While they were talking, a female elf walked over to them. She had striking yellow hair and cold, calculating eyes, dressed in standard green elven battle gear. As an archer, she carried her bow and a quiver of arrows strapped securely to her back. "You two still awake? We'll reach Galica tomorrow and head straight for the tower, so you need to get some rest to keep your strength up," she scolded gently. "Ah, you're right. Well, mister, we'll turn in for the night," Harik replied. The two men stood up and headed toward their tent, leaving Nathaniel staring intently at the female elf. Noticing the young man's unblinking gaze, the elf frowned, her expression turning frosty as she told him to cut it out. "Do you mind not staring at me like that? What's your problem?" "Oh, miss, I'm really sorry. I just couldn't help looking because you're so gorgeous, and honestly, you look a bit like someone I've seen before." The woman smirked, a look of utter disgust crossing her features as

Since Aibara still refused to take the food he offered for her own reasons, Nathaniel simply offered to buy it all for a silver coin, covering everything, including what her companions had eaten. "Huh? Wait, you're going to buy all of this for a silver coin?" "Yes, is that alright?" Aibara couldn't decide whether to take him up on the offer, even though her mouth was clearly watering for the delicious food. "Okay, fine—just a copper coin for all of this food, then." Hearing that, Aibara quickly pulled out some coins and handed the payment to Nathaniel. "Fine, I'll take it." No sooner had she paid than she snatched a small plate of cake to taste it. Nathaniel was left speechless by her sudden action as she grabbed the plate right in front of him. "I guess she really did want the food after all," he muttered to himself. "Oh, what? I bought it, so it's mine now, right?" Aibara snapped. "Of course, hahaha! Go ahead, enjoy your meal," Nathaniel replied. Aibara immediately took

As the floating, water-formed fish materialized, panic and terror gripped the passengers. With a flick of the young girl's staff, the aquatic beasts launched their assault on the carriage, targeting those stranded outside and tearing into them mercilessly. "Ahhh!" "Help! Please, somebody help me!" Most of the passengers were merchants, completely unequipped to defend themselves. Masaw quickly conjured a magic barrier to shield the remaining group. They stared in horror at the sheer aggression of the fish, which tore ruthlessly into anyone caught in their path. Aibara felt a wave of nausea rise in her throat at the gruesome sight, forcing her eyes shut. A moment later, Harik rushed to her side, steadying her and urging her not to lose hope—they had to survive. "I think our enemy is using fourth-grade water magic," Masaw shouted over the chaos. "It's practically impossible for us to match this level of power." "Then we have to retreat!" Harik yelled. At that, Aibara stood up, r

​Moments later, a wall of water emerged from the magic circle, forming barriers along their path. They felt as though they were trapped in a circular cage with no other exit except straight up. ​However, Nathaniel could not fly, and he doubted whether he could clear a water wall over twenty feet high. ​"Do you think I can make that jump if I use a physical enhancer?" ​"Maybe, but the problem is it's way too dangerous. The moment you jump, you'll just be giving her an opening to attack you while you're in mid-air." ​Melon reminded him that he was still unable to divide and control his energy to simultaneously reinforce his body and maintain a protective barrier. Besides, if he got hit, the unconscious young woman he was carrying would be put in grave danger. ​Shortly after, alongside the appearance of floating orb-like droplets of water all around them, the young girl emerged from the water directly behind him, still holding her staff. ​"I need your souls, so please hand them ov

A few minutes after Nathaniel and the others fled toward the town, the Eskapa soldiers immediately headed to the headquarters to prepare the residents for evacuation. Without hesitation, the people followed the soldiers, driven by the fear that their town would get caught up in the impending attacks. Over three thousand Eskapa soldiers were assigned to guard the borders, while others helped the townspeople rush to pack the light belongings they could carry. "Captain, barely a thousand people have evacuated so far, and many of them refuse to listen to us," a soldier reported. The captain gripped his head in frustration, ordering his men to forcibly take the stubborn residents away, acting on the strict commands of the ruling queen. "We cannot afford to leave a single person behind in this place." The captain knew the locals would be difficult, especially the landowners who would rather die on their ancestral soil. "The general's enemy is powerful, and this area is bound to beco