By the time they were already heading back into the estate, dusk had slowly crept upon them. Soon the faint orange hues enveloped Beryldot.
Instead of heading back immediately to their home, Lily and Owly eagerly suggested going into the middle of town to sightsee, while Estra and Sestra excused themselves.
"Take care in your travels tomorrow!" Said Lily to the both of them knowing they were to depart for Arigare, hence they would have to wake up early.
Some moments later, they then arrived at the humbly lit town square. As they entered the middle of the town, bit by bit the number of lively people began to increase which was far more than what Naell ever expected.
"The night market you suggested was a big hit." Said Sebastian to which Naell nodded with a smile.
As Naell looked around the town, he could only admire the improvements made to the market; accompanying the number of people were stalls with local products and foods, being sold with the same vigor as in the morning.
Music was also being played in some corners far from each other, hence the melody of every song could be appreciated regardless of the location.
However, even amid the crowds, what caught Naell's eyes was the sight of the two scholars whom he thought were already exploring other dungeons.
As his gaze was caught by them, their eyes turned wide with gladness for mere seconds before changing back to normal.
Immediately, Naell felt the need to escape. He didn't know the reason but somehow, the two were looking more frantic than usual.
"Good day elder, young miss Lily, Nae— young master Naell and Owly." Said both while bowing.
"Oh, good day to both of you." The one who spoke first was Sebastian while the two siblings (Naell and Lily) returned a noble and reluctant bow, with a corresponding HOOT from Owly.
Sebastian then added, "Welcome back to Beryldot."
Owly then telepathically asked,
What brings you back, HOOT?
"Hehe, we somehow miss the food here, and… We actually wanted to speak to both of you. What a pleasant coincidence to stumble upon each other tonight!" Replied Drhys with his usual energetic scholarly tone.
Yet Naell knew his eyes were serious, far from Drhys' facade of mere curiosity. Owly caught it too yet since Sebastian and Lily knew very little about them, they didn't get any hints of that.
About what, HOOT?
Owly asked first, knowing Naell was too busy rejecting the idea of anything but trouble. That was why when Sajae replied goofily, "You guys said you would treat us so we came back!"
Naell was immediately brought back to reality and happily welcomed both into Beryldot.
"But not now as you guys are in the middle of some family time, but if neither of you are busy by then, please tour us." Said both before saying their farewells and going on their way.
And that was how Naell happily spent his afternoon.
Soon dinner arrived at the house of Beryldot. By then, all of them were already in the dining room enjoying each other's company. Oftentimes Fharom and Lilia were quite busy, now even more so from whence the war had broken out.
Nonetheless, they always tried to make time to have dinner together as a family, especially now while Naell was still at home.
They all ate food such as the so-called chicken inasal: a grilled chicken marinated with ginger, lemongrass, and calamansi juice.
Paired with garlic rice, and with a hearty porridge-like soup called arroz caldo, cooked with chicken broth, chicken wings, ginger, onion, and garlic.
For their drinks, coffee was served, together with the cold option of gulaman; a sweet drink with agar or carrageenan as its main ingredient with brown sugar, and jelly added to the refreshing mix.
Yet what all of them looked forward to most was their warm chatter.
As usual, Lily proudly explained her progress in magic, and the time she spent with Owly and her brother. Naell recalled the day fondly alongside her and then shared how surprised he was with the night market's success. After that, the young master of Beryldot went to his room.
On the other hand, Lilia and Lily stayed for dessert, while Fharom and Sebastian went on to discuss something about the baron's territory.
And immediately after, Naell was greeted with a letter [ poof ] out by Owly. Unlike the others, the young bird went with Naell, yet not because he was tired, but to discuss the letter they discretely received from the scholars.
"This was given by Sajae before they left, HOOT."
"..."
"You read it noob, HOOT."
"Why don't you read it?" Naell said to which Owly replied, "I already read it, I just want to see your reaction, HOOT!"
Greetings to the son of Wisdom and his friend, young master Naell,
The pupils would like to invite both of you for a meeting later tonight. We apologize for the sudden invitation, our times are currently limited and the matter is urgent.
Both of your presence is crucial and so we are truly hoping you two will heed our call. If your response is as positive as we thought it would be, please do meet us at the forestland around the time when the moon is at its peak.
Thank you and do make sure no one is following you both,
Sincerely,
Sajae of the East
"Well, I gotta be honest though your reaction is meh, HOOT." Said Owly, which Naell silently added to the list of words he regretted saying in front of the copycat.
"No wait- you're a copybird!"
"You mean mockingbird, HOhohoHOOT!"
"..."
Naell was dumbfounded and couldn't really comprehend what the letter was about. When he asked Owly who seemed to have an idea, the bird responded no differently as he said, "Dunno. I just felt like teasing you, HOOT!"
If he had some noise cancellation magic, Naell would have screamed at the night until all of Owly's feathers flew away from his flabby body.
Yet still, he decided to keep that all in his imagination while reciting, "Inner peace".
"So what is this really about?" Naell asked once more, still thinking he had some sort of idea.
Owly looked at it again before finally confirming he really didn't have a clue.
"I don't know, seriously, HOOT"
Naell could only sigh, as he reached for the letter again to try and comprehend it; yet what was written from the paper began disappearing.
"Figures." He uttered and with a flick of his hand, nothing remained, except for the bright moon illuminating the room's window.
"Then should we go, HOOT?"
Naell nodded. Regardless of how he didn't want to, his curiosity would not allow it. He even thought that this was perhaps a secret society of the scholars.
Cheekily he laughed thinking he could somehow have a discount on his next purchase with Esquel Co. Not to mention, the benefit that he could more or less use the teleportation magic set up within every kingdom.
Only a handful of nobles, famed adventurers, esteemed merchants, and high-ranking scholars could use it. If given the chance that both or one of them could have that accessibility, Naell would never have to travel that far when going back to Beryldot.
"I will just have to teleport to Arigare and spend some hours on the road." Fufufu, Naell said.
"What a dream you got there, noob. And didn't you hate going to Arigare, HOOT?"
"Such a small price to pay Owly!"
"... I rather go now than hear your nonsense. By the way, don't forget to bring your coat, bye, HOOOOT." Swiftly Owly flew and left the cheeky young master of Beryldot alone in his room.
Well, only for a moment as Naell also followed suit getting a big velvety coat that he knew Owly would love to sneak inside of.
It wasn't too hard for both of them to stealthily leave, especially as it was nighttime when mages who wield dark magic were especially more powerful.
Although there was no evidence for that statement, Naell could more or less feel that Owly's spell that hid their presence [ shadowy ] had improved. Yet perhaps it was really because of his battle with Reyna, the queen piece of Lucille.
Nonetheless, Naell was just grateful as that truly lessened his workload.
Upon entering the meeting place, Naell and Owly first thought they might have mistaken the time, date, or even perhaps the location.
Is this the only forestland in Beryldot, HOOT?"
Yes, they did specifically say moon is at its peak, right?"
They did, HOOT."
As they were conversing telepathically, even jokingly about their situation, both of their senses were actually heightened for some sort of trap or even pursuit by others.
That was why when they immediately felt someone's presence, one that they were quite familiar with, Naell was really shocked.
"Uhm, hello young master."
With her brown hair neatly wrapped in a bun, smiling wryly expecting his reaction, Klata— the librarian Naell knew, was standing with Sajae and Drhys.