Chapter 1112: Chapter 482: Splitting Into Two Teams (Part 2)
"Residents of Brittania and the Empire used to be very hospitable to outsiders, until the Chaos Forces moved south. The mutations of the Old World have already stripped the residents there, whether nobles or commoners, of the capital for enthusiasm." Laine rode atop his Pure-blooded Elf Warhorse Grapes as he gazed at the commoners: "Only in Estalia and Tiriel, due to being far from the threats of Chaos and the Green Skin, do people have this mindset. Survival is merely the cold spoils snatched from the hands of the Chaos Evil God during this dark era."
"You’re always so despairing about these things," Veronica said, riding on a Half-Elf Warhorse, which was naturally a gift from Laine.
Compared to Laine’s seriousness, Veronica seemed rather leisurely, looking around as they rode.
Laine understood Veronica’s thoughts; this matter was unrelated to her. For the Jialan Witch, she was willing to join this Estalia trip only because it was Laine’s request. As a Legendary Peak Witch with a Wizard Tower, she could already achieve self-sufficiency or even profit through the Wizard Tower. Only the most desperate battle conditions could pull her from her tower to lead her apprentices onto the battlefield.
The Sea God Trident was neither her treasure nor Laine’s, so Veronica treated this journey as a trip, simply wanting to get some fresh air and enjoy some time traveling with Laine.
Apart from that, Veronica was actually rather indifferent to other matters. If it weren’t for Laine’s strict restrictions, she might even have conducted live magic experiments within Laine’s territory.
But such is the Caster; the end of the Path of Aurora is what they pursue, which might take their whole lives. And to the High Elf, human magic level is mere superficial study.
"I suddenly realized that we haven’t gone on an adventure like this, just the two of us, for a long time," Laine said, letting go of the issue. Riding along the dirt-constructed road, he looked forward: "It’s been many years."
"You have your territory; I have my Wizard Tower. Everything has changed," talking about this, Veronica became a bit sentimental. She tightened her grip on the reins, saying wistfully: "This day was always going to come, Laine. With your capabilities, unless you insisted on not having a territory, with the increase in wars and adventures, you were bound to have your own land. The fact that we can still be together is already good enough."
"Yes, that’s indeed the case." Laine nodded, then asked, "Has there been any news from the Jialan Council lately?"
"No, everyone’s busy with their own magic research. It’s said that Little Princess’s mother, Lady Aurora, is planning to lead a Witch Corps to visit your territory. Unfortunately, she got tied up with some matters." Veronica gave Laine a sidelong glance.
"What matters are keeping her tied up?"
"Isn’t it because of the mess you guys caused? That woman called Salt Grudge, fully known as Airenas-Salt Water Hatred? Recently, she’s been appearing at the Claw Sea and the Chaos Sea, attacking Barbarian coastal ports. Her means are so harsh that even some Norsca people, who trade with Nord, have been targeted, affecting Lady Aurora’s magic stone imports." Veronica said casually: "I don’t know the specifics; you understand, dear, I’m not at the Jialan Council."
"Salt Grudge’s attacks will significantly relieve the pressure on Nord’s coastlines, even including Oster Territory and Kislev," Laine commented: "Although it will undeniably impact trade, overall, the benefits outweigh the downsides."
"But the merchants and nobles of Nord Kingdom are very critical of it. They fail to see the long-term benefits; they only know that Egil the Red-Eyed is dead, and Norsca along with the Northern Barbarians are temporarily unable to move south. If they don’t seize the opportunity to profit from trade now, when will they? So lately, things have not been peaceful in Nord too," Veronica sighed.
"It’s always easiest to be generous with what belongs to others; when it isn’t related to one’s own interests, anyone can appear righteous and condemn others," Laine smirked: "But when their own interests are at stake, only a few can stay rational."
Laine had encountered things like this in his previous life. For example, when a billionaire donates a million to disaster areas, they’re criticized for not giving enough given their wealth. But when it comes to payday and making individuals spend a hundred to donate... that’s when the blood really spills, because the money before wasn’t theirs; the latter truly belongs to their interests.
Laine had no intention to critique the right or wrong of wealthy donations or ordinary people’s benevolence. Donating is a virtue, but not donating cannot be forced. He emphasized that it’s easy for outsiders to have clarity while those involved are confused; when one’s own interests are truly compromised, very few can maintain a clear head and rationality.
Chatting as they traveled, they reached the farm as dusk began to fall.
"Be careful! Something’s off!" Laine, upon surveying the entire farm, immediately became alert.
Veronica’s gaze turned sharp as she gripped Yundi’s Staff tightly. This staff could instant-cast two Fireball Techniques, and its tip could unleash Fire Wave to engulf enemies.
Above, a murder of crows circled the farm near the windmill and looming houses. What lay before Laine and Veronica was a scene straight from hell.
A thick scent of blood hung in the air. Along the path to the farm lay over a dozen bodies, most of them mutilated, with blood and viscera strewn across the ground. Several carts were haphazardly placed by the roadside, and the horses were nowhere to be found.
The two immediately dismounted. Veronica began a Spell chant, as the Jialan Witch sensed the nearby Magic Wind: "A fierce battle, without any magic used."
No magic traces? Laine touched the bloodstains on the ground, his brow furrowed as he smelled the blood: "These stains are still fresh! This massacre happened just now."
"Exactly, a massacre," Veronica began to recite a Magic Spell, shielding herself with the blazing shield. A Flowing Fire Cloak manifested around her, and she cast a Light of Shelter on Laine: "Could it be the work of those Rogue Knights?"
"Unlikely." Moving along the road, Laine drew his Mjolnir, its head sparking with lightning. Hearing Veronica’s question, he shook his head and pointed to a dead warhorse on the roadside.
The warhorse, clothed in barding, had its abdomen torn open, with its innards and the pack horse’s limbs entirely devoured: "This isn’t something Rogue Knights would do."
A little further from the warhorse lay the bodies of some Wandering Knights, their armors severely damaged, showing signs of being crushed. Veronica knelt beside a Wandering Knight’s body, inspecting their wounds: "Blunt weapons or a heavy object."
"The Rogue Knights evidently reached here but then engaged in battle," Laine deduced: "It seems as though when the Rogue Knights arrived, this farm had already been attacked. Instead of fleeing, they chose to fight, but were no match for the enemy."
"That means the enemy is still nearby," Veronica, looking at the closed wooden doors of the farmhouse, felt a growing sense of danger.
"Danger!"
"What..." Veronica, still trying to check the Wandering Knights’ crests, suddenly felt a tightness around her waist as Laine pulled her back, leaping five meters away: "Watch out!"
"Boom!" The wooden door of the farmhouse exploded, and a massive log slammed into the spot where they previously stood.
A four-meter-tall Giant Beast emerged through the smoke, its huge muscles draped in various-sized straps and skulls. Two curved horns protruded from the sides of its head, a large, dangling bell hung near its spine, and a giant fur pom-pom adorned its waist.
The Fierce Beast gripped a curved tree trunk in both hands, roaring deafeningly at Veronica: "Meat... eat... Wizard... eat!!!"
Laine set Veronica down, raising his Warhammer: "Prepare for battle, my dear."
Veronica’s fingertips flared with fire: "Cyclops!"
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