Chapter 3: Turmoil in the Carriage

After listening to Skate's words, Mels suddenly turned deathly pale. He slowly lowered his head and spoke in a tone so gloomy it was suffocating: "Father, Uncle Skate, Uncle Kerjes. Do you really want me to leave? There are still many things I haven't done here. Do you really want to cast me aside?"

"Mels, we're doing this for your own good. You should go see the outside world. Perhaps you can make a name for yourself, instead of wasting time here with us old men. If there's anything left for you to do here, we'll help you finish it!" Kerjes, who had remained silent until now, couldn't bear to look at Mels's expression any longer. He turned his head aside and spoke to his foster son.

"Yes, there is!" Mels declared loudly. "Father, you promised to teach me the 'Skywind Blade,' but I haven't learned the most powerful final eight forms yet!

"Uncle Skate, you once mentioned a martial art that can break magic—the Magic-Breaking Strike. You still haven't taught it to me!

"Uncle Kerjes, even though you told me the 'Wolf Wind Sword Technique' is your strongest move, during yesterday's battle, I saw you use a sword technique even more powerful than that. If I can't learn these, I will never leave here, even if I die!" Mels stated firmly.

Upon hearing Mels use his lack of martial arts mastery as an excuse to refuse leaving, Sarikat and the other two exchanged glances and quickly spoke in unison: "We will teach you these martial arts, but you must promise to leave for Frandis Island immediately after learning them!"

"Deal!" Mels raised his head and decisively agreed. He then turned, grabbed Rek, and headed outside, saying casually as he walked, "Then I'll stay here for one more month."

Watching Mels's departing figure, Sarikat and the other two were momentarily unable to adapt to his sudden change in attitude. After a long pause, Skate finally spoke: "Did we just get tricked by that kid again?"

Sarikat looked at Skate, then turned to Kerjes and said, "Sigh, that kid just loves taking advantage of us. We were bound to teach him our secret techniques sooner or later. This is just a good opportunity! But once he leaves, who knows when we'll get to witness his schemes again."

After hearing Sarikat's words, Skate and Kerjes fell silent. The real purpose of sending Mels away wasn't to enhance Little One's abilities, but to protect Mels's life!

At this moment, they couldn't even guarantee their own survival in this world, let alone protect Mels. Perhaps in three months, perhaps in half a year, the powerful enemy they had been hiding from for twenty years would appear before them!

Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye. During this month, Mels, with his extraordinary intelligence, managed to learn almost all of Sarikat and the other two's signature skills. Sol and Rek were also formally ordered by the three chieftains to leave the stronghold with Mels. Of course, during this month, their abilities had also improved significantly.

Fulfilling days always pass quickly, and the moment of parting inevitably arrives. On this morning, accompanied by the three chieftains and several of the stronghold's senior leaders, Mels, along with Sol and Rek, carrying packs filled with provisions and money, left Skull Ridge.

"Kid, from now on, it's just the three of you. You must be extra careful in everything. Don't go around picking fights anymore. Remember, there's always someone better out there!" Sarikat gave Mels his final piece of advice.

"Father, I'll remember. Don't worry," Mels replied with a bright smile.

"Mels, practice the martial arts we taught you these past few days often. They'll come in handy someday. Pay attention to what happens around you when you're out there. Experience is accumulated from small things!" Skate also instructed Mels. "Mm, Uncle Skate, don't worry. I'll remember," Mels answered again.

"Sol, Rek, take good care of Mels. Don't act recklessly out of loyalty. Use your brains more before doing things. Don't be as dumb as pigs," Kerjes said to his two beloved disciples.

"Third Fortress Master, we'll remember," Sol and Rek replied simultaneously.

"Then we'll be on our way. Father, you all take care too," Mels said, seeing the farewell scene coming to an end. In truth, he wasn't without attachment to the stronghold, but given his personality, he detested such sentimental scenes. He decided it was better to make a clean break and leave quickly.

"Mm, go on. Be careful in everything!" Sarikat uttered his last words, waving his hand to signal they could depart.

Looking at the three elders who had raised him for seventeen years, seeing what seemed to be moisture gathering in their eyes, Mels suddenly bent at the waist and bowed deeply to them. A whisper, audible only to himself, escaped his lips: "Father, take care!" After saying this, Mels turned and left without looking back!

