Chapter 26

[Translator – Kie]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 26

The western territory of Rehinar was bustling with people after a long time.

“What’s going on here?”

“Where have all the shacks that were here disappeared to?”

“How can buildings be built without any workers...?”

People were astonished to see the buildings being constructed by themselves.

“Did they bring a construction mage from the capital? Otherwise, bricks and stones wouldn’t be flying through the air.”

It was common for mages to be deployed to rebuild or construct new buildings when they were destroyed by war.

What the people of the territory were witnessing was no different from a magical scene.

There was even a barrier around the buildings, so everyone was certain.

“But who’s building these structures?”

“Hey! Look at this.”

A middle-aged man pointed to a sign with his finger.

“The Blue Merchant Group? And next to it, the Blue Adventure Guild?”

[TL/N: Blue Merchant Guild will be changed to Blue Merchant Group.]

“Weren’t the merchant groups and guilds gathered in the northern commercial district?”

“Indeed. What’s happening here?”

News from the western territory quickly spread throughout the region.

Around that time.

Peter Shade and his party were waiting on the road from Rehinar to Philaec.Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

“Is the rumor about the Mana Stones true?”

“The kids have confirmed it.”

“Where did so many come from?”

“They say the Guardian knights who returned from war, brought them with them.”

“If only they had focused on gathering Mana Stones instead of being stubborn, Rehinar’s debt would have been repaid by now, tsk tsk.”

“The stubbornness of Duke Carl is known to everyone in Rehinar.”

“Hehe. But that’s why we’re living so well-fed.”

Duke Carl was someone who valued principles and the greater good above all.

To speak well of him, he was an idealistic leader prioritizing his people, but negatively, he was just stubborn.

In reality, because of his principles and the greater good, Rehinar was falling apart.

“What will you do if you steal the Mana Stones? Will you really offer them to the Holy Sword Knights?”

“The more bribes, the better.”

The meeting between Peter and Rick of the Holy Sword Knights was brief.

While searching for Rivan’s whereabouts, they also coveted bribes.

Rumors spread throughout the territory.

They said the Blue Merchant Group was going out to sell the Mana Stones.

Rick subtly hinted at this, he mentioned that the Holy Sword Knights were short on operating funds.

Peter, being quick-witted, immediately understood Rick’s intentions.

The Holy Sword Knights needed to find Rivan’s whereabouts.

So, they wanted Peter’s group to bring the Mana Stones instead.

Peter was diligently carrying out this task.

“If we succeed in this mission, we can leave this wretched Rehinar behind.”

As Peter was dreaming big, a procession pulling a wagon appeared ahead.

“It’s the Blue Merchant Group.”

“Get ready.”

“Is this a raid or...?”

“Let’s kill them all cleanly.”

“Understood.”

***

The procession of the Blue Merchant Group was moving very slowly.

As if inviting thieves to take their goods.

They moved like turtles.

Camilla was the only one extremely tense.

This was the first mission her master, the Young Master, had entrusted to her alone.

His joy was Camilla’s happiness, and she wanted to complete the mission successfully.

‘But what is the Young Master doing right now?’

While traveling, Camilla kept thinking about Kane.

As she stared blankly into the air, Daniel approached and asked,

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“You were thinking about Young Master Kane, weren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“It’s written all over your face.”

Camilla scratched her cheek and gave an embarrassed smile.

“Hehe. You caught me.”

“Do you perhaps like the Young Master?”

“No! How could I possibly like the Young Master? Absolutely not.”

She denied it vehemently.

To Camilla, Kane was someone she had to care for.

But now?

He had transformed into a master she must serve for life.

The feelings of liking him as a man...

‘Me, like the Young Master?’

...were nonexistent.

To her, Kane was not a man but simply her master.

“Then that’s good. Personal feelings should be kept out of your duties.”

“Of course. That would never happen.”

At Camilla’s firm reply, a gentle smile appeared on Daniel’s lips.

