Chapter 9: The Acting Skills of the Reclusive Mage

“Real people?” Xiadam asked in confusion.

“Of course they’re real people, what, do you think there’d be corpses walking around? Four adventurers, about a hundred meters away from us, heading in our direction. They’ll spot our house soon,” Sheffield replied.

“It’s not impossible for the Wild Forest to have the living dead show up. How did you spot them?” Xiadam asked.

“After turning human, my sensing ability is greatly weakened. Now I can only sense within a hundred meters or so,” Sheffield’s tone sounded a bit dejected.

“Only a hundred meters? Are you bragging?” Xiadam frowned, speechless.

“So what do we do? Want me to go take them out?” Sheffield was itching to try.

“If you kill people in human form, it’ll be a huge problem. The Kingdom will put you on the wanted list. From now on, you’re not allowed to kill people recklessly,” Xiadam said very seriously.

“I’m just joking,” Sheffield shrugged.

“Is it unavoidable? Can we lure them away?”

“Too late, these aren’t ordinary people. They have experience exploring the wild. Judging by their route, they’re bound to find our little cottage in the end.”

“This day was bound to come. Sooner or later, we’d have to interact with humans. You, don’t say a word for now, let me handle the negotiation.”

“Alright.”

“You pretend to chop firewood, and light the fireplace while you’re at it. I’ll pretend to be cooking.”

Xiadam started giving orders, and everyone took their positions.

Sheffield went to chop firewood.

But she didn’t even bother pretending—she just swung the Stone Axe with great strength, splitting the wood apart.

Xiadam came to the fireplace, wanting to make soup, but found the Stone Pot was empty. She could only heat up some Smoked Meat, pretending to cook.

Some time passed…

Sheffield secretly shot Xiadam a look, signaling that the targets had arrived.

“Since you’re already here, there’s no need to hide.”

Xiadam put on a deep, solemn air and spoke toward the grass outside the fence.

The next moment, there was a rustling sound from the grass.

Four strangers arrived at the gate of the Manor’s fence.

Judging by their actions, they didn’t seem like bad people—bad people wouldn’t come by the front gate.

Since the other party was being so polite, Xiadam picked up the White Branch Staff at hand and slowly walked over to the strangers.

A middle-aged knight led two young knights and a Priestess.

A four-person squad, they didn’t look like a typical civilian adventurer team—more like a hunting squad sent by the Kingdom.

“Why are there people deep in the woods? And two girls, no less? Is she an elf?” the young knight asked in surprise.

“Amin, shut up. That’s rude. May I ask who you are?” The middle-aged knight rebuked him, then politely inquired of Xiadam.

“We are reclusive Magicians,” Xiadam replied.

“Oh, I see. Sorry to disturb you. We are the Pioneer Squad sent by the nearby Lord to develop the forest. Sorry for disturbing you, Magician,” the middle-aged knight apologized.

Would ordinary people be able to settle deep in a forest full of monsters? Clearly, these were people not to be trifled with.

Although the purple-haired girl in beast-hide clothes looked delicate and frail, you couldn’t judge by appearances.

“It’s fine, as long as things are clear,” Xiadam replied emotionlessly.

After speaking, she turned around and went back to continue roasting Smoked Meat.

My acting is flawless—proud, cold, but not impolite.

Because Magicians in the eyes of the world are just like this—the bearing of a Magician is something I’ve mastered perfectly.

Magicians naturally carry an air of superiority before ordinary people.

Though they may not think themselves above others, practicing Magic makes one rational and less emotional, often treating people with cold courtesy.

The knight squad stood at the Manor’s gate, looking at each other, hesitating and conflicted.

In the end, they chose to step into the Little Cottage.

Sheffield stopped chopping, slung the Stone Axe over her shoulder, and glared fiercely at the four.

The knight squad gulped, not daring to say much, not daring to meet the eyes of this tall, white-haired, bronze-skinned elf girl.

They quickly made their way to the fireplace.

“Esteemed Magician, apologies for intruding into your home. May we have a chat?” the middle-aged Knight Captain asked.

“Of course, please sit. Why don’t you try my Smoked Meat and see how it tastes?” Xiadam was very polite.

“Really? I’m starving—thank you, Magician!” The young knight was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to try the roasted Smoked Meat.

“You really embarrass me,” the middle-aged Knight Captain gave him a punch and rebuked him again.

“It’s fine, I can see everyone’s exhausted. Have something to eat. I’m not one of those eccentric, unsociable old reclusive Magicians. I’m just a Magic Apprentice, and I welcome you all,” Xiadam said.

“In that case, we’ll gladly accept,” the Knight Captain said gratefully.

The four of them, like starved dogs, pulled out their own rations to go with the Smoked Meat, gathered around the fireplace and ate, warming themselves by the fire.

“Mmm~” After eating, the Priestess collapsed on the spot, eyelids drooping, and instantly fell asleep.

The two young knights weren’t much better—after eating their fill, they hugged their swords, closed their eyes to rest, and dozed off sitting up.

“Sorry for making a fool of ourselves, Magician. We got lost in the deep forest and couldn’t find our way back. It’s been two days since we last rested,” the Knight Captain explained.

“Can’t you rest just because you’re lost?” Xiadam countered.

“Actually, we were being stalked by a wolf pack. A very cunning Demon Wolf Pack, so we couldn’t dare stop or rest,” the Knight Captain said with a wry smile.

“You’ve had a hard time,” Xiadam said.

“It wasn’t until we got close to your home, Magician, that they finally retreated. The Demon Wolf Pack must have feared your power. You saved our lives,” the Knight Captain thanked her sincerely.

The Demon Wolf Pack retreated?

It was probably scared off by Sheffield’s Dragon’s Majesty.

It couldn’t have been because of me.

“Knight Captain, you should rest too. It’s very safe here. My Magic Shield will protect you,” Xiadam began to lie with her eyes wide open.

“May the Faith in the Unnamed Hero bless you,” the Knight Captain found a tree stump to sit on, hugged his sword, and went to rest as well.

But his last words sent Xiadam into deep thought.

This deep forest is the South Continent Forest Uninhabited Zone.

This is unclaimed land, territory of wild monsters.

It borders the United Kingdom.

So it’s normal for Kingdom pioneers to show up here—they’re responsible for exploring the No Man’s Land and expanding the Kingdom’s territory.

The further from the Central Royal Capital, the more faith among warriors has shifted.

They’ve chosen to believe in the Nameless Hero—in other words, me.

For thirty years, war has been kept at bay, and in many places, the Nameless Hero has become a kind of faith.

Especially at the Kingdom’s borders and in the northern Warriors’ Homeland—the more martial the place, the more followers I have.

Xiadam had known all this for a long time, so she wasn’t surprised now.

But hearing someone mention the Nameless Hero’s blessing face-to-face…

“What a strange feeling.”

Xiadam murmured, unsure what expression to make.