That line shouldn’t have been said.
Because the moment it came out of Eileen’s mouth, Ansel almost had his soul scared out of his body.
Just look at that monster’s size—if it stomped down with one foot, the person who dared to taunt it would probably end up looking like a smashed tomato!
“Milady, please don’t! Milady!!”
The other soldiers quickly chimed in, “Yeah, Milady, there’s no need to clash with such a monster head-on! Let’s retreat for now. When the kingdom’s subjugation squad arrives, we can deal with it then!”
The soldiers exchanged looks—if even their captain was going to die a glorious death, what choices did they have?
They weren’t afraid of dying, but dying pointlessly?
That was a different story.
In their eyes, even if all of them rushed it together, that monster could crush them all with a single step.
Eileen shook her head.
If they did as the soldiers suggested, countless innocent lives in the town would be lost.
“There’s nothing to fear. Captain Ansel, I’ll support you with magic! Besides, you’re not fighting alone!”
As she said this, the soldiers she glanced at all shivered collectively.
That dumb lady really plans to drag us all to hell with her!
She’s pure evil!
Ansel couldn’t help but ask, “Milady… don’t tell me… you actually know how to use magic?”
“Nope, I don’t—but I have money!”
Right in front of Ansel, Eileen pulled out a rainbow-colored pile of magical scrolls from her enchanted backpack.
She even tore open two on the spot, casting several buff spells directly onto Ansel, their designated tank.
How could Eileen possibly know magic?
She was naturally untalented in both magic and swordsmanship, a complete combat failure.
But she had wealth!
Her maxed-out, 999-slot inventory was crammed full of consumables—potions, bombs, backup gear, magical scrolls—you name it.
She could reach into any pouch and pull out a miracle.
Without waiting for an answer, Eileen shoved several bottles of Super Healing Potions into Ansel’s hands, along with a golden-glowing shield and a warhammer.
Ansel took one look at the gear and instantly straightened up, his whole body tensing with newfound strength.
“Th-This equipment… What is this?!”
Eileen frowned slightly.
“Why are you so surprised? Just an ordinary +13 Mithril Shield and Mithril Hammer. Rejiliv discarded them a while ago.”
Ansel nodded stiffly.
Right, just some regular gear.
You could even find these at high-end stores—though they were on the pricey side, they were still mass-produced.
But… +13?!
That was a whole different level!
Ansel looked down at the +8 Ancient Alloy Blade hanging at his waist, and immediately tossed it to a nearby soldier with visible disdain. Without hesitation, he swapped it out for the dazzling +13 gear Eileen had handed him!
Don’t underestimate the five-level difference in enhancement—every additional level exponentially boosted a weapon’s stats!
Dual-wielding +13 gear—this kind of top-tier loadout was something Ansel had never experienced in his entire life. In an instant, he transformed into a beaming, confident young man again.
“Go get ’em, Captain! You’re fully buffed now!”
“Yeah, Captain! It’s just an S-class monster, no big deal! Nothing to fear anymore!”
Exactly as the soldiers shouted in support, Ansel felt completely invigorated, as though there really was nothing to fear anymore.
Gripping his shield and warhammer, he shouted with pride, “I will ensure it suffers a crushing defeat!”
Laughing heartily, Ansel charged forward under the watchful gaze of the soldiers. As he sprinted toward the Blackrock Dragon, he unleashed a torrent of provocations. That’s right—taunting was a universal skill for warrior classes! Fighters, knights, heavy guards—they all had it!
The effect of his taunts was exceptional. The Blackrock Dragon, which had been charging toward the town, immediately shifted its attention to the puny little human who dared speak so rudely!
Seeing that Ansel had successfully drawn the aggro, the other soldiers looked pleadingly at Eileen, their eyes practically saying, Captain’s already rushed in, Milady. Shouldn’t we be running now?
Indeed, aside from Layla—who knew Eileen was serious—everyone else thought Eileen’s plan was to sacrifice Captain Ansel alone in order to protect the town.
Especially Clarette, who urged anxiously, “Milady, we really shouldn’t stay here watching. It’s too dangerous! We can’t let Sir Ansel’s sacrifice be in vain!”
“Sacrifice? No one is going to be sacrificed!”
Eileen shot her a sideways glance, then casually tossed a pair of boots and a sword into Clarette’s arms. Her pupils instantly dimmed with dread, especially as Eileen added—
“Don’t just stand there. You’re an adventurer too. When a monster attacks a city, are you really going to sit back and do nothing?”
We’re doomed.
Clarette’s face turned pale in an instant. This stupid noble lady really planned to send everyone to their deaths!
She knew she had no choice—after all, she’d already signed the “slave contract.” She was officially this lady’s dog now. Whatever the young lady commanded, she had to obey.
Who would’ve thought… it’s only been one day, and I’m already going to become a toy broken by her whims!
What a vile woman! Her real joy must be watching others get torn apart by monsters!
With tears brimming in her eyes, Clarette wore a hopeless expression—but—
Shing! With a sharp sound, she unsheathed the sword. Her original plan? To just slit her own throat and be done with it.
Better to die on her own terms than be squashed under a monster’s foot.
Tftc!