Seeing Mels had already set off, Sol and Rek also didn't linger. The three youths, amidst the farewells of Blue Whirlwind's many senior leaders, walked toward an unknown future. The legend that would affect two worlds began at this very moment!

Watching Mels's departing figure, Sarikat was speechless for a long time. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he strode forward, shouting as he chased after Mels: "Kid, wait!"

"Father? Is there something else?" Mels stopped and asked curiously.

"I forgot to give you this." Sarikat took out an exquisite pure silver bracelet from his chest. A vividly carved divine dragon adorned the bracelet. After personally putting the bracelet on Mels's right wrist, Sarikat said softly, "This is all of your father's wealth. Someday it will be of use." As he spoke, Sarikat reached out his large hand and gently stroked Mels's head.

Looking at his family before him, feeling their genuine affection, the emotions Mels had suppressed for so long could no longer be controlled. With a cry of "Father," he threw himself into Sarikat's embrace. Tears were the expression of his feelings, drop by drop flowing into Sarikat's heart.

"Silly child, crying like this at your age. Hurry up and get going." As if afraid he might cry in front of everyone, Sarikat pulled the gradually calming Mels from his embrace and spoke to him.

"Father, I'm leaving. You take care," Mels said to Sarikat while wiping away his tears.

"Mm, be careful in everything," Sarikat nodded.

This time, Mels truly left. This was also the last time Sarikat would ever see Mels. Mels never imagined that from now on, he could only receive his father's care in his dreams, only reunite with his family in his dreams!

Carrying their packs, Mels and the other two walked briskly in silence, turned the corner at the foot of the mountain, and disappeared from sight.

"Yay! Freedom!" Mels suddenly let out a strange cry and sprinted forward. Seeing Mels's reaction, Sol and Rek couldn't understand his feelings at the moment. Just moments ago, Mels had looked forlorn, but now he seemed exceptionally excited.

"Boss, have you gone crazy?" Sol caught up to Mels and shouted.

"Go to hell, you idiot! This is me expressing happiness! Happiness, understand?" Mels turned around and glared at Sol.

"Happiness? Just now you were all teary-eyed and acting like you were dying, and now you're suddenly happy just after turning the corner? Isn't that crazy?" Rek, who caught up a step later, said the same as Sol.

"Sigh, how did someone as smart as me end up with two fools like you? Ever since those three Old Fellows insisted I leave a month ago, I knew I couldn't avoid it. Since I had to go, of course I had to dig some good stuff out of them! Hehe, didn't you see how they taught us all their secret martial arts and skills this past month? Besides, when we were leaving just now, everyone had such long faces. If I didn't act a bit 'tragic and heroic,' wouldn't that be disrespectful to them? So, based on all these reasons, this Young Master reluctantly brought out some acting talent to meet the audience's needs! Haha..." Mels said while laughing unrestrainedly.

"Wow, Boss, you're too sneaky! I thought you were really unhappy. I even shed a few tears because of it," Sol approached Mels and punched him playfully yet earnestly on the shoulder.

"Hehe, I'll make it up to you! Last time we went out, that miser Uncle Skate only gave us enough money for food and lodging. This time it's different. Your boss's wallet is bulging! Haha, let's find a big city first and have a great time!" Mels winked at Sol and Rek.

After hearing Mels's words, Sol and Rek looked at each other and cheered simultaneously: "Hooray!"

"Haha, enough talk! The great big world is waiting for us. Let's go!" With Mels's loud laugh, the three youths forgot the slight melancholy of leaving home and strode toward the "great big world" of their dreams.

After the figures of Mels and the other two disappeared around the bend at the foot of Skull Ridge, Sarikat and the other leaders of the Blue Whirlwind bandit organization slowly returned to the stronghold. Along the way, Sarikat said nothing. Skate and Kerjes following behind him seemed to understand their elder brother's feelings and followed in silence.

"He's finally gone. It's for the best. This way, we can fight without any attachments holding us back!" Sarikat suddenly said.

"Brother, why don't you choose to retreat? Actually..."