“Now, can you tell me about the Young Master?”

“He’s the best!”

“What makes him the best?”

Water mana flowed along Camilla’s sword as she advanced.

She swung it towards the approaching bandits.

A crescent-shaped wave of water swept over them.

Thud!

Peter’s men grouped together to block her sword wave.

Ten men formed a unit, moving with seasoned combat experience.

However—

Camilla was a Beginner-Tier 3rd-class knight.

No matter their numbers, they couldn’t easily approach her.

She drew the other sword from her side.

Crossing the swords, she sent another wave of watery sword energy.

Thump-thump-thump!

The bandits were thrown back with a loud bang.

They were thrown back as if they hit a massive barrier. And had no major flesh injuries.

This demonstrated Camilla’s character.

She valued human life, even that of her enemies.

“Do you still think you can take me on?”

With both swords drawn, her presence was formidable.

Her intimidating aura caused Peter’s men to hesitate.

The difference in skill was obvious.

The outcome was also obvious if they dared to confront her.

Yet, Peter still couldn’t come to his senses and shouted,

“I’ll give 5 million gold to the one who brings that woman to me.”

Five million gold could buy five houses in any territory.

The immense reward boosted the bandits’ morale.

“Waaaaah!”

“The reward is mine!”

“I’ll get her first.”

The fear in their eyes vanished.

They saw only the reward before them.

Camilla couldn’t hide her bewilderment at their sudden surge of morale.

“What’s going on?”

The bandits swarmed towards her like wasps.

She swung her sword again, sending another wave of energy at them.

Thud-thud-thud!

Even as their comrades fell, they paid no mind.

In the meantime, they drew closer to Camilla.

Clang!

“Heh, you’re mine now.”

Camilla parried an incoming spear and counterattacked.

She swung her twin swords in rapid succession,

Her movements were aggressive and relentless.

Though she started near the carriage, she was now standing in the middle of the enemies.

The fifty bandits quickly dwindled to twenty.

“Ugh.”

Those who fell clutched their bodies in agony, but they survived thanks to Camilla striking with the flat of her blade.

Perhaps because of this, the ones who were fallen started to rise again.

Seeing this, Camilla began to knock them out cold to ensure they wouldn’t get back up.

At that moment—

“That’s enough.”

Camilla turned her head towards the voice.

Melin held the elders who were near the carriage hostage.

* * *

Kane, having left the Rehinar territory, was running along the trade route.

With each step he took, he advanced 2 meters.

It was as if he were walking on water.

A rippling sound could be heard.

‘Definitely faster than a horse.’

Unless it was a spirit horse or ghost horse, he was definitely faster than a real horse.

Each time his foot touched the ground, a small puddle formed.

Every step he took propelled him forward smoothly and swiftly.

It was a skill called [Water Walk], originally part of the ‘Twin Swords Techniques of Protection’ skill.

‘Almost there.’

The scenery around him changed rapidly.

Soon, he could see a group in a chaotic skirmish.

He took position among the bushes.

“It’s just starting.”

Camilla’s sword aura pushed back the fifty men.

It was a powerful, energy-laden sword technique.

But Kane frowned.

“She still doesn’t use deadly force against enemies, now or then. She’s going to get herself hurt that way.”

Camilla’s skills were superior to her opponents. However, her lack of combat experience hindered her ability to handle situations effectively.

Moreover, her overly compassionate heart prevented her from completely overpowering her foes.

“If her separation anxiety trait had kicked in, it would have been a disaster.”

The separation anxiety trait had the effect of lowering her abilities.

If that trait had triggered, she wouldn’t be able to fight as she was now.

“There’s only one way to beat Camilla.”

While observing from the bushes, the situation finally escalated.

Enemies moved behind the carriage and took Daniel and the elders hostage.

“What will you do now?”

Kane crossed his arms and watched Camilla’s next move.

[Translator – Kie]

[Proofreader – Lucky]