Chapter 246
Hans furrowed his brow as he observed the unexpectedly amiable pair before him.
“They seem friendlier than I anticipated,” he mused.
The one to respond was Vila, who chuckled. “True, our relationship wasn’t exactly warm, but it’s not nonexistent. And…”
Vila’s gaze shifted to the bone bracelet adorning Yan’s wrist. “Wearing that bracelet signifies coming as a friend.”
“Indeed, I arrived as a friend, but what lies ahead remains uncertain,” Yan replied, his words carrying the weight of his bone-bound resolve.
Vila couldn’t help but smirk. This was the same man who had nearly killed him years ago, emerging from the makeshift grave beyond the imperial borders.
But that was only a fleeting thought.
Suddenly, Yan’s presence defied all expectations. “Nothing visible,” Vila thought, acknowledging the vast disparity in their abilities, rendering his own talents null within Yan’s aura.
“You…you can’t be…” Vila stammered.
“Believe it or not, I now possess the power to do just that,” Yan said, a wry smile playing on his lips as he adjusted the sword strapped to his waist.
It seemed playful, yet it served as a warning—a reminder that the blade could be drawn at any moment.
Vila couldn’t help but chuckle. “So, all those rumors weren’t baseless after all?”
Yan’s achievements were legendary: the second imperial executor, the supernova who rescued trainees on the eastern front, the hero who exposed and vanquished forbidden secrets, and the hero who quelled the southern rebellion.
His accomplishments alone fueled a whirlwind of rumors.
“Truly remarkable,” Yan acknowledged, his demeanor far from the past’s humility.
His leather fur-lined attire bore countless battle scars, defying its otherwise unassuming appearance.
“The bracelet was merely a pretext,” Vila mused, surprised by Yan’s proactive approach.
Vila had been embroiled in a relentless struggle against Duke Beowulf’s forces, who had launched a full-scale campaign against the barbarians.
If only the knights had been his sole adversaries—he would have swept them aside. But Duke Beowulf’s personal involvement had complicated matters.
Though he had barely escaped thanks to Xin’an’s intervention, the tribe’s numbers dwindled, and relentless pursuit by rangers and knights left the villagers exhausted.
Despite swallowing his pride and sending apologies and offerings to Duke Beowulf, the disdainful response remained unchanged.
And then Yan appeared.
As a hero with connections to both the empire’s elite and the barbarians, he could potentially mediate the conflict.
“Surprising that he brought it up first,” Vila thought, suppressing another cough.
“Unnecessary,” Vila replied. “But since you’ve mentioned it, I won’t refuse. Haha!”
Yan’s laughter revealed his true intentions, and Vila’s curiosity piqued.
“Then let’s create an opportunity for reconciliation,” Yan proposed.
Vila’s eyes widened. “You’re suggesting—”
“Yes, let’s explore the possibility,” Yan interrupted, his gaze unwavering.
Vila’s hesitation vanished. “Very well. But I have one condition…”
Yan nodded, and Vila continued, “If any of our villagers suffer harm, there will be no forgiveness.”
Nodding in agreement, Yan smiled. “Naturally. I’ll discreetly investigate and return.”
And so, with Chief Vila’s reluctant permission, Yan’s party ventured into the barbarian village.
* * *
The scale of the barbarian village sprawled across the landscape, rivaling even the estates of minor nobles. Lorena’s presence had been detected here, leaving behind a trail that demanded meticulous investigation.
With Yan venturing alone, he entrusted Theo and Hans to explore other areas. The two companions moved silently, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.
Suddenly, Hans broke the silence. “Did you truly harm the duchess and flee?”
This question had gnawed at him, suppressed due to Yan’s presence as an outsider. But now, with only Theo by his side, Hans sought an honest answer.
Theo hesitated, then replied, “No.”
Not long ago, Theo believed he was responsible for his mother’s death. But Lorena’s revelation had changed everything.
“It wasn’t your fault,” Lorena had assured him. “Why torment yourself needlessly? Who accused you of being the culprit?”
Her words had shattered his guilt, and now Theo faced Hans, revealing the truth.
“Why ask further?” Theo inquired.
“I’ve observed you since childhood,” Hans began. “Though you now surpass me, I was the one who first taught you swordsmanship.”
Indeed, when Theo was five and showed interest in swords, it was Hans who became his mentor.
“From those early days, I’ve watched you,” Hans continued. “Do you think I don’t know the person you’ve become?”
Theo questioned, “What does that have to do with—”
“Your answer suffices,” Hans interrupted. “Though we should inform the duke, Lorena’s revelation spared you.”
With that, Hans resumed the search, leaving Theo blinking back unexpected tears.
He had assumed a lifetime of estrangement from his family, yet Hans’s unwavering trust touched him deeply.
Suppressing his emotions, Theo pressed forward, gripping Hans’s arm. “Listen carefully. I won’t be able to bear it.”
And so, Theo began recounting the events of that fateful day.
* * *
Yan had been exploring the barbarian village when he abruptly turned his head. In that fleeting moment, he sensed the distinct aura of magic—subtle but unmistakable. While it was likely that the Seven Sins hadn’t kidnapped Lorena, he couldn’t rule out the opposite scenario entirely.
“Confirmation is necessary,” he thought.
With determination, Yan propelled himself toward the source of the magical energy. His destination: a fortified enclave within the village.
“Why such heightened security here?”
While other villages maintained a certain level of vigilance, this enclave’s defenses surpassed the norm.
“Something lies within,” Yan surmised.
As he approached the wooden gate, the guards sprang to their feet, spears aimed at him.
“Turn back! No outsiders…ever…” their leader warned.
“I have Chief Vila’s permission.”
“….”
Thunk.
The guards tightened their grip on their spears, unyielding. Yan considered forcing his way in, but he hesitated. Breaking his promise to Vila weighed on him.
Though overpowering them was possible, reneging on a promise was something Yan wanted to avoid.
He slipped into the enclave, where the magical presence intensified.
“Suppress!” Yan resolved.
Time was of the essence; he couldn’t afford delays.
As Yan channeled mana, another surge emanated from within the enclave.
His eyes widened. “Another wielder?”
Barbarians harnessed power differently than the empire’s mana practitioners. Their unique method, known as “kigum,” allowed them to accumulate strength. Encountering a true wielder here was rare.
The enclave’s leader, a formidable figure, stepped forward. His strength rivaled a 4th-grade wielder—a force to be reckoned with even in the empire.
But…
Swish!
Yan’s ethereal form materialized behind the leader.
He sensed the attack coming—a spear aimed at his head.
Whack!
Yan deftly parried the blow with Ascalon.
“What madness is this?”
“Entering against our warning? You defy—”
Yan ignored the leader, striking back with precision.
The clash was brief but decisive. Even a 3rd-grade wielder couldn’t withstand Yan’s assault.
“Busy. Farewell.”
As Yan prepared to pursue the magical trace, a voice echoed from behind.
“Seems my words didn’t dissuade you.”
He turned to find Vila, stern-faced, approaching.