Chapter 795: Chapter 676: Is This the Nobility?_2

Xu Shuo slowly crushed the stem of grass he held in his hands.

The tiny pieces fluttered down from his fingertips, and he felt the lingering chill on his skin; thoughtfully, he turned to glance back at the Amiciya Mountains.

“My lord?”

The voice of the Mercenary Corps Captain inquired from beside him.

Xu Shuo said indifferently, “When we depart later, send someone back into Steep Angle Peak, and keep an eye on the activities within the Amiciya Mountains. But be careful not to expose yourself, and withdraw immediately if you encounter anything unusual. Just bring back the intelligence.”

The Mercenary Corps Captain nodded gravely.

It was a good time to send out a few men to return to the mountains, as he had to dispatch some to Castle Kasai ahead of time anyway.

Xu Shuo approached the abnormal spot, his gaze sweeping over the frost left on the grass before stepping forward to crush it all underfoot.

Seeing this, the Mercenary Corps Captain hurriedly came forward, “My lord, let me handle this! Why trouble yourself with the cold!”

Xu Shuo did not respond directly to this.

He watched the frost disappear under his feet and felt the cold penetrating through the soles of his shoes, then suddenly smiled.

“Ice and Snow Elves…”

…

…

Sola squatted across the lake watching the fish.

But occasionally, she noticed Xu Shuo standing on the other side; she looked up only to see that they seemed to be discussing something about the lake.

She was somewhat puzzled.

But she was not as vigilant as she had been during the past two days.

Still, she continued staring in that direction for a while.

Then she saw the Mercenary Corps Captain turn and signal to someone; that person nodded, took off his shoes, rolled up his pants, and waded into the water to fish.

Sola: emmm…

So, does everyone here actually want to eat fish?

She decided to stand up, lifted the hem of her dress, and jogged over to them; as she approached, she was met with a young man’s gentle look of inquiry.

Seeing her running over, Xu Shuo commented casually, “The lakeside is slippery, be careful as you run.”

“…!”

Sola was taken aback for a moment.

The tall young man smiled faintly, sunlight of the golden dusk falling on his silver hair, casting a dreamlike twilight hue, and the white clergy robe was tinted with the afterglow of the sunset.

For a moment, the elegant young man enveloped in brilliance seemed especially radiant, so much so that she felt as though she was beholding a deity.

Sola’s heart throbbed uncontrollably.

It felt as if a tiny deer was about to perish inside her.

Now, face to face with the young man, who looked at her curiously, she suddenly remembered what she intended to say.

“You… you eat fish too?”

Her voice came out a bit strained and uncertain as she spoke.

After the words left her mouth, she felt incredibly awkward.

What kind of lame opening line was that?

Xu Shuo paused for a moment, then chuckled, “It’s rare to have such leisure, so I let them go and catch some fish to eat.”

Sola nodded, “Oh oh!”

Then silence fell between them.

Neither of them spoke again.

The sounds of splashing water came from the lake.

Many mercenaries were helping to catch fish, making the lake a bustling scene, but the girl standing on the shore felt increasingly awkward.

So, why had she run over here again?

Sola’s gaze wandered aimlessly until she saw the Mercenary Corps Captain directing the fish gathering nearby; it was like a socially anxious person finding a conversation starter.

The girl quickly spoke up, “Right, I saw you standing here just now; what were you discussing?”

Xu Shuo gave her a strange look, “We were talking about catching some fish to eat.”

Sola: “…”

Right… right.

She had just asked a similar question.

And so, the awkward silence ensued once more.

This time the pause lasted quite a while, until a dozen or so unidentified fish were tossed onto the shore, mercenaries set up fires and pots, and the whole place became abuzz with roasting fish and boiling fish soup.

The fish from the lake tasted extraordinarily tender and delicious, even without other seasonings, still flavorful after being grilled.

As the paying boss, Xu Shuo and another both received a fish each.

The remaining fish were simply turned into a large pot of soup, since the mercenary group had many people, and the dozen or so fish were far from enough to go around.

After everyone had their fill.

The Maple Leaf Mercenary Group prepared to continue their journey.

As previously planned, a small squad of mercenaries was sent out, hurrying towards Castle Kasai with all haste to prepare for their entering of the city.

Meanwhile, several Sun Knights hiding within the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group stealthily broke away from the team, concealing their tracks as they returned to the Amiciya Mountains via the route that had been flagged as unusual.

