Richard rode closely behind Edward, staring at the carefree figure ahead of him, filled with confusion.
Edward's behavior had changed so drastically that Richard couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Normally, Edward would take every opportunity to extort money, food, and drink from the villagers whenever they passed through.
But today, after a significant event like slaying demons, he hadn't demanded anything.
Instead, he had simply left, as if it didn't matter—completely unlike the Edward Richard knew.
What puzzled Richard even more was that Edward had personally slain the demons, and he did it with such efficiency and decisiveness.
While it was a sneak attack, the Edward Richard knew, who was physically weak from indulgence in alcohol and women, would be out of breath after running a few steps.
How could he now suddenly kill demons without giving them any chance to fight back?
Richard asked himself, If he had faced those demons, would he have been able to dispatch them as quickly and cleanly as Edward had?
He recalled how Edward had been so focused on the skill parchment that morning, and he couldn't help but wonder.
Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Sir, are you interested in skills?"
Hearing this, Edward turned back to see Richard's conflicted expression.
With a hint of exasperation, Edward tossed the parchment back to him.
"Here, take it back."
Richard hurriedly caught it, feeling a bit awkward.
"That's not what I meant…"
Before he could finish, Richard's brows furrowed.
Ever since their encounter that morning, Edward had seemed like a completely different person.
Every action had been unexpected.
This strangeness filled Richard with questions, but he had no answers.
He began to suspect that the Edward in front of him was no longer the greedy, selfish captain he had once known.
...
Standing at the entrance of the White Deer Town government office, Edward frowned as he saw the blonde woman waiting at the door.
It was Caitlin, the same blonde woman he had been with the before.
Now dressed in simple linen clothing, she was surrounded by a group of patrol soldiers.
She looked anxious, constantly rejecting their advances.
The sound of hooves caught Caitlin's attention, and she immediately turned around.
When she saw Edward, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, quickly pushing past the soldiers.
She ran to Edward's side, looking up at him with a worried expression.
"Sir, please help me. I need your help."
Edward glanced at her calmly, then swept his gaze over the patrol soldiers before speaking in a composed tone.
"Let's talk in my office."
He quickly dismounted, handed the reins to Richard, and signaled for him to tie the horse.
Watching Edward lead Caitlin into the office, a wave of anger surged in Richard's chest.
He had thought that Edward had changed, but now, seeing this scene, he couldn't help but feel that Edward was still the same despicable man.
Richard clenched his fists, his resentment boiling up again.
After tying up the horse, Richard cautiously approached Edward's office door.
He found several of his colleagues pressing their ears against the door, clearly eavesdropping.
"What are you doing?"
Richard scowled, glaring at the patrolmen.
Startled by Richard's appearance, they quickly dispersed, not wanting to deal with his aloof personality.
Richard stood outside the door, tense and alert.
He didn't trust that Edward had truly changed, and if he heard Caitlin scream, he was ready to kick down the door and stop anything suspicious.
But he waited outside for a long time, and no screams came.
Perplexed, Richard stood there until Edward opened the door and let Caitlin out.
Richard saw that her clothes were neat, and although tears streaked her face, she was clearly unharmed.
This made him breathe a sigh of relief.
Just as he was about to leave, Edward suddenly reached out and pinched Caitlin's bottom, raising his voice.
"Still crying?"
Caitlin immediately shut her mouth, clutching her bottom.
The sight made Richard's blood boil.
He rushed forward, his fist flying toward Edward.
Unexpectedly, Edward easily caught his punch and coldly said.
"What's wrong with you today? Are you out of your mind? I'll give you money to see a doctor if that's the case."
Richard was shocked to find that he couldn't break free from Edward's grip.
The strength in Edward's hand was astonishing—nothing like the weak man he once knew.
Just then, Caitlin hurriedly intervened.
"Don't fight, I was the one who asked Mr. Edward for help."
Only then did Edward release Richard's hand, leaving him to rub his sore fist.
Edward scanned the surroundings, noticing several people still lurking nearby.
His face darkened, and he shouted.
"What are you all looking at? Have you finished today's work? If not, I'll dock your pay!"
His threat sent the onlookers scattering immediately.
"And you, get back to work!" Edward barked at Richard, who had no choice but to lower his head and leave reluctantly.
...
Edward stood in front of Caitlin's shabby little house, his expression complicated.
One side of the house's wall had a large hole, caused by Edward being thrown into it during his fight with the tiger demon.
Due to Caitlin's financial difficulties, the hole hadn't been repaired and remained there.
Caitlin led Edward into the room, which was dim and cramped.
On the bed lay a blonde boy, Caitlin's younger brother, Roy.
His face was pale, his forehead burning with fever, and his breathing was shallow. It was clear his body was fighting a high fever.
Caitlin's expression was filled with anxiety as she tearfully explained to Edward that ever since Roy witnessed the battle between Edward and the tiger demon, he had been deeply traumatized.
Roy had developed a fever shortly after and hadn't recovered since.
Edward listened, nodding.
Though he felt a twinge of guilt, he also realized there was little he could do.
He remained silent for a moment, looking at the boy's frail condition before speaking.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help. I'm not a doctor."
Although Edward could be fierce and powerful in the face of demons, he felt helpless in the face of this child's illness.
As he turned to leave, Caitlin suddenly grabbed his hand, tears welling up in her eyes as she choked out her words.
"No, that's not it. A demon told us it's coming tonight to eat the two of us."
Edward froze upon hearing this.
Lying in bed, Roy weakly coughed when he heard his sister's words.
He slowly opened his eyes and tried to sound casual.
"Sis."
Caitlin released Edward's hand, crouching beside Roy and gently stroking his burning forehead, whispering words of comfort.
"Don't worry. Mr. Edward will figure something out."
Edward stood nearby, listening to Caitlin's plea and Roy's frail voice.
Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming pressure.
At that moment, it seemed that these siblings had placed all their hopes on him.
Edward thought for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Then I'll stay here tonight."
Caitlin's eyes filled with tears as she heard Edward's promise.
She kept thanking him, tears streaming down her face, her voice full of gratitude.
Edward sat down on a chair.
Glancing at the text before him, he decided to enhance his skills.
He consumed twenty years of demon life.
The next moment...
[Remaining demon life: 220 years]
Dragonfly Step (Mastery)
[Year 1: Your movements are clumsy, and you can't even climb a low wall.]
[Year 7: After constant practice, you can now scale a roof in five seconds.]
[Year 16: You can now run swiftly across water without sinking.]
[Year 20: Your Dragonfly Step has reached mastery, and you can now step on leaves without falling.]