Chapter 287
"Knock, knock, knock—"
A knocking sound rang out. Marissa, who was leisurely brewing tea in the living room, unhurriedly maintained the most perfect maid stance—of course, one still had to ignore her rigid face—and elegantly opened the door.
A tall, straight figure appeared in front of her. A head full of golden long hair fluttered in the wind, a slender yet fiery figure. Her sea-blue eyes were full of indifference and arrogance, just like a majestic Valkyrie, inspiring awe and fascination.
"Bang—"
Without the slightest hesitation, Marissa closed the door, turned around and left expressionlessly. Her words and actions were completely natural, as if her recent action was not the rudeness of shutting a guest out, but merely closing the door that had been pushed open by the playful wind.
The moment she returned to the entrance of the Great Hall, Marissa's eyes became dull. Unbeknownst to her, the lounge chair in the center of the Great Hall, symbolizing the master's position, already had someone half-lying on it. It was precisely the figure who had been shut out of the door.
Impossible. Marissa was a little dazed. How could she, a properly trained Sorceress? Although the other party was a Class Changer, and their level was higher than hers, to pass by her like this, silently and without a sound, and she didn't notice at all? It was simply too unbelievable.
She had heard of the Queen of Lut Gholein's reputation and knew it was the woman in front of her. But after witnessing her idiot Master's Strength, Marissa had always thought this "Queen" title was just an exaggerated title given by busybodies to a "certain" arrogant woman with a bit of skill. To put it simply, she was an "idol". If those idiot Adventurers knew her idiot Master's true Strength, hmph hmph~~, although such thoughts were slightly suspicious of being "protective".
Although Marissa was usually quite angry with her idiot Master, she wasn't quite sure exactly what she was angry about. In short, she just wanted to provoke him into talking and then adopt an indifferent attitude. But hearing those Adventurers calling her "Queen" this and "Queen" that, Marissa got a little angry again. She felt these people were very superficial and didn't know at all who the true Expert of Lut Gholein was. This was all that idiot's fault, always liking to hide and conceal things.
Now, after witnessing Sharna's Strength for the first time, Marissa finally knew what "birds of a feather flock together" meant. The title of Queen of Lut Gholein wasn't just obtained based on appearance. These two siblings were actually both abnormal...
In the moment she was stunned, Marissa suddenly discovered that rude and violent old woman, who was useless except for her appearance, figure, temperament, and skill, had actually leisurely picked up the tea she had painstakingly brewed, changed to a different cup, and started drinking by herself.
Ugh ugh, this damned woman had actually brazenly stolen and drunk her tea. That way of drinking, like boiled water, made Marissa's heart ache repeatedly. This old woman truly had no taste at all. No, she simply hadn't fully evolved yet. She was a product of God's momentary slip of the hand.
Glaring fiercely at Sharna, Marissa, however, had no method at all. Unlike that easily bullied idiot Master, in front of this old woman, fists were the hard truth. But in this regard, Marissa had to admit, her own fists were far less hard than hers...
"Little thing that hasn't even grown hair yet. Didn't your younger brother teach you how to serve your Master? Get me something good to eat." Sharna waved her hand at the other party without even looking, putting on a full Queen's air. Seeing the other party still standing there pouting and refusing to move, she added another sentence.
"Have it ready for me within ten minutes. Don't play any tricks. Otherwise, I'll burn those books under your bed."
"..." Weak spot, hit right on the weak spot. Marissa clutched her chest in pain. Why did this old woman know she hid her most important books under the bed? She didn't doubt the truthfulness of these words at all. This old woman always kept her word—in this world, perhaps only her idiot Master could make her change her mind.
Although she was filled with doubt and uncertainty, Marissa didn't dare to hesitate in the slightest. Preparing Food in ten minutes, perhaps if there were instant food like glass noodles or instant noodles, it wouldn't be a problem. But considering the conditions of the Diablo World, things became serious. Marissa busied herself in the kitchen for a while before managing to prepare one dish. And to save time, the portion was very small. After bringing it in front of Sharna, fearing the other party would question it, she immediately ran back to the kitchen to get busy again, determined to prepare the next dish before the current one was finished. To protect her beloved books, she had no choice but to go all out. She secretly resolved that afterwards, she must move her books to a safer and more hidden place. Let's see what this old woman could threaten her with then.
