The western territory of Rehinar was bustling with people after a long time.
"What's going on here?"
"Where have all the shacks that were here disappeared to?"
"How can buildings be built without any workers…?"
People were astonished to see the buildings being constructed by themselves.
"Did they bring a construction mage from the capital? Otherwise, bricks and stones wouldn't be flying through the air."
It was common for mages to be deployed to rebuild or construct new buildings when they were destroyed by war.
What the people of the territory were witnessing was no different from a magical scene.
There was even a barrier around the buildings, so everyone was certain.
"But who's building these structures?"
"Hey! Look at this."
A middle-aged man pointed to a sign with his finger.
"The Blue Merchant Group? And next to it, the Blue Adventure Guild?"
[A/N: Blue Merchant Guild will be changed to Blue Merchant Group.]
"Weren't the merchant groups and guilds gathered in the northern commercial district?"
"Indeed. What's happening here?"
News from the western territory quickly spread throughout the region.
Around that time.
Peter Shade and his party were waiting on the road from Rehinar to Philaec.
"Is the rumor about the Mana Stones true?"
"The kids have confirmed it."
"Where did so many come from?"
"They say the Guardian knights who returned from war, brought them with them."
"If only they had focused on gathering Mana Stones instead of being stubborn, Rehinar's debt would have been repaid by now, tsk tsk."
"The stubbornness of Duke Carl is known to everyone in Rehinar."
"Hehe. But that's why we're living so well-fed."
Duke Carl was someone who valued principles and the greater good above all.
To speak well of him, he was an idealistic leader prioritizing his people, but negatively, he was just stubborn.
In reality, because of his principles and the greater good, Rehinar was falling apart.
"What will you do if you steal the Mana Stones? Will you really offer them to the Holy Sword Knights?"
"The more bribes, the better."
The meeting between Peter and Rick of the Holy Sword Knights was brief.
While searching for Rivan's whereabouts, they also coveted bribes.
Rumors spread throughout the territory.
They said the Blue Merchant Group was going out to sell the Mana Stones.
Rick subtly hinted at this, he mentioned that the Holy Sword Knights were short on operating funds.
Peter, being quick-witted, immediately understood Rick's intentions.
The Holy Sword Knights needed to find Rivan's whereabouts.
So, they wanted Peter's group to bring the Mana Stones instead.
Peter was diligently carrying out this task.
"If we succeed in this mission, we can leave this wretched Rehinar behind."
As Peter was dreaming big, a procession pulling a wagon appeared ahead.
"It's the Blue Merchant Group."
"Get ready."
"Is this a raid or…?"
"Let's kill them all cleanly."
"Understood."
***
The procession of the Blue Merchant Group was moving very slowly.
As if inviting thieves to take their goods.
They moved like turtles.
Camilla was the only one extremely tense.
This was the first mission her master, the Young Master, had entrusted to her alone.
His joy was Camilla's happiness, and she wanted to complete the mission successfully.
'But what is the Young Master doing right now?'
While traveling, Camilla kept thinking about Kane.
As she stared blankly into the air, Daniel approached and asked,
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"You were thinking about Young Master Kane, weren't you?"
"How did you know?"
"It's written all over your face."
Camilla scratched her cheek and gave an embarrassed smile.
"Hehe. You caught me."
"Do you perhaps like the Young Master?"
"No! How could I possibly like the Young Master? Absolutely not."
She denied it vehemently.
To Camilla, Kane was someone she had to care for.
But now?
He had transformed into a master she must serve for life.
The feelings of liking him as a man…
'Me, like the Young Master?'
…were nonexistent.
To her, Kane was not a man but simply her master.
"Then that's good. Personal feelings should be kept out of your duties."
"Of course. That would never happen."
At Camilla's firm reply, a gentle smile appeared on Daniel's lips.
"Now, can you tell me about the Young Master?"
"He's the best!"
"What makes him the best?"
"Hmm… he's a scary person, but he's kind only to me."
"And?"
Daniel continued to ask about Kane.
He was trying to understand Kane's character through Camilla.
"He seems determined to protect what he considers his own."
"That's quite different from his past self."
Previously, he had lost everything he had.
The Young Master was so timid that he couldn't even stand before others.
But now, he had the opposite personality.
"The demon forest's power has completely changed him."
"Miss Sara feels the same way as you do, Daniel."
"I still don't know if this is a blessing or a curse."
"It will be a blessing."
"On what grounds?"
"The Young Master is much stronger than you think, Sir Daniel."
"You can't protect an entire family with just one person's strength."
"I know. But with the Young Master by my side, at least I don't feel like we're going to die."
Daniel looked directly into Camilla's eyes.
They were filled with absolute trust.
Where had he seen that trust before?
'It's the same look Cedric has when he looks at His Grace'
It had been a long time since he felt such emotions.
It was amazing that there was still someone in Rehinar with the same conviction as Cedric.
"You'll also discover the true nature of the Young Master soon, Sir.."
Daniel smiled contentedly at her firm belief.
At that moment—
Wheee!
The horse pulling the carriage neighed loudly.
Daniel turned his head and saw masked assailants blocking the road ahead with weapons.
They were Rehinar's traitors, disguised as bandits.
Shing!
Camilla drew her sword and shouted,
"Who dares block our path?"
The usual meek and clumsy Camilla was nowhere to be seen.
Only a knight exuding intense determination stood there.
Peter, disguised as a bandit, was taken aback by the unexpected presence.
"Why is that woman mixed in with the caravan?"
Peter's group had inside knowledge about the Blue Merchant Group.
The Blue Merchant Group's escorts were typically unremarkable.
So, whenever they went on a trade mission, Peter's group would easily rob them disguised as bandits.
But this time, there was someone different.
