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Chapter 270
Chapter 240: A Bit Suspicious, Gazef Appears
Bound by the vines and with half her body petrified, Tina was completely unable to break free. She could only watch helplessly as the Green Leaf Witch walked toward her.
*It seems I'm done for this time.*
Behind her, the originally noisy populace suddenly fell silent.
*Swoosh!*
A sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out.
A slender, black hidden weapon shot from behind Tina. It was a thumb-thick, cone-shaped weapon that stopped right in front of the Green Leaf Witch.
*Thunk!*
Its metal tail vibrated against the ground, creating a buzzing sound.
"I can't just stand by and watch someone take our Tina away, you know."
"And it's a real headache how badly you've damaged the street, sigh!" Gagaran, carrying a war hammer on her shoulder, stood out with her remarkable height and sturdy figure, causing the surrounding crowd to automatically part and form a path.
Next to Gagaran was the short-statured Evileye, her entire body wrapped in a red robe.
*Crack!*
*Crack!*
The vines that had bound Tina suddenly shattered, scattering into the air.
A figure who was the spitting image of Tina in both looks and dress emerged from Tina's shadow. Grabbing Tina's shoulder, she flickered and vanished from the spot.
When the two reappeared, Tia had already brought Tina before Gagaran and Evileye.
"Well now, Tina, half your body has turned to stone. Are you planning to become a gargoyle? I bet you'd make a much louder sound than bones when I knock on you."
Seeing the half-petrified Tina, Gagaran grinned, revealing a set of snow-white teeth.
Tina's eye twitched. She said expressionlessly, "I would not."
"Petrification magic. Lucky for you, we don't have to wait to deal with it."
Evileye gave Tina's condition a simple glance, then raised a hand toward the petrified area. A resonant, heavy tone emerged from behind her mask:
"Petrification Release!"
*Swish!*
The petrification receded like a tide, and within a few breaths, her body had returned to its original state.
Tina felt her body relax as control returned to her once-paralyzed limbs. She swung her arm and stood up.
Looking at the wary Green Leaf Witch opposite them, Tina spoke in a calm voice, "The opponent is a demi-human who has mastered both faith-based and mana-based magic. Her power is immense."
"I see that," Evileye said flatly.
In Evileye's eyes, the Green Leaf Witch's method of changing her appearance with a magic item was hardly a superior form of disguise.
"How pathetic," Tia mocked, then made a few hand gestures.
Tina's eye twitched again. "I was careless."
Faced with the four's relaxed atmosphere of mutual teasing, the Green Leaf Witch's hands flickered with a faint magical light, as if ready to cast magic at any moment. Her bright yellow pupils were fixed on the shortest figure among the four.
Her intuition told her that this person was extremely dangerous!
With the appearance of the four members of Blue Rose, the noisy surroundings grew quiet. The prestige and might of a top-tier Adventurer Team were on full display.
"Miss Demi-human over there, if my teammate's actions earlier caused you displeasure, I believe the outcome of that battle should have been enough for you to vent your anger."
Gagaran rested the giant hammer on her shoulder, her hands draped over the hammer handle, a half-smile on her square-jawed face.
The Green Leaf Witch took a step back, her heart sinking.
None of the four people opposite her were ordinary humans.
If their strength was comparable to the human she had just barely managed to defeat, then even summoning her younger sister probably wouldn't be enough to win.
In particular, that short figure wrapped in the red robe gave the Green Leaf Witch a feeling that made her hair stand on end.
*She's incredibly strong!*
She never expected there to be such a strong individual among humans.
Seeing that the Green Leaf Witch didn't speak and merely watched them with vigilance and caution, Gagaran showed a hint of helplessness on her face.
*Clink!*
She tapped the hammer handle with her finger, producing a crisp sound.
The Green Leaf Witch was clearly not easy to communicate with. It would have been one thing if she were human, but the other party's status as a demi-human made Gagaran unsure how to approach her directly.
Evileye observed the Green Leaf Witch through her mask and suddenly spoke, her deep, resonant voice ringing out, "What kind of demi-human are you?"
"An ordinary demi-human shouldn't need to use a magical item for a disguise, right?"
In human society, while demi-humans were rare, they were not unheard of. Demi-humans like elves, rabbitmen, and dwarves had no need to disguise themselves.
Unless the other party's external appearance had a significant difference from humans. The most representative example was the Empire's "Warrior King," Gagaran.
With the strength displayed by the Warrior King, he was highly respected even in human society!
In other words, as long as one was a strong individual, they would not be underestimated, no matter where they were or what race they belonged to. Even the Slane Theocracy, that group of "human supremacist" fanatics, would not rashly subjugate such a strong one, provided the demi-human did nothing to harm humans.
