CHAPTER 200

The Seven-Colored Peacock was a world-renowned information organization. It was an organization that kept track of all events and individuals in the countless clans that existed throughout the land.

And even they couldn't identify the ashen-haired old woman.

It was an expected outcome, since she didn't take the transfer gate, but a boat. No information could be extracted purely based on appearances. There were no insignias on her attire either.

In fact, she came with a ship full of gold and not a single allied member. They interrogated the ship's crew members for hours on end, and they insisted on cluelessness.

"If you're here from the Seven-Colored Peacock, just take my money."

She definitely was a force to be reckoned with. In addition to the Special Forces Division Leaders visiting, her visit made the guards panic. 

Either way, the old woman trotted towards the mansion. 

Jet relayed this information. In response, Kashimir and Jin shrugged.

"In my opinion, it's just some retired artisan. Man, I would've never thought of receiving such a massive donation. I feel accomplished! I guess people have to live in the light instead of the underground."

"If she came with a ship full of gold, there must be an ulterior motive. Either there's a heavy request or confidential information to attain."

Kashimir spoke.

"I don't think so. Why can't it be out of pure kindness?"

"A ship full of gold? No matter how low you estimate, that's at least a million."

"Well, you sent about half that amount to the pirate gang… Was that not out of kindness?"

"That was returning the favor."

"Hmm, if I were you, I wouldn't have even given them fifty thousand, let alone five hundred thousand. If they asked for more, I'd force them to… Ah, I'm so jealous!"

"Shut up. If you're jealous of Cosmos, I'll give you a bonus. This is called kindness."

"Man, you're the best, Young Master. You are the only person whom I worship!"

"Anyways, please send one of your agents to the old woman, Sir Kashimir."

Jin pushed over Jet and told Kashimir.

"I thought of doing that as well. If she is just a donor, I'll treat her like one. If not, I'll send her on her way."

He sent the youngest of the Big Seven, Bran Pyully, to greet the woman.

Thirty minutes later, Bran and the old woman entered the mansion, laughing together. 

'My goodness.'

'Oh lord.'

Witnessing it from the second floor, Jin and Kashimir gasped. They realized that she wasn't just a donor.

'Damn, she isn't just any monster…?'

In fact, she was actually an 'incredible' warrior. 

Her rather large hands that must have held weapons since birth were covered by gloves, and the condensed, pure muscles were hidden underneath her dress.

Jin and Kashimir had seen her for the first time, yet they knew who she was at a glance. She wasn't just any old woman with a big wallet. They just didn't anticipate the fact that she would turn out to be a legendary individual. 

However, she just trotted with a smile on her face.

Even if someone wanted to see her immense power and aura, her unique method of suppressing aura emission was a work of art. 

The old woman looked up and smiled at the two. As soon as she walked through the door, she identified their positions despite them suppressing their presence as much as possible.

"…This is a bit of a surprise. Young Master, do you know her?"

"No idea."

"Oh, you two. Why are you acting like that? Is she someone special?"

Kashimir couldn't even compare this situation with the Division Leaders' visit, where the Seven-Colored Peacock actually went into full panic mode. This situation just made him freeze up.

"I think we should head down."

"Please go on ahead. I'll tell the others. Jet, go bring Miss Alisa."

"Alert the agents for emergency protocol."

Just in case the situation escalated, they had to prepare the strongest units for a possible battle.

He had a bad feeling about this.

'I feel like she came knowing that I am here… Who the hell is she?'

And that question resolved itself as soon as Quikantel arrived.

"What is this energy? It's like the one in the Ante Mountain Range… No way it's her… Oh, it is. This horrible feeling must be because of her."

Quikantel coldly spoke.

"The Terror of Antes?"

"Forty years ago, dragons never went near the Ante Mountains. Even approaching the vicinity would mean being flightless or flirting with death. All due to that woman."

"I've never heard of this."

"Of course. During that era, we dragons couldn't do anything. To that woman, that is. Vanessa Olsen wasn't very famous in human society."

The reason why she wasn't known to humans was because she almost never revealed her strength in front of other people. Those who got to witness her power couldn't survive to tell the tale. 

Even the dragons began to call her the 'Terror of Ante'. More precisely, they didn't stick the name onto her, but that nickname naturally arose. 

She was, in essence, a dragon slayer.

"Maybe she came for Miss Quikantel and Murakan."

"I don't think so… The likelihood of that is low. A long, long time has passed since she stopped hunting dragons. I haven't heard anything about her hunting dragons down nowadays. I thought she passed, but I guess she remains."

Murakan shook his head.

"What a strange human. From what I heard from Jet, she had a fat wallet. 'I'm going to kill you, and here's reparations.' Something like that? Very imprudent fellow."

"Murakan, you need to stop being delusional. You've weakened. You wouldn't even stand five seconds against her."

"Damn. If you say it like that, I just gotta try."

While they bickered, Vanessa entered the guest room with Kashimir. 

After a while, Jin concluded that he'd confront her himself. He didn't want Kashimir to deal with her alone. 

"Nonsense. Just wait right next to Miss Quikantel."

"Hah. I wonder how long it'll take for your spiritual energy to empower me. Even if I had half of my old power, you wouldn't be talking smack. It seems my healing has gotten slower…"

Jin left Murakan to his musings and entered the guest room. He didn't even take his sword with him. He wanted to approach his guest as a host before they showed hostility.

'Or maybe…'

Perhaps his father sent her.

The thought flashed in his mind. No other explanation had been remotely plausible. 

'Sir Kashimir probably told Father of my progress, and I'm sure he mentioned Shadow Blade and Illustrious Bladeworks. So he sent someone to precisely measure my skill.'

Ironically, as Kashimir struggled to look calm, Vanessa freely explored the room. 

It seemed that the crew still didn't know how strong she was. The way she concealed her aura was immaculate. 

Bran Pyully, who first escorted her, only thought of her as a harmless donor. The information regarding the donation's objective had been identified. 

"Apologies for my belated introduction, madame. I am Jin Grey, the first in command for the Seven-Colored Peacock."

"You're the boy who was next to Sir Kashimir earlier. Such a high position for someone so young. You must be very talented."

"That is merely my title. My work is very menial."

"Is that so? Hm… I don't think a menial worker would do any of the important, skilled labor that the Seven-Colored Peacock does."

"Haha, Jin is actually my nephew. I was scared he would stray down a dark path if I didn't apply some nepotism. I'm sure he just wanted to greet you."

Jin nodded on Bran's elaborate cover-up. Vanessa stood there, and as if she were about to leave, she approached Bran for a handshake. 

"Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Bran. Hopefully, there is no need to erect a statue of me for my contributions. That wouldn't fit the name of the Free City."

"Uh, leaving so soon?"

"Fufu, I am very busy doing these surprises for others."

"Well, it feels a little… Please have a meal with us. I can't accept showing such disrespect towards a guest."

"It's alright, Sir Bran. Instead, I have a small request. Ah, of course, it's not in favor of the donation."

"I never assumed such a thing. Please speak your mind, Miss Vanessa."

Vanessa's eyes flicked to Jin.

"I'd like to borrow your nephew. Please guide me, Sir Jin. Although I can't have a meal, I'd like to take a look around the city. Then, I would have no regrets."

Bran glanced at Jin and Kashimir. Jin knew what was going on.

'Now I'm definitely certain. This reaction as soon as I showed up… It's to evaluate my skill.'

Although following her could be a great risk, there was only one way out of this situation.

"I'll guide you with my utmost respect and honor, Madame."

"A wonderful response, Sir Jin. I'm excited."