—
‘They actually think I’m just a cute little priestess.’
The rice-catching squad left a message in the room. Serina stated they were leaving the south to venture out into the world. If the Abyss had any issues again, they could come back to help anytime, unlike someone who just up and left.
The temple was too small to hold such big Buddhas. They left after receiving a reluctant nod from Divine Blade Hark. He understood these people couldn’t stay here forever.
The only thing that comforted him was that his little sister had grown, barely managing to squeeze into the ranks of young powerhouses.
Of course, Divine Blade Hark also knew her strength came mostly from those two Shield Axes. She sliced through the Insect King like it was nothing. Although the Insect King was already poisoned and dying, finishing it off completely depended on her weapons.
He hoped that by the next time they met, his little sister’s personal strength would have improved a bit more.
After tying up loose ends, the rice-catching squad left the Sea of Ten Thousand Forests and arrived at the Sun Plains.
“Wow! What a huge sun!” Serina was seeing such dazzling sunlight for the first time. She was excited like a child.
“Where do you think Samimi went?” asked the Hero of the Gale.
“She definitely won’t go back to the Royal City. That leaves only two paths: west and east.” Bemore analyzed, “The west is the West Sea. It’s the Kingdom’s most populous and livable area. The east is the vast wilderness, with as many magical beasts and monsters as the Sea of Trees, plus several unstable small nations. Given Samimi’s personality, she’d probably head east.”
“Alright, then we’ll head east.” The Hero of the Gale nodded.
Her gaze was firm. Her steps were steady. She carried a divine weapon on her back, like an invincible army. The only downside was that the party lacked a priestess.
After being messed with by someone during their southern adventure, they now valued that heavily. So, they also planned to find a priest along the way.
And so, the rice-catching squad departed towards the east.
Just as they left the Sea of Ten Thousand Forests…
In the shadow of a large tree, a figure appeared like a vengeful spirit.
Jet-black hair. Skin as pale as paper. Glowing blue pupils. A face delicate yet corpse-like. Horrifying scars covered her neck. She was missing an arm.
In the blink of an eye, she vanished.
This was the “Connection Witch” who had escaped her due punishment earlier.
No need to think too hard. Her target was the same as the rice-catching squad’s: assassinate Samimi.
As a monster born from the Abyss, she was the only one of her kind to evolve into a sapient being. Her thinking had surpassed ordinary Demon Humans, yet she hadn’t fully shed her instincts.
Ordinary Demon Humans only assassinated human officials and generals. But her goal was more long-term. She saw clearly that Samimi was the real key to humanity.
However, she didn’t choose the same route as the rice-catching squad.
She went straight down the middle, heading towards the Royal City.
Because she possessed a Dual Mana Talent. Her second talent was a variant Abyssal healing ability.
She could sense a massive energy source ahead with a power similar to her own. So, she followed that feeling.
Meanwhile…
Samimi and Niubao had no clear goal. They were just traveling down the main road.
And, “All roads lead to the West Sea.”
So, their final destination…
Was actually the west.
In other words, this whole group’s judgment was completely wrong.
West of the Royal City was the Kingdom’s largest territory. The coast there was dotted with vast plains, rich in resources, with a pleasant climate and almost no natural disasters or monster invasions.
But precisely because it was too comfortable, ordinary people could hardly get ahead. They were doomed to work for the nobles their entire lives.
In this Otherworld, excessive peace was a kind of sin in itself.
The West Sea region was divided among dozens of great nobles and hundreds of minor nobles, like vassal states during the Spring and Autumn period.
All land belonged to the nobles. There was no real freedom.
To change one’s fate, one had to earn merits. To earn merits, one had to leave the West Sea.
The irony was, the West Sea had the strongest knight culture.
So-called knights were essentially the private soldiers of nobles, loyal to their lords, fighting for territory and resources.
Of course, if one was strong enough, they could make a name for themselves in the West Sea too. After all, dealing with humans was sometimes easier than hunting monsters.
