A failed ambush from a mercenary group

Soon, Kael and his companions purified the Starlight Blossom flowers using the purification potion they acquired earlier. By noon, their task was complete, and after a hearty lunch, they began their journey back to the imperial city.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, the group decided to set up their camp at the edge of the forest, on their way. A campfire was set before the tent, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows on their faces.

Kael sat between Laura and Seraphina, his wives on either side, while the adventurers lounged on the other side of the fire. They chatted lightly, recounting past adventures and sharing plans for the journey ahead.

While they were in the middle of dinner, Kael's expression turned serious as he put down the bowl. He straightened, his gaze scanning the surrounding darkness. "I sense danger. Multiple enemies," he said, his voice low but urgent.

Everyone immediately went on alert, hands darting to their weapons as they stood. The adventurers exchanged tense glances, the atmosphere grew heavy.

From the shadows, figures began to emerge—mercenaries, twenty in total, encircling the campsite. Most of them are in Tier-6, spare a few.

Their leader stepped forward, reaching out to her dagger as she spoke to the party. "A Tier-7 expert," Laura spoke in a hushed tone.

The busty dark-haired woman approached the adventuring party that stood around Kael and his wives. "Woah, my client really didn't do you enough justice, describing you as a mere flower." The woman eyed the only man in the party with a predatory gaze, licking her lips with her long tongue. "Don't worry, handsome. I won't kill you. I'll keep you as my bi*ch." She said, her gaze was filled with lust.

"You rotting pox…" Laura gritted her teeth, offended by this strange woman trying to speak to her husband in such a vulgar way. With a swift motion of her hand, the pages of the book floating before her turned quickly and stopped at a spell. Words in the page escaped the book and turned into specks of energy, eventually taking the shape of a wingless and limbless dragon. "The Dragon of the East, Ryujin. Heed my call and destroy my…"

"Ack."

All of a sudden, a mercenary standing not far away from Romi, the mercenary group leader fell down. A purple energy arrow was seen pierced into his back before it disappeared as his body turned into a corpse.

Everyone became alert as one by one, the mercenaries fell to the purple arrows coming from every side. Arrows streaked through the air with deadly precision, each finding its mark without fail. Thud after thud, bodies hit the forest floor. The mercenaries barely had time to react before the last man fell, an arrow lodged in his chest.

At the same time, Laura attacked Romi with her spell.

The energy dragon flew to her like a streak of light. Just as it was about to strike her chest, Romi's hand moved, her dagger blocking the energy dragon. However, just as the attack collided with her blade, it gave off a blinding flash of light and caused a huge explosion.

Leiza, the swordswoman of the group, raised her shield and slammed it on the ground, unleashing a giant wall of barrier in time, shielding the team from the explosion.

However, as the dust settled, Romi was nowhere to be seen. She disappeared from their sight.

The group stood frozen, their weapons raised but unused.

From the treeline, four figures emerged, their silhouettes backlit by the dim glow of the dying sun.

Kael's eyes widened as recognition dawned. Leading the group was Shiera, his youngest wife, holding a bow still strung with an arrow. Her expression was as sharp as her aim, her icy blue eyes scanning the camp for any remaining threats.

"Shiera," Kael murmured, his voice tinged with surprise and relief.

Shiera strode into the camp, her bow casually slung over her shoulder. Her teammates followed close behind, grinning as they spotted Kael.

"Brother-in-law!" one of them exclaimed cheerfully, a burly man with a massive sword strapped to his back. He rushed forward, shaking Kael's hands a bit more enthusiastically. "We finally get to meet the man Shiera's been so protective of. She practically dragged us here when she heard you might be in danger and took care of everyone on her own, not even letting us use our strength."

Another, a short lady who looked more like a teenager, smirked as she dismissed her dual daggers. "She even left us just one step away from the boss's den. Can you believe it? She must really care about you."

Shiera's cheeks flushed faintly, though her expression remained stoic. "Don't get the wrong idea, Kael," she snapped, her tone clipped. "I only came because Seraphina sent me the message, requesting my help. Can you really stop causing trouble to my sisters? If you are weak, act like one."

Kael scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a small blush rising up to his face.

Before he could respond, Laura stepped forward, her arms crossed. "It's not his fault to be born with good looks and that attracts trouble from every squid out there," she said, her voice brimming with pride.

"Stop it," Kael turned an even deeper shade of red, mumbling unclearly as the adventurers burst into laughter. Even Shiera couldn't entirely hide the twitch of a smile at the corner of her lips, though she quickly masked it with a scoff.

With the mercenary threat eliminated, the group settled back around the campfire, though the atmosphere was now far lighter. Shiera's party introduced themselves to the rest of the group, sharing tales of their recent adventures and teasing Shiera further about her "rescue mission."

Kael thanked Shiera sincerely, his tone earnest. "I appreciate you coming to help us, Shiera. Truly."

Shiera looked away, feigning disinterest. "Just don't make it a habit," she muttered.

As the fire crackled and the stars emerged above, the combined group began discussing their plans. Once they return to the imperial city, Laura plans to talk with the Queen, making sure to get Baroness Fianna punished and put a bounty on that Tier-7 mercenary, whoever that was.

Meanwhile, Romi, injured in the chest and bleeding heavily, was seen somewhere in the middle of the forest. She rested on a branch, consuming healing potions to close up her wound at the very least. As she had gotten better, Romi clenched her fist in anger. "That dark-haired bit*h. I will kill you one day. Until then, I need to lay low. If Fianna hears that I'm alive, she will send women after me to cover up the evidence. Let's go to the imperial city. The most dangerous place is always the safest place to hide."