they had rigged the entire area around the waterfall with all kinds of traps. Albert was confident that could put those two into an eternal slumber the moment the two of them exited the cave.
However, he didn’t tell this to his two companions.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Albert asked Gared,
“Gared, how’s Peg recovery coming along?”
“Her injuries have stabilized and there’s no longer any threat to her life.”
Stroking Peg’s feathers, Gared’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he looked at his partner.
In response to Gared’s feelings, Peg returned his gaze with an equally gentle one.
“If it’s just basic investigation, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Albert nodded and said to Gared,
“Alright then. Get Peg to patrol the area above Boneyard Range, but no putting herself at risk under any circumstances.
“If anything happens, report back immediately.”
Then, Albert turned to look at Barron and said,
“Barron, I’ll get ready and go in to check on the situation in a bit. I’m leaving you in charge during my absence.”
Three days was indeed rather long. During this time, Albert’s patience had been worn down considerably. He desperately wanted to know the situation inside.
“Yes, Captain.”
Gared and Barron had no objections to Albert’s orders.
They were indeed unsuited for combat in their present state.
As a Dragon Knight and Aerial Knight respectively, their true strength could only be displayed when they were with their partners.
Without the help of their partners, they were only slightly stronger than your average Knight..