Before Skate could finish, Sarikat interrupted: "Second Brother, no need to say more. We've endured humiliation and clung to life for twenty years. Keluos's incident made me understand that no matter where we hide, what's coming will eventually come. Sigh, I don't want to live this fearful life any longer. Second Brother, Third Brother, in the next few days, sort out the stronghold's assets and distribute them to the brothers so they can have a means to live after going down the mountain. You two should also find a place to hide. After all, the enemy coming is simply beyond our ability to handle!"

"Brother, what kind of talk is that!" As soon as Sarikat finished speaking, Kerjes shouted loudly: "We three brothers have been together since the founding of the Imperial Legion, sharing life and death through countless battles. Twenty years ago, we acted together, and after failing, we came to this remote place together. Do you want us to do something faithless and despicable, worse than pigs or dogs, at the final moment of our lives?"

"Third Brother is right! Brother, whatever decision you make, Third Brother and I will be with you! If we live, we live together; if we die, we die together!" Skate followed Kerjes's words without hesitation.

"You two... Fine! No matter what, we three brothers will always be together. In the next life, we will surely be brothers too!" Listening to his sworn brothers' words, Sarikat felt a surge of emotion in his heart. Three strong, powerful hands clasped tightly together. At this moment, thoughts of life and death had long vanished from their minds, leaving only the bond of brotherhood!

On a desolate road with overgrown weeds and no trace of people, Mels and the other two advanced slowly under the scorching sun. According to the map Skate gave them, Frandis Island was in the southeastern sea of the Carshu Continent. Given their current location in the Chaotic Country, they first needed to reach the Fijinando United Kingdom, then find a ship at the southernmost port city of Bomart to set sail. Although the journey wasn't extremely long, given their walking speed, it would take at least fifteen days to reach Bomart.

"Boss, we've been walking for three days. Besides small villages, why haven't we seen a single big city?" As a mage, Sol's stamina was hard to compare with Rek and Mels. Therefore, long-distance travel was indeed very taxing for him.

"Hmm, we should be able to enter Fijinando after walking one more day. There should be a big city there," Mels said to Sol, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Ah? Another day of walking! I'm going to die of exhaustion on the road! Boss, let's find a place to rest. My feet hurt so much I can't walk anymore," Sol said with a pained expression.

"You're the most troublesome! You've complained about being tired countless times along the way. I think it'd be better if you died of exhaustion, to spare our ears the annoyance!" Rek shot Sol a glare and said irritably.

"Big Guy, I'm a mage blessed with both beauty and wisdom, not a big oaf like you. Of course I get tired!" Sol retorted.

"Big oaf? Fine, then let the great mage blessed with beauty and wisdom carry his own pack!" Rek prepared to throw the pack on his shoulder, which originally belonged to Sol, back to this arrogant mage.

"Ah?" Hearing that Rek was about to throw the stuff back to him, Sol immediately changed his expression and said, "Brother Rek, Hero Rek, Lord Rek! You are the embodiment of strength and courage, chivalry and benevolence. This humble brother was blind and failed to recognize your greatness earlier. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against this humble brother!"

"Good that you know your place. Hurry up and walk, less talk!" Rek was only pretending. Seeing Sol had already bowed and begged for mercy, he didn't make things difficult for him.

"Haha... Sol, now you know when not to talk nonsense. We're not in a hurry anyway. Rek, let's find a place to rest first," Mels said with a loud laugh.

"As expected of our wise, mighty, and peerless boss. Long live the boss! I think that big tree ahead will do," Sol said happily, pointing to a large tree not far ahead by the roadside as soon as Mels agreed to rest.

"Alright, let's rest for a while then," Rek agreed with a nod. Actually, it wasn't just Sol; Rek and Mels also couldn't bear walking further under the blazing sun.

Now that they had a goal, their pace quickened as they reached the tree. While Mels and Rek were taking off the packs from their backs, Sol, who carried nothing, had already collapsed on the ground. Along the way, Sol's pack had been carried in turns by Rek and Mels, as both were well aware of Sol's stamina. Although the three of them often enjoyed bickering, the bond between them was as close as brothers.

“Wow, we’re saved! What the hell kind of weather is this? It’s only June and already this hot!” Sol, who had just gulped down water from his canteen, sat on the ground, sighing in relief while cursing the weather.

“Yeah, the further south we go, the hotter it gets. It’s really unbearable!” Mels also couldn’t take the heat.

