Dekalorin’s voice continued.
“The problem is, the people over there recognized our carriage… and they demanded one gold coin right away! That’s two hundred silver coins! No matter how rich we are, we can’t let ourselves be treated like fat sheep like this!”
“One gold coin?” Movira was almost amused into anger. “In the Demon Realm, any carriage bearing her crest would have everyone clearing the way in fear. Who would dare block the road and charge a fee? They’re just tired of living!”
“This is a royal convoy! And are your identities just for show? He dares to charge?”
“This…” Dekalorin sighed helplessly. “Our operation this time is secret. We can’t easily show ourselves.” Then she seemed to guess Movira’s thoughts and added, “This isn’t like the Demon Realm. The royal power in this country isn’t strong. It doesn’t match their territorial size, and their control over local areas is limited.”
If they remained deadlocked like this, it would make Movira very unhappy.
She clicked her tongue impatiently. “Then I’ll handle it myself! What a hassle! Human world rules…”
“Wait! Don’t act rashly!” Dekalorin tried to stop her, but Movira had already pushed open the carriage door.
Cold air immediately tried to rush in, but was blocked by latent magic.
Movira stepped down.
Her tall figure, even while suppressing most of her aura, still carried the majesty of a Demon King tempered by countless battles. This made the surrounding knights hold their breath and lower their heads in salute with their spears.
Her gaze swept over the “road-blocking” soldiers and finally landed on the one who seemed to be a minor commander. Her voice was not loud, yet it carried immense pressure. “Have the highest-ranking person in charge here come see me! You lot aren’t qualified!”
The minor commander was intimidated by this aura and scrambled away to fetch someone.
Soon, a plump man in rather fine clothing but with a truly unattractive appearance came running over.
He first greedily glanced at Movira’s slender figure, but was immediately frightened into a shiver by the coldness in her eyes and quickly lowered his head.
“My lord…” He forced out a twisted smile. The fat on his face made Movira feel disgusted. His voice was the sound of fat squeezing his vocal cords. “According to regulations, passing through here requires paying the corresponding fee… used for… for repairing the pass…”
“Repairing?!” Movira snorted coldly.
She looked around at the dilapidated stone walls and damaged roads, then suddenly raised her hand!
Pure magic power instantly seized his neck, lifting his obese body off the ground!
“Ah—!” He stared in terror, legs kicking wildly in the air, his face looking terrible.
“My lord…! I… I am… an official. According to… according to the rules, you cannot… do this!”
“Rules?” Movira’s voice was as cold as winter wind. “Rules? Rules again. Even the Holy See can’t judge me! Who set them? The royal family? Or the Holy See? Unfortunately, I answer to neither the royal family nor care who set your rules!”
She applied more force with her hand.
The man immediately rolled his eyes back, making extremely uncomfortable choking sounds from his throat.
As for the other soldiers around, they were directly scared stiff on the spot, completely unsure what was happening now.
“Pass?!” Movira frowned and waved her hand with great disgust, as if flicking away a stink bug, flinging him into the mud by the roadside. “Useless trash! You don’t even have magic power, yet you dare block my path! I hope you remember: power is like a sharp sword, and strength is the hand that wields it. Without strength, you can’t even hold the sword steady!”
She swept her gaze over the soldiers who were as silent as cicadas in winter.
Her voice carried throughout the entire pass. “Listen up. From now on, all the carriages behind us are also exempt from tax. As for the money to repair the pass… deduct it from him!”
She pointed at the lump lying in the mud.
Only then did she turn and return to the carriage.
The carriage started moving again.
Those soldiers quickly mobilized and cleared the way in less than half a minute.
In the front carriage, Saint Eustacia slightly lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the chaotic scene outside.
Although her face showed no expression, deep down she truly felt… a bit refreshed.
Dekalorin’s voice quickly reached Movira. “I hope you’ll handle the follow-up properly and not leave any trouble.”
“Don’t worry. I just modified the memories of all the witnesses a little.”
All of this was seen by Seraphina.
Watching Movira resolve the trouble so lightly, her earlier small temper was also dispersed by this sudden interlude.
Not long after the convoy passed through the pass, the road suddenly opened up, and they entered a relatively flat and open wilderness.
Winter night fell quickly.
The last trace of light on the horizon was swiftly swallowed, and stars twinkled across the sky.
It was also time to set up camp.
The convoy stopped behind a small wind-sheltered hill.
The knights were no strangers to camping in the wild.
They cleared the ground, gathered dry firewood, and set up the simple tents they carried. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
Two bonfires were soon lit.
One was smaller, clearly prepared for the masters, while the other was larger and brighter.
Not far away, the knights and coachmen sat around it.
The aroma of food and occasional laughter dispelled the loneliness of the wilderness.
When Dekalorin arrived at the bonfire, Saint Eustacia was already seated on a wooden stump covered with thick fur.
A small pot was set over the fire, stewing fragrant meat soup, with roasted bread beside it.
Although Dekalorin’s face was still pale, her spirits were completely recovered.
She was stirring the soup in the pot with a long-handled wooden ladle.
Saint Eustacia silently watched the dancing flames, not knowing what she was thinking.
“Sit. The wilderness is simple. Make do with it. This is also a rare experience in life.” Dekalorin smiled at them and gestured for them to sit in the empty spots opposite.
Seraphina sat down as instructed.
Movira sat beside her.
The warmth of the fire temporarily dispelled the chill.
The aroma of food also made Seraphina’s hunger return.
Saint Eustacia silently filled several bowls of meat soup and used magic to deliver them to everyone.
Although the taste couldn’t compare to proper kitchen delicacies, given the special circumstances, being able to eat at all was already quite good.
During the meal, everyone fell into silence.
The atmosphere was very quiet.
Only the two opposite them would occasionally exchange low whispers about tomorrow’s arrangements.
Seraphina drank the hot soup in small sips.
Both body and mind relaxed a lot.
She secretly glanced at Movira beside her.
The other was eating slowly and methodically.
The firelight cast flickering shadows on her profile, softening her usual sternness.
Following her gaze, Movira turned her head to look at her.
Her eyes held a questioning look.
At that moment, Seraphina quickly lowered her head again.