Chapter 48 - 44: Uninvited Guests

The sun set in the west.

The training of the thirty-five new recruits in Frost Leaf Town continued.

"Everyone, run around the town three times, no one eats unless they finish!"

Durant’s gaze was sharp, his voice stern, "No one is allowed to fall behind, or you’ll lift the stone block a hundred times!"

As his words fell, the soldiers behind hurriedly sped up, not daring to slack off.

What a joke, lifting a fifty-pound stone block dozens of times is fine, but a hundred times would ruin your arms!

Yet no one dared to question the truth of Durant’s words, or they’d receive a bloody lesson.

Two Guards ran with the new recruits, while Durant stood at the town gate waiting, a simple wooden hourglass placed on the table beside him.

If the recruits were overtime, there would be extra training as punishment.

Durant wouldn’t be lenient.

Similarly, Durant’s strictness was effective.

In less than two weeks, the new recruits already possessed a resolute aura.

"The Lord has returned!"

Just as Durant was pondering which of the excellent ones among the recruits would be suitable as a leader, the guard in the watchtower shouted out to report.

Durant stepped out of the gate and indeed saw the merchant convoy slowly approaching in the distance.

He stood to one side of the gate, bowing as Luo De arrived before him,

"Welcome home, Lord Baron."

Luo De nodded with a smile in response, then said, "Send someone to take them to the inn, and have Lawrence handle the reception of the caravan."

Frost Leaf Town now had an inn specifically for receiving caravans, mainly managed by Lawrence.

It offered accommodation and meals for thirty people, with a daily fee of only five Silver Coins, very reasonable.

"I’ll go back to rest first."

The weather in the Northern Territory in June wasn’t warm enough for an outdoor bath, and covered in dirt from the wilderness, Luo De rushed back for a good soak.

"Of course, my Lord."

Durant replied, standing at the gate watching the convoy enter the town silently.

A slightly familiar figure suddenly caught his attention.

Was it her?

Durant frowned slightly but quickly returned to normal.

He didn’t raise any alarms, waiting until after the convoy left, Durant handed over the recruit team to his deputy and swiftly caught up with Luo De.

Luo De stopped, "Something to report?"

"Sir, do you remember the Spellcaster I mentioned to you when I returned from the city last time?"

Luo De knew Durant wouldn’t raise issues without reason, recalling it and nodding.

Durant said seriously, "The woman who plays with fire is in the caravan."

"According to what you said last time, wasn’t she supposed to be in the theater troupe?"

Luo De squinted, pondering for a moment.

Sometimes in a theatre troupe, other times in a caravan.

This indicates that this woman is not solely a performer of tricks.

Not making a living from it, yet performing anytime.

The possibility that this woman is a Spellcaster is rising.

So why is this woman here?

"Keep an eye on her, if she doesn’t cause trouble, leave her be."

Spellcasters are too mysterious, they also have some strange underground organizations.

If unnecessary, Luo De wouldn’t easily oppose them.

Yet if this Spellcaster dared to cause a scene here, she wouldn’t be let go.

After instructing Durant, Luo De also tasked Lawrence with investigating the girl’s identity and her relationship with the caravan.

Lawrence readily agreed.

Then, under the guise of reception, Lawrence had dinner with Simon and inquired about all the women in the caravan, using the pretext of needing a companion.

Simon wasn’t suspicious at all, thinking Lawrence wanted to buy slaves, so he seriously introduced the female slave information from the caravan.

Of course, he eventually introduced the information on the female Spellcaster Luo De needed.

"Her name is Linda, and along with Lusen, they do not belong to this caravan. They met midway and wanted to travel with Simon."

Lawrence reported all the findings to Luo De after returning to the manor hall,

"Because Lusen helped Simon catch the person who stole the money pouch, Simon decided to keep them."

"Then what are these two doing in the Northern Wilderness?"

Leaning against the chair back, Luo De asked.

"They said they wanted to perform magic tricks at Eagle Ridge to earn money, but due to the war there, they didn’t dare go."