Melin, the woman always by Peter's side, spoke in a wary voice,
"This is an unexpected variable."
"Should we proceed as planned?"
"There's only one woman. Don't worry, let's continue."
"But she's the one who cut of the Blue Wolf mercenary leader's arm."
Peter was still uneasy.
Camilla had easily subdued the Blue Wolf mercenary leader, who was a Beginner-Tier 3rd Class knight.
This couldn't be attributed to luck alone.
"We have fifty men, and they have only one. The rest are all old folks."
"Is that so?"
"Trust your men. They are all retired soldiers who served in the army. Even a 3rd class would struggle against them in a group."
Melin bolstered Peter's confidence.
Their subordinates were all former soldiers.
Each of them used 1st class mana.
"Just focus on the Mana Stones and those goods."
"Right. The Mana Stones."
Peter muttered.
He appeared persuaded, but his mind was still calculating furiously.
Peter Shade was the type to back out immediately if something seemed off.
Should he proceed with the plan?
Or should he call it off and lay low for a while?
As if anticipating Peter's hesitation, the woman offered a tempting suggestion.
"And if we succeed, that woman will be yours."
"Camilla?"
"Winning the war entitles you to all the spoils, doesn't it?"
Peter looked at Camilla with a lecherous grin.
Tall, with a slender build and an exceptionally cute face.
'She doesn't bother with makeup in that armor, but she's a rare beauty.'
Peter licked his lips, savoring the thought.
He was the kind of man who couldn't resist a pretty face.
Seeing this, Melin ensured he wouldn't hesitate any longer.
"You can make her your slave and keep her at your feet forever. Having a Knight who defeated the Blue Wolf mercenary leader as a slave is something every noble would envy."
Peter's eyes gleamed.
He was entirely swayed by Melin's words.
The thought of Mana Stones faded away.
His mind was now filled with making Camilla his slave.
"What are you doing? Bring that woman to me immediately!"
At his command, his subordinates rushed at Camilla.
***
"We'll help too."
The elderly members of the merchant group drew their swords.
But Camilla stepped in front of them and walked forward.
"Stay in the carriage!"
Water mana flowed along Camilla's sword as she advanced.
She swung it towards the approaching bandits.
A crescent-shaped wave of water swept over them.
Thud!
Peter's men grouped together to block her sword wave.
Ten men formed a unit, moving with seasoned combat experience.
However—
Camilla was a Beginner-Tier 3rd-class knight.
No matter their numbers, they couldn't easily approach her.
She drew the other sword from her side.
Crossing the swords, she sent another wave of watery sword energy.
Thump-thump-thump!
The bandits were thrown back with a loud bang.
They were thrown back as if they hit a massive barrier. And had no major flesh injuries.
This demonstrated Camilla's character.
She valued human life, even that of her enemies.
"Do you still think you can take me on?"
With both swords drawn, her presence was formidable.
Her intimidating aura caused Peter's men to hesitate.
The difference in skill was obvious.
The outcome was also obvious if they dared to confront her.
Yet, Peter still couldn't come to his senses and shouted,
"I'll give 5 million gold to the one who brings that woman to me."
Five million gold could buy five houses in any territory.
The immense reward boosted the bandits' morale.
"Waaaaah!"
"The reward is mine!"
"I'll get her first."
The fear in their eyes vanished.
They saw only the reward before them.
Camilla couldn't hide her bewilderment at their sudden surge of morale.
"What's going on?"
The bandits swarmed towards her like wasps.
She swung her sword again, sending another wave of energy at them.
Thud-thud-thud!
Even as their comrades fell, they paid no mind.
In the meantime, they drew closer to Camilla.
Clang!
"Heh, you're mine now."
Camilla parried an incoming spear and counterattacked.
She swung her twin swords in rapid succession,
Her movements were aggressive and relentless.
Though she started near the carriage, she was now standing in the middle of the enemies.
The fifty bandits quickly dwindled to twenty.
"Ugh."
Those who fell clutched their bodies in agony, but they survived thanks to Camilla striking with the flat of her blade.
Perhaps because of this, the ones who were fallen started to rise again.
Seeing this, Camilla began to knock them out cold to ensure they wouldn't get back up.
At that moment—
"That's enough."
Camilla turned her head towards the voice.
Melin held the elders who were near the carriage hostage.
* * *
Kane, having left the Rehinar territory, was running along the trade route.
With each step he took, he advanced 2 meters.
It was as if he were walking on water.
A rippling sound could be heard.
'Definitely faster than a horse.'
Unless it was a spirit horse or ghost horse, he was definitely faster than a real horse.
Each time his foot touched the ground, a small puddle formed.
Every step he took propelled him forward smoothly and swiftly.
It was a skill called [Water Walk], originally part of the 'Twin Swords Techniques of Protection' skill.
'Almost there.'
The scenery around him changed rapidly.
Soon, he could see a group in a chaotic skirmish.
He took position among the bushes.
"It's just starting."
Camilla's sword aura pushed back the fifty men.
It was a powerful, energy-laden sword technique.
But Kane frowned.
"She still doesn't use deadly force against enemies, now or then. She's going to get herself hurt that way."
Camilla's skills were superior to her opponents. However, her lack of combat experience hindered her ability to handle situations effectively.
Moreover, her overly compassionate heart prevented her from completely overpowering her foes.
"If her separation anxiety trait had kicked in, it would have been a disaster."
The separation anxiety trait had the effect of lowering her abilities.
If that trait had triggered, she wouldn't be able to fight as she was now.
"There's only one way to beat Camilla."
While observing from the bushes, the situation finally escalated.
Enemies moved behind the carriage and took Daniel and the elders hostage.
"What will you do now?"
Kane crossed his arms and watched Camilla's next move.