Chapter 169: Omen

Why do you even want this monster? Its a killer. Roy smacked the octopus seaweed-covered head with his short sword. He was trying to get the best angle to cut his prize open. Id love to make a grilled octopus out of this. This is the first time I get to have an octopus the size of a calf.

Oh, do please be careful, Mr. Roy. Dont hurt it, Linus gurgled. He turned around and announced, Passengers, do you have any idea how valuable this octopus No, this mollusc is?

Are you saying this monster is a rare animal? Blues mother held her son close at hand, glaring at Linus angrily. The boy said nothing, though he was stealing glances at the octopus. No matter how we see it, this is just a bigger octopus.

Precisely. Think about it. Have you ever seen an octopus in a river? Linus was starting to get excited. I am a biologist from Oxenfurt University, and I have been researching incredible animals all over the world, but this is the first time I have seen a freshwater octopus, and one at such stature, as well. There are no records about it, even in the institution. This must be an endangered species. It has to be protected.

Bollocks! a passenger growled. Are you sick in the head? That monster is a killer, and you want to protect it? No matter how rare that creature is, it must be killed. It has eaten humans.

Linus was infuriated by that remark, but he held his anger down. All of you are people of Cintra. All of you live near Yaruga, so you should know the changes that have happened to the river.

Dont beat about the bush. What does that have to do with this monster?

Have some patience, Linus answered. Over the last few decades, the living environments in all rivers have taken a turn for the worse, including Yaruga. If youd looked closer, you would have realized that most fish you had caught when you were kids are nowhere to be seen.

Really? Most passengers fell into a pensive silence.

To tell you the truth, I have looked into the matter. Fifty years ago, there were more than two thousand and five hundred species of fish in Yaruga, but today, there are only less than half of that. Variegated carps are extinct, high-fin banded sharks are all dead, as well. Banded catfish, barracudas, gudgeons, and many more! All of them are dead! Linus was suddenly getting galvanized. This octopus might be the last of its species in the river. If we kill it, we might be single-handedly sending a species into extinction!

Someone gasped in shock. Is the situation really that dire? All of a sudden, the man found that he wasnt feeling as much hatred for the octopus anymore. They werent directly hurt by the monster, after all.

Yes. Linus faced everyone seriously. And thats an optimistic estimation.

But it almost killed my son, and it hurt a brave sailor! Blues mother was still adamant about killing the monster. It cannot be released just like that.

Linus answered gently, I am more than willing to pay for the damages done to you.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Adonis limped over with the help of his crew. First things first. This monster must not be released into the river.

Hes right, the sailors agreed. Or it will ruin our trade.

Linus promised them, I will not release it into the waters, of course. To tell you the truth, once we get to Verden, I will ship it back to Oxenfurt. It shall be locked in a lab for further observation. Linus said, It shall spend the rest of its life in a glass room, never to harm anyone ever again.

Since Linus was going that far, the passengers saw no reason to object anymore.

I take it that the discussion is over? Roy flicked the mucus on his hand away and smiled at Linus. This creature isnt even a monster. None of its stats are over ten. Killing it wont progress my career. And its EXP probably isnt that much anyway. I guess I can spare it. Now, you said you wanted to purchase it. What will be your offer, then?

***

Nice doing business with you. Roy was beaming. He made two hundred crowns from the sale easily, and he finally had two thousand crowns again.

Linus, who was ripped off, didnt seem too angry about it. He was staring at the monster, excitement bubbling within him.

Since youve paid me handsomely, heres some free advice.

Linus didnt turn around. He had to clean the octopus wound. The harpoon didnt deal any fatal damage, though the paralyzing poison did knock it out.

Get the sailors to lend you a net. If its starting to die, hold it in a net and dip it in the river. I can give you some paralyzing poison to keep it from escaping, too.

Thank you. Linus sighed. This creature isnt a random kayran anymore. I have dubbed it Peter the Octopus.

Its yours now, so you may call it whatever you want. Roy wanted to throw a bit of shade at Linus, but he stopped himself before he could. But hauling it back to Oxenfurt is a big project. If you fail to take good care of it, Peter will be nothing but a kayran corpse at the end of your journey. Besides, there are a lot of uncertainties on your way back as well.

Linus frowned, and Roy added, Some more friendly advice. Take it to Cidaris. Its a kingdom north of Verden. Seek out a mage who goes by the name Dorregaray, and he shall help you.

Dorregaray? Who is that?

An animal protector like you. He advocates balance, and he will save this kay Peter the Octopus without asking for any favors in return. He is a mage, and he knows more than you do. You might find transporting Peter back to Oxenfurt a tough mission, but its nothing for him.

Linus eased up after hearing the explanation. Do please forgive me for my earlier behavior, my friend.

Of course. I have much to discuss with you the next time I am in Oxenfurt.

Roy wanted to see the keep of rare animals that Linus had.

***

Roy said hello to Ciri after he was done talking to Linus, and he gave the sailors half of his earnings from selling Peter. Without their help, he couldnt have captured the creature. He couldnt take all the money for himself. The sailors didnt refuse, either. They took the money from him and invited Roy to the cabin.

Adonis upper body was covered in bandages, and he was lying on the bunk bed. He looked weak, but he managed a smile. Witcher, I managed to survive thanks to you. Once we return to Cintra, you and I are going to drink our fill. Its on me.

Of course, but before that, a toast to you. Roy raised a bottle of dwarven liquor and downed it all. The courage you have shown is spectacular. You dont seem like a regular human.

Oh, but I am. Adonis smiled bitterly. I am just an old sailor. But my ancestors came from Skellige, and my grandfather always told me that all Skellige men were brave and courageous. Besides, that boy is just like my little Reggie. I couldnt just sit by when he was in danger.

To Adonis of Skellige!

Adonis face was red from all the coughing, but he managed to take a cup of rum. And to you, witcher.

Call me Roy.

The men made small talk, and Roy asked, Have you run into any underwater creatures like that before?

Adios shook his head firmly. The waterways between Cintra and Verden have always been safe. We havent even seen a drowner in more than ten years, let alone this kayran. This is the first time Ive seen one. Never heard of it before, either.

You have never even heard of it before?

Never.

Now, that is weird. Roy rubbed his chin pensively.

Perhaps it is an omen, Adonis mumbled to himself.

An omen? Of what?

I have a nephew in Cintra. Hes a soldier, and hes starting to get busy lately. I have a feeling this peace wont last for much longer. Every time a disaster is looming on the horizon, there will always be evil rearing its ugly head everywhere.

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