Leon Morsen’s mind was ticking like a loud clock.
He had already made up his mind to offer the girl with healing abilities before him to a powerful noble, in exchange for his own future.
If he forcibly took her away, it might still provoke resistance from the townsfolk.
Since that was the case—
The next moment.
A false and flattering expression crept onto his rugged face.
Leon Morsen, skilled at flattering his superiors and bullying the weak, seemed to change expressions as naturally as breathing.
He waved his hand casually.
“Looks like… there’s been some misunderstanding. Brothers, sheathe your swords.”
The knights gathered around understood, their blades sliding back into their scabbards with a sharp “shing,” but the circle of steel did not dissolve, still encircling the wooden platform like an iron barrel.
He gave a slight nod, a gesture tinged with a knight’s discipline, but he forced himself to mimic the posture of a noble.
“My apologies, Mage.”
The apology lacked sincerity, more of a formality.
“It’s just that Bai Shui Town lies in a remote corner of our Morsen family’s territory. Mage… suddenly appearing here, and happening to encounter this damn plague and undead uprising…”
His eyes, cold and snake-like, scanned Su Nian’s pure face and the newly donned Light Magic battle robe, filled with undisguised appraisal.
“Surely, you owe the Morsen family a reasonable explanation, don’t you?”
His tone abruptly shifted.
What seemed like a polite inquiry was actually a tightening noose, pressing down with undeniable pressure.
Su Nian inwardly sneered.
This knight captain changed his face faster than flipping a book.
Just moments ago, he was fierce and brutal, eager to tie her to the stake as an evil witch spreading the plague.
Now he put on this facade of forced politeness.
Yet the greed and calculation in his eyes hidden beneath the helmet’s shadow sent a wave of physiological chills through her.
This guy definitely had no good intentions.
But since he represented the local lord’s authority, it was better not to confront him head-on.
Su Nian maintained that saintly, sorrowful expression on her face, as if untouched by the world’s filth, her lips barely parting to emit a voice ethereal and distant, as if carrying no trace of worldly smoke and fire.
“I merely happened to pass through here. I heard there was a plague ravaging this place, so I thought to offer what little help I could, with no ill will.”
She lowered her eyes slightly, long lashes casting a faint shadow beneath, while calculating that it was time to leave this place of trouble…
Previously, she had come to the Morsen family’s territory intending to find proof of the Horned Demon’s collusion with the Necromancer.
Now that the Necromancer was dead, and her attempt to kill the Horned Demon had failed, she decided to play the long game and start gaining the Horned Demon’s trust.
It was time to go home…
Wait.
Why did she instinctively think of Shadowmoon Manor as her home?
No, absolutely not!
That could only be called… a temporary stop, yes, that was it!
“It seems the source of the plague has been cleared, and those undead have been purified. With the matter settled, I will not trouble you further.”
Su Nian spoke and slightly turned, intending to step down from the crude wooden platform and leave this place as soon as possible.
“Wait!” A low shout rang out.
Leon Morsen immediately stepped forward, his tall and burly frame like an impenetrable wall, blocking her way in an instant.
The cold breath of metal armor hit her face.
“Mage, you’re being far too modest.”
He forced a warmer, though even more insincere, smile onto his face.
“You saved the entire Bai Shui Town—it’s the people of our Morsen family’s domain! You are a benefactor to our lands!”
He deliberately emphasized “Morsen family” as if reminding Su Nian whose territory this was.
“Our Duke has always held the highest respect for mages like you, who possess both a merciful heart and immense power. Especially… a rare Light Magic user like yourself.”
His eyes greedily swept over Su Nian, as if admiring a priceless treasure soon to be claimed.
“Why not do us the honor of accompanying me back to Mossenburg for a few days’ visit? So that we might offer the hospitality of hosts, and our Duke can personally thank you for your selfless deed.”
His words sounded grand and polite, the invitation appearing sincere.
Every word was carefully crafted to disguise the filthy plot underneath.
But Su Nian wasn’t about to trust this suspicious man, especially after he had called her a witch earlier and wanted to capture her.
And the Morsen Family Second Son had died because of her.
Go to Mossenburg?
That was nothing but walking into a trap.
Once she set foot in the core territory of the Morsen family, an “unknown” “wandering mage” like her, deprived of terrain advantage, would be at their mercy, squeezed and crushed however they wished.
Having suffered multiple defeats against the Horned Demon, she was much wiser now!
Though her situation remained difficult—still having to placate the Horned Demon and call him “master”—she believed things would soon change!
“No need.”
Su Nian’s tone instantly became firm, with a trace of barely perceptible coldness.
The ethereal quality faded slightly, revealing a hint of determination.
“I have other urgent matters to attend to.”
She tried again to bypass Leon Morsen’s towering figure.
But he clearly had no intention of letting her leave.
The smile on Leon Morsen’s face instantly froze.
If you refuse the toast, you have to drink the penalty wine!
He had wanted to pretend a little longer, but since she refused to cooperate, there was no need to waste more breath.
“Mage, that’s… rather disrespectful to the Morsen family, isn’t it?”
His voice turned cold and hard again, losing all pretense of warmth.
The knights around sensed their captain’s anger, gripping their sword hilts tighter, their gazes growing hostile.
The scent of gunpowder thickened abruptly in the air.
“The undead and plague incidents in Bai Shui Town are riddled with doubts.”
Leon Morsen began weaving accusations, his tone growing harsher.
“The true source of the plague remains unknown, and the specific cause of the undead’s appearance must be thoroughly investigated. As the key participant in all this, Mage, you will have to accompany us back to Mossenburg to assist in investigating every detail.”
This was a naked threat.
He intended to forcibly take her away!
Alarm bells rang loudly in Su Nian’s heart, her magic flowing quietly like a stream, ready to respond to any sudden danger.
Light elements gathered subtly at her fingertips, radiating a barely perceptible warmth.
She raised her amber eyes, coldly staring at the knight captain who had torn off his mask.
“Assist with the investigation?”
Though Su Nian still tried to maintain that pure, ethereal tone, the tail of her voice carried a chilling question.
“I think you mean detain me by force, don’t you?”
Since he no longer pretended, she no longer needed to play the obedient and harmless “Saintess.”
“How dare you!”
Leon Morsen seemed to have had his tail stepped on, furious beyond reason.
His patience exhausted, the dagger was out.
“Clang—!”
A harsh metallic scrape rang out.
He suddenly drew the ruby-embedded longsword at his waist with swift and brutal force.
The gleaming tip instantly pointed at Su Nian.
“A mere unknown wandering mage dares to question the decree of our Morsen Family Gale Knights!”
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