The Frugal Mage

Stein's group froze as soon as they realized that they were being surrounded by a group of strangers.

A dozen figures had emerged, and from their gear and weapons drawn, they could tell that these guys were actually Adventurers.

Probably at Silver Rank at most.

However, what made Stein and the others feel worried was the fact that they were emitting a hint of killing intent.

Although it was hidden immediately, the escort warriors didn't miss this at all…

Stein frowned, but he had to make sure that

He was the leader here, and he must handle this appropriately.

As a merchant, he at least had some negotiation skills, and he hoped that these people would be reasonable.

He counted at least twelve people surrounding them, so he couldn't let this end up in a fight since everyone had exerted too much energy dealing with the two dying Elite Beasts. They also just dismantled the beasts and were still quite sore in their muscles…

The parts of the Elite Beasts weren't easily cut after all.

Furthermore, he noticed that five of them seemed to have a different aura similar to Terra…

In short, there were at least five First-Rate Swordsman among them. So, even if his men had been fresh, it would have been a difficult fight.

In their current condition, it was impossible.

One man stepped forward and seemed to be the leader of the group.

"Ahem… You think you're lucky? Picking meat from beasts you didn't even kill? Those two were ours. We drove them into each other, so they could bleed till they tore themselves apart. They just ran off in this area, and we lost them a bit."

That was definitely not true… Stein could tell that much since they shouldn't be that slow to find the Elite Beasts. They had definitely waited for them to finish dismantling them, or perhaps, they just smelled the scent of blood filling the air.

Stein narrowed his eyes. "Is that so? Then where were you when we risked our lives finishing them?"

The adventurer's grin turned cold.

"Why would we waste strength when fools like you will do it for us? Hand over the loot and maybe we'll let you crawl away."

Finally, they stopped the pretense and showed their true color.

Terra groaned as he raised his sword, ready to fight it out. However, Stein stopped him with a hand.

His men were still tired, and battling against this group would surely cost them several lives if not all of them…

They couldn't fight. Not this time.

For a moment, Stein considered it… He could just give up the loot, walking away alive.

But the adventurers seemed to have already decided their fate.

"Actually… no. We can't leave witnesses. Kill them."

Just like that, they had given Stein's group a death sentence.

"Young Master… Run!" Terra shouted as he knew that they were at a disadvantage.

Suddenly, the escort warriors threw themselves into the path of the charging adventurers!

Clank! Clank! Clank!

Blades clashed against each other as the escort warriors desperately attacked to buy their young master time.

"Aahh!"

"Kill these bandits!"

"Do not let them touch the young master!"

"Die!"

In just a few moments, blood sprayed and screams echoed.

One by one, the escor warriors fell, as they were cut down by the pretentious adventurers.

Terra grabbed Stein's arm, dragging him toward the treeline.

Behind them, three other escort warriors retreated. They were wounded, but with the bandages they were carrying every time, they swiftly stopped the bleeding while moving away.

They ran until they ran out of stamina as their legs threatened to give way.

Only when the shouts of pursuit faded into the distance did Stein stop, slumping against a moss-covered boulder.

Of the ten who had started, only five remained. Himself, Terra, and three battered warriors. The rest… their sacrifices would definitely not be forgotten.

Stein clenched his jaw, but he forced down his grief. Survival came first.

After a few moments, he whistled sharply…

Kack~ Kack~

Moments later, the beating of wings approached.

A falcon had swooped down, perching on his forearm…

Stein tore a strip of parchment from his satchel… Then, with his trembling hands, he wrote a letter to be sent to his uncle.

"Ambushed. Two Elite Beasts slain, but adventurers attacked us to rob. Most of my men dead. Survivors in hiding near the Broken Fang Ravine, half a day west of Hesa. Send aid at once.

Stein"

Rolling the parchment, he tied it to the falcon's leg with shaking fingers…

Then, with a firm gesture to communicate with the falcon, he released it skyward.

Just like that, the bird soared into the horizon, as it carried his plea toward Hesa City.

Stein exhaled as he needed to rest…

"All we can do now… is endure until help arrives."

***

Inside Albert's office, Albert was already reading the letter that he received from the falcon…

Reading Stein's words, his face paled. "Damn it… We must save Stein at all costs..."

He slammed his fist on the desk.

Without hesitation, Albert summoned his most trusted men.

"Rennard! Gather the Silver Escort Unit. Full arms, provisions, and a carriage ready in thirty—No, twenty minutes! We're moving west toward the Broken Fang Ravine. No delays!"

Since the Silver Escort Unit was scattered, gathering all of them within 20 minutes was quite difficult…

Still, they had to do this since Stein's life was at risk…

After some time, as the group of 20 escort warriors gathered to leave, Rayven finally arrived!

Albert's eyes lit up… "Rayven! You're back just in time."

He handed him the blood-marked letter. "Stein is in grave danger. Most of his men are dead, and he's hiding near the Broken Fang Ravine. We're sending a rescue force."

Rayven read the letter quickly and was shocked that something had happened to his elder brother…

"Then I'm coming with you. There's no time to waste."

Albert nodded… "Good. With you leading, I have nothing to worry about..."