Laine and Teresa walked shoulder to shoulder on the streets of Mijordenhaven, with Banda following uncertainly behind them. Compared to Kaltenhaven before, this port town was much more prosperous. The roads in the town were already made of artificial gravel, with a significant decrease in low, long houses and more two-story buildings and pointed small houses appearing in Laine's view.
The residents looked healthier, and many wore long robes and soft hats, even leather jackets, in addition to burlap clothes. Smoke rose from the bakery by the roadside, and the scent wafting out tempted Laine, who had been outside all day.
Teresa leaned on her Magic Staff, her eyes sparkling: "Can you tell me what happened? Don't tell me you defeated the Doomsday Bull in one move."
"It's not that easy!" Laine took out a massive bull head; the head of the Doomsday Bull was enormous, and even Banda, who had been following them, was gaping: "Nearly died for real."
"Can you explain in detail?" The female sorcerer's slender phoenix eyes looked at Laine through her butterfly glasses.
Laine told the whole process to Teresa, and she listened with a heart that skipped a beat, especially upon hearing that the Doomsday Bull had evolved into a Four-armed Bull Demon. Her pretty face turned pale as she looked at the scars on Laine's face and the bandaged shoulder, imagining just how thrilling the battle had been.
After a long while, she murmured, "The Mysterious Lady would never force us to confront such a powerful enemy. Perhaps... I mean, perhaps the Master of the White Wolf is too strict with you..."
"..." Laine did not respond, though as a White Wolf Knight, he should at least explain or refute her.
But he didn't. The words Lorne had spoken to him lingered in his mind. Yurik was indeed harsh with his followers, and many of them lost their lives trying to please him or due to his orders.
"Finally, I used my magic to ignite the Volatile Oil abandoned by Oliver and the others..." Laine recounted the last part to the female sorcerer, and told her he met Mission Knight Lorne.
"I didn't meet him, but I heard from Viert that they were indeed attacked by Beastmen again on their way down the mountain and were saved by a Mission Knight." Teresa nodded. She and Amelia had not caught up with the escaping caravan. The female sorcerer used magic to let the pine cone slide along the ice river, arriving in the town two hours before the caravan, and everyone was injured.
"Am I right, Banda?" To confirm, Teresa even turned to ask Banda, who was following them.
"Ah? Uh... Yes, yes, it was the knight who saved us." Banda, apparently lost in thought, was taken aback for a moment before answering with a flushed face.
The two did not pay attention to the strange state of the Little Mercenary and continued discussing that terrifying battle.
Yes! Check latest chapters at novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Yes!!! Why didn't I think of that? Pouring Volatile Oil on the Doomsday Bull and then igniting it! Since hearing about how Laine handled the Doomsday Bull, Banda's mind filled with more thoughts.
It was so simple, why couldn't I think of it?
Banda had overlooked Laine's previous tale of struggle. He only remembered Laine throwing the Volatile Oil and using a torch to ignite it, easily defeating the Doomsday Bull.
Yes, you should have thought of it, you should have done it, more voices emerged in his mind: You should have gained Lady Trovik's favor, but now it's all ruined!
No... No, it's not right. Mr. Laine saved my life! I can't do this to him!
But your time is running out; in a few days, Lady Trovik will part ways with you!
What Banda didn't notice was that his eyes began to show blood-red, and a desire to hate everything and destroy everything began to take over.
The road quickly came to an end, and after walking along the gravel road, a White Wolf Church appeared in front of the three of them. Laine stopped walking: "I need to submit the task, let's meet later."
"Hmm, I've booked a room for you at the Butter Inn." Teresa nodded. The White Wolf Church generally did not welcome women, and she saw no need to get involved in such internal matters. After agreeing with Laine to have dinner together in the evening, she left alone.
Banda saw this and hurriedly followed, but Teresa smiled and refused: "You don't need to follow me anymore, Banda, go do what you need to."
"But..." The Little Mercenary wanted to say something, but when he looked up, the female sorcerer was already far away.
Inside the White Wolf Temple.
The white flames symbolizing Yurik's Divine Power burned fiercely in the brazier, and the entire temple was filled with various trophies and weapons. Empowered temple warriors were training, wearing the simplest clothes even in the depths of winter. This was to demonstrate their strength, honor, and bravery to Yurik.
As usual, the temple priest knelt before the brazier in prayer. Behind the brazier was the cold statue of the White Wolf War God. He had lived such days for over ten years, and today was no different.
"Yurik grants me strength; may the Wolf God's white flames forever shine on the empire's north~" The priest recited the prayer as he had done for over ten years.
For over ten years, he knew silence would still be his only response.