CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: KALA CONTINENT

After the ship sailed for seven more days, it made a brief stop at a small island called Colombo.

The island wasn’t large, but it was bustling, with the port teeming with people.

Herag and a group of wizard apprentices came up on the deck, and Dino, standing in front, said: "We’ll stay here overnight, you can go ashore and relax. But remember, I’m leaving tomorrow at noon sharp, I won’t wait for anyone. This place belongs to our Dream Island, and it’s watched over by wizards. Most people on the island are ordinary, so if anyone dares to cause trouble, be prepared for the wizard’s punishment."

Dino knew the group had been too stressed recently, and it just so happened that the commercial island of Colombo was developed, with many taverns, inns, and strip dancers to let them unwind a bit here.

Besides, the ship needed to replenish fresh water, so Dino simply docked the ship here.

After getting off the ship, Lillian headed straight for an inn. Herag asked, "Why are you in such a hurry to come here?"

"I haven’t had a bath in months." Lillian paid for a room without looking back and went upstairs to take a bath.

On the ship, there was no way to bathe, as all fresh water was precious, which was the most unbearable thing for Lillian.

However, Lillian was prepared, she had an enchanted towel that was always moist and could be used to wipe her body.

Herag had seen that towel, but Lillian wouldn’t let him touch it. He guessed the magic inside probably absorbed moisture from the air.

He also booked a room downstairs for himself. The prices here weren’t cheap, a room for one night actually cost a whole silver coin.

Herag looked at the setup of the room, it was simple but very clean, with all the items neatly arranged.

After he finished bathing and waited a while, Lillian finally got ready, and then the two went out together.

As night fell, the island of Colombo became even more lively, with people everywhere singing, dancing, and drinking around campfires.

There was also a long commercial street here, where most vendors laid a mat on the ground and then displayed their goods.

The variety of goods was diverse, from handcrafted hats and baskets to clay bottles and jars, as well as all sorts of antiques.

While passing by a stall, something caught Herag’s attention, and he knelt down by the stall, casually picking up an antique vase and asked, "How much for this?"

The vendor was a bald middle-aged man holding a black cat. He glanced at the vase and said, "Twenty silver coins."

"Too expensive." Herag put the vase down.

"It’s fake, what are you buying that for?" Lillian asked puzzledly.

"Just browsing."

Herag then picked up a few more items and asked for prices, finally seemingly casually selecting a few items, spending a total of sixteen silver coins.

Lillian eyed him but didn’t speak.

After dinner, they returned to the inn, and Lillian went to Herag’s room and asked after closing the door, "What were you doing earlier, did you find something good, show me."

Herag pulled out a hexagonal plate made of some kind of wood, its color pitch-black. In the middle of the plate was a painting of a hexagonal tower, identical to the one inside his pocket watch.

Lillian examined the plate thoroughly and asked puzzledly: "Is this a treasure? I don’t see anything unusual, nor is there any magical energy flow."

"Maybe it’s not a treasure, but I’ve seen this painting in the middle before, so I bought it," Herag explained. He was actually unsure if the item had any value, but the painting was indeed identical to the one in the pocket watch.

Lillian lost interest listening to him: "I thought it was some great treasure, boring."

"Alright, I’m tired too, going to sleep." Herag lay on the soft bed, overcome by fatigue, planning to have a good night’s sleep.

Ever since learning the meditation method, he hardly slept, substituting meditation for sleep.

...

The ship made only a brief overnight stay at Colombo and then sped off towards the Kala Continent.

More than twenty days later, Herag stood on the deck, faintly seeing the shadow of the continent in the distance.

The ship docked at Ruby Port, and all the wizard apprentices disembarked here.

Dino walked at the front, saying to everyone: "Everyone, follow me."

He led the group through the streets to a tavern, which was named the Broken Cauldron Bar.

"Hey! It’s Dino!"

"He’s back with the newcomers."

"Let me see; quite a lot of newcomers this time."

"Welcome to the Kala Continent, young lads!"

...

As soon as Dino walked into the tavern, he attracted a lot of attention, with many people greeting him. The wizard apprentices he brought along became the new topic for conversation in the tavern.

Herag noticed that everyone here was a wizard, most of them at the wizard apprentice level.

"I didn’t see a single wizard outside just now, why are there so many here? A wizards’ exclusive tavern?" Herag was a bit puzzled. He estimated there must be some magic he hadn’t noticed at the entrance of the tavern, which allowed only wizards to see and enter it.

Lillian stood out among the group, with many people whistling at her, but she didn’t even glance at these greasy wizards.

Dino led them through the tavern to a wall in the back courtyard.

He walked to the wall and pressed a few bricks in sequence and then said, "Melinda!"

The wall made a rumbling sound, and then the bricks parted to reveal a path.

The world behind the wall was completely different from the yard, with a forest and a winding stone slab path leading deep into the forest. While the forest was dimly lit and filled with birdsong, the yard was sunny, with great weather.

Herag and the others were astonished at such a strange sight, seeing this kind of scene for the first time.

Dino seemed accustomed to it, leading the way in front, waving a hand behind him, "Let’s go."

The group followed him into the world behind the wall, with many looking back after passing through, but it just appeared to be ordinary forest—the wall had disappeared.

Dino turned around and said: "The various wizard organizations are just ahead, wait and follow my arrangements. Today’s the end of months of travel, good luck to you all."

He placed his left hand on his chest and bowed gracefully.

"Thank you, Mr. Dino, for taking care of us all the way." Lillian curtsied, holding the edge of her long dress.

Others also bowed and thanked him, as Dino was indeed very responsible throughout the journey, ensuring their safe arrival at the destination.

In the gloomy forest, not a single ray of sunlight shone through, with thick fog enveloping all around.

Herag looked up, and above the forest was heavy white mist, no sign of the sun could be seen.

Occasionally, the cries of crows could be heard in the distance, adding to the desolate atmosphere.