"A bit suspicious, isn't it," Evileye said softly, before her voice grew heavy. "A genius alchemist who creates alchemy potions from the blood of demi-humans, accompanied by a demi-human."
"Moreover, you haven't been seen for all these days. So... where is your leader?"
Gagaran's eyebrow shot up. She understood the meaning behind Evileye's words; she seemed to suspect that the leader of Free Will might have been coerced by this demi-human magic caster.
"That's none of your business," the Green Leaf Witch snorted coldly.
The air fell silent.
The atmosphere, which had just begun to relax, instantly tensed up again.
*Thump! Thump!*
The sound of running footsteps.
Enri came jogging over from behind and stood beside the Green Leaf Witch. Though she was clearly nervous, she mustered her courage and shouted at the four people before her:
"Miss Cui Ye is a good person! You're not allowed to say that about her!"
Enri pursed her lips, her expression earnest beyond measure.
There were four of them, but Miss Cui Ye was all alone. Although she had no strength, she didn't want Miss Cui Ye to face them by herself.
Her clear and determined voice startled the four members of Blue Rose.
*A commoner?*
Evileye looked at Enri through her mask, suddenly recalling Gagaran once mentioning that there was an ordinary girl in Free Will.
The suspicion that had just risen in her heart dissipated significantly the moment she saw Enri, but even more questions bubbled up from within.
An Adventurer Team of three people: one ordinary girl, one demi-human magic caster, and a leader who was an alchemist that made potions from demi-human blood.
It was a combination she couldn't make any sense of.
How very strange!
Evileye, who was usually uninterested in most things, suddenly found herself intrigued by that leader.
She felt he might be an interesting person.
"I already said, this ends here," Gagaran said, her voice a few tones higher, relieved that Evileye had stopped talking.
This statement was not only for the two people opposite them but also a reminder to her own side.
"Hello, my name is Gagaran. My teammate's actions caused a misunderstanding. About that set of magic items you're wearing, would you be willing to sell them to us?"
Gagaran tried her best to put a friendly smile on her rugged face and then spoke to Enri.
"I can't do that."
Enri looked gentle and weak, but her tone held not a trace of hesitation as she said decisively:
"This was a gift from my Lord. I can't, unless my Lord agrees."
*Lord? Is that the leader of Free Will?*
Gagaran understood. They were both adventurers, not enemies, so there was naturally no need to resort to forceful measures. She waved her hand awkwardly. "Alright then."
Tina stood to the side. Even without looking up, she could feel Gagaran's gaze on her.
*There's going to be a lecture waiting for me back home.*
Tina sighed. As for that set of magic items, she would have to find another way to get it back.
Meanwhile, Tia, who had been silent all this time, was now sizing up Enri with a satisfied look in her eyes.
As an admirer of female bonds, Tia found that while Enri wasn't exceptional, her display of character was truly admirable.
"Your name is Enri, right?" Tia suddenly asked.
"Ah, yes."
Startled by her name being called, Enri answered subconsciously, unsure for a moment whether to look at Tia or Tina.
The two of them looked exactly the same.
*Clank—Clank—*
The clattering sound of armor rubbing together gradually rose from both ends of the street. The onlooking crowd quickly dispersed as fully armed soldiers poured in from the paths the people cleared.
In an instant!
They had completely surrounded the Green Leaf Witch and the members of Blue Rose.
There were more than twenty of these soldiers, each wielding a nearly two-meter-long, silver-headed spear. They wore leather armor on their upper bodies, with silver protectors on their chests, shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Judging by their equipment alone, they were already elite soldiers of the Kingdom.
The commotion and destruction from the earlier battle were beyond the scope of ordinary patrol guards. Someone had clearly reported it, mobilizing this elite squad.
Gagaran showed no surprise at this scene, merely shrugging her shoulders.
The reason she hadn't left immediately after dealing with Tina's situation was that she knew this matter couldn't be concluded so easily.
Even with their current adventurer level, or even by bringing up their captain's noble status, they would still have to go through the motions at the very least.
Enri trembled with fear. The courage she had just mustered to face Blue Rose vanished in an instant, her face filled with panic.
As a commoner, Enri felt a natural fear and awe when facing the country's soldiers.
After the soldiers had surrounded the people on the scene, cheers and excited whispers rippled through the crowd.
A male figure in extremely simple, light-gray clothing walked out from the crowd. To describe him as "formidable" would be a perfect fit.
The gazes of most of the populace were filled with excitement as they looked at this figure.
With his appearance, even the many soldiers surrounding the Green Leaf Witch and the others seemed to hold their spears a little steadier.
"Even he's here?" Gagaran's square face showed surprise upon seeing him.
The Champion of the Royal Court Tournament!
A mere commoner, "Warrior Captain" Gazef!
