Chapter 544: The Jackal’s Temple

By the time they left the inn, the morning was already well underway.

Adam, Azrynn, and Sylphy made their way toward the northern part of Ferrund, intending to follow the old man’s directions to the ancient temple.

However, their journey was accompanied by a rather persistent complaint.

"My whole body still hurts! Do you two have any idea how uncomfortable it was being squashed between you all night?!"

Sylphy floated beside Adam, waving her tiny arms in frustration.

Adam glanced at her briefly.

"You’re a spirit. I thought you could just pass through things."

"I’m not a ghost, you idiot!"

Adam simply looked away, showing no intention of entertaining her complaints.

Azrynn, walking beside him, glanced at the little spirit.

"Stop whining, Sylphy. It was your own fault for falling asleep in the wrong place."

"But I didn’t choose to be squashed!"

"Then you should have woken up."

Sylphy huffed, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. Unfortunately, neither of her companions seemed particularly interested in sympathizing with her.

They continued through the streets until they noticed an unusual commotion ahead.

A crowd had gathered along the main road. At first, Adam assumed it was related to the tournament and that perhaps some kind of parade was taking place. However, as they approached, a familiar metallic scent reached his nose.

The thick smell of blood clung to the air.

Adam’s expression changed slightly. Azrynn seemed to notice it as well, her gaze shifting toward the crowd.

They moved closer, only to find several bodies scattered across the road. Some lay beside overturned carts, while others had been left near the buildings. The sight was gruesome enough to make several nearby residents whisper among themselves.

Adam looked toward one of the bystanders.

"What’s happened here?"

The man turned toward him, looking somewhat annoyed.

"What else? A fight between the Red Scarf and Edge Claw."

"Those two organizations?"

"Yeah. They’ve been at each other’s throats for years, but things got worse yesterday. Five members of the Red Scarf suddenly went missing, and they accused Edge Claw of being responsible. Before anyone could settle the matter, the two sides started fighting."

The man shook his head as he glanced at the bodies.

"Honestly, what a mess. The tournament is supposed to start soon, and now they’ve gone and stained the streets with blood. What are the visitors going to think of Ferrund? It’s terrible for our reputation!"

Adam listened quietly.

’Five members of the Red Scarf went missing...’

His expression stiffened for the briefest moment.

’Don’t tell me those were the five I killed yesterday.’

If that was the case, things had become considerably more troublesome than he’d expected.

He had no intention of getting involved in a dispute between two local organizations, especially one that might have started because of his actions.

’I’d better leave before this gets any more complicated.’

Azrynn noticed the subtle change in his expression and tilted her head.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing."

Adam turned back toward the man.

"Thanks for the information."

"Don’t mention it. Just be careful while you’re here. Demons aren’t particularly well-liked in this city, so you might run into trouble if you wander around too carelessly."

Adam gave a small nod.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

With that, he turned and continued walking, clearly eager to leave the area.

Sylphy floated after him, watching his face with growing suspicion. Then she raised one tiny hand to her mouth, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

"Hey... why are you suddenly in such a hurry?"

Adam ignored her.

"Could it be..."

Sylphy leaned closer, her expression becoming increasingly teasing.

"You’re the one who killed those five people, aren’t you?"

"Be quiet, flying lamp."

"Ah! So I was right!"

"You’re imagining things."

Adam quickened his pace.

"Let’s just get out of here before this becomes an even bigger problem."

Azrynn looked between the two of them, seemingly trying to understand what they were talking about. However, before she could ask anything, Adam stepped closer and lifted her into his arms.

"Adam?"

"Hold on."

He activated Deep Camouflage, causing their figures to gradually disappear from sight. A moment later, he spread his wings and rose into the air, leaving the city behind as they headed toward the distant desert.

Sylphy followed effortlessly, though she continued wearing that suspicious little smile.

"You’re definitely hiding something!"

Adam pretended not to hear her.

For now, reaching the ancient temple was far more important than dealing with the consequences of yesterday’s little incident.

Following the directions they had received in Ferrund, Adam and his companions eventually reached their destination.

The ancient temple stood beyond a stretch of barren land, surrounded by rugged hills and weathered rocks. However, what greeted them was quite different from what Adam had expected.

The temple was enormous, its structure resembling a pyramid. Several layers of massive stone walls rose toward a flat summit, while rows of statues stood guard around its entrance. Each statue had the body of a humanoid and the head of a jackal, reminiscent of the ancient Anubis statues Adam had once seen in his previous life.

The architecture was clearly ancient, yet the area around it was far from deserted.

A large group of beastkin had established a temporary camp nearby. Tents, supply crates, and various pieces of equipment were scattered across the sandy ground. Some were checking their weapons, while others were discussing something around a map. It seemed they were preparing for an expedition into the temple.

Adam’s attention soon shifted to one particular individual.

A lion beastman stood among the group, his muscular frame easily distinguishable from the others. What caught Adam’s attention, however, were the gauntlets covering both of his hands.

They matched the description he had heard in the tavern.

’No doubt about it. That’s the rumored wielder of the Greed Artifact.’

Adam narrowed his eyes slightly.

’Lento Roman... What is he doing here?’

He had heard that the man intended to participate in Ferrund’s tournament. Yet, instead of staying in the city, he had apparently come all the way out here.

’Was he also interested in the temple?’

Beside him, Azrynn observed the camp with a hint of surprise.

"There are quite a lot of people here..."

Her gaze moved from the beastkin to the temple’s entrance.

"I didn’t expect this place to attract so many visitors. Do you think there’s some kind of treasure hidden inside?"

Sylphy, who had been floating near Adam’s shoulder, immediately answered.

"Of course there is!"

She puffed out her chest as though she were an expert on the subject.

"There’s plenty of treasure in there! Although, to me, it’s all just junk."

Adam glanced at her.

"Junk?"

"That’s right! Shiny stones, old decorations, piles of useless things... Why would anyone want those?"

Azrynn looked at the little spirit.

"If they’re treasures, why do you consider them junk?"

"Because they’re not interesting!"

Sylphy crossed her arms, clearly satisfied with her own explanation.

Adam looked back toward the pyramid.

’So there really are treasures inside...’

His gaze briefly returned to Lento Roman and the gauntlets on his hands.

’And apparently, we’re not the only ones interested in this place.’

He had originally intended to investigate the temple’s connection to the dark elves. However, with so many people gathering here, things might not be as straightforward as he had hoped.