Surprisingly, Amon sensed that the tendon had properties similar to the Aquaticore. Of course, it couldn't be used as a parangon, but if it was made into a long whip or a bowstring, it could greatly enhance the power of water element magic. If it was used on a warship, its power could be maximized.
Amon planned to study the tendon carefully when he got back. Perhaps he could use it to make his first magic artifact. He remembered the day when he killed the serpent in the Euphrate River. There must have been four fangs frozen in the ice and exploded into the water. It was a pity that he didn't find them at that time. Although the tendon and fangs of the serpent couldn't be compared with Enkidu's trophies, they were still very precious materials for magic artifacts.
Gilgamesh's gift to show off to the whole kingdom was really precious. While Amon was thinking about it, the caravan had already passed through the city gate. He hurried into the capital of Bablon among the cheering crowd.
The parade passed through the city and came to the square in the center of the city, which could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. It was right in front of the main shrine of Marduc, facing the royal palace. On the left side of the square was the Academy of Magic of Bablon, and on the right was the Hall of Glory of Heroes. The memorial hall was dedicated to the famous heroes in the history of the kingdom. If there were no accidents, the names of Gilgamesh and Enkidu would also be engraved and enshrined there after their deaths.
The people gathered on one side of the square. Under the long steps of the shrine, there was a semicircle cordoned off. The King of Bablon, Hammurabi II, and his ministers were there to welcome Gilgamesh in person.
A governor was not qualified to be welcomed by the King in person, but Gilgamesh's achievement of killing Humbaba had attracted the attention of the whole kingdom. This was the glory he deserved. After all, Humbaba's fangs and tendon were at the front of the caravan. Hammurabi II took the opportunity to show his favor. The news had already spread far and wide. The City Lords of the nearby cities had also rushed to the capital city to watch the show. They stood behind the King and looked at Gilgamesh with complicated expressions.
A group of nobles had the same complicated look on their faces. They all knew that Gilgamesh was Princess Sissila's fiancé and knew that the Kingdom of Bablon would face a struggle for the throne in the future. Some of them were wondering what Gilgamesh's intentions were, while others were considering which side they should take. Gilgamesh, on the other hand, smiled brightly and calmly. He knew that there were rumors in the kingdom that he might usurp the throne after marrying Sissila.
The purpose of Gilgamesh's action was to express his loyalty to the kingdom and the gods. After killing Humbaba, he offered the snake's tendon and fangs to the shrine of Marduc, which was a clear declaration to the gods that Humbaba had violated the agreement between Marduc and Enril, and that if Enril had anything to say, he should go to Marduc. On the other hand, it was also a warning. He wasn't even afraid of the Guardian of the Euphrate River, let alone any slander or threat.
He swaggered into the capital city and received the cheers of the people and the welcome of the King. He didn't care about the rumors in the kingdom at all. The hero of the city was extremely arrogant. Enkidu, the greatest warrior in the continent, didn't accompany him to the city. He only brought a simple ceremonial guard and didn't ask the army to escort him, which made many people feel relieved.
Amon was watching the show in the crowd. He didn't care about Enkidu. He thought that Yoon Namna would enter the city with Gilgamesh, but he didn't see Yoon Namna in the welcoming procession in front of the shrine. When Gilgamesh entered the shrine accompanied by the King and the high priest, and the atmosphere in the square reached its climax, Amon quietly left to find Medanzo.
Today, the streets of Bablon City were almost empty. Amon walked through the streets and alleys, asking the listless shopkeepers for directions. Finally, he arrived at Medanzo's house. It was a century-old house, which had been renovated in recent years. It looked beautiful and spacious. A long time ago, this block should have been the residence of the nobles. But after the old King Hammurabi I expanded the city and built a more magnificent shrine, most of the lords and dukes now lived in the south of the city. The east of the city was basically the new residence of the rich and common people.
There were many shops and inns nearby. Usually, this area should be bustling and noisy, but today it was quiet. Although Medanzo's family had declined and he had lost his noble status, he still lived in his ancestral house. He hired gatekeepers, coachmen, servants, and maidservants. It must have cost a lot to maintain such an ostentatious lifestyle. No wonder he would privately sell precious fine iron and Damasc steel to make money.