(end of chapter)
Bound by the vines and with half her body petrified, Tina was completely unable to break free. She could only watch helplessly as the Green Leaf Witch walked toward her.
*It seems I'm done for this time.*
Behind her, the originally noisy populace suddenly fell silent.
*Swoosh!*
A sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out.
A slender, black hidden weapon shot from behind Tina. It was a thumb-thick, cone-shaped weapon that stopped right in front of the Green Leaf Witch.
*Thunk!*
Its metal tail vibrated against the ground, creating a buzzing sound.
"I can't just stand by and watch someone take our Tina away, you know."
"And it's a real headache how badly you've damaged the street, sigh!" Gagaran, carrying a war hammer on her shoulder, stood out with her remarkable height and sturdy figure, causing the surrounding crowd to automatically part and form a path.
Next to Gagaran was the short-statured Evileye, her entire body wrapped in a red robe.
*Crack!*
*Crack!*
The vines that had bound Tina suddenly shattered, scattering into the air.
A figure who was the spitting image of Tina in both looks and dress emerged from Tina's shadow. Grabbing Tina's shoulder, she flickered and vanished from the spot.
When the two reappeared, Tia had already brought Tina before Gagaran and Evileye.
"Well now, Tina, half your body has turned to stone. Are you planning to become a gargoyle? I bet you'd make a much louder sound than bones when I knock on you."
Seeing the half-petrified Tina, Gagaran grinned, revealing a set of snow-white teeth.
Tina's eye twitched. She said expressionlessly, "I would not."
"Petrification magic. Lucky for you, we don't have to wait to deal with it."
Evileye gave Tina's condition a simple glance, then raised a hand toward the petrified area. A resonant, heavy tone emerged from behind her mask:
"Petrification Release!"
*Swish!*
The petrification receded like a tide, and within a few breaths, her body had returned to its original state.
Tina felt her body relax as control returned to her once-paralyzed limbs. She swung her arm and stood up.
Looking at the wary Green Leaf Witch opposite them, Tina spoke in a calm voice, "The opponent is a demi-human who has mastered both faith-based and mana-based magic. Her power is immense."
"I see that," Evileye said flatly.
In Evileye's eyes, the Green Leaf Witch's method of changing her appearance with a magic item was hardly a superior form of disguise.
"How pathetic," Tia mocked, then made a few hand gestures.
Tina's eye twitched again. "I was careless."
Faced with the four's relaxed atmosphere of mutual teasing, the Green Leaf Witch's hands flickered with a faint magical light, as if ready to cast magic at any moment. Her bright yellow pupils were fixed on the shortest figure among the four.
Her intuition told her that this person was extremely dangerous!
With the appearance of the four members of Blue Rose, the noisy surroundings grew quiet. The prestige and might of a top-tier Adventurer Team were on full display.
"Miss Demi-human over there, if my teammate's actions earlier caused you displeasure, I believe the outcome of that battle should have been enough for you to vent your anger."
Gagaran rested the giant hammer on her shoulder, her hands draped over the hammer handle, a half-smile on her square-jawed face.
The Green Leaf Witch took a step back, her heart sinking.
None of the four people opposite her were ordinary humans.
If their strength was comparable to the human she had just barely managed to defeat, then even summoning her younger sister probably wouldn't be enough to win.
In particular, that short figure wrapped in the red robe gave the Green Leaf Witch a feeling that made her hair stand on end.
*She's incredibly strong!*
She never expected there to be such a strong individual among humans.
Seeing that the Green Leaf Witch didn't speak and merely watched them with vigilance and caution, Gagaran showed a hint of helplessness on her face.
*Clink!*
She tapped the hammer handle with her finger, producing a crisp sound.
The Green Leaf Witch was clearly not easy to communicate with. It would have been one thing if she were human, but the other party's status as a demi-human made Gagaran unsure how to approach her directly.
Evileye observed the Green Leaf Witch through her mask and suddenly spoke, her deep, resonant voice ringing out, "What kind of demi-human are you?"
"An ordinary demi-human shouldn't need to use a magical item for a disguise, right?"
In human society, while demi-humans were rare, they were not unheard of. Demi-humans like elves, rabbitmen, and dwarves had no need to disguise themselves.
Unless the other party's external appearance had a significant difference from humans. The most representative example was the Empire's "Warrior King," Gagaran.
With the strength displayed by the Warrior King, he was highly respected even in human society!
In other words, as long as one was a strong individual, they would not be underestimated, no matter where they were or what race they belonged to. Even the Slane Theocracy, that group of "human supremacist" fanatics, would not rashly subjugate such a strong one, provided the demi-human did nothing to harm humans.
