Chapter 65: Western Fantasy Romance (VII)

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Chapter 65: Western Fantasy Romance (VII)

There were countless adventurers in the Yas Forest, and among them were many who did not view magic beasts as their prey. Instead, their prey was other humans. These unusual “adventurers,” who were commonly found around the outer regions of the Yas Forest, were not inferior to ordinary adventurers in terms of ability.

These unique “adventurers,” who could more accurately be called “hunters,” were accustomed to exchanging the least amount of effort for the greatest profit. Their targets were not all adventurers either; they chose their prey carefully. Those who were clearly entering the forest for the first time, or wealthy young heirs who obviously carried valuable items, would become their targets. Of course, if the targets were nobles, their actions were merely robbery. They only sought wealth and would not take their lives. However, those who entered the forest with insufficient strength and no obvious background or family ties might not even survive.

After remaining in the outer regions of the Yas Forest for a long time, they had developed a pair of “discerning eyes.” They could easily tell who could be robbed, who could not, who could be provoked, and who was better left alone.

The silent forest was suddenly filled with uneven footsteps. They sounded weak and exhausted, clearly belonging to people who had been traveling for a long time. The hunters hiding in the shadows instinctively slowed their breathing, watching as their prey entered their trap.

After seeing who had arrived, the people who had been prepared to act relaxed their tense bodies, though their breathing remained light and quiet. What entered their sight was a group of obvious noble youths, all dressed in high-quality fabrics. Although their clothes had become somewhat disheveled after spending so much time in the Yas Forest, their original elegance was still easy to see. Most importantly, they could sense a powerful aura that seemed to envelop all of them.

Remembering the recent rumors that members of the Griffin Family had entered the Yas Forest for their trial, the hunters guessed that this group of young ladies and gentlemen was very likely from the Griffin Family. Although their hunter group was considered relatively powerful among their kind, they absolutely did not dare provoke the Griffin Family. If it were only one or two noble children, robbing them would not be a problem. As long as they handled the aftermath carefully, who would know where those treasures had come from? But this was an entire group, and they also had protectors behind them…

Afra Griffin no longer had the proud and confident appearance she possessed when she first entered the forest. Her originally carefully maintained delicate face now carried a trace of exhaustion, showing that she had not been able to simply enjoy the protection of others throughout this trial. She had truly experienced battles. However, compared to everyone around her, her condition was still considered relatively good.

“This person… is the eldest daughter of the Griffin Family?” A man stood on a large tree not far away. His doubtful words were spoken with the tone of a statement. A proud smile rested at the corner of his lips. He lacked the refined elegance of a gentleman, yet he was like a flame that made people unable to stop themselves from becoming moths flying toward it. In fact, to the young women of Sweit, the capital of the Mante Empire, this man was indeed a dazzling candle flame that countless girls were willing to chase. Not only because of his charm, but also because of his status. He was the very person who had caused Afra to act against Minea, the most likely successor to this vast empire, Caelric Gerald.

“No, Your Highness. As far as I know, this one is the second daughter of the Griffin Family. The legitimate daughter, Lady Afra Griffin. The one who is engaged to you is the eldest daughter, Minea Griffin. However, that lady is also said to have participated in this trial. It is very likely that Your Highness’s fiancée will become this one instead.” The man behind him spoke with respect, but not humility. Although he was Caelric’s subordinate, he was also a Great Swordmaster. In this world, strength and status went hand in hand. Even the heir to an empire had to show sufficient respect toward a Great Swordmaster who was only one step away from reaching Saint. He made no attempt to hide the meaning behind his words: Your Highness, your fiancée may have already joined the ranks of the dead.

“The second daughter? If even the legitimate daughter of the Griffin Family is like this, what kind of expectations do you think I should have for my fiancée?” A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Caelric Gerald’s lips, yet there was no other emotion in his eyes. To him, this marriage existed solely to maintain his connection with the Griffin Family. As for who he married, it did not matter. Whether it was the legendary useless eldest daughter or this clearly unpleasant second daughter, neither made much difference. She would become his queen consort, but that did not necessarily mean she would become the most honored woman in the Mante Empire when he reached the highest position.

