Chapter 144: He was too greedy

While Strax was busy following his antics as a stealthy assassin...

"Really, he should get a beating when he returns." Samira said impatiently. It had been almost ten minutes since they heard only the soldiers' screams and nothing from her husband, and this was making her extremely anxious. "Do you want to go take a look?" Monica asked, as she was also worried enough to take some action, especially knowing who her husband was...

"Let's wait a bit longer, that idiot won't do anything to risk his life, he's too greedy, but that doesn't mean his greed is worth his life," Beatrice said, as impatient as the others. She was actually even considering following what her mother suggested, but she thought better of it. "Knowing that maniac, he's taking advantage of something, that look... he seemed crazy for spoils."

"Are you all... always like this?" Carlos, who had been quiet most of the time, questioned the women.

He had been observing the group for a while now. In fact, ever since he was simply devastated by Strax before they arrived in the Duchy, he had been watching this peculiar group. And he was becoming increasingly confused... I mean, he knew who Samira and Monica were, members of the nobility, but who had deserted their titles, and Beatrice... well, he later found out they were mother and daughter.

And that was exactly what was worrying him about this group, not worrying, but arousing his curiosity.

"What do you mean by that?" Beatrice questioned, after all, she felt a bit judged, and well... that was indeed the case.

"I mean, how are you still together? Damn, you're totally different, just look at you three!" He said, having a small outburst while pointing at them, "She's your mother! And your husband's wife, did you know?" Carlos commented, making Beatrice and Monica look at each other...

"So?" Beatrice said, "I mean, it's kind of strange and if I knew she was my mother before, but the damage was already done. What would I do? Deny my mother the love of her life?

I know how good a man he is, I'd rather she be in his arms than out there with another man." Beatrice shrugged while Monica clearly felt embarrassed and turned her face away, "stupid girl," she murmured while Carlos watched this strange scene between mother and daughter and turned to Samira, staring at her.

"What now, suck-up?" Samira responded as he analyzed her, "Don't you find this strange?" He asked, "Hm? Who cares about this crap, we're cultivators, relationship rules don't apply to us who live longer and stay younger." Samira said, she was quite... blunt with her words. Well, it made sense; she had lived her whole life as a mercenary and guild leader, and frequented bars most of the time.

It would be strange if she weren't this blunt.

Carlos just analyzed that situation and couldn't understand how that group was so united. In his mind, only one person crossed it, of course... "Of course it's his fault... even the Black Blade got caught, I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up with her in his arms in a few weeks..." He thought, realizing that it was indeed quite strange, that man... was a damn magnet that attracted women to him.

With a final skilled move, Strax slid forward and drove his sword into the base of Kang's chest, piercing the heart of the Brute Fanatic and ending his devastating fury. The giant fell heavily to the ground, and Strax used ice to create a bed of spikes, his immense body falling onto the stakes, ending him... Dead on a bed of ice spikes, an immediate death.

"And so the spectacle ends," Strax murmured to himself, as he withdrew his swords from Kang's body. He quickly retreated from the scene without giving the knights time to speak to him, moving swiftly through the shadows, taking advantage of the confusion caused by Kang's death to infiltrate the carriage they were protecting.

Upon reaching the carriage, Strax observed a young cultivator still unconscious and surrounded by valuable items. "Time to see what we have here," he thought, as he began to rummage through the items around and prepare for his escape.

But before he could touch anything, "Hold it right there," he heard, and a sword swiped close to his neck. "Was someone here?" he wondered, as he had only sensed the unconscious cultivator, who was around the Master level.

Strax froze, the blade dangerously close to his neck. His senses were heightened, searching for any sign of the attacker he had overlooked.

"Who's there?" he asked, his voice low and controlled, trying to buy time while he formulated a plan.

[Danger!] The System roared.

"That doesn't matter now," replied a cold and authoritative female voice. "Take one more step towards that girl and it'll be the last thing you do." Strax slowly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, trying to assess the situation. He felt the energy emanating from the woman behind him and realized he was dealing with someone of significant level.

"Calm down," Strax said, keeping his voice soft. "I'm not your enemy. I'm just curious about what's happening here."

The woman didn't lower the sword, but she didn't attack immediately either. "Curious? You look more like a thief taking advantage of the chaos. Besides, you killed several members of their guild and now you're in here. You're really greedy."

Strax felt a drop of sweat trickle down his face. He knew he needed to be convincing. "I was trying to protect the young cultivator," he said. "I saw she was in danger and wanted to ensure she was safe."

The woman narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing every word and gesture of Strax. "And why should I believe you?"

"Because if I were your enemy, I wouldn't be here trying to talk," Strax responded calmly. "We'd be fighting to the death right now."

The blade remained close, but the tension eased slightly. "Prove it," she said, not lowering her guard.