I took a deep breath as I glanced around, taking in the new scenery after being confined in the library for so long. Honestly, I didn't expect the streets of Nevaeh, which used to be quiet, to now be bustling with many merchants. The city's development is much faster than I thought, quite impressive.
Setting aside the development, there were other changes that were quite surprising. Even though it was still early, the streets were already filled with people. Could this be a sign that Nevaeh city has gained many new residents in the last five years? Ah, whatever, no point in dwelling on it. Time to find a place to eat!
After walking for a while, I finally arrived at a spacious and crowded eatery. Honestly, this place resembled a bar frequented by adventurers, but that’s fine.
After ordering food, I quietly sat at an empty chair. While waiting for my meal, I sat calmly, listening to the conversations around me. Who knows, there might be some useful information hidden in those talks, right?
As if answering my wish, someone sitting at the table next to mine with their friends said, “By the way, did you guys know? Last night, the security guards chasing Benjamin Donatien and his son were wiped out!”
“No way!” replied the person beside him. “How strong could that father and son be to wipe them out?”
“They say out of five security guards, only one managed to escape!” The person who started the conversation made his story more dramatic. “The one who escaped said Benjamin Donatien was dead, but his son fought back with a strange Beast!”
A strange Beast? Could it be one of the 7 unique Beasts?
“I don't think that's an exaggeration,” the person who started the conversation continued, “because I heard Keres Nevaeh is going to capture Benjamin Donatien's son with a hundred soldiers.”
“Keres Nevaeh?!” The person who heard that name flinched and then lowered his voice. “That arrogant noble's son must have bad intentions.”
“That’s true, but he’s the son of the current Duke Byron Nevaeh.”
Sigh … I guess there's no need to listen to this conversation any longer. Time to eat and leave.
After finishing the meal, I went outside and looked around. Not long after, I saw a young man fully armed, riding a horse and leading about a hundred soldiers marching behind him.
Alright, time to blend into the crowd of civilians and follow the official troops! I doubt they’ll notice they’re being followed. How lucky I am.
After some time, just as the people in the eatery had said, the troops indeed entered the forest. I wanted to see how true their story was. Whatever it is, all I need to do now is confirm its accuracy.
After walking for quite a while into the forest, not far ahead, I saw a young man with short hair standing upright facing the troops. Right in front of the young man, nine bodies in blue uniforms, which were security soldiers, lay scattered. Did this young man defeat them all by himself? If so, the information from the eatery was slightly off because there were nine bodies here, not four as they thought.
“Turns out you understand your position, lowly one. You’re ready to surrender, right?” said the young man leading the troops.
“I knew you would come, Keres Nevaeh.” The surrounded young man wore a blank expression. “Or do you prefer to be called Young Master Nevaeh?” He smiled thinly. “I’ve been waiting for you. Thanks for coming to meet your doom.”
“Watch your tone, Neville Donatien!” snapped a soldier.
“Dare you insult me?” Keres Nevaeh stared sharply ahead. “I will make you scream for death. Neville Donatien!”
“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do that, Young Master,” replied Neville as his right eye emitted a blue light, but at the same time, the troops also activated their right eyes. However, there was a difference between Neville and the soldiers. The young man possessed Beast Thestral! One of the unique Beasts I’ve been looking for.
I smiled thinly. It’s confirmed; what those people said was true. Time to wait for the opportunity and take this young man named Neville away. But before that, I need to move away from here first.
Without wasting much time, the soldiers immediately attacked Neville with their Beast Tigers on Keres’s orders. However, the first attack launched by ten men was instantly repelled by Beast Thestral in a single flap of its wings. As I expected, this Beast is incredibly powerful, but is it possible for him to defeat a hundred men?
“Attack with full force!” Keres Nevaeh didn’t let Neville feel victorious. “There’s no way he can defeat us all alone!”
Instead of feeling scared or panicked, Neville smiled. “You still don’t understand the difference between us, do you?”
In the blink of an eye, everything turned dark. Nothing could be seen except darkness.
Beast Thestral, besides having a stronger physique than Beast Tigers, has the power to blind its opponents for a few seconds. This ability is unique to Beast Thestral, as each unique Beast has its own unique abilities. However, I didn’t expect Neville to master this power in such a short time.
“Help!”
“Argh!”
In just a few seconds, Neville managed to wipe out the hundred soldiers led by Keres. In such a short time, he killed all the soldiers, leaving only Keres. He must have done it on purpose.
“Pathetic troops,” said Neville. “Now, only you remain, Keres. Don’t you want to unleash your Beast? Oh, I know. You must not have been allowed to kill your parents yet, right?”
“How dare you!” Keres clenched his fists tightly. “I am the son of Duke Byron Nevaeh! A ruler of the Nevaeh region!”
“I couldn’t care less about that.” Neville’s face remained blank. “But since you falsely accused my father, I will kill you all one by one.”
“Who cares about that trivial matter!” Like Neville, Keres was unafraid to face him. “You should kneel and beg for mercy! Maybe I’ll spare you and let you live.”
“Look who’s talking?” Neville shrugged. “Someone like you, without a Beast, will never defeat me!”
“You!” Keres spurred his horse at full speed towards Neville. “Even without a Beast, a noble like me will surely—”
Tragic … Keres was instantly killed by a kick from Beast Thestral that pierced his stomach, even before the young man could finish his last sentence. Neville truly had no sympathy for him.
Honestly, I didn’t expect it to end like this. Neville managed to defeat those hundred soldiers all by himself. Terrifying ….
“Excellent!” I said as I approached slowly. “You managed to wipe out a hundred soldiers in just a few seconds.”
“Who are you?!” Neville was startled and on guard. “Are you one of Nevaeh’s lap dogs?!”
I raised both hands. “Don’t be too wary. I genuinely praised you because I didn’t expect you could defeat them all.”
“Tell me who you are, or I’ll kill you!” Neville kept his distance, ready to fight.
“Come on. I’m Ars, a commoner who happened to be passing by.” I lowered my hands and acted nonchalantly. However, this attitude would surely make Neville even angrier, just as I hoped.
“Liar!” Neville immediately attacked me with his Beast Thestral. “Don’t underestimate me!”
I smiled thinly as Neville stepped back, the shocked expression I had been waiting for showing on his face. As expected, he was stunned to see his proud Beast disappear into the air with just one of my punches.