However, unlike her brother Henry, Aurora wasn't fond of talking so she slightly replied in agreement and stopped.
"Hahaha, Brother Henry is joking. They were just weak jujubes and melons who only knew despicable methods. Even if I didn't help, you could have killed them anyway."
Carl was quite happy being praised, especially by a girl as beautiful as Aurora. However, as he said, those bandits really weren't good and could only rely on their numbers.
It turned out that, just like Ian and Lyra, Henry and his sister also encountered a small team of bandits. Although the problem wasn't big, they were pestering them endlessly while using despicable methods one after another, making them passive.
However, fortunately, Carl arrived just in time and helped kill those bandits with his astonishing momentum, saving pointless sacrifices.
"Yeah, they indeed weren't strong. But still, I would like to thank you for your timely help. I, Henry, am not an ungrateful person. If Brother Carl needs anything in the future, you can ask me anytime."
Henry boasted in front of Carl as if he were still in his empire.
"Okay, then."
Carl nodded but didn't take his words to heart. For heaven's sake, they were now going to take the Ignisia Trial and travel to another continent. He didn't know what he could possibly ask for from him anyway.
His sister?
'Well, it didn't seem to be a bad idea.'
Carl joked inwardly while imperceptibly looking at the alluring figure of Aurora.
He didn't deny that the main reason he helped them was for this quiet girl, Aurora. Although she talked less and didn't even look at him that much, he wasn't disheartened. They still had ample time to spend together on this journey.
As for Lyra, he had already forgotten her after she dropped out of the Imperial Academy since far well couldn't satiate near thirst.
'But, that guy should also come, right?'
After he answered Henry, Carl then thought of one hateful guy who had defeated him quite miserably in front of a whole crowd.
That event was so impactful that even when he won one quota during the next competition, nobody thought he was awesome but only recognized him as a defeated person under Ian.
'I hope he will come. If he does, I will show him what it feels like to get trampled on.'
Carl thought while clenching his fist in anger, making both Henry and Aurora look at him weirdly.
"Oh, haha, I just thought of something. So, brother Henry, where are you from?"
Seeing that he had lost his composure for a moment, Carl laughed it off and began to talk with both of them in an attempt to make the relationship closer.
As for Ian, he already had a hunch that he would definitely come. So, all he had to do was wait. Although he agreed that he wasn't a match for Ian for fighting with Knight realm strength, inside the Ignisia Tower, that restriction would be lifted.
He would then show his true strength, completely wiping off this dent in his dignity; he swore.
...
"Swish!"
"Thud!"
In a barren place devoid of habitation, a head rolled to the ground, its expression filled with dread and fear.
"Kill all the ones near, don't follow them. Conserve your energy."
Lancer ordered his subordinates after separating the head of yet another bandit leader. This was the 10th one he had killed in the span of 13 days on this journey, making him more and more proficient.
The continent where Ian was called Gravethrone, and there were three Empires on it: Ashford on the east, Velmoria on the north, and Mistveil on the south.
Hence, the remaining expanse of land to the west, bordering the sea, was called Westshore.
So, the question arose: why did no Empire try to take control of this land? After all, from time immemorial, the coastal area was synonymous with wealth, and there was no reason the three empires didn't covet it.
However, the truth was despite having endless potential, Westshore was chaotic and scattered, with no real power taking control. There were indeed various powers from the three Empires situated in it, but they had no plans to occupy the land.
And the reason lay in the unpredictability of the sea. You see, unlike the sea in Ian's previous life, the sea bordering the Gravethrone continent was chaotic and filled with danger.
It seemed even the sea was affected by the Wizard War thousands of years ago.
One could never know what would happen suddenly, causing the entire population bordering the coastal area to be wiped out inexplicably.
It could be as predictable as a tsunami or as unpredictable as wizard methods. It could be a giant sea creature coming to the shore to eat, or it could be an unpredictable curse.
Since the wizards who could stop such happenings were now basically nonexistent on this continent, nobody had the strength or the guts to actually establish their power here.
That's why this place had become loose land, attracting greedy businessmen to exploit it. And with them came bandits who couldn't survive inside the Empire.
"This is already the eleventh team. Don't they have eyes?"
Inside the luxurious carriage in the middle of the guards' encirclement, Lyra was hugging Ian's body, placing her head on his chest, and couldn't help but complain.
When they first encountered bandits, she thought it was a rare occurrence and they were unlucky. But now she realized how wrong she was. Even their small caravan had already encountered dozens of sieges from bandits.
It was as if, after the announcement of the Ignisia Tower opening, they sprang out like mushrooms from their holes.
"Haha, we are now already near the location. It should be the last one."
Ian said while looking at the fight outside that was nearing its end. Multiple bandits were already running away after Lancer killed their boss.
However, this time, although they ran away, nobody from his team went to chase them since they now realized that it was pointless. Trying to kill them all would only tire them out.
"Young master, the path has been cleared."
After killing the bandit leader and scattering the remaining ones, Lancer came to Ian's carriage, bowed, and shouted.