In the original plot, the West Sea was just a backdrop.
When the Hero Party visited, the commoners and lords were all grateful and indebted to them. No major events happened.
No treasures. No main plot.
If there really was treasure, the nobles would have dug it up long ago. It wouldn’t be left for anyone else.
Because of this, everyone misjudged Samimi’s destination.
After all, this place just didn’t look like somewhere the “King of Trouble-making” would come.
But it didn’t matter.
After recalling the characteristics of the West Sea, Samimi was even more determined.
Next stop, the West Sea. Time to take it easy.
The battles in the Sea of Ten Thousand Forests were too oppressive. It was time for a lighter, more relaxing arc to recharge.
Plus, they had gained a lot from this trip. They hadn’t had a chance to sort through their spoils. This was a good opportunity to organize.
For instance…
The new skill she had just unlocked with five hundred Goodness Value.
She hadn’t had a chance to test it in battle yet, but she understood its effect at a glance.
Simply put, this skill could lift the usage limit of the “Crown of Thorns.”
As long as she had enough mana, she could put a Crown of Thorns on every single party member.
She had only one word for it.
Invincible.
Their first stop in the West Sea was a town called “Fertile.”
The name reminded them of Sweet Melon Town.
It was another ordinary town. The people were simple and honest, just a little poor.
But this time was different.
Samimi wasn’t short on money.
Niu Bao’s Ruby Ring held a huge stash of gold coins. Travel expenses were no concern.
They went straight to the best inn and ordered the best food.
Back in civilization, the inns were also much more proper. No more of those crude barracks from the Sea of Trees.
Samimi took off her blindfold and put away the Spirit Cloud Ghost Slayer Heaven Sword. She transformed back into that cute White Robed Priestess.
They stayed in Fertile Town for a few days, completely slacking off and resting.
Lately, Samimi had been studying those eight “Demon Knives.”
Seven were ritual daggers. One was a special broken dagger, pulled from Magic Sword Red’s chest.
All of these weapons were Blue rarity.
But the question was…
Could equipment dropped from Magic Sword Red really just be Blue weapons?
Even the Insect King dropped Legendary tier loot. Red was supposed to be stronger in terms of lore. There was no way he’d be that mediocre.
There had to be a hidden mechanic.
Unfortunately, Samimi hadn’t been able to crack it yet.
She even suspected…
Without her “transmigrator perspective,” had she become just an ordinary person?
No.
She had to uncover this secret.
So, she studied those knives every single day.
Eating, bathing, shopping… she had a knife in her hand.
She scared the living daylights out of the local residents.
A cute Priestess wandering around with creepy little daggers all day was just too bizarre.
She even carefully recorded the patterns on each knife, trying to find a matching pattern for assembly.
Clearly, she hadn’t given up on the fantasy of “synthesizing an ultimate weapon.”
A few days later…
A fully armed squad of knights arrived at Fertile Town.
At the time, Samimi was sitting in a corner of the tavern, drinking tea and fiddling with those knives.
The door swung open.
The knights walked in. The previously noisy tavern instantly fell silent.
But soon, people realized they were just regular knights, not the noble’s military police. The atmosphere relaxed.
“Hey, look at that girl. She’s cute.”
“Miss, all alone? How about a drink with us?”
A few young knights smiled and walked up to hit on her.
Samimi looked up at them.
Her icy gaze was more intoxicating than the strongest liquor.
“Two.” She said flatly.
“What do you mean?” The knight was stunned.
“That’s how many days it’s been since the last time someone tried to hit on me.”
She turned to ask the innkeeper, “What happened to that guy last time?”
The innkeeper laughed, “It’s nothing. After you broke all five of his limbs and healed him, he ran off screaming. Probably won’t dare get drunk again in this lifetime.”
Samimi nodded, then looked back at the knights.
“Do you know which one is the fifth limb?”