Karl’s left hand gripped Nali’s wrist tightly, leaning on her for support, while his right hand swiftly wrote three more runes without hesitation.
By the last rune, Nali could feel Karl trembling, as if he would collapse the next moment.”
She unconsciously turned sideways to provide more support.
The three runes: one formed a barrier blocking the poison, another elongated into a silver chain cutting the beetle’s front legs, and the last was still that blazing, dazzling light sphere.
But the last stroke was weak, causing the light sphere to deviate, barely missing the monster. Losing its front legs, the beetle flipped over but still waved its bristles, charging up the slope towards Karl and Nali.
Everything happened in an instant.
Karl’s fingers gripping Nali’s wrist tightened, pushing her back and turning to shield her. Nali sat on the uneven field, and Karl lay over her, his back facing the charging insect in a protective posture.
A loud shout, and a sword light split the beetle in half. The beetle’s corpse dissolved into light particles.
Melissa walked over, her sword covered in insect blood: “You okay?”
Nali responded hoarsely: “I’m fine.” She lowered her gaze to the white-haired youth near her. He leaned on her shoulder, still gripping her wrist tightly but not responding. Her heart raced. She raised her hand to push Karl back slightly. His hood slipped, revealing a face without color, eyes closed, lips turning blue. He had passed out.
Melissa quickly laid Karl flat, checking his breath, her expression calming.
Karl, you’re awake, and that’s what matters. We’ll figure this out together.”
Karl looked at Nali with a mix of gratitude and concern. “What happened?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
Nali exchanged glances with Melissa but decided to be straightforward. “We were ambushed. We managed to escape, but… it was close.”
Karl’s expression turned serious as he processed her words. “We need to regroup and come up with a plan. It’s not safe here.”
Melissa nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Karl’s shoulder. “We’ll take care of everything,” she promised.
Nali stood up, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on her shoulders. “Let’s move quickly; we can’t stay here for long.”
With renewed determination, the three of them started discussing their next steps, leaving the chaos behind as they focused on their survival.
The wizard gave her a sideways glance and still did not respond, instead struggling to stand up. Melissa immediately helped him up: “Karl, are you really okay?” The white-haired wizard wanted to break free from her, but due to his weak body, he could not do so. Nalie turned away and walked to the place where the beetle had disappeared, picking up two bags and handing them to Melissa: “Experience crystals and spoils.” Melissa shook her head decisively: “Give them to Karl.” Karl glanced at the bulging leather bags but seemed unimpressed: “I don’t need them.” Under Nalie’s mediation, the healing items from the spoils were given to Karl, the experience crystals were split equally between them, and the armor and sword went to Melissa. After this commotion, the sky had darkened. Fortunately, they were not far from the post station, and walking along the increasingly flat road, the three finally saw warm lights. After submitting the task to the inn’s stableman, Melissa dragged her exhausted steps through the inn’s door. She rubbed her face and gestured to the approaching innkeeper: “Just bring three hot meals, and some malt wine would be even better.”
Karl pulled his hood down and broke away, turning to walk upstairs: “I don’t need it.” His steps were somewhat unsteady but quick, and before Melissa could stop him, he had disappeared at the end of the stairs.
Melissa pressed her forehead against the table: “Ugh… I’m definitely disliked now.”
Nalie offered dry comfort: “Isn’t he more annoyed with me?”
Melissa sighed: “Am I really the hero chosen by the goddess? So weak, dragging down my companions, completely useless.”
“No, Melissa is good at taking care of others, and her combat ability improves every day. She’s definitely not useless.”
Melissa gave a bitter smile: “I suppose so.”
At this moment, the inn’s server brought hot cabbage stew and warm malt wine. Melissa perked up, eating a few bites and mumbling to Nalie: “It’s delicious, Nalie, please eat.”
Nalie absentmindedly scooped up a spoonful of stew and swallowed.
Melissa looked at her with flickering eyes and stammered: “Well… I really can’t face Karl again. Could Nalie take the dinner to him?”
“You can go, anyway, he won’t let you into the room.”
“But, even just meeting him at the door, I just can’t…”
Unable to resist Melissa’s pleading, Nalie soon went upstairs with a tray.
She hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door at the corner of the inn’s second floor. After a moment of silence, the door was slowly opened a crack. “I’m here to deliver dinner,” Nalie said, meeting the red eyes in the door crack, feeling nervous. With a creak, the door opened slightly, and Karl silently took the tray and quickly retreated behind the door, about to close it. “Thank you very much,” Nalie awkwardly said. The door’s closing motion paused for a moment before shutting. Nalie let out a long breath, rubbing her forehead as she turned to walk to her room. After a day of exhaustion, Nalie quickly fell asleep. She dreamed of someone, the dream bitter, and she woke with her pillow wet.
The next day, Melissa did not wake up early but waited for the sun to rise before setting out. After a simple breakfast, Melissa’s group once again set out on the road to Canossa. The journey was uneventful, and after using the experience crystals from yesterday to level up twice, Melissa’s battles became much smoother. After dealing with rural bandits, magically transformed sheep, and other minor monsters, they finally saw the stretching city walls at sunset.
Nafale was one of the few countries in Vildya that lived by water trade, and the cities along the coast and rivers had survived after the fall of the old empire. Canossa, the main city of the county, was the second-largest commercial center outside the Southern Thousand Islands. Handicrafts and spices from the south arrived continuously, and ships loaded with timber and precious metals from the northern continent set sail from here. Built near the mouth of the Kasa River, Canossa was ancient and magnificent, marked by the golden-plated clan emblem of a proud albatross with its wings spread, beneath which were merchant ships and water symbols representing the goddess.
Although it was the icy-breaking spring season, Canossa seemed quite desolate, with few carriages and horses entering and leaving the city gates. Only a large expanse of white sails were stranded in the port, with no ships coming or going. This was the demon king’s doing; now Canossa was a besieged city, struggling under his tyranny, with nearly a third of its proud fleet destroyed and transportation with other countries almost completely interrupted.
Melissa’s playful demeanor along the way changed, and her expression became serious. After reporting to the gate guards, the three entered the city smoothly.
Originally, the ground floors of the two-story stone houses along Canossa’s streets were open with various shops, but now most were closed, and only beggars and dejected wanderers were moving about. After walking up the winding road for a short while, the castle’s spires emerged from behind the residential roofs.
“Alright!” Melissa clenched her fist and silently encouraged herself, but did not forget to turn and ask Karl: “Do you want to rest for a bit?”
The Wizard’s self-esteem was clearly hurt by this remark. He tightened his lip line and softly refused: “No need.”
Melissa scratched her head, laughing awkwardly: “Then let’s go directly to meet the Marquis.”
