Coming back to his farm, Dezen was thinking, when he should, or rather, when he can go on next travel.
Before he does it, he has to prepare the nest for Royal ants, and make sure they treat it as a new home.
He should also do test and researches, including them. If he has Royal ants, he should use them, instead of looking for another magical resources.
The third, and the most important thing for him, is improving shapeshifting spell, to increase battle strength of wolves. Thanks to this, Alex will be more safe with them, and Dezen won't worry so much about him.
Another thing, which he should do, is dealing with Church of Alen representative. However, Dezen cannot decide when he will come, so he won't include him, while deciding when to go on next travel.
Traveling back was much shorter, since he was moving on a straight line, so he managed to come back in less than 24 hours.
When Alex saw him, he was really excited and happy, because Dezen came back faster than they were expecting, and succeeded at turning wolves into undead.
- How hard was it? Did they seriously hurt you?
- Even easy, because I set a trap. However, the biggest one managed to bite me. He pierced though Stone Skin, destroying flesh, and breaking my bones.
- He is really that strong?
- It's hard to believe but yes. But it is not important. I found something better than wolves.
Dezen told his brother about Royal ants, traveling, and answered many questions. It was the kind of entertainment for Alex, so he came up with many of them.
When Dezen ended answering, he asked Alex about the representative of church.
- He hasn't come yet. But Tyrone visited me one time, asking where you went.
- Strange. Shouldn't they already send someone? Information flow is slow, but not that slow.
- Maybe they don't believe you created new magic, and think Tyrone is wrong. Or maybe you're not the only one who created necromancy.
Dezen was silent for a few seconds, before he spoke.
- That's possible. Or maybe church representative can't come here.
- What do you mean?
- Well, if something strong is prowling on the route between village and city, and they don't believe I created new magic, or doesn't value me highly for other reasons, church won't specially send someone strong. Nor they will send a typical representative, risking his death.
- I hope not. Soon we will be going to city, as every year. It would be... Let's use pretty words and say it will be problematic if something strong is prowling on that route, making it impossible for us to reach the city.
- Yeah... Personally, I hope they don't believe I created new magic, or just think it's not something worth attention. In that case, I can peacefully develop. And it would be the reason, why no one came here.
They both started to wonder what else is possible.
After a few minutes, during which they were eating, Dezen spoke.
- Alternatively, some disaster happened. Like Sudden Rivers, it is said that they even once stopped a war, because armies couldn't cross them for years.
- So maybe it is a chance for you? Remember that asshole we had to protect during war? He was complaining every day, that he missed his opportunity to get some magical water and rocks, when Sudden Rivers appeared. But if I remember correctly, that's not the same disaster you mentioned.
- Theoretically, yes. But practically, no. It takes months for magical resources to form themselves, and, assuming it's magical disaster, not normal, I don't even know when it happened. Not mentioning that I don't know when they form exactly, where to look for them, if there are some special requirements to collect them, and if it's safe.
- You're right... Sorry, I didn't think about it.
- You have nothing to apologize for. You think I deeply think before I say anything? And it's not that bad idea, but even if I could travel, for weeks, let's say, forces like churches and lodges will, or already sent people to gather magical resources. Or wait to gather them, I don't know how they work. But...
Dezen stopped, realising something.
Alex had the same thought, so he ended for him.
- You can work for them.
- Hmmm... Yes, but there are things I have to do. Like test with Royal ants. I should develop if I have opportunity, instead of looking for new one.
- But they can wait. It's not like you gave them possibility to escape. And if something happens, I can give commands to your undead. Also, if you are worried about my safety, you can leave wolves with me.
- About wolves... I will have to stop keeping some of them. I think I can keep 2 as for. More would cause mana consumption to be higher than production.
- Well, it doesn't change the fact that you can still go there, and find out if you can work for church, lodge or kingdom. If it's magical disaster like Sudden Rivers, not something like Withered Fog, which will probably kill you, or some strong magical being, which will kill you too
- Ehh, you're right. Since church representative hasn't come here for months, I should go as fast as possible... I'm already missing my bed.
Before travelling again, Dezen decided to do 3 things.
The first were researches and tests with Royal ants. To be exact, with their dead bodies. Tests results can help him decide in which direction his researches should go. Like, if he should try to change them into magical items, or if it's bad idea, and instead, he should use them to try to learn enslavement magic.
And while travelling, he will have a lot of free time to plan researches and tests
The second thing is eating good food. Most of the things he can take for longer travels taste bad, so he wants to use that opportunity.
The third is sleeping in his bed. It is not highly comfortable, but still better than "sleeping bags" which Dezen possesses.
Lying on his bed, Dezen was thinking about the situation he is in now.
" Travelling again.... it will be so annoying. But I have myself to blame. I knew something is wrong, but I didn't want to find out why church didn't send anyone to me, because it would slow down my peacefully development. And I would have to deal with a representative. At least, it is not something important for me, so I could let myself do this. "
Dezen started looking at the roof, analysing this situation.
"Or maybe it is a good thing? If I went to city myself to assure Church I won't join it, now I wouldn't know that there may be something wrong with the route. But soon, I would learn about it anyway. Is there any upside of this situation?... Well, if it's caused by some strong magical being, there would be high risk of me and Alex dying. Now, risk still exists, but I can somehow prepare. And Alex will be safe."
Next day, Dezen slowly are dinner, packed everything he wanted, and set out, this time, with wolf, not only with bugs.
Said wolf, was the biggest one, who became Dezen's mount earlier. He took him not only, because he was the fastest, but there is also something special in him. Dezen tested it, while coming back to home, and he observed that only this wolf can crush stones with his mouth.
It really interested him, so he wanted to examine, why can it happen.
Besides this, he also has the best back to travel without saddle.
The second wolf, which he kept, stayed with Alex.
Travelling, Dezen saw many beautiful things. Enormous trees, which looked majestic, many colourful birds, flowers and butterflies. Some people would appreciate the view, but Dezen got used to this, so he didn't really pay attention to them.