Amon came at a bad time. The gatekeeper told him that Master Medanzo had left a few months ago and hadn't returned yet. The mistress was not at home either. She had gone to the square in front of the shrine to watch the show. This surprised and disappointed Amon. He had come all the way here only to come empty-handed. But it was normal. It had been almost two years since Medanzo left the Savage Tribe. It was likely that he had gone to Link again.
Since he was already here, he couldn't just turn around and leave. Since Medanzo wasn't here, it would be good to see his wife. If there was any trouble at home, he could help solve it. Amon had money and time anyway. He waited in the hall until it was almost dark. Medanzo's wife, Mirieh, came home with her maidservant. Hearing that a friend had come to visit Medanzo, she came to the side hall to meet him.
Amon was a little surprised when he saw Mirieh. He remembered seeing her and her maidservant in the cheering crowd outside the city gate. At that time, she was waving her scarf and screaming at Gilgamesh. Amon had thought that she was a young lady, but it turned out to be Medanzo's wife.
Mirieh saw Amon in his old linen clothes, muddy shoes, and a crudely made stick in the shape of a tree branch. She frowned and tried to be polite. She asked Amon why he had come. Amon took out a golden token and put it on the table. "I'm Amon. I told Medanzo that I would come to visit. He must have mentioned me to you. This is my token. Do you recognize it? "
Mirieh recognized the sign as soon as she saw it. Before he left, Metatro had told her that if anyone came here and showed this sign, she must give them the best reception. This token was not only left by their family's benefactor, but also Medanzo's most respected teacher.
When she saw Amon take out the token, she was puzzled and even a little angry. The visitor was obviously a lowly foreigner, and a very young one at that. How could she let such a strange man stay at home and give him the best reception? The benefactor of Medanzo's ancestors had died a long time ago. What did it have to do with her that a young man came with a token? Judging from Amon's appearance, he couldn't be Medanzo's teacher either.
The last time Medanzo came home, he had stayed at home for more than a year. This time, he finally said that he was going to do some business, but there was no news from him for several months. Mirieh was left alone at home. She didn't have much money left. Now that Metatro himself hadn't returned home, how could he not be angry that such an inexplicable "creditor" had come to him?
Thinking of this, Mirieh tried to be as polite as possible. "Sir, I'm really sorry. I don't know this token, and I don't know you either. Medanzo isn't home, and I don't dare to take in a strange man. The neighbors will gossip. He left two and a half months ago and said that he would be back in five months at most. Looking at the days, it should be soon. Can you come back in a few days? When Medanzo comes home, he will give you the warmest reception. "
With these words, she asked the concierge to see her out. She didn't even ask Amon to stay for a meal.
Amon would have been surprised if he had just come out of the mountains. But after such a long journey, he had seen the fickleness of human nature. Why should he care about a woman? No one would be happy if their husband was away for a long time, and a strange man in shabby clothes asked for hospitality.
He said to Mirieh, "I'll stay in the inn nearby. I'll come back when Medanzo comes home." When he went out, he looked at the pair of worn-out cloth shoes on his feet and saw that they were stained with mud. Amon smiled bitterly.
Mirieh refused to let Amon in. She didn't treat him with the best hospitality as her husband had told her to. She sent her maid, Fossah, to follow Amon and see where he would stay. She was also planning what to say to her husband. Amon, of course, knew that Mirieh's maid was following him. He couldn't help but find it funny.
He went to the inn nearby and asked for the best room with the entrance hall. It cost two silver coins a day. Mirieh was surprised by the maid's reply.
Amon didn't do this for pleasure or to show off. He had been to many cities, and he knew that the better the place he stayed, the less trouble he would have to face. If he stayed in the cheapest inn, where many people slept on straw mattresses, even if a neighbor lost something, the first place he would be interrogated would be in that kind of place.
On the other hand, he needed to meditate and practice magic every night, so he needed a quiet and undisturbed environment. He couldn't find any secluded places in the capital of Bablon, so he had to find the most expensive room in the inn. Even the waiter wouldn't disturb him without notifying him, which saved him a lot of trouble.
