The next morning, because he had gone to bed early the previous night, Ian woke up early.
Sophia and the others were still deep in their dreams, and since Ian had promised Sophia that he would accompany them today, he didn’t leave ahead of them.
After all, Sophia had a point—this place was far too dangerous.
Acting alone recklessly would only get someone killed by the Demons sooner rather than later.
Ian didn’t just stay cooped up in the inn either; he decided to stroll through the streets.
Although he had no money, that didn’t stop him from looking around.
Exiting the inn, Ian walked onto the bustling street, where the calls of vendors rose and fell continuously.
“Freshly baked black rye bread, two for just one credit!”
“High-quality treatment potions! Come and take a look!”
Of course, Ian wasn’t wandering aimlessly.
The city also had Blue Orbs and Green Orbs.
Besides weapons, these orbs sometimes released potions, and Ian’s purpose this time was to gather medicinal supplies.
He scooped some of the potion that popped out from an orb and rubbed it on his left arm.
A cool, refreshing sensation spread through him, making Ian feel extremely comfortable.
“The healing effect isn’t bad at all.” Ian waved his left arm and noticed it had regained sensation.
Looking up at the sun in the sky, Ian guessed Sophia and the others should be awake by now, so he prepared to return to the inn.
While walking along the street, Ian spotted a golden orb glowing softly in a corner.
Up until now, Ian had only seen Blue and Green Orbs, so this uniquely colored orb piqued his curiosity.
‘What could it possibly release?’
He approached the golden orb and reached in to touch it.
“Hard and somewhat warm.” Ian frowned, puzzled about what could be inside.
When he finally pulled out the object, he took a glance—it was a stone remarkably similar to the Green Stone he had seen released from Green Orbs.
The difference was this one was golden, and the intricate patterns carved into it were exquisite.
Looking closer, Ian saw the outline of a person.
It was a girl with pink twin tails, dressed in a pink and white long dress, her stunning face bearing a gentle smile.
Yet, as Ian gazed upon that smile, a chill ran down his spine involuntarily.
Ian didn’t recognize the girl engraved on the stone, nor did he know the stone’s purpose.
However, he had an inexplicable feeling that this stone was somehow connected to him.
“That’s strange… why do I feel this way?” Ian shook his head, convincing himself it was just a hallucination.
After pocketing the stone, he headed back to the inn.
Back at the inn, Sophia and the others had already come downstairs.
“I’m not late, am I?” Ian asked as he stepped inside and looked toward Sophia.
“No, you returned just in time.”
“Let’s go. We’ve already decided to leave this city.” Sophia said.
Kars, who was watching Ian and Sophia chat, cast Ian a murderous glare, his eyes practically seething with cold hatred.
“Damn it, just a lowly commoner—how can he be allowed this close to Her Highness the Princess?”
The night before, Kars had already asked his underlings about Ian and learned that Ian had been raised in an orphanage in the Crovian Kingdom.
His status was low, and it was only because he served as Veronica’s steward that he managed to get admitted to Saint Roland Magic Academy.
What puzzled Kars even more was that the academy supposedly forbade anyone from entering through backdoor connections, yet Ian got in by virtue of being the Saintess’s steward.
Was there some dark deal the Headmaster didn’t know about?
Kars decided that once he finished the Holy Trial, he would visit the Headmaster and demand that this pest, who got in by some unknown means, be driven out.
***
Outside the city gates, once Sophia and the group had made sufficient preparations, they set off northward.
Sophia was surrounded by the kingdom’s nobles, acting as the de facto leader of the team, while Ian was pushed to the very back.
Ian didn’t mind, though; this actually made him more comfortable since he didn’t have to deal with those irritating nobles.
Especially not with that noble named Kars.
Despite his best efforts to hide his hostility in front of Sophia, Ian could still sense the thick resentment emanating from him.
“Ian, why are you hiding at the back?” Sophia called over her shoulder, her voice as melodious as a warbler, tinged with curiosity.
‘Hiding? Could I say I’m being excluded?’
Although misunderstood, Ian chose not to argue and thought it was fine to keep things as they were.
“I like walking at the back.”
Satisfied with the answer, Sophia didn’t press further; after all, everyone had their own preferences.
After traveling most of the day, some nobles were visibly exhausted.
Since they usually focused on magic study, many of them had neglected physical training.
“Your Highness, many are already tired. Perhaps we should rest here for a while.” Kars bowed slightly, speaking with the utmost respect as if addressing a princess.
“Is that so? Then let’s rest here for a bit.” Sophia looked around; aside from their group, the area was empty.
“Kars, bring out the mats and parasols you brought.”
Upon receiving the order, Kars immediately organized the group.
Soon, mats and parasols were laid out, and the nobles sat down to rest.
“Sorry, we didn’t prepare a spot for you.” Kars approached Ian with a fake smile plastered on his face, his tone dripping with mockery.
Ian ignored him and moved to sit alone off to the side.
Although the sand warmed by the sun was hot, Ian felt he could endure it.
“Finally, some proper rest.”
“This damn place is so hot.”
As everyone relaxed on the mats, someone suddenly spoke up.
“Did you all hear that strange sound?”
“Where? I didn’t hear anything. Maybe you’re imagining things.”
Ian, who had been resting with his eyes closed, overheard the conversation and focused carefully.
He detected a faint rustling noise.
“Shh, shh.”
“No, you’re not imagining it.”
Before Ian could finish speaking, two nobles who had just been chatting were suddenly pierced through their bodies by a pair of pincers, turning into white light points and vanishing on the spot.
In their place were two Sand Scorpions Ian had seen before, and the rustling sounds beneath the ground hadn’t stopped—there were many of them.
“This isn’t good. We’re surrounded.” Ian stood up, alert, sensing the noises underground and eyeing the two Sand Scorpions that had already leapt out.