"A bit suspicious, isn't it," Evileye said softly, before her voice grew heavy. "A genius alchemist who creates alchemy potions from the blood of demi-humans, accompanied by a demi-human."
"Moreover, you haven't been seen for all these days. So... where is your leader?"
Gagaran's eyebrow shot up. She understood the meaning behind Evileye's words; she seemed to suspect that the leader of Free Will might have been coerced by this demi-human magic caster.
"That's none of your business," the Green Leaf Witch snorted coldly.
The air fell silent.
The atmosphere, which had just begun to relax, instantly tensed up again.
*Thump! Thump!*
The sound of running footsteps.
Enri came jogging over from behind and stood beside the Green Leaf Witch. Though she was clearly nervous, she mustered her courage and shouted at the four people before her:
"Miss Cui Ye is a good person! You're not allowed to say that about her!"
Enri pursed her lips, her expression earnest beyond measure.
There were four of them, but Miss Cui Ye was all alone. Although she had no strength, she didn't want Miss Cui Ye to face them by herself.
Her clear and determined voice startled the four members of Blue Rose.
*A commoner?*
Evileye looked at Enri through her mask, suddenly recalling Gagaran once mentioning that there was an ordinary girl in Free Will.
The suspicion that had just risen in her heart dissipated significantly the moment she saw Enri, but even more questions bubbled up from within.
An Adventurer Team of three people: one ordinary girl, one demi-human magic caster, and a leader who was an alchemist that made potions from demi-human blood.
It was a combination she couldn't make any sense of.
How very strange!
Evileye, who was usually uninterested in most things, suddenly found herself intrigued by that leader.
She felt he might be an interesting person.
"I already said, this ends here," Gagaran said, her voice a few tones higher, relieved that Evileye had stopped talking.
This statement was not only for the two people opposite them but also a reminder to her own side.
"Hello, my name is Gagaran. My teammate's actions caused a misunderstanding. About that set of magic items you're wearing, would you be willing to sell them to us?"
Gagaran tried her best to put a friendly smile on her rugged face and then spoke to Enri.
"I can't do that."
Enri looked gentle and weak, but her tone held not a trace of hesitation as she said decisively:
"This was a gift from my Lord. I can't, unless my Lord agrees."
*Lord? Is that the leader of Free Will?*
Gagaran understood. They were both adventurers, not enemies, so there was naturally no need to resort to forceful measures. She waved her hand awkwardly. "Alright then."
Tina stood to the side. Even without looking up, she could feel Gagaran's gaze on her.
*There's going to be a lecture waiting for me back home.*
Tina sighed. As for that set of magic items, she would have to find another way to get it back.
Meanwhile, Tia, who had been silent all this time, was now sizing up Enri with a satisfied look in her eyes.
As an admirer of female bonds, Tia found that while Enri wasn't exceptional, her display of character was truly admirable.
"Your name is Enri, right?" Tia suddenly asked.
"Ah, yes."
Startled by her name being called, Enri answered subconsciously, unsure for a moment whether to look at Tia or Tina.
The two of them looked exactly the same.
*Clank—Clank—*
The clattering sound of armor rubbing together gradually rose from both ends of the street. The onlooking crowd quickly dispersed as fully armed soldiers poured in from the paths the people cleared.
In an instant!
They had completely surrounded the Green Leaf Witch and the members of Blue Rose.
There were more than twenty of these soldiers, each wielding a nearly two-meter-long, silver-headed spear. They wore leather armor on their upper bodies, with silver protectors on their chests, shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Judging by their equipment alone, they were already elite soldiers of the Kingdom.
The commotion and destruction from the earlier battle were beyond the scope of ordinary patrol guards. Someone had clearly reported it, mobilizing this elite squad.
Gagaran showed no surprise at this scene, merely shrugging her shoulders.
The reason she hadn't left immediately after dealing with Tina's situation was that she knew this matter couldn't be concluded so easily.
Even with their current adventurer level, or even by bringing up their captain's noble status, they would still have to go through the motions at the very least.
Enri trembled with fear. The courage she had just mustered to face Blue Rose vanished in an instant, her face filled with panic.
As a commoner, Enri felt a natural fear and awe when facing the country's soldiers.
After the soldiers had surrounded the people on the scene, cheers and excited whispers rippled through the crowd.
A male figure in extremely simple, light-gray clothing walked out from the crowd. To describe him as "formidable" would be a perfect fit.
The gazes of most of the populace were filled with excitement as they looked at this figure.
With his appearance, even the many soldiers surrounding the Green Leaf Witch and the others seemed to hold their spears a little steadier.
"Even he's here?" Gagaran's square face showed surprise upon seeing him.
The Champion of the Royal Court Tournament!
A mere commoner, "Warrior Captain" Gazef!
(end of chapter)
