Upon the passionate invitation of the Traveling Merchant Caravan, Tyler boarded their carriage, embarking on a journey to Sunnytown.
Tyler agreed for two reasons:
Firstly, the days remaining for "Countdown to Confession Death" were getting tight.
Secondly, Tyler desired to gather more information about this world from the Traveling Merchant Caravan.
During the journey, Tyler learned from Marik, Lawrence, and the others that the Alliance of Light, which was the human alliance, had been engaged in a war with the Abyssal Empire for several centuries.
According to the tales passed down by the elderly, in the beginning, no one took the Abyssal Empire established by the "Singular Demon God" seriously. It was not until neighboring countries were conquered one after another that people began to panic.
The "Singular Demon God" was not only unparalleled in combat prowess but also exhibited an extraordinary ability to recruit talented individuals. Most notably, the demon god had a brilliant strategist known as the "Eternal Winter Lord."
Under the command of the Eternal Winter Lord, the Abyssal Empire's army achieved victory in impossible battles against superior forces more than ten times. Eventually, the human nations were forced to unite and form the Alliance of Light.
"It is said that during the darkest times, the name of the 'Singular Demon God' was forbidden to be uttered. Even today, no one knows the real name of the 'Singular Demon God'."
As Marik spoke of the history, he became quite animated. He continued to recount how the Alliance of Light had united to construct an impenetrable defensive line, halting the Abyssal Empire's expansion and launching counteroffensive campaigns.
Tyler had already heard Marik recount these campaigns three times.
From his perspective, while the Alliance of Light had indeed turned the tables on their one-sided defeat, the Abyssal Empire remained formidable. The territories they had already seized were not relinquished by the human nations.
The might of the Abyssal Empire was unquestionable.
Now the situation had reached a stalemate, and the next competition would be determined by who could grow faster and sustain their internal affairs and economic resources during the state of war.
·
During the journey, aside from conversing with Marik, Lawrence, and Granny Kasi, Tyler spent most of his time playing with Tocchini.
Using his mind reading ability, Tyler discovered that everyone was aware of Tocchini's true identity as a Rabbitkin, and they were all kindly helping to keep it concealed.
Tyler learned from Marik that the situation for demi-human races within human nations was currently quite awkward.
Since the beginning of the war, a considerable portion of the demi-human population had joined the Abyssal Empire, making the remaining peaceful factions of demi-humans vulnerable to attacks from extremist groups.
Tyler couldn't reveal that he knew Tocchini's true identity, but he expressed his support for the demi-humans in a tactful manner.
Tyler's attitude and stance endeared him even more to the members of the Traveling Merchant Caravan.
"Tocchini, you may not be aware of it, but the small size of the prairie gerbil may deceive you, for their running speed can reach up to 55 kilometers per hour!"
"Wow! That's astonishingly swift, indeed~!"
Tocchini adores hearing stories and gaining knowledge about various animals. Given the opportunity, she clings to Tyler's thigh for another story.
Tyler has two reasons for indulging Tocchini: firstly, to infiltrate the Traveling Merchant Caravan through her, and secondly, because he genuinely cannot resist Tocchini's "adorable attacks." Over these past days, he has shared a plethora of wildlife trivia he knows.
"Moreover, prairie gerbils are remarkably adept at burrowing. Their underground burrows can extend up to five or six meters in depth."
"Wow~! No wonder Tocchini never manages to catch them; these creatures are truly formidable!"
"What animal would you like to learn about next? Shall we discuss wild boars?"
"Wow! Excellent choice! Tocchini, Waku Waku~!"
Tyler proceeds to elaborate on the ecology of wild boars, informing Tocchini that they are primarily nocturnal and spend most of their daytime slumbering. Furthermore, adult wild boars coat themselves with a mixture of clay and bristles, rendering them impressively sturdy, as ordinary arrows cannot penetrate their hide.
Enthralled by Tyler's storytelling, Tocchini remains captivated and yearns for more. Nevertheless, she becomes increasingly perplexed about one matter.
"Brother, why is it that you always know what Tocchini wants to hear? Could it be that you possess magical abilities?"
Tyler chuckles, knowing well that it is due to his mind reading powers, though he cannot reveal this fact.
With the aid of the ability, fostering a connection with children becomes effortless.
"It simply demonstrates how well Tocchini and I get along."
"Tocchini also feels that she and brother Banningshare a profound bond!"
Uttering these words, Tocchini promptly settles herself onto Tyler's lap and gazes up at him, blinking her large eyes.
"I want to have an elder brother! Can Banning be my brother?"
"Absolutely! I've always yearned for a sister as well."
"Wuwawa~ Is that true? Tocchini is overjoyed~! Tocchini finally has an elder brother! Hooray!!"
Filled with delight, Tocchini breaks into a clumsy yet endearing dance, twirling and wiggling in the carriage. Everyone watches her with uncontrollable laughter, unable to contain their amusement at her adorable and unrefined movements.
·
The delightful journey swiftly passed, and upon arriving at Sunnytown, Tocchini had already become a pendant clinging to Tyler.
Apart from the inconvenience of using the restroom, Tyler quite enjoyed this soft and tender little doll.
Thanks to the speed of the carriage, Tyler arrived at Sunnytown more than ten days earlier. The current date was May 21st, and corresponding to that, Tyler's Countdown to Confession Death had 20 days remaining.
When he thought of Granny Kana's illness, Tyler felt the urge to return to Ira Village. However, with only 20 days left, time was already tight for someone as cautious as him.
Tyler had to conquer a young girl in Sunnytown first.
·
"Mr. Marik, how will you arrange things from here?" Tyler inquired after entering Sunnytown.
"We will replenish our supplies here and then depart for Gudetown after completing our purchases. During this period, we'll be shuttling between Gudetown and Sunnytown as merchants," Marik replied.
"If we're heading to Gudetown, are we still going to avoid Sandrift Gorge?" Tyler asked.
"Yes, indeed. Why, are you planning to go to Sandrift Gorge?"
"Well... I plan to spend about ten days preparing in Sunnytown and then visit Sandrift Gorge to see if I can collect some sandrift flowers."
"Ah, that's no easy task, young man. You should think it through," Granny Kasi chimed in, trying to dissuade Tyler. However, since Tyler had already made up his mind, all they could do was wish him luck.
"Good luck, young man. On behalf of Kana, I thank you."
"We'll be staying in Sunnytown for the next few days, so if you need anything, come find us at the Sunny Inn."
After bidding farewell to Mr. Marik and the others, Tyler found Tocchini, who had been sleeping in the carriage, and it was a bit difficult for him to part ways with this adorable little loli.
"Eh? Brother, aren't you traveling with us?" Tocchini immediately perked up upon hearing that Tyler was leaving.
"I'm sorry, Tocchini. Brother has some things to take care of."
"Wuu... Even if Tocchini likes Brother Banning the most?"
Tocchini blinked her big eyes and clung onto Tyler's arm.
"Well, we will definitely have the chance to travel together in the future."
Tyler could only pat Tocchini's head, with no other recourse.
"Even if Tocchini likes Brother Banning the MOOOOOST of the world, is it still not possible?"
Under Tocchini's adorable onslaught, Tyler was starting to feel overwhelmed.
But there was no other choice. The curse was a matter of life and death, and he couldn't just ignore Granny Kana...
And then, at that moment.
-- [Confirmed receipt of confession from "Rabbitkin Tocchini," energy points +1, current energy points: 1]
(...Huh?)
(Ah?)
(No way, this is possible?)
(Hold on… hold on, isn't this a "FBI OPEN-THE-DOOR warning"?!)