Chapter 1260: Let’s Just Call It Fate

"I appreciate the offer. But, that won’t be necessary. I don’t plan on staying here for that long." Izroth replied in a carefree manner.

"Ha! Haku has a good pair of eyes for people. It’s one of that man’s best traits. I don’t know if he even realizes it himself." Pakdra said with a grin.

She then continued, "So, what’s an Honorary Elder of the Apothecary Guild doing in the Formation Master District? I may not know much when it comes to crafting and the lot, but even I know a thing or two about how things work in this city."

"Just a few personal matters I have to deal with. But, since you brought up the topic, I’m curious as well—what is someone who belongs to the Unconquered Clan doing in a place like this?" Izroth asked calmly.

"Oh? I thought you were just an interesting kid, but it looks like I was mistaken. How did you know that I’m from the Unconquerable Clan? It’s rare for those outside of the Wild Lands to speak that name, let alone know of its existence." Pakdra said with a sharp gaze.

"I was fortunate enough to recently cross paths with someone from the Wild Lands. We fought together on the same battlefield and ended up becoming well acquainted. Perhaps you know him? He goes by Hakros." Izroth stated.

Of course, Izroth learned that Pakdra was from the Unconquerable Clan through his Divine Appraisal skill. That said, he was not exactly eager to tell others about the skills in his possession.

Regardless, the words Izroth spoke were true. As for what Pakdra inferred from those words—it would be entirely of her own doing.

"Hakros? Is it Bakrasa’s son?" Pakdra muttered to herself.

"It must’ve been a formidable force you faced if that kid was willing to fight with you. After all, that child takes after his mother. Both are battle maniacs who aren’t keen on sharing their prey with others. Hahahaha!" Pakdra said as he she out a hearty laughter.

"He certainly was the type who invited a good fight. I plan on paying a visit to the Wild Lands one of these days to keep a promise I made." Izroth said.

"Oh? Well, promises must be kept. As for why I’m in a place like this—let’s just say fate is often unpredictable. Just like the two of us meeting today." Pakdra said as she suddenly tossed a small object toward Izroth.

Izroth reacted quickly and caught the object. Despite it not being thrown with that much force, he felt as if a large boulder had slammed into his hand. Nevertheless, he managed to catch it without issue.

’This is an unexpected gain.’

Izroth looked down at the object he caught. It was a small fine wooden carving. However, even at a glance, one could tell that it was not made with just any old wood. The wood was carved into the shape of a faceless woman in robes embracing two crescent moons that overlapped one another in opposite directions. Furthermore, the carving was filled to the brim with a fierce gathering mana that revealed itself in small waves.

"When you finally get around to visiting the Wild Lands, if you happen to run into anyone from the Unconquerable Clan just show them that. They’ll treat you as a guest and lend a hand if you’re in a tough spot." Pakdra explained.

"I’m thankful, but why are you giving something like this to me?" Izroth inquired with a meaningful gaze.

"Like I said, just think of it as fate. Though if that isn’t good enough for you, then you can say I find you a bit appealing. Hahahaha!" Pakdra said as she let out a hearty laughter.

"Then, I won’t think too much of it." Izroth replied in a carefree manner as he placed the wood carving into his inventory.

...

Izroth and Pakdra spent the next several minutes talking casually. Despite being from the Wild Lands, Pakdra spoke with an impressive level of refinement. That was not to say that the Wild Lands did not have individuals who knew how to gracefully handle their words. It was just a talent that was not necessary or even acknowledged in a place like the Wild Lands.

Of course, there was the possibility that Pakdra learned it during her time spent outside the Wild Lands in order to better run the INN she owned. However, Izroth had a feeling that was not the case and it was a skill she always possessed.

"It’s frustrating, I tell you. Do you have any idea how long it took me to convince my clan elders back then how important gathering information was? When it came to fighting, they understood why information was important without issue. But, outside of that, they just didn’t see the value. It was like talking to a Sand Lotus. No, at least a Sand Lotus eventually lifts its petals out of the sand. They were unbelievably stubborn." Pakdra sighed heavily.

She then continued, "In the end, it took some time, but I finally got them to understand through the results I brought forth and effort I put in. There were still those who opposed it and thought it went against a true warrior’s spirit, but since they couldn’t find fault in my strength, they had no choice but to accept it. Amusing, isn’t it? All that effort to show that strength isn’t always the best answer, yet it’s the very thing that made them accept that I was right in the end."

"It sounds like you’ve overcome quite the challenge. That said, it is true that are some paths where strength is not the best method of approach. Regardless, if one does not have the strength to carry out their will, then it will forever be something fragile that can be broken at any time by the will of others. Strength is not always necessary, but if I had to choose, I would rather rely on my own strength to achieve what needs to be done. It is just that strength also comes in many forms. Once one accepts that, it is easy to see how powerless you are in many aspects." Izroth said as his gaze seemed to be far away with the last few words he spoke.

’Back then, I was vulnerable in ways I did not know existed. I learned a valuable lesson, but the price of that knowledge was far too great.’

Pakdra nodded in agreement as she said, "I wish I had you there when I first tried to explain to my clan’s elders. I wasn’t exactly the best nor the most patient at using words to convince others. What I couldn’t solve with words, I used these fists of mine to get it done. I guess in the end everything worked out alright."

’Hm?’

Suddenly, Izroth sensed several people quickly approaching the INN.

"It looks like some ’guests’ have arrived." Pakdra noted as she seemed to also pick up on the presences headed their way.

A few moments later, a burly man walked into the INN. He had short brown hair with a pair of light gray eyes. He donned a set of silver armor with the emblem of a lion head etched in white on his chest plate. There was a deep scar over his left eye and a more shallow scar that flowed across his right cheek. He gave off an intimidating aura that would send the average person running away with a single glance.

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