“This…” Marlen continued, “If Your Highness is dissatisfied with this marriage, you can politely inform His Majesty. I believe His Majesty would not refuse.” In the Mante Empire, everyone knew that Prince Caelric was His Majesty the King’s most beloved child and the person most likely to inherit the throne. More importantly, Prince Caelric possessed the ability to do so. At such a young age, he was already an Advanced Mage and could advance to the rank of Archmage at any moment. Perhaps before long, even a Great Swordmaster like himself would have no place to display his abilities.

“No. I am quite satisfied.” Caelric Gerald watched as the group gradually disappeared into the distance. He was indeed very satisfied with this marriage alliance with the Griffin Family. The Griffins controlled fifty percent of the empire’s military forces. With that alone, even if his future wife were an ugly monster, he would still marry her without hesitation. Caelric was about to leap down from the tree, but the sound of approaching footsteps made him raise an eyebrow. Someone else was coming. Perhaps he would have the chance to witness a robbery by the hunters. Rumor had it that the hunters carried quite a few valuable items…

The smile on his lips carried obvious amusement. He leaned back slightly, and from beginning to end, the tree where the two of them stood made not the slightest sound. Even the leaves did not move unnecessarily. Caelric Gerald was a wind mage, and an exceptionally powerful one at that. His ability to merge his own presence with the forest was something countless wind mages longed for, yet could never achieve throughout their entire lives.

As the approaching footsteps grew closer, the owner of those footsteps finally appeared before the two groups. One side consisted naturally of the hunters who frequently operated within this forest, while the other consisted of Caelric Gerald and the Great Swordmaster beside him, who were clearly there merely to watch the spectacle.

A figure dressed entirely in red stood out strikingly against the lush green forest. The unhurried pace of his steps revealed his confidence. This leisurely attitude, as though he were strolling through his own garden rather than the Yas Forest, was somewhat similar to Caelric Gerald’s current state. However, there was one major difference between them. One had this confidence before entering the Yas Forest, while the other displayed it while preparing to leave. The difference between the two was immense. No one could predict what dangers might exist within the Yas Forest.

Almost the instant this person appeared, the hunters abandoned their intention to make a move.

Caelric Gerald was visibly stunned when he saw Miao Lichen’s face. As a prince of the empire, he had naturally met this esteemed figure before. The current Pope of the Holy Church, the genius whose name resounded throughout the Kedor Continent. A gentle breeze surrounded him, and Caelric no longer remained hidden. Standing before Aesop, the usual mocking smile at the corner of his lips disappeared, replaced by a hint of genuine sincerity. “My lord, I never expected to encounter you here.”

Caelric did not address him by his official title. His gaze swept over Servius, who was tightly holding Aesop’s hand, and Minea, who followed behind him. Although he had heard that His Holiness the Pope would be training in the Yas Forest, he had never expected their meeting to happen so coincidentally. Moreover, this person was clearly concealing his identity. Even the scepter that never left his side was nowhere to be seen, and behind him were two swords that appeared so thin and delicate that they seemed to possess no strength at all.

“Hmm~ Caelric? I didn’t expect you to have grown so much already. The last time we met, you were still just a child.” The smile on Miao Lichen’s lips carried a hint of genuine warmth. Compared to Caelric Gerald, he could definitely be considered an old man. However, in this world, age could not be judged by appearance. Of course, someone like Miao Lichen, who had lived for such a long time yet still looked like a young man, was indeed a rare existence. After all, geniuses were precious creatures. But now that the story had begun, geniuses naturally appeared one after another, especially the outstanding young men paired with the heroine. They had to be more talented than the last, stronger than the last, and more devoted than the last, each one loving the heroine with unwavering devotion.

Miao Lichen’s gaze casually shifted toward the people behind him. He gently squeezed Servius’s chubby little hand, preventing the hostility that almost instinctively rose within him. Servius seemed to have an innate dislike for Minea. Whenever he noticed her presence, the cold air around him would uncontrollably intensify. Although such a reaction on a child’s face was rather adorable, it was still not something that should be allowed to become a source of amusement for others. “Caelric, you did not come here for training this time, did you?”