“If we’d known it’d be like this, we should’ve asked the Third Fortress Master to prepare a carriage for us when we left the fortress. Then we wouldn’t be suffering now,” Rek said after taking a big swig from the canteen he’d taken from Sol.

“A carriage? Why don’t we just steal one now?” Sol suddenly suggested.

“This… that doesn’t seem right,” Mels hesitated.

“We’re bandits! What’s the big deal about stealing a carriage?” Sol retorted dismissively.

“You’re right! But there’s not a soul in sight on this road. Where are we supposed to steal a carriage from?” Mels said, looking around.

“Well… sigh, bandits like us have it rough!” Sol looked around with a helpless expression. The three of them glanced at each other, then stared at the deserted road for a while, each falling silent. It seemed that being a bandit also required choosing the right location; in such a barren place, it was better to lay low.

After resting with their eyes closed under the tree shade for about twenty minutes, the ground suddenly started to shake.

“Boss, you feel that?” Sol asked, tilting his head slightly but keeping his eyes closed.

“Yeah, the ground seems to be shaking a bit!” Mels replied.

“Why is the ground shaking? An earthquake, or…” Rek chimed in from Mels’s other side.

“A carriage!” The three of them opened their eyes almost simultaneously and shouted in unison. Looking into the distance, a cloud of dust was rapidly approaching along the road.

“Thank heavens! Brothers, grab your gear—time to get to work!” The three overheated kids were ready to get back to their bandit ways. The warnings from Sarikat and the others to behave themselves were long forgotten.

Each of them pulled out their weapons, with Mels leading the way as they planted themselves boldly in the middle of the road, waiting for the carriage to approach. The carriage didn’t slow down a bit even when it was two hundred meters away, as if it intended to speed right past them. Seeing this, Mels turned to Sol and said, “Sol, it’s up to you!”

As soon as the order was given, Sol immediately responded, “Yes, sir!” While speaking, he brought his hands together in front of his chest, closed his eyes, and slowly chanted an incantation: “Spirits of the air, heed my call, slow your movements, delay the passage of time. By my will, command all things upon the earth—Spatial Deceleration!”

As the incantation ended, a silvery-white light shot from Sol’s hands, enveloping the speeding carriage. Once struck by Sol’s magic, the previously fast-moving carriage suddenly slowed dramatically—the rotation of its wheels and the beat of the horses’ hooves all drastically reduced.

Although the carriage driver was unaffected by the magic, seeing the strange transformation of the carriage, he knew the three kids standing in the road weren’t normal. Since the carriage could no longer speed past, the driver had to rein in the horses. The small carriage pulled by two sturdy horses finally came to a stop right before Mels and the others.

“Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?” The driver appeared to be around forty years old, with a robust build and fair skin that didn’t look like your average laborer. Inexperienced as they were, the three youths didn’t notice anything amiss. Mels swaggered forward two steps and declared, “This road was built by me, these trees were planted by…”

Before he could finish, the driver interrupted, “So you’re bandits. I’m in a hurry today and don’t want to deal with you. Here, take this.” A bulging money pouch was promptly tossed from the driver’s hand.

Catching the pouch, Mels hefted it in his hand, estimating that it contained a considerable amount of money.

“We don’t want your money; we want your carriage! Be smart about it—take all your belongings and leave the carriage now. Otherwise, my blade won’t be so friendly!” Mels threw the money pouch back to the driver, putting on a menacing expression.

“In your dreams!” The driver didn’t bother catching the pouch. Instead, he drew a gleaming silver longsword from under the seat, sprang up, and thrust his sword directly at Mels.

“Bring it on!” Rek roared. Without waiting for Mels to speak, he raised his steel blade and sprang into the air, charging toward the driver mid-flight. Sword met blade, and in that brief moment, the clang of metal rang out seven times. The driver’s swordplay was exquisite—agile yet ruthless. Though young, Rek’s blade work was mature and steady, using simple, unadorned techniques to counter the opponent’s nimble sword moves. For a while, neither side gained the upper hand. As their respective Qi energy dissipated and their bodies grew heavy, both descended from the air simultaneously.

“Just who are you people? Are you allies of the Azure Tower?” Seeing that Rek was no ordinary opponent, the driver uttered words that left Mels and the others deeply puzzled.

