Encounter

The next morning, Strider—now fully immersed in his identity as Lester D. Raizel—descended the stairs of the inn to find the common area sparsely populated.

It was still early, and only a handful of patrons were present, most of whom looked half-asleep as they sipped on steaming cups of tea.

Lester preferred the quietness of mornings, and he chose a seat at a window corner, where he could eat his breakfast in peace while observing the bustling streets outside.

As he ate, savoring the expertly prepared meal, he noticed a shadow cast over his table.

Ignoring it, he continued eating, uninterested in the presence of whomever was standing there. A soft pout and a chair scraping against the floor broke his concentration as someone sat down across from him uninvited.

He finally glanced up and saw the girl from the day before—the one with the almond-shaped eyes and noble bearing.

She was staring at him with a playful expression, while the young man from yesterday stood behind her, glaring daggers at Lester.

Lester sighed internally and set down his fork. His voice was calm but carried a sharp edge. "It is rude to sit at someone's table without asking first."

The girl, unfazed, crossed her arms and leaned forward slightly. "And it's rude to ignore a lady when you clearly know she's standing right there."

Her quick wit made Lester pause. He assessed her again, noting the confident yet mischievous gleam in her eyes.

She was undoubtedly someone of importance, not just because of her demeanor but because of the two powerful attendants she had hidden in the shadows.

He reasoned it might not be a bad idea to foster a connection with someone of such a background, especially for his future plans.

Relaxing his posture slightly, he introduced himself. "I am Lester D. Raizel."

The girl blinked in surprise at his sudden change in demeanor, but a radiant smile soon spread across her face, pleased that he was now open to conversation.

Meanwhile, her two attendants in the 4th Layer of Energy Accumulation Realm silently communicated with each other, trying to recall if there was any family within their empire with the surname Raizel.

After a brief mental deliberation, they concluded that he might be from another empire, as no such name existed in their records.

The girl introduced herself next, her tone filled with pride. "I'm Ali."

Hearing her name, Lester immediately connected the dots.

The clues—the name Ali, her young age yet remarkable cultivation of the 8th Layer of Mortal Transformation Realm, and her aristocratic demeanor—made it clear to him that she was none other than Alia Stoneheart, the youngest princess of the Stoneheart Empire.

Although the descendants of stoneheart family have golden hair, but it can be veiled through many cultivation techniques and the technique used on Alia is from someone in the core building realm but the spiritual sense of demon is higher than human in the same realm, so he easily saw through it.

She was known to be the emperor's favorite due to her extraordinary talent, and rumors suggested she would break through to the Energy Accumulation Realm before the age of 22—a feat that would make her the youngest in the empire to achieve such a milestone.

Despite realizing her true identity, Lester maintained a neutral expression. He had no intention of exposing her.

Instead, he shifted his attention to the young man standing behind her, his glare as sharp as ever.

Lester studied him briefly, noting his rugged features and the faint traces of calluses on his hands, indicative of years of hard physical work and combat.

Alia noticed Lester's curious gaze and introduced the young man.

"This is Alistair. He comes from a commoner hunting background but has remarkable potential. He's reached the 7th Layer of Mortal Transformation Realm at the age of 20 and has even fought monsters at the peak of Mortal Transformation in the Dark Forest."

She spoke with genuine admiration, her eyes briefly lighting up as she recounted Alistair's feats.

"When I met him during one of my hunting trips, I was impressed by his abilities and invited him to join me. He's been accompanying me ever since."

Lester listened quietly, but internally, a sense of familiarity struck him. The story sounded eerily like the typical background of a protagonist in cultivation tales—a talented individual rising from humble origins, earning the favor of a powerful noble, and gaining opportunities that others could only dream of.

The thought piqued his interest. Could Alistair really be one of those so-called "protagonists"?

Alistair, meanwhile, was bristling with irritation. He had noticed Alia's enthusiasm while speaking to Lester and felt an uncomfortable pang of jealousy.

His glare intensified, silently willing Lester to decline any offers that might come his way.

But when Alia invited Lester to join their group, Alistair's hopes were dashed. Without hesitation, Lester agreed, casting a deliberate and knowing gaze at Alistair, whose fists clenched at his sides.

Alia, delighted by his acceptance, called for another meal and devoured it with an appetite that left Lester momentarily stunned. Her consumption was surprisingly hearty for someone of her elegant demeanor, but he wisely chose to remain silent on the matter.

After finishing their meals, Alia announced that it was time to head to the Dark Forest.

She instructed her attendants—hidden in the shadows—to follow discreetly, ensuring her safety without interfering unless absolutely necessary.

The group of five, including Lester, Alia, Alistair, and her two hidden attendants, made their way toward the forest's edge.

The atmosphere was lively as they traveled. Alia's cheerful chatter filled the air, and while Alistair tried to engage her in conversation, her attention often shifted to Lester, asking him questions about his background and experience.

Lester, sticking to his fabricated identity, provided vague but convincing answers that maintained an air of mystery.

Alistair's frustration grew with each passing moment, but he kept his composure, knowing that openly showing hostility would only lower his standing in Alia's eyes.

Lester, on the other hand, was observing both of them closely. He paid attention to the way Alistair carried himself, the way he reacted to situations, and the underlying tension in his body language.

It wasn't long before Lester began piecing together more details about Alistair's character and motivations.

"This Alistair..." Lester mused inwardly. "If he truly is a protagonist, then his journey will be filled with opportunities and breakthroughs. Being around him might prove beneficial. Protagonists have a knack for attracting fortune, and I might as well reap some of those benefits myself."

As they reached the outskirts of the Dark Forest, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew colder, and the thick canopy of trees cast eerie shadows over the ground.

The forest exuded an oppressive aura, one that would intimidate ordinary mortals.

Alia, however, seemed unfazed. Her excitement was palpable as she led the group forward, her steps light but confident. "We'll hunt some monsters today," she declared. "It'll be a good test of our skills."

Lester nodded, his expression calm and composed. "Lead the way."

Alistair, though still irritated by Lester's presence, steeled himself for the challenges ahead.

He knew the Dark Forest wasn't a place to let emotions cloud his judgment.

With the group assembled and ready, they ventured deeper into the forest, unaware of the trials and discoveries that awaited them.

For Lester, this was not only an opportunity to gather resources but also a chance to observe the so-called protagonist in action—and perhaps, uncover more secrets about the enigmatic Alia Stoneheart.