Lawrence said, "These two didn’t want to come to the Northern Territory, but ended up with Simon because they got lost."

On the way back with Simon, Luo De had already learned that the Hawk Count and another Viscount had a territorial dispute there.

Based on the information known now, it seemed to fit the identity of wandering performers.

But it couldn’t hurt to be cautious.

After hearing the report, Luo De shifted his gaze to Durant.

He trusted this Knight’s judgment more.

Durant sensed Luo De’s meaning but still firmly said, "I believe we should pay attention to them."

"Hmm, then proceed according to the original plan, keep an eye on Linda and Lusen."

Luo De’s original intention in tasking Lawrence with gathering information was to understand Linda’s relationship with the caravan.

Now, with no relationship, Luo De could drive a hard bargain.

Luo De immediately instructed Laurend to arrange a meeting with Simon the next morning to discuss slave trade affairs.

...

...

Deep into the night, stars and moon dim.

Two figures, under the cover of darkness, stealthily approached Winter Manor.

"Inside here!"

Linda felt the vibration of the gem in her hand, saying excitedly, "It’s inside here! The sage’s detection power can’t be wrong!"

Lusen hurriedly covered Linda’s mouth, nervously reminding her, "Keep your voice down!"

Linda nodded quickly, while Lusen turned his head, carefully observing around, muttering to himself after confirming they weren’t discovered,

"This is the Lord Manor, can that Baron tolerate a witch’s presence?"

"Maybe he doesn’t know at all."

Linda said, her gaze suddenly fierce, "Or maybe he’s like some perverted nobles, loving to toy with witches!"

"Calm down, calm down."

Lusen quickly tugged at Linda, preventing the witch from going berserk.

"The Sage said not to conflict with the Broken Rock Empire, as they are our aid against those zealots in the future."

"I know."

Linda nodded, then asked, "So how do we get in? Do you have a way?"

Lusen pulled out two small wooden jars, slightly bigger than a thumb, from his pocket,

"Shadow Potion, drink it, and it’ll let us blend into the shadows, but don’t attract attention, or you’ll be discovered."

The two drank the potion, their figures gradually melding into the darkness.

Linda, clumsy in movement, managed to awkwardly scale the manor fence with Lusen’s help.

Lusen, on the other hand, showed apparent training, nimbly climbing over the fence.

Unexpectedly, the manor had only four Guards, stationed at the manor gate and at the center wooden house.

The two wandered in the darkness for a while, then found the room where the Detection Gem reacted most strongly.

The lights were already out.

Lusen wanted to push the door open but was stopped by Linda’s outstretched hand.

"It’s a girl’s room, best not to enter without permission."

Lusen pouted, retreating into the shadows.

Linda turned, very cautiously pushed open the wooden door, and stealthily slipped inside.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room, finding the direction of the bedroom, and entered to see the girl lying on the bed.

"It’s you!"

Linda, feeling the Gem in her hand throbbing like a heartbeat, was thrilled.

Undoubtedly, before her was Avril.

Linda carefully placed her hand on Avril’s mouth, pushing the sleeping girl down while covering her mouth!

"Mmm—"

Avril was instantly awake, struggling hard to break free!

"Shh!"

"I’m Witch Linda from the Dawn Society, I’ve come to rescue you, don’t make a sound!"

"I’m not here to hurt you!"

"Don’t scream, and I’ll let you go!"

"If you agree, nod your head!"

Linda watched Avril nervously, who hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Linda tentatively released her grip, finding Avril indeed didn’t shout, then completely let go.

"Quick, pack up valuables and come with me!"

Linda urged in a hurry.

However, Avril leisurely rose, grabbing a coat to drape over herself, lighting the oil lamp on the table unhurriedly.

The pitch-black bedroom was instantly lit up, revealing a female Hunter’s figure in the corner.

Linda froze in an instant, not daring to move.

Because an arrowhead, gleaming with a cold light, was already aimed at her.