“Bastard, what Azure Tower? We’re not pimps; what do we have to do with brothels or towers?” Upon hearing the driver refer to them as allies of the Azure Tower, Sol immediately misunderstood, thinking the driver was labeling them as enforcers for a brothel, and angrily retorted.

“You don’t know about the Azure Tower?” The driver looked suspiciously at Sol, then at Mels and Rek.

“Who doesn’t know about the Azure Tower! Isn’t it just a place where men go for entertainment?” Although Sol had never been to such a place, he refused to let the driver think they were nobodies. He straightened his back and spoke loudly to the driver.

Observing Sol’s demeanor, the experienced driver became convinced that Mels and his companions were not allies of the Azure Tower. He sheathed his sword and clasped his hands respectfully toward Mels. “Gentlemen, I mistakenly took you for enemies of mine earlier and acted offensively. I sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness.”

“Cut the crap! Don’t try to suck up just because you can’t beat us. We don’t care if you have enemies or not; we want your carriage. Hand it over, and we can talk!” Sol snarled fiercely.

“This… gentlemen, under normal circumstances, not just a small carriage, but even something far more valuable, I would gladly give to you. But at this moment, I and the lady inside the carriage are being pursued by enemies. I truly cannot give you the carriage. Please, let us pass!”

“I said we want your carriage, so…” Sol was about to act tough again when Mels turned and said, “Sol, forget it. They really seem to need the carriage. Let them pass. We’ll walk a bit further and see if there’s a carriage for sale at the market ahead.”

Hearing Mels soften his stance, Sol anxiously said, “Boss, I can tell at a glance they’re not good people. Don’t let them fool you.”

Just as Mels was hesitating, a charmingly sweet female voice suddenly came from inside the carriage. “Fonkdo, what’s taking so long?”

“Miss, three youths want us to give them the carriage. I am currently negotiating with them,” the driver, addressed as “Fonkdo,” replied respectfully, hurrying to the side of the carriage upon hearing the voice.

“Where did these little brats come from? Chase them away! With enemies closing in, we don’t have time to waste with them!” Though the woman’s voice was soft and charming, her tone was filled with arrogance, as if everyone in the world should obey her commands.

“Yes, I will immediately ask them to make way.” After speaking, Fonkdo turned and walked back to the front of the carriage, addressing Mels. “Gentlemen, my lady has spoken. I ask for your understanding—please let us pass.”

Just as Mels was about to discuss with Rek and the others, Rek leaned closer and said, “Boss, it seems like another group is approaching from behind. But it’s not a carriage—it’s several fast horses.” Hearing this, Mels looked toward the rear of the carriage and saw dust flying as several burly men on horseback galloped swiftly forward.

Damn! Seeing the approaching men, Fonkdo inwardly cursed. He quickly climbed back onto the driver’s seat and shouted at Mels and the others, “The enemies are near! Make way!” Without waiting for a response, he raised his whip and struck the horses’ hindquarters hard. The horses, in pain and with the effects of Sol’s deceleration spell worn off, immediately lifted their iron hooves and charged forward.

But it was too late. Just as Mels and his companions hesitated about whether to block the way, two of the pursuing men leaped from their horses, soaring through the air toward the carriage. In two bounds, they landed on the carriage roof. One of them shouted, “Still trying to run? You injured our young master; I’ll make you all pay with your lives!” With both hands swinging, two bursts of fierce Qi shot from the burly man’s palms, striking the two horses pulling the carriage. Such force was hard for even a human to withstand, let alone two horses. With mournful whinnies, both horses collapsed simultaneously.

“Villains, how dare you act so recklessly!” Seeing the horses dead, Fonkdo knew that apart from a fight to the death, there was no way to leave safely. Resolving himself, he leaped from the driver’s seat, brandishing his longsword as he charged at the two burly men. By this point, only Mels and his two companions stood by, bewildered and unsure what to do. The would-be robbers had now become mere spectators. Such is the strange nature of the world.

“Boss, what on earth is going on? Did that arrogant driver visit a brothel without paying, and now the pimps are chasing him down for debt?” Sol rested his chin on his hand, leaning slightly toward Mels as he spoke.

