Chapter 41: Pure?

Leaving Huangsha City, the residents were filled with unease.

However, with the Magicians stationed here, everyone felt considerably more at ease.

The only issue was that the two Magicians didn’t look very battle-ready.

A delicate Mage Girl and a stunning Dark Elf only stirred feelings of sympathy among the people.

But Xiadam’s approach was extremely assertive, displaying a maturity and reliability far beyond her appearance, with an authority that brooked no doubt.

……

The terrain around Huangsha was rough and uneven, and the Water Storage Convoy moved slowly.

Though the pace was sluggish, it wasn’t long before the convoy reached its destination, the vast Big Lake visible not far off.

Despite all the boasts about how dangerous and terrifying the western desert was, the reality was that the monsters and terrain here were nowhere near as perilous as the South Forest.

Here, the wide-open visibility meant any wild beast wanting to attack the convoy could only do so head-on. Any experienced Adventurer would find it difficult to be ambushed here.

But in the South Forest, adventuring guaranteed a hundred percent chance of being ambushed; every monster was a master of ambush.

Even the most seasoned Adventurer would fall prey to surprise attacks in the forest.

The convoy arrived at the lake’s edge, and the farmers all disembarked, grabbing buckets to fill with water by hand, then returning to pour it into the convoy’s water tanks.

Xiadam and Sheffield stood on a large rock, keeping watch over the surroundings.

Fortunately, no beasts or monsters were nearby drinking water.

The Fat Little Dragon had gone off on its own to play at the water’s edge.

“Gulu gulu gulu~” But something seemed to be approaching in the water.

“Gah?” The Fat Little Dragon curiously leaned over, pressing its head to the surface.

Suddenly, the water erupted. A huge crocodile lunged out with jaws wide open, attacking the Fat Little Dragon fiercely.

Those filling the buckets were startled, but their shock deepened as they witnessed an even more astonishing scene.

With a loud “Bang!” the Fat Little Dragon swung its tiny fists and spun like a top, unleashing a charged whirlwind strike—Dragon Fist—that sent the three-meter-long crocodile flying.

“Ah?”

“Wow!”

“Are Magician’s Magic Pets really this powerful?”

The residents’ confidence surged, their fears dispelled, and they hurriedly filled the tanks, unconcerned about danger.

Soon, the tanks on several wagons were full, ready to return to the city.

“Magician Lady, we can head back now,” the Hat-Wearing Brother came over to notify Xiadam.

“Mm, let everyone get on the carts,” Xiadam said, sliding down from the rock.

But as her shoe touched the ground, she furrowed her brow, a bad feeling creeping over her.

Her instincts were spot on—Sheffield remained on the rock, still scanning the horizon, unwilling to come down.

“Everyone, be careful! Disembark and gather! Take up arms!” Xiadam shouted, warning the crowd.

Footsteps sounded all around.

It was already too late to run.

“Hehe! I dug this lake! If you want water, pay up first!”

A large group of oddly dressed Bandits charged in.

They were disheveled, their hair unkempt, faces bearded, and reeked of filth. No one knew how long they’d been living here, but their minds had clearly slipped into madness.

But none of that mattered…

The Bandits brandished rusty Bone-crushing Broadswords.

It was obvious they were dangerous foes, far beyond the reach of the farmers armed with pitchforks nearby.

“Heh heh, such tender little girls.”

The Bandit Chief locked eyes on Xiadam, unable to look away.

“Wow! So big! So huge!”

But soon he noticed the more voluptuous Dark Elf Sheffield and decided that the more mature one suited his taste better.

“No problem. I’ll take both of them.”

Why choose?

I can bring both back as my wives!

“[Breath – Magic Bullet].”

Sheffield pointed her small hand, firing a pure white magic orb.

“Pfft!”

In the blink of an eye, the Bandit Chief’s foot was pierced by an ultra-small White Dragon Breath.

All the pleasant fantasies in his mind shattered along with the searing pain.

“Chief?”

“Magician!?”

“What fast magic!”

The other Bandits were stunned by Sheffield’s attack; though its power was modest, its speed was breathtaking.

“Can I kill them all?” Sheffield asked Xiadam, seeking permission.

Her words sent sweat dripping down the Bandits’ backs; they dared neither flee nor move, terrified of becoming the next target of the Magicians’ assault.

Sheffield raised her palm, condensing a gleaming magical aura, ready to strike at any moment.

Clearly, she wasn’t just talking — her dominance alone intimidated all the Bandits.

“Don’t rush. We won’t kill the innocent,” Xiadam said, coming to the side of the convoy to tell Sheffield to hold back.

“Magician Lady, these Bandits have plagued the area for years, burning, killing, looting—there’s no innocence here,” the Hat-Wearing Brother whispered.

“I understand. But I don’t get it. We only have water and pitchforks here; what exactly do you want to steal?” Xiadam asked.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The Bandits and residents all froze for a moment, exchanging looks in silence.

“What’s wrong? If there’s nothing to steal, why are you here?” Xiadam pressed further.

The men all knew what the Bandits were after.

We’re not here for water, but the Bandits were too embarrassed to say it, fearing death if they spoke out.

Besides, hadn’t the Bandit Chief made his intentions clear from the start?

Was this Mage Girl pretending not to hear? Or simply too innocent?

“Our chief said he wants both of them!”

Of course, the ultimate dream of all men, but so crude and vulgar even the Hat-Wearing Brother felt awkward hinting to Xiadam.

“We Magicians have principles. We don’t meddle in worldly matters. We protect civilians but don’t wish to cause unnecessary slaughter. If you want to clear out the Bandits, do it yourselves. Don’t expect others to always help,” Xiadam turned her back and addressed the residents.

They exchanged glances, their hands trembling on their pitchforks, lacking the courage to kill.

“But letting the Bandits walk away unscathed is not in my nature…”

Her tone shifted suddenly; Xiadam’s eyes grew cold as she turned to glare at the Bandits.

The Bandits swallowed hard, realizing this time they had truly hit a wall.

“Here’s the deal: hand over your Best Sword, and we’ll let you go,” Xiadam offered with a friendly smile.

To the Bandits, that was nothing but a predatory grin from one of their own.

Hearing this, the Bandits all looked toward one of their own — a young Bandit brother.

“You guys!” The young Bandit panicked.

But the next moment, he was seized by his comrades and forced to surrender his sword, utterly helpless.

“Magician Lady, look. This is the Best Sword among us Bandits.”

The Bandit Chief approached Xiadam, face full of flattery, presenting the sword with both hands.