The next day, Amon walked out of the inn and went to a nearby clothing store to buy some clothes. After a long journey, his linen clothes were worn out, and the two new ones he bought in Som were also old. Moreover, the weather was getting colder. It was early winter, and it was not appropriate to walk on the street in thin clothes. Even if he wasn't afraid of the cold, he couldn't look too dazzling.
He bought two pairs of comfortable leather boots, the kind that Medanzo had worn on his long mountaineering trips. They were sturdy, good-looking, and durable. He also bought two sets of light fur coats. According to the laws of the kingdom, commoners could not wear excessive embroidery, but the beautiful patterns on the fur of wild beasts were natural, so it was not against the law. Therefore, rich merchants who did not have a high status loved all kinds of fur coats, and the prices were also very high.
Amon was used to wearing fur coats in the savage tribe. He looked like a young master of a wealthy family who was out for a trip to the capital to see the world. As soon as Amon put on the new clothes, Mirieh's maid, Fossah, came to pick up the winter clothes that Madam had ordered a month ago.
The shopkeeper said unhappily, "These two sets of fur coats cost thirty silver coins, but you don't want to pay for them. My business needs capital, and I can't afford to owe you."
Fossah hurried to explain, "My master will be back in a few days, and he will pay you back with interest. Please let me take the clothes first, or Madam will scold me."
The shopkeeper's face darkened, "What does it have to do with me if your master scolds you? Since your master will be back in a few days, you can come back in a few days. How can I continue my business if everyone is like this? "
Seeing this, Amon thought that it was not easy for Medanzo to earn money, and his wife was very generous. These two sets of clothes were even more expensive than the ones he had just bought. However, he couldn't let Medanzo's wife not get the new winter clothes. He took out two gold coins and handed them to Fossah, "Aren't you Medanzo's maid? I will pay for him, and when Medanzo comes back, he will come to visit me. He knows who I am, and you know where I live. "
As soon as Amon returned to the inn, someone came to visit him. It was Medanzo's wife. She was waiting outside with all the servants. Although it was a short distance, the carriage was ready.
Mirieh bowed to Amon as soon as she saw him, "Dear guest, you are my master's teacher, and I have neglected you. Please forgive me … I can't read, so I didn't recognize the sign yesterday. After you left, I found the family map, and I realized that you are indeed the benefactor of the family."
Amon smiled and waved his hand, "You don't need to apologize. My husband is not home, and it is not convenient to take in a strange man. How can I blame you?"
Mirieh said, "Please don't say that. Now that I know who you are, how can I let you stay in the inn? The best room in the house has been prepared, and the servants have prepared a sumptuous dinner. The carriage is waiting outside. Please come with me. … If you refuse this hospitality, my husband will definitely blame me when he comes back. Before he left, he had already warned me. Yesterday, I turned you away at the door. I really regret it. Please give me a chance to make up for it. "
She begged for a long time, saying that it was Medanzo's order, and that she would not neglect Amon. Amon nodded. Staying in Medanzo's house was more convenient than staying in the inn. Besides, he just wanted to find a quiet place. So he left the inn and followed Mirieh home.
Amon stayed in Medanzo's house. Mirieh treated him very well, and the servants were very respectful to him. They called him "Master Amon" when they met. However, Metatro's family still hadn't returned after the deadline he had set with them. Amon couldn't help but feel anxious. Did something happen to Medanzo on his way here? Although he was an advanced warrior, it might be dangerous for him to travel such a long distance to sell goods under the control of the government.
Mirieh was very curious about Amon's identity. She often tried to find opportunities to pry into his identity. She even asked why Medanzo called him "Master". Amon, of course, would not reveal his identity. He only said that he met Medanzo when he was traveling, and that he taught Medanzo some of his skills. That was why Medanzo called him "Master". As for the token in his hand, it was a gift from an elder, and it was because of it that he met Medanzo.
Mirieh had heard of the legend of Medanzo's family. Medanzo's great-grandfather was a sixth-level mage and a priest of Marduc's Shrine. He was buried somewhere in the chaos of war. Later on, a hunter from afar obtained his belongings and sent them back to Bablon City, which saved his family from a difficult situation at that time. A few years ago, Medanzo vaguely mentioned that the hunter had obtained his great-grandfather's magic book and became a sorcerer. But that was more than a hundred years ago.