“Idiot, didn’t you see how generously that driver offered money earlier? Why would he visit a brothel without paying? And didn’t the burly man who caught up say, ‘You injured our young master; I’ll make you all pay with your lives’? I think it’s probably some kind of feud,” Mels explained.

“Hmm, the boss is right. So what should we do now?” Rek nodded.

“Who cares? It has nothing to do with us. Let’s just stand under the tree shade and watch the show.” Mels was the first to walk back under the tree shade, ready to eat some dried rations while watching the two sides battle.

Looking back at the scene, there were seven pursuers in total. Currently, the two burly men fighting Fonkdo appeared to be in their thirties. On the remaining five horses were two elderly men around fifty, two burly men in their thirties, and a young man who looked to be in his early twenties but had a sly, lecherous expression.

The two burly men fighting Fonkdo, though unarmed, possessed extraordinary fist techniques. Their iron fists clashed fiercely with Fonkdo’s longsword, neither side gaining a clear advantage.

The lecherous young man, seeing the two burly men already engaged with Fonkdo, slowly rode his horse closer to the carriage window. With a lustful grin, he said, “Miss Liyana, it’s been a day since I last saw you. I’ve missed you so much! Thinking back to that day, we… Ah!” Before the young man could finish, a long whip shot out from inside the carriage. The iron tip struck him squarely in the center of his face. At such close range, the force was可想而知. A scream followed as the young man tumbled from his horse. His already ugly face was now a bloody, mangled mess, dripping with blood and looking even more repulsive.

“Haha… that was brilliant!” Sol couldn’t help but clap and cheer loudly upon seeing the young man’s pitiful state, as if applauding a performer on stage. As the young man fell, one of the two elderly men leaped into action, rescuing him from the whip’s range. When Sol’s applause rang out, the other two burly men on horseback glared fiercely, gripping the weapons at their waists, ready to attack. However, the other elderly man stopped them, saying calmly, “Stay calm!” He then slowly urged his horse forward, clasped his hands respectfully toward Mels and the other two, and said, “Gentlemen, this is a dispute between our Young Master and the person in the carriage. I hope you will not interfere.”

Having been born into a bandit organization, Mels and the others immediately understood from the elderly man’s polite yet firm attitude that he was testing whether they were allies of the carriage occupants. They stood up and raised their hands, saying, “We’re just passersby. Do as you please, do as you please!” After speaking, Mels arrogantly sat back down, picked up his dried rations, and began eating, making it clear: you fight your fight, I’ll eat my food.

Seeing Mels and the others’ arrogant attitude, the elderly man felt displeased but, being experienced, chose to ignore them. He turned back to the carriage and called out loudly, “Miss Liyana, will you come out on your own, apologize to our Young Master, and return with me to see the Tower Master, or must I force you out?”

“Hmph, with just you?” A sharp cry followed as the young lady leaped out through the carriage window, revealing her breathtaking beauty to Mels and the others. The girl appeared to be around sixteen, dressed in green robes that outshone water itself. Her skin was like jade, her nose delicate, her lips cherry-red, and her phoenix eyes and arched eyebrows resembled a pool of spring water. Her slender, jade-like fingers stood gracefully, and her violet hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. The black whip in her hand did not detract from her beauty but instead added a heroic aura. A green-clad angel, half a person’s height, crouched on the girl’s shoulder—undoubtedly her Summoned Beast. At that moment, Mels and his companions paid no attention to the angel-type summoned beast; they were utterly captivated by her beauty.

“Hmph, originally, out of respect for your status as a member of the Disro family, I showed you some courtesy. But you have repeatedly harmed our Young Master. Today, I will not let you leave!” The elderly man on horseback addressed the girl.

“Since you’ve caught up with me today, I never expected to leave unscathed. If you want to capture me and take me back, I’ll make you pay the price!” The girl’s voice was both soft and resolute, as if bolstering her own courage while declaring her determination to the elderly man.

“Haha…” The elderly man laughed in anger, shouting fiercely, “Today, I will see for myself whether the summoned beasts of the Disro family are as formidable as the rumors say!” As soon as he finished speaking, the elderly man sprang from his horse, leaping through the air toward the girl. His thin fingers, each tipped with long, sharp nails, made it clear that he excelled in claw-based combat.