At this time, Shali just returned from a friend's Home. When she was young, she had learned to read and write and read books, and was considered to have a certain degree of Knowledge. Coupled with her good nature and beauty, she quickly became familiar with the noble ladies nearby. And her status as a Class Changer's wife was enough for those noble ladies to acknowledge Shali's status, even deliberately flattering and fawning over her. After all, Class Changers were mysterious and powerful existences to Ordinary People.
Seeing Marissa, who was usually indifferent and slow in her work, actually running back and forth in the corridor, constantly bringing out dishes from the kitchen, Shali was very curious. Who on earth had come? Even for Wu, she had never seen Marissa serve him so diligently (rather than diligent, it would be more accurate to describe it as even more indifferent).
Secretly glancing inside, Shali was immediately stunned. Sharna might not have seen Shali, but Shali, who grew up in the Rogue Encampment, was very familiar with Sharna by reputation, both envious and full of admiration. Later, she learned that Wu had actually become her younger brother, and sighed for a while. Unexpectedly, they met suddenly in this place.
Shali's return naturally couldn't be hidden from Sharna. She turned her head and found the other party was a beautiful young woman around thirty years old. A hint of doubt flashed in her indifferent eyes. She recalled what her younger brother usually told her and finally had a realization.
"Hello, Lady Sharna." Shali bowed slightly. The Rogue in front of her... no, she should be called the Queen of Lut Gholein now. Although she was a Hero Shali admired, she was already the Mother of a child over ten years old after all. Naturally, she wouldn't make any rude actions.
"Mm." Sharna nodded. She wasn't very good at dealing with this kind of person. If there was no connection, it would be fine; she could just treat the other party as air. But the other party was her younger brother's Fiancée's Mother. Sharna didn't want her beloved younger brother to be caught in the middle and have a difficult time.
"Where's Younger Brother? Has he returned?" After teasing Marissa enough, Sharna finally let her go and went straight to the point, asking.
"What a coincidence," Shali said, smiling, as she poured Sharna a cup of tea. "Wu just left three days ago. If Lady Sharna had come a little earlier, you could have met him."
"Just call me Sharna." Sharna was somewhat amused and exasperated. The people she got along with were either Excellent Grade like the Old Drunkard, or Marissa, who needed discipline. Other than that, there was only her beloved younger brother. Facing Shali, she really didn't know what kind of expression was appropriate for a moment.
"Really? Then please forgive my presumptuousness, Sharna." Shali clasped her hands together and said happily, "If you have time, could we chat for a while?"
This chat lasted for over two hours. Shali was mainly worried about her Beloved Daughter. Her sweetheart's Older Sister was a notoriously strong woman. She naturally wanted to test Sharna's attitude towards Sarah. If it were anyone else, Shali would be completely at ease. With her Daughter's appearance and personality, who wouldn't feel fondness? But facing the moody Rogue Queen, she suddenly felt uncertain.
The result made her very satisfied. Although it wasn't enthusiastic, Sharna at least didn't show an attitude of rejection towards Sarah. As for the indifference and arrogance naturally displayed in the other party's words and actions, Shali wasn't too bothered—even Wu, who wasn't serious usually, or her own Husband, Lars, would occasionally show the unique pride of a Class Changer, let alone Sharna, who was at the top of the pyramid.
"How about staying here for two days? Maybe Wu will come back soon."
