Chapter21-The Trembling Lady Cerdo

"You really don't know Master Owen?"

"I don't."

"If you don't know him, why was he singing at your pub?"

"I have no idea. He just got on stage and sang."

"You really don't know Master Owen?"

"Dear friend! You've asked me this same question ten times already!" The pub owner looked utterly exasperated. "You even questioned my customers. Didn't everyone tell you they don't know him?"

"But surely someone must know him." Sadie, still unwilling to give up, wanted to continue her questioning.

Just then, a bard who had previously spoken with Owen walked in.

"Are you talking about Owen?" He happened to overhear Sadie's words. "I chatted with him briefly. He said he opened a pub up on that mountain over there and invited me to drop by whenever I had time."

"What mountain?"

"The one no one could get to before, of course," the bard replied. "But recently, it's become accessible. You guys didn't know?"

Edward's expression grew more serious.

He knew the place the bard was referring to—the Forbidden Land.

However, since it had been many years since he last visited the area, he hadn't been aware of the recent changes.

"Let's go," Edward decided. "We'll head up the mountain. Maybe we'll really find Master Owen."

When he discovered that the barrier once shrouding the entire mountain had truly vanished, he was taken aback.

Could it be that Master Owen's appearance here was linked to the barrier's disappearance?

No matter what, he had to go up and take a look.

However, his giant raven mount flat-out refused to fly upwards. Edward had no choice but to climb the mountain on foot with Sadie.

The scenery on the mountain was beautiful, tranquil, and serene.

As they approached the summit, Edward spotted a few uniquely styled houses.

That must be where Master Owen's pub was.

But why would an unparalleled master who could casually gift something like the lullaby, an ancient god-tier spell, open a pub at the top of the mountain?

It was odd.

"Meow~" A cat's cry rang out above them.

Sadie looked up and saw a cute little cat lying on a tree branch, yawning lazily.

"That's it! That's the fat cat Master Owen was holding!" Sadie immediately recognized it. "It was so lazy, it almost never left his arms."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Edward's expression changed drastically, and a drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

"Mentor, what's wrong? Are you tired from climbing?" Sadie, now back to her chatty self after the lullaby effect had worn off, asked, "Why don't we sit down and take a break?"

Edward glared at her.

He was a Tier-7 knight; there was no way he'd get tired from a mere hike.

"Little kitty, is your master home?" Sadie picked up a twig, intending to poke Avel's belly.

"Stop! Don't do anything reckless." Edward was startled, his heart skipping a beat. "Are you tired of living? That's a Tier-Emperor arcane beast."

Sadie was petrified on the spot.

A Tier-Emperor arcane beast?

This fat cat?

The same fat cat she'd been calling "chunky" to its face just seconds ago was a Tier-Emperor arcane beast?

"Mother, I swear I'll be a good daughter in my next life." Sadie directly blurted out her final words. "Mentor Edward, run! It's definitely going to eat me first."

"Eating you would just make it dumber." Avel jumped down gracefully from the tree. "Old man, did you bring this idiot here to find my master?"

"Yes, Lord Cat." Though Edward was a Tier-7 knight, he was no match for a Tier-Emperor arcane beast, so he cautiously bowed. "Sorry to disturb your rest."

"My student was fortunate enough to receive Master Owen's favor. I specifically brought her here to express our gratitude."

The cat lazily replied, "Ah, whatever. I'm just here to warn you and the dimwit about one thing."

Edward and Sadie immediately straightened up, listening intently.

"My great master, Master Owen," the cat Avel said, "although he is a perfect gentleman who combines strength, character, kindness, compassion, and culinary skills, he's also a humble man."

"When you see him, just treat him as an ordinary person. He doesn't like fake flattery and reverence."

Sadie was still somewhat confused.

Edward, however, understood.

"You mean, we should pretend we don't know Master Owen is a powerful master?"

"That's pretty much it," the cat yawned. "Alright, hurry up and leave. Don't disturb my nap."

Seeing Avel curl up on a nearby rock and doze off again, Edward gently led Sadie away.

His back was already soaked in cold sweat.

Such terrifying strength.

A Tier-Emperor arcane beast alone could flatten the entire Azul Kingdom!

Yet this being had willingly submitted to Master Owen from the depths of its heart! This made Owen even more mysterious in Edward's eyes.

Sadie's face was ashen as she slowly pieced it all together. She could only hope that Owen really was as humble as he seemed and wouldn't hold a grudge over what happened in the carriage.

No magic fluctuations from an ordinary person?

It was all just a disguise.

"Wait!" Edward gasped, looking up at the distant sky.

Amidst the rolling clouds, he saw the shadow of a massive dragon flying closer and closer until it finally landed somewhere near the mountaintop.

"Is that a real dragon?" Sadie was dumbstruck. "There's even a dragon here!"

"Watch your tongue. That dragon isn't making any hostile moves, which means it's also one of Master Owen's pets!" Edward was already drenched in sweat.

He should have realized it earlier.

A being who could casually give away an ancient god-tier spell couldn't possibly be ordinary.

"Mentor, how about we just leave?" Sadie was on the verge of tears. "I've never been so scared in my entire life."

"No!" Edward said firmly. "That rabbit has already seen us. If we leave now, it might anger Master Owen. That would be extremely disrespectful."

Both were extremely nervous.

But they had no choice but to keep going.

After much difficulty, they finally reached the pub entrance.

It looked a bit desolate, with no other guests around besides them.

A scruffy-looking rabbit was squatting in a corner, gnawing on a chicken leg. It glanced at them, then turned around, presenting its backside to Sadie.

"That's Master Owen's bald—cough, I mean, adorable bunny," Sadie corrected herself hastily. "He kept holding it in his arms, too."

Edward nodded respectfully toward the rabbit, White.

His nerves were already shot.

Another powerful arcane beast pet!

Through the pub's windows, they could see no one inside. They politely knocked on the door but received no response.

They had to circle around to the backyard.

With just one glance, Edward couldn't remain calm.

"Is that…" His eyes shone, and his excitement nearly overwhelmed him. "That's an entire garden of god-tier magical fruits!"

"God-tier magical fruits?" Sadie nearly jumped in fright.

Their hearts started racing faster and faster, and just as they were about to lose control of their emotions, they quickly recited the lullaby.

"Enough!" White, his mouth greasy, hopped over. "Master isn't awake yet. Stop making a fuss."

"You can talk?" Sadie was stunned.

"Duh? I'm the superstar of arcane beasts, and you're the only fool who couldn't tell." The rabbit pulled out a new chicken leg from who-knows-where and started munching again.

Edward and Sadie could only wait outside the garden.

They didn't dare speak, nor did they dare move.

It was like being punished to stand still for several hours.

Sadie watched her mentor's respectful demeanor and felt a jumble of emotions. This was all her fault. This must be punishment for what happened in the carriage.

But she was wrong about Owen.

Owen really was sleeping.

He had eaten so much at noon that he passed out from food coma and only woke up in the evening.

"Ah, it's already so late!" Owen muttered, exasperated. "And you two didn't wake me up! Now how am I supposed to sleep tonight? You're not getting any dinner."

His resounding voice sent a shock through Edward, the Tier-7 knight.

To treat two such powerful arcane beasts so casually, scolding them and using the threat of no dinner as a form of punishment—this only further proved his strength!

"Sadie, don't speak carelessly later," Edward reminded sternly. "He might overlook one offense, but if it happens again, I won't be able to protect you as your mentor."

"Yes!" Sadie replied loudly. "Don't worry, Mentor."