章 6: Chapter6-The Sudden Arrival of a Magus

"Who is he?" At the entrance of Rock Manor Ruins, Ranch asked Old Rock, his eyes carrying a hint of caution.

Old Rock cursed loudly, "Damned thief, who let you into my manor!"

He rushed into the manor, picked up a wooden stick from the ground, and swung it at the figure crouching there.

The stick didn't hit its target as the shadowy figure quickly dodged, glanced at Old Rock and the group including Ranch and Sophia, then swiftly climbed over the wall and left.

"What did you see?" Ranch asked Sophia.

The person was not simple.

When climbing the wall, Ranch noticed streaks of azure light, a sign of surging magical power...

This suggested that the cloaked individual was likely a magus.

Sophia's response confirmed his suspicion, stating, "A novice magus."

The ranking system for magi and knights is broadly similar.

Magi are categorized into Magic Apprentice, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Magus, Grand Magus, and Archmagus...

Beyond that, there seem to be even higher levels, possibly even touching upon the divine, but no records of such exist in the Dark Empire where Ranch resides.

The classification for knights is even less nuanced, only extending from knight trainee, novice, to advanced.

Above that, it appears the Dark Empire has never had anyone reach such heights.

Ranch was in a foul mood, especially after he and Sophia entered the manor and couldn't sense even the faintest trace of dragon presence.

Ranch's expression darkened further, and Sophia whispered, "The last time I came to investigate, I could still detect a faint dragon aura… but now, not even that trace remains. That magus must have interfered."

The situation they feared most seemed to have unfolded.

It was highly probable that the magus had come for the dragon's treasure.

However, the current situation wasn't entirely grim; it appeared the magus also lacked the capability to extract the treasure and had purposely eradicated the dragon's aura to prevent others from discovering it.

This was somewhat good news.

Thus, after making a show of touring around, Ranch approached Old Rock again, paid a two-thousand gold coin deposit, and signed the contract.

Ranch just needed to pay the remaining eight thousand gold coins within seven days to gain full ownership of the manor.

Old Rock, after receiving the gold coins, didn't waste any time with small talk and left in high spirits.

Ranch and Sophia, however, stayed behind.

In a dilapidated wooden hut within the manor, the two of them settled into the shadows to discuss their strategy.

"That magus won't give up easily," Ranch expressed his concerns, turning to Sophia, "Can you handle that magus?"

After pondering for a moment, Sophia rolled her eyes at Ranch,

"That's a magus! I don't know magic. But don't you have that strange spray? I think it might work against him."

"That... ran out," Ranch admitted frankly.

The Compliance Spray indeed was a valuable item, but refreshing it in the store's inventory required a bit of luck.

Hearing Ranch's response, Sophia scoffed, "So, our generous Mr. Ranch actually used such a precious item on a maid, quite lavish indeed!"

Ranch ignored Sophia's sarcasm and decided to go all-in.

He spent three hundred gold coins to refresh the store's inventory thrice.

Fortune seemed to favor him as the Compliance Spray appeared again, along with two other potentially useful items.

The only downside was their steep price, which significantly dwindled Ranch's recently acquired wealth.

[Compliance Spray: Limited purchase of one bottle. Emits a fragrance that induces subconscious compliance, lasting for ten minutes, one-time use. Price: twenty gold coins.]

[Bizarre Scales: Unique. Seem to be scales from a powerful creature, granting the wearer the ability to temporarily exert the scale owner's aura of intimidation, powerful enough to awe dragons, single-use only. Special Note: This item will not appear again in the store, regardless of purchase. Price: three thousand gold coins.]

[Fine Knight Longsword: Forged by dwarf craftsmen, this knight's longsword is exceedingly sharp, capable of slicing through heavy armor. Price: five hundred gold coins.]

With these items now in his possession, Ranch felt slightly more prepared to face the potential threats that lay ahead, including the enigmatic magus and the secretive treasures within the manor.

As Ranch watched his gold coins deplete, he gained three new items in exchange.

Handing over the Compliance Spray and the Fine Knight Longsword to Sophia, he said, "These are for you to use."

"For me?" Sophia's eyes widened in surprise and touched gratitude.

The Compliance Spray, a magical item of such nature, could fetch thousands of gold coins at auction, its price reflecting its unique utility.

Despite the Compliance Spray's limitation requiring close proximity and inhalation by the target, its benefits couldn't be overshadowed.

Particularly for interrogations, it represented a nightmare tool, almost rivaling the effects of a True Word Spell, which compels one to reveal their innermost truths.

Similarly, the Compliance Spray could achieve this feat.

And then there was the Fine Knight Longsword, equally valuable in its own right.

A thought struck Sophia, "I've completed so many tasks for Master Hawk, yet never received a weapon fit for my use. Yet here's Ranch, generously offering me this miraculous spray and a knight's sword."

"Sophia, what's the matter?" Ranch noticed her deep in thought, and the increasingly fervent look in her eyes.

Damn it, not this again!

Elves are known for their superior healing abilities, especially Sophia, who is a novice knight and inherently robust.

Having initiated an intimate encounter with Ranch that morning, she discovered the exquisite pleasure of carnal desires.

Now, touched by his generosity and no longer feeling the need to repress her desires, she willingly embraces the moment.

Ranch is caught between pleasure and agony.

Despite having twice the physical stamina of an ordinary person, facing an elf like Sophia is challenging.

She's not an ordinary partner, and if this continues, he's likely to be the first to succumb to exhaustion.

It's a hit to his pride, but it's the reality.

"I need to become stronger," Ranch reflects, and then he proceeds, engaging with Sophia once more. The cabin fills with their moans.

Sophia's allure is undeniable.

As an elf, she embodies a seduction that rivals even that of a succubus.

In less than half an hour, she has Ranch at his limit. Unsatisfied, she provocatively taunts him,

"Is that all you've got, Master Ranch? How do you plan to avenge yourself against Master Hawk with such stamina?"

Her words strike hard.

Spurred by her challenge, Ranch rallies for another round.

Sophia braces herself against the cabin wall, her legs parted, facilitating his entrance.

Their vigorous activity nearly rocks the small cabin.

Finally, Sophia shivers with fulfillment, her desire satiated.

By evening, they decide not to return to Colin's manor, opting to wait in the cabin for the magus's return.

As night falls, just as Ranch predicted, the magus reappears.

"Sophia, it's time," Ranch signals.

Together, they confront the magus crouching on the ground.

He throws back his hood to reveal curly aqua hair and a face marked with scorn,

"You two? An elf following the path of a knight and a fledgling knight trainee? How laughable!"

"The grand cosmos, grant me your power! Starlight Bind!" The young magus intones, and strands of light materialize, targeting Ranch and Sophia, binding them in place.

Sophia's expression darkens, "She's a... stellar magus!"

Unlike necromancers who draw power from the undead and worship the god of death, stellar maguses harness the power of starlight, venerating the mighty Mother of Stars.

Besides these, there are maguses devoted to other deities, each with their unique focus and powers.

Their initial plan to ambush the magus seems to falter from the start.

However, as the magus approaches Sophia, Ranch silently cues her.

Understanding his intent, she presses the hidden Compliance Spray and sprays it towards the magus.

The magus senses danger and attempts to dodge, but it's too late.

The enchanting fragrance invades her senses, causing her brain to feel unusually compliant.

Seeing the magus affected, Ranch smiles and commands, "Miss magus, please release our bindings."