Karim slammed Ivis onto the ground with a clear crack, bending his body and breaking his spine.
He followed up with a punch to Ivis's chest, causing him to cough up blood as his ribs shattered.
Just as Karim was about to continue, he paused and slowly calmed down.
Helag glanced at him and said, "You had a non-knight guarding a great knight. No matter how injured, a great knight is still a great knight. How could an ordinary person handle that?"
Karim nodded, showing regret. "I didn't think it through. It's my responsibility. From now on, I'll guard him myself."
"Guard him? Just kill him and save us all the trouble," Helag said, exasperated.
Karim firmly replied, "I must take him to the gallows in Stormwind City and execute him in front of everyone. Otherwise, it would be an injustice to those he killed."
Helag shrugged. "Do as you wish, just don't delay our journey."
Karim nodded silently, then picked up Lizi's body and walked into the woods, seemingly to bury her.
Helag returned to his carriage to continue meditating.
Ivis was tied up again by Karim's adventurer group, this time more securely, with his crippled left hand bound behind his back.
They found another iron cage, as the previous one was destroyed by Karim, and locked Ivis inside.
Since Karim was busy digging a grave, six adventurers were assigned to guard Ivis.
Karim dug the grave in silence, refusing help from his companions, insisting on burying Lizi himself.
The rest of the caravan watched the scene like a drama before returning to sleep.
After that night, Ivis's situation worsened. He was given water twice a day and food every three to four days.
Karim kept his word, staying by the cage to guard Ivis personally.
Karim seemed depressed, speaking less, clearly unable to get over Lizi's death.
"Guilt won't help. You should have dealt with the problem earlier. Otherwise, it harms everyone," Helag thought, shaking his head as he watched Karim during a meal break.
The next half-month of travel was peaceful. Ivis had given up hope, with his food checked to ensure no bones could be used as weapons.
To be safe, Karim even had Ivis's teeth knocked out, leaving none.
He did this after Helag casually remarked, "There's no bone in the food, but he still has teeth."
Ivis glared at Helag upon hearing this, and soon after, his screams echoed as his teeth were removed.
After half a month, the caravan finally reached the border of the Kingdom of Doris.
Brown City, an eastern border city of Doris, had a population of about five thousand.
Despite its small population, the entry checks were strict.
Everyone had to present identification and official entry documents from the Kingdom of Violet. Without these, entry into Doris was denied.
Karim's adventurer group and other adventurers couldn't enter Doris as they lacked the necessary documents.
Their mission was complete upon escorting the caravan to Brown City.
After completing some formalities with Roque, Karim and his group began their return journey, taking Ivis with them.
Many in the caravan lined up for entry checks.
Helag stood in line, with people keeping their distance, not wanting to offend him.
Ed stood afar, looking sad. "Sir…"
Helag glanced at him, then beckoned him over.
Ed quickly approached. "What can I do for you, sir?"
"Your slave papers are with Roque?" Helag asked.
"Yes, sir," Ed replied, puzzled by the question.
Helag thought for a moment. "Stand in line for me. I have something to take care of."
Ed obediently took Helag's place, thinking it unnecessary since no one would dare complain if Helag cut back in.
Everyone in the caravan knew how many soldiers Helag had killed.
Helag found Roque. "How much for Ed? I'll buy him."
He felt Ed had served him well for three months and wanted to free him as a favor.
Roque was surprised but smiled. "If Mr. Geralt likes him, consider him a gift. No need to talk about money."
He called a servant to bring Ed's slave papers and handed them to Helag.
Helag accepted with a smile. "Thanks."
Returning to the line, Helag gave the papers to Ed. "How can we free you from slavery?"
Ed, in disbelief, stammered, "I… I…"
"Calm down and tell me," Helag said, patting his shoulder.
Ed wiped his tears. "If the master agrees and I can get a new identity, I can be free. But…"
"But what?" Helag asked.
Ed pointed to the slave mark on his face. "With this, I'll still be seen as a slave, even with a legal identity."
The slave mark was indelible unless the entire piece of flesh was removed.
Ed's mark was on his face, covering a large area, making it impossible to remove without disfiguring him.
Helag nodded. "I understand. Stay with me for now. I'll handle the mark later."
For Helag, removing the mark was easy. Deep Blue could deduce countless potion formulas to erase it.
Helag wasn't just skilled in making potions; he knew basic medicine and herbalism, essential knowledge for potion-making.
Deep Blue's database contained extensive medical knowledge, much of which Helag had recorded from the library at Moonlight Forest.