CHAPTER 94: YOU’RE LEAVING?

Gara was the first to speak, updating Tristan on their situation. "We can leave anytime now. The only thing left is settling things with the Merchant House."

Tristan nodded. "Good. Then leave for town tonight. Movement at night is harder to track than during the day."

"No, Uncle," Gara shook his head firmly. "We can’t sneak away. We have to leave openly, in front of the whole village. That way, there won’t be any suspicion. Even if the druids track this place, they won’t question my departure."

Tristan blinked, realizing Gara was right.

Leaving in secret would only raise more questions.

"So... you’ll go tomorrow morning then?"

"Yes," Gara confirmed.

Tristan reached into his leather pouch and pulled out two clay jars. "Before coming here, I managed to get these, druid powder and beastkin powder."

Gara frowned in confusion, but Wina’s eyes widened. Her anxious expression eased as she explained,

"Those powders enhance scent trails. But they can also be used to create false ones."

One of Gara’s brows arched.

"Exactly," Tristan agreed.

He explained how Gara could sprinkle druid powder, then walk in the opposite direction of where they were actually headed.

Later, after cleansing himself, he could use the beastkin powder to mask his scent while moving in the real direction.

Druids couldn’t pick up the scent of other races, making the beastkin powder invaluable.

Once again, Gara was reminded of just how high the stakes were in this world of fantasy.

When the matter of false trails was settled, they moved to the most important question:

Where would they go?

"We need to head for Marquess Cakra’s territory," Wina finally said.

But Gara immediately shook his head. "Now isn’t the time to tie ourselves to Marquess Cakra, Mom."

Wina froze, realizing he was right. Any association with Marquess Cakra right now would draw suspicion instantly.

"That’s why this will be our last meeting with Uncle Tristan. Only after that druid is truly gone can we see each other again," Gara continued.

Tristan nodded, though a hint of regret flickered in his eyes.

They returned to discussing their next destination.

In the end, they chose the north. Cakranloka City—territory of Marquess Cakra—lay in the east, while the false trail they planned to leave behind would point toward the south.

Before that, however, they would stop by Falopo Town.

After that, they conversed about the identity of Gara’s children as the half-devil.

Once the conversation finished, Tristan didn’t linger much longer, excused himself and rode back to town. He couldn’t afford to abandon his post for too long, not in times like these.

Madha, the poor boy, entered the house after the captain left, only to realize the place was nearly stripped bare. The experiment table and shelves—usually crowded with jars—were completely empty now.

"You’re leaving?" he asked when Gara stepped out of his room, Aldwin in his arms.

Gara nodded, motioning Madha to sit. He had to tell him they were leaving, though he couldn’t reveal the real reason.

Every word that slipped from Gara’s mouth pierced Madha’s chest like a needle.

"Does this have something to do with your... half-blood identity?" Madha finally brought it up for the first time.

Gara nodded. "I can’t explain the details, but... that’s what it is."

Madha’s gaze softened, his voice quiet and gentle. "If I told you I could keep it secret, never ask questions, never expect anything... would you let me come with you?"

Gara had expected those words, yet seeing it firsthand made his chest tighten.

"Madha... I need you to be realistic. You have family. You want to make them proud, don’t you? Following me will only stand in the way of your dreams. It’ll keep you from becoming the person they can be proud of."

Gara had always been the kind of man who valued family above all.

Slowly, he had begun to think of Madha as family too. But Madha still had his own blood relatives.

"You don’t need to worry about my family, Gara. My parents are gone. I’m the second child—I still have an older brother and a younger one.

My brother has already succeeded as village chief, and my little brother just officially became a Liner. They both have their own paths now. And me... I’m taking mine."

That caught Gara off guard. He hadn’t known much about Madha’s background.

He had always assumed Madha came from a simple farming family—parents, brothers, all tilling the same land.

But when he searched through the original owner’s memories, it was true that since the first time they met, they had never once talked about family. They had only played together.

"Please," Madha whispered. "Let me protect you."

...

It took only two and a half hours on horseback for Tristan to reach the town guard barracks.

The sky was already dark, but Emir was there to welcome him.

"I’ve already spread the false information you ordered, Captain," Emir reported. "Ever since Count Raksa’s conflict with Professor Langga of Altas Duchy, the Count’s influence within the information network has dropped sharply.

The druids serving as county envoys are on his side. With that, the source of the false intel will be impossible to trace."

"Good work," Tristan replied.

His eyes hardened as he added, "One more thing. Track down any devil who has visited this town in the last nine months, especially one known to take human form frequently."

Emir looked puzzled but didn’t question his superior. "Officially, the only devil living in this region is the envoy stationed in Raksa county.

But he hasn’t visited the town in two years, and he has never been seen in any form other than his true one. Other than that, there’s been no news of devils arriving. Still... I’ll check with the Infosec Guild."

"Do it at once."

With that, Emir left his captain’s quarters.

Tristan stared straight ahead, resolve sharp in his eyes. He would find that devil and destroy it.

Entrusting his nephew’s future to such a creature? Absolutely not. Leaving Gara pregnant and alone was already a glaring red flag.

Besides, with or without the father of Gara’s triplets, they would be cared for.

Tristan would make sure of it. He was ready to give them everything.

...