Ch 370: A Cyclops? Isn’t That A Ferocious Monster? Huh? What Do You Mean, “human Friend”?

Time passed quickly. After Bal finished recounting his childhood experiences learning magic with Nia, they finally left the long passage.

“Nia, it’s time for you to walk a few steps yourself.”

Bal shook Nia on his back. Nia nodded, so Bal put her down.

Looking at the wide open space in front of him, Bal walked around and checked it out.

“What are you looking for?”

Phia walked up to Bal. After seeing that it was Phia, he whispered to her.

“Isn’t your armor made from ore mined here? I was wondering if I could get some material to make some armor or a weapon for Yselle.”

“Doesn’t she already have those things?”

“Look at how carefully she uses them. I think her current weapons and equipment can’t bring out her full strength.”

“True, so did you find anything?”

“Not yet. Would you like to help me look?”

“Sure.”

While the two were still plotting, Nia came up to them.

“What secrets are you whispering?”

Hearing Nia’s voice, Bal turned around and pinched her cheek.

“You little fox, you lazed around on my back, and now you want to eavesdrop on grown-up conversations?”

“Ouch! Let go!”

Bal released Nia’s face. After rubbing her cheek, Nia glared at Bal angrily.

“Humph, miser.”

Phia looked around, making sure Yselle wasn’t looking, and then she whispered Bal’s plan to Nia. After listening, Nia nodded thoughtfully.

“Oh, so you’re planning to get some good stuff for Yselle? What about me?”

“Don’t you have the Hero’s Sword given to you by the Dragon? What more could you want?”

“Well, next time if there’s another long passage like that, you have to carry me on your back!”

“Can’t we ask Grey?”

“Grey is my husband, and husbands are for pampering. You’re my older brother, and older brothers are for errands.”

Nia proudly stated her theory. If Phia hadn’t been watching Bal, Nia’s face would have been pinched until it swelled.

“Next time, I’ll take on only commissions that you can complete and dump them all on you.”

“Nyah nyah.”

After sticking her tongue out at Bal, Nia returned to Grey’s side and hugged his arm. Bal scratched his head, and then he and Phia continued searching for a way out while also looking for ore.

Just then, the ground suddenly began to shake. At first, it was a slight tremor, but soon the shaking intensified, and heavy footsteps could be heard.

Upon hearing the footsteps, Bal and his companions took out their weapons and prepared for battle. Phia and Grey immediately activated Detection Magic to locate the source of the sound.

“Northwest direction, a humanoid creature is approaching, currently 20 meters away.”

Grey reported his findings, and Bal frowned, staring intently at the direction Phia indicated.

As the tremors grew more violent and the footsteps drew nearer, everyone focused their attention on the northwest direction. With a sound of shattering rock, a large hole about 10 meters high appeared in the northwest, and a six or seven-meter-tall blue-skinned Cyclops emerged from the hole. This Cyclops also had a sharp horn on top of its head.

“Whoa, is this still a ranch? Why does it feel wrong?”

Hearing the Cyclops speak in the Common Language, everyone relaxed slightly, as it meant the giant could communicate.

“Hello, we are adventurers. Do you know how far we are from the Wyvern Tribe?”

Bal put away his weapon, mustered his courage, and walked up to the giant. He asked loudly, his hand seemingly scratching his head, but ready to draw his long sword and counterattack if the giant showed any signs of aggression.

“Huh? Humans?”

The Cyclops lowered its head, and upon seeing Bal, it suddenly became very happy.

“Welcome, welcome, my human friends!”

Although Bal was prepared, the Cyclops’ reaction still took him by surprise.

“Uh… why do you call me friend?”

“Humans taught us how to make fire, taught us language, and exchanged food for stones we didn’t want. Humans are friends!”

“You say humans? I’ve never met such kind people before.”

The kind Bal started to complain, then he repeated his initial question.

“Uh… friend, do you know how to get to the Wyvern Tribe’s territory?”

The Cyclops shook its head.

“I don’t know the Wyverns, but would you like to visit our tribe, friends? There’s an Elder in the tribe who is familiar with the Wyverns.”

Bal thought for a moment, then gestured for the others to come to the Cyclops.

“These are my family. Can we go with you?”

“Okay! Friends, please come with me!”

The Cyclops led everyone into the cave it had just smashed through, and Phia thoughtfully placed a light source from Illumination Magic in front of the Cyclops.

“Friend, my name is Bal. What’s yours?”

Bal sat on the Cyclops’ shoulder and patted its shoulder to introduce himself.

“My name is Zigressa. Nice to meet you, my friend!”

“Speaking of which, when did those humans you mentioned come?”

The Cyclops tilted its head and thought for a moment, then replied with a smile.

“I forgot, but the Elders should remember. I’ll take you to see them when we get to the tribe.”

“Thanks, Zigressa.”

“You’re welcome, we’re friends!”

“Yeah! Friends!”

It must be said that being tall makes walking faster. Zigressa quickly passed through the passage and arrived at a huge tribe inside a mountain.

“Whoa, I didn’t expect to find a place like this here.”

Bal couldn’t help but marvel at the tribe before him.

“Hey! I brought human friends!”

Zigressa shouted and danced excitedly towards the tribe. This immediately had an effect. Many Cyclops of different skin colors peeked out from the windows in the rock walls. Upon seeing Bal on Zigressa’s shoulder, they all ran out to greet them.

“So… so enthusiastic!”

This was Yselle’s first time witnessing such a scene, and she was completely stunned.

“I have to say, it’s truly impressive.”

Grey nodded, looking at the surrounding Cyclops. He, who had been somewhat wary, suddenly felt that these Cyclops were quite friendly.

“Sister-in-law, what do you think?”

Nia asked Phia beside her, and Phia shook her head.

“They are indeed welcoming us. The magic fluctuations also prove it. We must have been overthinking.”

“Friend Bal, I’ll take you to see the Elder.”

“Ah, thank you, friend.”

“Hehe, you’re welcome, we’re friends!”

Zigressa led the group towards the tallest building, the residence of the most respected Elder.

“Elder Turner! I brought human friends!”

Although news of Zigressa bringing humans back had already reached Turner, he still couldn’t help but rejoice upon seeing Bal and his companions.

“Ah! After thousands of years, I can finally see humans again!”

Bal calculated the time and figured that the humans the Cyclops were referring to must have been Caesar’s army.

“Hello, Elder. I am adventurer Bal, and these are my family.”

“My name is Phia, Bal’s wife, and also an adventurer.”

“Me me me! My name is Nia, Bal’s sister!”

“Hello Elder, I am Bal’s friend and brother-in-law, Grey.”

“Hello! My name is Yselle!”

After everyone introduced themselves to Turner, he instructed Zigressa to find someone to prepare a meal.

“You must all be tired, friends. Please don’t hesitate to have something to eat here.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”