Adam and Elsa arrived at the northern part of the forest.
High up in a tree sat a little girl, gazing into the distance.
She wore her hair in a braided ponytail with a purple accessory, dressed in a black short dress with a small coat and leather boots. Save for her hair color and accessories, the little girl was the spitting image of a young Elsa.
Following her gaze, he saw Natsuki locked in combat with a massive Wolgarm.
The young fighter was in desperate straits. His face betrayed a mix of fear, terror, and anger — the perfect picture of an ordinary person facing absolute despair.
His body trembled uncontrollably, blood trickled from his bitten lip, and sweat beaded across his forehead.
Yet Natsuki's eyes blazed with unwavering determination! He stood fierce guard over everyone behind him!
Though the massive Wolgarm toyed with him like a cat with its prey, he didn't yield an inch, gripping his sword steadfast before the two unconscious women!
"Hmm, his training has exceeded my expectations." Adam nodded with satisfaction.
He had expected Natsuki to resign himself to death when cornered, yet even in this desperate situation, the boy clung tenaciously to life.
Though aided by Meili's control and facing only one large Wolgarm, his exceptional willpower deserved praise.
Excellent! This proved he was worth cultivating!
"Who's there?!" Meili called out sharply.
Her small face grew alert as she dispatched flying magical beasts around the area to guard against intruders.
Adam had made no effort to quiet his voice, making it stand out in the silent forest — which was how she'd noticed him.
"It's me." Elsa said from the shadows beneath the tree, greeting the girl above.
"Big Sister Elsa!" Upon seeing her, Meili joyfully leaped down, landing safely in Elsa's arms.
"Hehe." She just giggled at the gentle scolding.
But when she spotted Adam following behind Elsa, her mood instantly darkened.
Meili puffed up her cheeks, fixing him with an angry glare, clearly displeased.
Elsa introduced them.
"This child is Meili Portroute, an assassin like me, currently working by my side." She patted the girl's head, "She's been the key player in this mission — all the plans went smoothly thanks to her."
"Hehe." Hearing her praise, Meili's unhappy expression instantly transformed into a big smile as she looked at her.
The Witchbeast User Meili Portroute had grown up in the forest since childhood. Due to her unique constitution, she possessed a special miasma that allowed her to control and tame many small and medium-sized Witchbeasts.
She greatly admired Elsa, who had brought her out of the forest, and even imitated her dress and mannerisms.
As an assassin, she used her deceptively young age to catch targets off guard, marking them with Beast Curses and using Witchbeasts to drain their mana until death.
This mission was no different.
"Hmph." When Adam greeted her, Meili turned her head away with a small huff.
"Hehe." Rather than showing anger, he reached out his right hand toward her head.
Meili, still held in Elsa's arms, thought he meant to punish her. Unable to move or dodge, she shrank down and closed her eyes fearfully, bracing herself.
Instead, a large hand gently patted her head — soft and warm, carrying obvious goodwill.
"Eh?" She looked up, surprised.
Adam smiled, "I'm Adam Carter. So you're Meili? I often hear Elsa praise you, saying you're a clever and capable good girl. She likes you very much and cares about you deeply."
Though only twenty years old, he had extensive experience with children.
He understood why Meili was targeting him. Elsa, who had always been close to her, suddenly seemed less attentive, replaced by this mysterious man. The little girl felt as if her sister had been stolen away. Unable to direct her anger at Elsa, she could only be angry at him.
But her angry behavior was purely childlike — simply refusing to acknowledge someone's existence.
And Adam's response was equally simple. He made it clear that he had no intention of stealing her cherished person, while placing her status in Elsa's heart above his own, setting her mind at ease.
Simple and ordinary, but very effective.
I'm a professional at handling problem children!
"Yes, really, I promise."
At his definite answer, Meili's face lit up with joy, her earlier hostility melting away.
The two quickly fell into easy conversation, and before long, Meili was calling him "Big Brother" with the same warmth she showed Elsa!
Watching his smooth deception, Elsa's carefully maintained smile nearly faltered as she held Meili.
This was their first introduction!
Yet Adam seemed to know everything about Meili — her existence, her ability to control Witchbeasts, everything.
Had Elsa not known the girl was constantly by her side, she would have sworn they were old acquaintances!
The same was true for this assassination plan disguised as training.
From Roswaal making the request, to the arrival of a silver-haired half-elf with her butler and maid at the village, to Meili using her innocent appearance to deceive them and mark them with Beast Curses — every detail.
It all aligned perfectly with Adam's designs!
Yet when she had questioned Roswaal earlier, he had insisted these were all his own arrangements, with no outside influence.
Adam's true role in events remained an enigma — one that only heightened Elsa's fascination with him.
Naturally, she kept all information about him to herself.
Adam glanced at the moon hanging high in the sky, then assessed Natsuki's condition.
The timing was perfect.
Natsuki was at his limit — any longer and he would break.
He turned to the little girl in Elsa's arms, "Meili, trigger the Beast Curse now, then leave with Elsa. The mission ends here."
"Mm, okay, Big Brother!" Meili closed her eyes to commune with the Wolgarm.
Adam addressed Elsa next, "Now go complete our arranged task — you must find his lair quickly!"
"Ah~ alright, though I wished to spend more time with you." She sighed.
"I'm sorry, but I can only count on you for this." He gave her an apologetic look, adding, "And remember, that man is dangerous. If you encounter him, run. Don't you dare die!"
"Don't fret — I am the Bowel Hunter! I'm quite eager to see what color that Sin Archbishop's intestines are." Elsa licked her rosy lips, "Besides, if I die, can't you just revive me?"
"No! The Resurrection skill has strict limitations — I theoretically can't bring you back anymore!" Adam whispered urgently, "Cherish your life! Elsa, you mean too much to me!"
"Yes, yes, yes, such a forceful man... but I like it." Elsa smiled coquettishly, pleased by his commanding, almost confession-like words.
At that moment, Meili opened her eyes and announced proudly, "Done!"
"Well done." He patted her head as a reward.
He turned his attention to the distant battlefield.
A dense black mist had gathered around the unconscious forms of Rem and Emilia, clearly visible even in the darkness. Anyone could see that something sinister was happening to them.
Natsuki, who hadn't taken his eyes off them, certainly noticed.
Though he didn't understand what was happening, he knew with certainty — if this continued, Rem and Emilia would die!
"Rem, Emilia! Damn it—!!" His helpless roar of rage echoed through the quiet forest.
Adam turned to the two beside him and said, "Alright, it's time for you to leave."
Elsa, with Meili in her arms, darted through the forest and vanished into the night.
Meanwhile, he watched the distance, preparing himself to enter the scene.
Next up, enter the hero!
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