Metatro hadn't come back yet. Mirieh didn't know what had happened to him. One day, she said to Amon, "You've been in the capital for some time, but you've always been wandering around the house and the yard. There are many interesting places in the capital. You may not be familiar with the capital. I'll ask the coachman to take you around. Fossah will be your guide. "
Amon also wanted to explore the capital. It was good to have a familiar guide, so he nodded and agreed. One day, Amon went out in Medanzo's carriage, accompanied by Fossah. Before leaving, Mirieh told Fossah to take Amon to some interesting places and eat delicious food. She also told him not to return home until it was dark.
After Amon left, Mirieh sent the servant to the front yard and quietly went upstairs to his room. She carefully rummaged through his bag. Amon was a cautious man. It was not convenient to take the heavy staff with him, so he left it beside his bed. But he took out the four special gems and put them in the bone.
The bone was shaped like a rib. To avoid losing it, Amon hid it under his clothes. It was a safe and hidden place. It contained his most important things, including all the relics from the mysterious cave. He did not carry the big leather bag with him. His clothes were also in the room. There was also a small leather bag in the big leather bag. That was his money bag.
Amon was rich enough. Any one of the relics from the mysterious cave was very precious, let alone the four special parangons. He could not afford to expose them. But he did not care much about money. He only knew that it was important to travel around the continent. In fact, he did not need to spend much money.
Since he arrived in Bablon City, he needed to stay in a hotel and buy things. So he put all his "money" in the bag. There were gold, silver, copper, and even parangons, which was convenient for him to use. He had to use spatial magic to move things back and forth in the bone. The bone itself would not be detected by detection magic, but the energy fluctuations during the use of spatial magic could be detected by others. He had to be careful and use the bone as little as possible. After all, this was the capital city.
He took five parangons with him when he left Duc and picked up another nine in the cave. After crossing the Euphrate River, Gilgamesh "compensated" him with ten parangons. He gave one to Medanzo, Cain, and Abel on the way, so he still had twenty-one parangons left. He put them together with the coins in the small leather bag. Of course, he could not bring so much money with him, so he only put some coins in his pocket.
Mirieh was a little disappointed to find that Amon only had a few sets of clothes with him. But when she opened the bag and saw the dazzling parangons and coins, she gasped and froze for a long time. This was a huge sum of money, equivalent to what Medanzo could earn in decades.
Although there was no one in the room, she felt very nervous. Her heart was pounding and she could not even breathe. She wanted to put the bag away, but she could not bring herself to put it down. When she put it down, she put her hand on her chest and took a few deep breaths. Then she began to search the other things in the room. Apart from the clothes and the bag, Amon had nothing else on him except the stick that looked like a tree branch leaning against the bed.
Mirieh reached out to pick up the "tree branch", but she almost sprained her waist. It was so heavy that she could not lift it with one hand. Mirieh reached out with both hands to lift the stick off the ground. Suddenly, she "understood" something.
She knew what kind of "business" Medanzo was doing. It turned out that the stick was a whole piece of Damasc steel disguised as a tree branch. No wonder Amon insisted on not letting the maid tidy up his room.
This young man was very wealthy, but he dressed so simply when he first came to Bablon City. There must be something shady about him. He must be Medanzo's "business partner", who specialized in buying fine iron and Damasc steel. It was not a big deal to buy these things in small quantities, but it was a felony to buy and smuggle them in large quantities.
He really made a lot of money. Mirieh sighed in her mind. At the same time, she reevaluated Amon's purpose. He came at the time Medanzo agreed to come home. He must be here to collect the goods. But Medanzo never came back. This man would not wait long. As for what Medanzo had said before he left, it must have been a cover-up. He did not want to expose Amon's identity as an illegal black market merchant.
Mirieh hurriedly put everything back in the room and tiptoed back to her room. She was sweating and breathing hard. She asked Fossah to get her a glass of water, but no one answered. Then she remembered that the maid had gone out with Amon. Just then, someone came to visit. It was her brother, Enoch, the son of a merchant in Bablon City.
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