“Fire spirits of space, gather by my side, let blazing flames reappear in this world. In my name, I summon the sacred firebird—Firebird Soar!” As the soft incantation reached everyone’s ears, a small firebird, accompanied by numerous fireballs, shot swiftly from Sol’s hands toward the elderly man in mid-air.

With magic closing in, the elderly man had no choice but to abandon his attack on the girl and deal with the firebird. After a flurry of frantic movements, although he wasn’t hit by the fire magic, he was left singed and thoroughly disheveled.

“Weren’t you just passersby? Why are you interfering in our affairs now?” the elderly man roared angrily at Mels. “Sigh, originally we thought the young lady might be unattractive, in which case we’d definitely remain passersby. But since the young lady is as beautiful as a celestial being, my brothers’ heroic spirit has been ignited.

You not only outnumber her but also dare to lay hands on a fairy-like beauty. Of course, my brothers will play the hero and rescue the damsel, temporarily setting aside our role as passersby!” Mels spread his hands, sighed deeply, and put on a helpless expression as he spoke.

Sol had already rushed to the girl’s side by then. Striking what he believed to be his most dashing pose, he bowed to the girl and said, “Miss, rest assured. With me here, these shameless scoundrels won’t harm a single hair on your head.” Without waiting for the girl’s response, Sol turned back to the elderly man and declared, “Stinky old man, don’t get too cocky! If you want to fight, go find my boss and my attendant!”

"Hey, Sol, that’s a low blow! You get to flirt with the girl while I do the fighting?" Mels rushed toward Sol, fuming with rage.

Before Sol could respond, Rek had already charged up to him and cursed, "Lackey? You scoundrel, who's whose lackey?"

"Boss, the Great Rek, consider it my slip of the tongue, alright? We're facing a major enemy right now, so please don't be so petty!" As Sol spoke, he hurriedly nodded and bowed, repeatedly apologizing to the two "furious" "big brothers." This blatant disregard for the old man made him so angry he was speechless, while the young girl was sent into fits of giggles.

"Wow! She's truly stunning," Sol said, swaying his head in admiration as he watched the laughing girl.

In fact, it wasn't just Sol; even Mels and Rek were captivated by her. Seeing the three men staring at her simultaneously, the girl quickly stopped laughing and lowered her head, her face flushing crimson.

"Autumn winds and rain are a sight to see, but the sun breaking through the clouds is a masterpiece. Good! Just for the chance to admire such a beauty, today's fight is worth it!" Sol was truly himself; though he was a flirt, he harbored no lecherous thoughts.

Although Mels and his companions wanted to spend more time admiring the beautiful girl's every gesture, the group of thugs would not allow them such leisure.

"Fourth Uncle, Fifth Uncle, that woman thrashed me, and you still haven't helped me capture her!" The young man who had been knocked unconscious by the girl's whip earlier had now slowly regained consciousness. Seeing that the girl had not yet been captured, he immediately shouted at the two old men.

The young man's words jolted the two elders back to their senses. Casting aside their anger, they both raised their left hands. Amidst a resonant summoning chant, a mid-tier physical-attack Magic Beast type Summoned Beast, a "Liger," and a mid-tier magic-attack Magic Beast type Summoned Beast, a "Frost-mist Bird," appeared before Mels and the other two.

Although the Summoned Beast Mels possessed was not powerful, he had studied them extensively. As the opponents' two Summoned Beasts appeared, Mels realized that while the "Steel Ape" and "Soul Mage" possessed by Sol and Rek respectively were of the same rank, their combat power surpassed that of the Liger and the Frost-mist Bird. Thus, he looked at the two old men mockingly and said, "You think you can fight us for the 'prey' with these things? This young master here has already claimed this carriage. If you want to steal from a thief, try taking it from my hands! Sol, Rek, show them what you've got!"

"Yes!" The three of them had grown up together, and their rapport was incomparable. The moment Mels finished speaking, Sol and Rek simultaneously activated their summoning incantations. In a flash of light, the Steel Ape—standing a full two people tall—and the Soul Mage, floating in the air and shrouded in darkness, appeared before Sol and Rek. Looking at these two powerful Summoned Beasts, the old man who had spoken to Mels earlier was secretly alarmed; his greatest fear had finally come to pass!