NOVEL NEXT Chapter 201: So Many Enemies
Meanwhile, in Stellar City, Vermilion Kingdom.
"Vice leader, the scout has arrived," Lilly reported to Scarlet, who was currently training with her slim blade that looked like a katana.
The blade pulsed with a silver radiance. She didn't respond immediately and instead lunged at the training dummies, her blade flashing through the air.
However, when she heard Lilly's report, the swordwoman came to an abrupt stop. She turned to face her assistant and asked, "How did it go?"
"According to the scouts, Gabriel has taken over the camp," Lilly replied. "If he holds it for 72 hours, then he will complete the quest."
Hearing this, there wasn't a shocked look on Scarlet's face because she had expected it already. She had fought beside Gabriel more than once and had a grasp of his strength.
Naturally, a bandit camp, even with the presence of a Hero Rank, could never stop him.
"With this, I'm certain he will claim the territory for himself and start his guild there," Lilly said, bringing a towel.
Scarlet took it and wiped the sweat from her beautiful, toned skin, which glistened.
The sight of her wiping away sweat was something not many could withstand.
Even though she was a girl, Lilly couldn't help but admire the vice leader's hot and sensual body.
Done with the towel, Scarlet handed it back. Lilly then gave her a bottle of chilled water.
Gulp! Gulp!
After drinking enough, she cleaned her mouth elegantly and then spoke. "Yes, you're right. He will start his guild there, and knowing him… he would want to conquer the Eastern and Northern Camps as well."
Lilly sucked in a deep breath and said with a dark look on her face, "Well, confrontation with the Eastern and Northern Camps is inevitable."
"Why do you say so?" Curiosity gleamed in Scarlet's eyes. This was the most interest she had shown since the beginning of their conversation.
Lilly sighed before explaining. "He killed the Hero Rank Bai Young and Kairos, the youngest of the ten Shawn brothers. According to the scouts, Kairos was stoned to death by the refugees."
A small frown appeared on Scarlet's face when she heard this. Of course, she knew who Bai Young was—once a promising Hero Rank who had been banished from the Martial Palace Guild because of his unethical ways.
Killing him wouldn't really cause problems… however, Kairos was a different case.
The Eastern and Northern Camp lords wouldn't let this slide so easily.
Because the conflict happened out in the wilderness, it didn't necessarily concern the Valerian Kingdom or any neighboring kingdom.
Basically, he was on his own.
"I must say, he has a knack for making enemies," Lilly facepalmed. "People like him don't live long."
That's only true for some, Scarlet thought as she took another gulp of water. "He's not the kind to back down. If you come for him, no matter who you are, he will kill you and face the consequences. He doesn't make enemies on purpose, rather it's because he refuses to bend to their will."
Lilly admitted to herself that what Scarlet said made a lot of sense. Still, it didn't change the fact that, in such a short time, Gabriel had made plenty of enemies.
There were the Graves. Although they had tried to cover up his tracks, Lilly knew with the Graves' influence, it was only a matter of time before they discovered what had happened.
Then there was the Holy Church, which had a personal grudge against him.
The Tempest Clan, the entire Edgeburne military, and Lillith of the Crimson Star Guild.
Of course, Lilly didn't know that the slave-trading syndicate, the Chain of Veylor, was after Gabriel as well.
"To be honest, I just hope a relative of a Champion-ranked existence doesn't come for him," she said. "If they do, I'm sure he would still kill them—even after learning their identity."
Such fearlessness!
Lilly didn't notice it, but a rare smile appeared on Scarlet's face. One would ask—why was she smiling despite learning that Gabriel was making enemies left and right?
Well, it was simple.
Gabriel was just like her.
"Lilly," she suddenly called out.
"Yes, vice leader," the adjutant snapped out of her dazed state.
Scarlet continued, her gaze fixed ahead. "Once he officially announces his guild, I want us to form a partnership with him."
"V-vice leader!" Lilly stuttered, feeling that making such a decision was no different from putting a target on their backs.
"If we ally with him, doesn't this mean—"
Scarlet cut her off, saying, "I've considered it all, but with his unique talent and insane growth, if Father were around, he would have struck a deal with him as well."
"I still don't think this is a good idea," Lilly tried to protest, but Scarlet walked out of the training room, leaving her to stare at her back.
---
Inside the royal capital, in a spacious garden filled with greenery, a veiled figure sprinkled water on the flowers and plants.
When the water touched the flowers, they grew larger, and their appearance became more radiant.
Naturally, this person was Sophie, and beside her was Cassie.
After the Inter-Guild Display Event, the two had returned to the castle and had not left since.
"Cassie, so is he around?" Sophie asked.
Cassie hung up her comlink and said, "I just received reports that he's currently away."
"Away?" Sophie stopped in her tracks, turning back to face her friend.
"Yes. According to Lilly, he took a territorial control mission and has been gone for quite some time now."
Sophie clenched the watering can tighter, and a brief look of disappointment crossed her green eyes.
She had been looking forward to seeing Gabriel again after the event and felt as if she couldn't go another day without seeing him.
For a moment, Sophie's lips parted as if she wanted to say more, but she pressed them shut. A long silence hung between the two girls before she finally whispered, "Then does this mean he has started building his guild?"
"Yes, most likely." Cassie then tilted her head and asked, "You sound… eager. Why?"
Sophie set the watering can down and turned fully toward her friend, the veil covering her face fluttering slightly in the breeze. Her green eyes glowed faintly.
"Because I intend to join him."