“Indeed. My lord knows that an auction will soon be held in Lopa County. I have always been interested in these hidden auctions. Since it happens to be located not far from the imperial capital, I naturally wanted to come and take a look.” Caelric Gerald’s expression remained completely natural. He had indeed come because of the auction, but he was not interested in some secret auction hidden from the public. Rather, he was interested in a certain item that would appear at the auction. If he obtained that item, reaching the rank of Archmage would only be a matter of time.

“Hmm, then let Minea return with you. The Griffin Family’s trial has already ended, and Minea should also go back.” Miao Lichen’s words sounded more like an order than a suggestion, yet they did not make people feel displeased. Of course, the reason it was not unpleasant was because of his strength and status. If Miao Lichen had spoken too politely, it might have caused Caelric Gerald to overthink the situation instead.

‘Minea Griffin…’ Even with Caelric’s level of composure, he could not help but freeze for a brief moment upon hearing that name. However, it lasted only a few seconds. One could only say that the world was truly small. Was he really that deeply connected with the Griffin Family? He only hoped that this connection was not a disastrous one. His meaningful gaze met Minea’s clear eyes. She appeared to have a simple personality, but within noble society, there was no such thing as true innocence. Especially not someone who had been kept by the person before him.

“Lord Leslie, are you planning to continue your training in the forest?” Minea tightened her fingers slightly, showing a hint of nervousness. Her gaze did not spare Caelric Gerald even a single glance, remaining completely focused on Aesop. Although the three of them had traveled together for nearly a month, her only progress had been making him aware of her existence.

It was only this much, yet she had already experienced Aesop’s gentleness. Perhaps he was simply accustomed to treating others with kindness. Even someone he did not particularly care about, like her, could still receive this unintentional warmth. Not to mention Arthur, whom he clearly cared about.

If they separated like this, she did not believe that someone they had only met by chance would go out of his way to help her. It was even possible that after turning around, he would no longer remember who she was. This sense of failure filled her heart with a trace of dissatisfaction, mixed with complicated emotions that even she herself could not fully understand.

∇ Capture Target Shu Guyun (Minea Griffin) Favorability: 30.

Miao Lichen gently stroked Servius’s hair with a look of affection. “No. Arthur is still a child. If he keeps eating magic beast meat while staying in the forest, he will not grow properly. I will remain in Lopa County for a while. As for our future journey, I have not decided yet. However, we will not be going to Kuwait City. Recently, it is not a good place to stay.”

Servius was very familiar with this kind of warmth. His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing an expression of obvious enjoyment. When he heard the words “magic beast meat,” which were equivalent to food in his mind, his black gemstone-like eyes visibly brightened. The radiance in them was so dazzling that everyone present felt the urge to treasure them. This demon from the abyss truly possessed eyes and a face that were impossible to resist.

“Kuwait City has been especially crowded recently. After all, the registration for one of the continent’s most famous magic academies is taking place there.” Caelric smiled, but inwardly he began wondering whether this Pope had developed some dissatisfaction toward the Holy Maiden. Was his deliberate avoidance of Kuwait City because he simply did not want to see the Holy Maiden? In truth, he admired this Pope quite a bit. The Holy Maiden was a rare beauty, and she was also famous throughout the Kedor Continent for being someone who devoted her entire heart to a single person. Yet this Pope had not shown even the slightest sign of being moved? However, if it was this Pope, then anything was possible.

∇ Side Mission: Capture the Supporting Male Lead, Caelric Gerald (Favorability 100).

∇ Reward: 10 Favorability Points can be exchanged for 1,200 Points.

∇ Capture Target Caelric Gerald Favorability: 10.

“His Highness Caelric will also be staying in Lopa County for a few days. Would my lord mind traveling with us during this time?” Minea’s face was filled with sincerity, making it difficult to refuse. However, at that moment, she felt a cold and gloomy gaze fall upon her. When she searched for its source, it had completely disappeared. Perhaps it was just her imagination.

Servius pressed his lips together and looked away. His narrowed eyes concealed a thoughtful expression. It seemed that he had already begun treating Aesop as his own possession. Of course, this so-called possession was nothing more than an interesting toy. Humans were not worth him investing too much thought into.

∇ Capture Target Servius Joy Favorability: 25.

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