บท 137: Magic 1
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"Achoo!"
Paul, sitting on horseback, sneezed. He took out a handkerchief to wipe his nose and tightly wrapped his clothes around himself.
After entering November, the weather became colder and colder.
"After the shipyard builds another batch of ships, I must open a special inland waterway for passengers, called 'Public Transport Ships.'"
"Let these ships run back and forth along the Wes River. Everyone can board for just one or two copper coins, stay onboard until they reach their destination, and then disembark."
"On days like today, there's no need to brave the cold wind outside. You can have a small stove in the cabin, enjoy the scenery on both sides while warming yourself by the fire. How wonderful."
Paul enthusiastically explained his ideas to the people around him.
"Your idea is fantastic!"
Victor, serving as the Captain of the Guards, timely offered some flattery.
Paul glanced at his advisor Ladia beside him. Feeling somewhat disappointed, it seemed she hadn't been listening to him just now and still appeared vigilant, occasionally looking around with a cautious gaze.
He made a helpless gesture to Victor, "Ah~~ She's been like this since we left the town this morning."
Victor scratched his head, "Uh... I think Miss Ladia's high vigilance is justified. Although it's a bit unusual for a young lady to show such caution."
After deciding to make a trip to Port Frand, Paul's advisor volunteered to accompany him. At first, Paul thought she wanted to go out and relax, but her reason left him feeling incredibly baffled:
"My Lord Earl, I divined for you, and it seems that you may encounter some unfavorable events on your journey! Of course, this is only a possibility, but it's better to be cautious. Please allow me to accompany you. Some skills I learned as an adventurer should be useful to you."
Divination? Was she joking? As a scholar, she actually believed in this stuff. However, seeing her genuine concern for his safety, Paul granted her request to come along.
"Why didn't you just stop me from going on this trip then?"
"The divination results indicated that even if you stayed in the town, you wouldn't escape this misfortune."
"Uh... okay."
So Ladia dressed in her old adventurer's attire, even carrying the bow and arrows that had once killed a black-spotted tiger, and set off with him.
The advisor strongly suggested bringing more guards. Paul agreed and brought two full squads of interior guards, commanded by Captain Victor, on their way to Port Frand.
Paul sighed inwardly at what a superstitious age this was, where even someone like Ladia, a scholar, couldn't avoid such superstitions. Just then, he heard the advisor shout loudly, "Hold on! There's trouble ahead!"
Startled, everyone halted their reins, and the entire procession stopped.
The advisor pointed ahead with her finger, and everyone followed her gaze. About 500 meters away, indeed, there was a person walking towards them along the road.
Paul complained, "Hey hey, are you being overly sensitive? That might just be an ordinary passerby."
"I've been watching that person for ten minutes. I have a feeling that they mean us harm. My Lord Earl, please trust my intuition. It has always been accurate."
"Ten minutes? We just spotted them! Wow, you've got sharp eyes. Alright, you've got me feeling uneasy. Victor, send someone over to question them."
"Yes, my Lord Earl."
---
Just as the Captain of the Guards was about to call someone over, the person ahead seemed to notice them too. He stopped in his tracks, staring in their direction, then continued walking towards them, walking straight down the middle of the road without any intention of avoiding them.
It's important to note that Paul's group was carrying the banner of the Grayman family, a red flag with a dragon pattern that was extremely conspicuous. Anyone who saw this flag, unless blind, wouldn't dare to block the middle of the road.
The Captain of the Guards sensed something amiss and shouted, "Be on guard!"
The guards tightened their grip on their weapons, and the sound of swords being unsheathed filled the air.
Paul looked ahead and saw a tall figure draped in a black cloak, which rustled in the chilly wind. His face was obscured by the hood.
"Damn! Could he really be coming to cause trouble? With such an imposing air, he really gives off a lone assassin vibe!"
Paul thought to himself, "Could this guy suddenly charge into our ranks for a one-on-one battle? That's how they do it in movies and anime."
As the figure approached closer, Victor shouted to him, "Stranger, halt your steps! You are facing Lord Earl Paul Grayman's retinue. Halt immediately and state your intentions."
About 50 meters away from the group, the cloaked man stopped. A deep voice emanated from under the hood:
"So, you are Paul Grayman? Hmph! It's unexpectedly easy to find you halfway. Saves me a trip to Alden Town."
Though not loud, his voice carried clearly to everyone's ears from afar.
Advisor Ladia immediately stood protectively in front of Paul, her brows furrowed tightly as she stared at the newcomer. She spoke in a low voice, "My Lord Earl, there might be some strange events happening soon. Please prepare yourself mentally."
Paul was confused, but it was clear the stranger meant no good. Seeing his usually composed advisor so tense, his own heart began to race.
What felt even more unsettling was the disparity in numbers: Paul's group consisted of dozens from two squads, while the stranger was alone, yet he exuded a palpable sense of menace.
Captain Victor bellowed angrily, "Guards, apprehend this insolent fellow!"
Not only did he call the Lord's name without respect, he also arrogantly claimed to have found them easily, as if Lord Earl were just an item to be easily manipulated. He clearly didn't regard the Earl or even Victor, the Captain of the Guards.
Three soldiers rushed over, but the cloaked man simply stood there, allowing two soldiers to grab his arms, while a third tried to tie him up with a rope.
Just as the two soldiers attempted to force his arms behind his back, a sudden change occurred!
The cloaked man's arms suddenly lifted, tightly gripping the necks of the two soldiers and pulling their heads towards his chest.
Like helpless babies, their heads collided instantly. In the shocked gaze of everyone present, the area where their foreheads collided actually caved in, splattering brain matter.
Releasing his grip, the cloaked man let the two lifeless bodies fall to the ground. He shook his head and remarked, "Tsk! Just bought these clothes and now they're dirty!"
Though complaining, his tone was remarkably relaxed, as if squashing two insects was nothing.
He stuck out his tongue to lick off some brain matter splattered on his cheek, chillingly saying, "But this feeling... it's been so long!"
With two companions killed in the blink of an eye, the remaining soldier holding the rope was so terrified that he lost the strength to flee. He sat on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, staring at the figure before him with a look of horror, as if facing a demon escaped from hell.
"First squad, protect the Earl! Second squad, follow me forward!"
Captain Victor was the first to react, swiftly issuing commands.
One squad of soldiers formed a tight protective circle around Paul, who was still trying to understand what the advisor was muttering. Swords and knives were drawn outward to guard against any threat from the surroundings. At this moment, they couldn't afford to focus on just one direction, in case the enemy used diversionary tactics.
The other squad gathered around Captain Victor, moving closer to the cloaked man.
As the cloaked man continued to approach Paul, he gestured strangely with his right hand, muttering incomprehensible words.
"Stone Skin Technique..." a comprehensible phrase escaped his lips.
At that moment, Paul's advisor stopped her murmuring. After a brief pause, she whispered softly, "Focus..."
Paul suddenly felt something moving in his chest. He looked down and saw a stone hanging from his chest, trembling slightly. Its original gray-white surface was slowly turning black...
(End of the Chapter)
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