Although the members of the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group possessed some strength, they likely wouldn’t be able to make a full retreat like the Sun Knights in case of an emergency.

After all, they were the Order of the Sun Knights, tasked with the close-quarters protection of the Pope of Light.

If one spoke of their strength, aside from the Heresy Tribunal under the Holy Maiden within the entire Holy See of Light, perhaps no one could match the might of the Order of the Sun Knights.

The strength of an individual knight might not be so intimidating.

But as long as there were more than three Sun Knights together, they could ensure a safe retreat even if they couldn’t defeat the enemy.

…

Inside the carriage,

Xu Shuo was engrossed in his books, tirelessly studying.

Sola, on the other hand, was already feeling quite drowsy, as she hadn’t slept well the previous night either.

In fact, she hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for several days in a row.

So, after getting into the carriage, she began to feel sleepy without reason, just like some people who get drowsy the moment they sit in a car/high-speed train/plane/any moving vehicle.

Quite reasonably, she started to nod off.

Xu Shuo watched her imperceptibly.

From the extreme caution of the first day to almost no vigilance now, it seemed like the girl’s thought process had regressed somewhat.

Indeed, when everything is clearly laid out and arranged for someone, that person would tend to stop thinking on their own.

After all, when there’s nothing to worry about,

there’s also no need to think.

…

As the carriage rumbled along, after about two or three hours, the mercenary group finally arrived at the gates of Castle Kasai and entered the city without incident.

Once the carriage stopped, Sola woke up as if by reflex.

Xu Shuo glanced at her.

Mhm, she still retained some alertness.

Xu Shuo smiled at her and said, “We have arrived at Castle Kasai. Rest well at the inn tonight, and we will continue our journey to the Far North Mountain Range tomorrow. If we’re fast, we should reach the Silver City-State by nightfall, which borders the mountain range.”

Sola nodded somewhat groggily.

She stepped out of the carriage, using the footstool provided by the mercenary group, and, like a proper lady, carefully descended in her cleric’s gown.

The inn in front of them was extremely luxurious.

With its spire-like castle architecture, if it weren’t for the sign carved on the wall, Sola would’ve doubted that this was actually an inn.

Xu Shuo commented while looking at the inn, “Hmm, not bad, barely passable for one night. You’ve done well.”

As he spoke, Xu Shuo handed a gem over to the Mercenary Corps Captain as a sign of appreciation for the arrangement of the inn.

Sola fully regained her senses and glanced at the young man in astonishment.

This is considered barely passable?

Is this what the great nobles of this world are like?!

The Mercenary Corps Captain grinned and said, “If you have any more tasks in the future, Sir, feel free to ask for our help. We’ll be staying in Castle Kasai for two more days.”

This opulent inn was prepared solely for Xu Shuo.

The mercenaries of the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group would not be staying here, as their official transaction had ended upon their arrival.

For the journey to the Far North Mountain Range, Xu Shuo did not plan to have the mercenaries escort them, but instead intended to go alone with the girl.

In the explanation given to Sola, the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group only knew they were heading to The North, without any knowledge of their destination being the Far North Mountain Range.

After all…

Even if Sola was preoccupied with the curse that threatened her life, she would surely not forget her faction’s mission. If the Mercenary Corps were to escort them all the way to the Far North Mountain Range,

it might raise the girl’s guard and lead to speculation.

The reason Xu Shuo brought the girl here, ostensibly, was to help her lift the curse.

It was something both of them were tacitly aware of.

Even a reliable mercenary group like this one could not be wholly depended upon.

Standing aside, Sola felt a quiet sense of relief as she watched the mercenary group depart.

Xu Shuo explained to her, “We’ve been rushing on our journey just to help suppress your curse. Once the curse is dealt with, there’s no need to hurry back, and we won’t have to cross the Amiciya Mountains again.”

There’s no need to traverse the dangerous mountains,

and therefore no need for a mercenary escort.

Sola found this explanation quite acceptable and felt all the more that the young man was considerate and thoughtful in his actions.

“Rest well tonight.”

“Yes, goodnight, Mr. Los.”

Sola curtsied, her smile content.

Their rooms were on the third floor, the top floor of the inn.

Xu Shuo gave the girl a slight smile, then entered his own room and smoothly closed and locked the door behind him.

Inside the room, Zuo Fang had been waiting for some time.

…

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