NOVEL NEXT Chapter 133: Despise
"Can both of you fight without making a noise?" Phoenix said in an annoyed tone as she walked toward Cain.
The two kids were still crying nonstop since witnessing their caretaker's gruesome end. Cain tried to calm them down.
"Quiet, kids! Do you want all the monsters to come for you?" Crow said, juggling his blade on the air.
The kids quieted down, sniffing and sobbing under their breath.
"They just saw their caretaker die in front of them," Cain said as he gently patted both their heads. Michael was still unconscious behind him.
"Is that so? Then condolences to them," Phoenix said casually. To her, death was something already mundane in her life.
Cain was a little surprised by her response.
"Who are you guys? What are you doing here?"
Phoenix suddenly sighed. "We just wanted to take a rest here for a while. Drink, relax, enjoy our time. Then these bloody things showed up and ruined everything," she said angrily, kicking the corpse of a monster on the ground so hard its head flew off.
Cain's eyes then glanced behind Phoenix and her crew. Dozens of monster carcasses littered the ground.
"Did… did you kill all those monsters?" he asked. To be able to do that, they must be incredibly strong.
"Hmmm." Phoenix simply hummed.
Cain's eyes brightened.
It seemed this town still had hope.
"Then… can you help this city by saving the people and killing these monsters?" he asked.
"Sure, of course. How much are you willing to pay?" Phoenix replied, grinning.
"P-Pay? I-I don't have any money..." Cain stammered, startled by her answer.
"Then we don't need to help this town," Phoenix said flatly, raising her hand to signal her crew to move on.
What's wrong with these people? People were dying left and right. With their strength, they could easily help, yet they asked for a reward just to save lives. They were exactly the kind of people Cain despised.
His gaze sharpened at the group. Crow caught that look.
"Oii, oii. What's with that face? You wanna die?" he snapped, irritated, and began walking toward Cain.
"Enough, Crow," Phoenix stopped him. "If you're heading to the shelter, you better go now. We've killed most of the monsters along the way. No need to thank us, unless you've got money to give."
The crew continued walking, soon vanishing into the heavy rain.
Cain couldn't understand what Phoenix was thinking. Still, he gripped the hands of both children tightly, Michael strapped to his back, and began walking through the road of monster corpses toward the nearby shelter.
---
"Stop here!" Cynthia ordered the carriage driver.
She had now reached the outskirts of Daisy Town, about 100 meters from the gate. She halted here because she could already sense the thick pressure of mana in the area. Going any closer might endanger the carriage driver.
The man on the horse turned the carriage around and hesitated. "Are you sure you want to enter that town? I've got a bad feeling about it," he said, trembling. Even someone without a class like him could feel the ominous mana in the air.
"You can leave now," Cynthia replied calmly. She had no intention of turning back. This time, she would uncover the truth behind the attack.
She summoned her sword and shield, then sprinted toward the gate.
---
After four hours of travel, the convoy of the Dawnbloom Guild arrived. The rain was still pouring heavily as usual. Even though it was already 7:30 a.m., the sun remained hidden, veiled by thick black clouds.
The carriages dropped them off before being instructed to leave the area.
Prince Reid stepped down from his royal carriage, his attire immaculate as always.
Mirinda then approached him. "The mana is very strong. Can you feel it?"
"Yes. There's no question, the Kaosliths are here," he replied.
As he scanned the area near the town, a soldier on horseback emerged from the town gate.
As he dismounting, the soldier gave a respectful bow.
"Your Highness, Prince Reymond has established a base at the port. He is awaiting your group."
"Please lead us there," Reid said.
The entire group followed the guard, walking alongside the port. They witnessed the aftermath of destruction, ships damaged, stalls crushed, monster corpses scattered about, and human bodies as well.
Evelyn frowned at the scene. Maya remained expressionless, while William stayed calm, gripping his axe.
"Was it your division who killed the monsters here?" Reid asked.
"Yes, Your Highness," the soldier replied. "But it was mostly Prince Reymond who slew them on his own."
Reid curled a faint smile at the corner of his lips. His older brother must be enjoying his time here, after all, he was a battle maniac.
After walking a few blocks, they arrived at an area where many tents had been erected. It resembled a market square, with stalls lining the sides. But many of them lay ruined on the ground. It looked like the place had been attacked while the market was still in session.
"Please follow me to the tent where Prince Reymond is," the guard said.
Reid nodded and followed. Meanwhile, Mirinda turned to her guild members, who numbered around twenty.
"All of you can settle down first while awaiting orders. I will attend the strategy meeting. Beltimore, please watch over them," Mirinda ordered.
All the adventurers nodded. They then sat down, some drinking, others preparing items from their bags.
Evelyn was biting her nail. Since they left the city, she had been restless. Her eyes kept drifting toward the path they came from, hoping those three idiots would appear.
"Are you thinking about those three?" William asked. He had known Maya and Evelyn for nearly five years now.
"Yes. Will they make it? What if something happens to them?" Evelyn asked.
William gently patted Evelyn's shoulder. "Don't worry. They're tough guys. I'm sure they'll be here soon. They say heroes always come late," he smiled.
Evelyn gave a small smile, hoping what he said was true.