Seeing that Sharna had the intention to leave, Shali put in a lot of Effort. To be honest, the Pressure of sitting with Sharna was immense. Whether it was the other party's appearance, temperament, figure, or the inviolable Sense of Oppression, and the Dangerous Aura she emitted, like a Fierce Beast, were all too powerful for Shali, an Ordinary Person. Her Intuition told her the other party was not someone she had a Common Topic with. Let alone getting along well, even approaching her, if it wasn't for Wu's sake, the other party might not even look at her. This kind of woman with a strange personality, once she acknowledged you, perhaps just a meeting of gazes could make you a confidante with whom she could talk about anything. If she wasn't interested in you, then no matter how much you Cater to preferences, it would be Wasted Effort.
But for her Beloved Daughter, she had no choice but to brace herself and try to approach the other party.
"No need, there will always be a time to Encounter." Hearing that her younger brother wasn't here, a hint of dejection flashed across Sharna's face, but then she Calmed Down again. As long as he was still alive, they would always be able to Encounter. She also got a lot of News about her younger brother from Shali, for example, he returned over a month ago, then went to the Lost City, and after returning and Resting for a few days, he hurriedly Departed towards the Dry Highlands again.
The one who cleared out the second floor of the Claw Viper Temple, it couldn't be her younger brother, could it? One has to say, a woman's Intuition is powerful. With hardly any thought, she had already concluded that besides her own younger brother, who else could have cleared that place out silently and without a sound?
Afterwards, Sharna left the Villa. After her figure disappeared around the Corner, Marissa immediately took out the Holy Water she got from the Church (actually, it was just the leftover from someone's last use) and sprinkled it on the Door and the place where Sharna had sat. Seeing Marissa's exaggerated Action, Shali was thoughtful—So that's how it is. No wonder Little Molly ignored me but was so attentive to Sharna. It turns out what she lacked wasn't Motherly Love, but Discipline.
What no one knew was, the Protagonist they were discussing this time—which was me—was currently facing the biggest Crisis of his Life. Hey hey, this time it's really not a Joke, there's a high chance my Life won't be saved.
A red Sun as big as a washbasin hung directly overhead, pouring down its pale, scorching Light. The Sand underfoot emitted wisps of White Mist, making the Surroundings blurry from the heat haze. Drops of Sweat gathered on my Face, forming rivers, then dripped from my Chin, falling onto the Sand and immediately making a sizzling Evaporation Sound. Without taking off my Clothes, I knew my entire Back was soaked with Sweat. However, in such a hot Temperature, if someone were to wipe my Face or Back, they would find that the Sweat was actually ice-cold.
Not far in Front of me, two figures were standing. The pale Sunlight made their faces somewhat hazy. One was relatively short, with a hunched figure and a sharp-nosed, monkey-like face, clearly not a decent sort at first glance (Protagonist's perspective). The other one presented the biggest contrast. Standing beside the man with the shifty figure, he made me almost think he was an immovable Mount Tai, over two meters tall. A sturdy figure, he didn't look full of Muscle like a Barbarian, nor was he slender like an Assassin, but just right, giving a strong Intuition—steady, yet with Explosive Power. This was probably what was meant by "still as a maiden, swift as a rabbit".
The Pressure I was currently feeling on my Body, and the Cold Sweat all over me, came from that tall and sturdy Man. Those eyes, which showed no discernible Feelings, lightly swept over me, and it was like another wave of tangible Strength pressing down, making me almost unable to breathe.
That's right. The Enemy in front of me was the Existence I encountered last time in the Marketplace, like a moving Mount Tai. Definitely a High-Level Paladin above Level sixty, one of the three people in the Fallen Alliance Akara had Instructed me hundreds of times I couldn't provoke. Therefore, the Pressure I felt Mentally was imaginable. Shapeshifting, I wanted to too, but now I couldn't move at all. Let alone Shapeshifting, even a tiny Movement, Attacks would surge forth. The other party gave me exactly this Feeling.
As for why this scene appeared, this has to start from three days ago, not long after I just came out. If we were to be more detailed, it might have to be traced back to when I last cleared out the troublesome Fallen Ones.
The extremely shifty Man next to the Paladin was named Bashak. His Strength wasn't high, but his Guts weren't small. He was one of the instigators of the last Fallen One's disturbance. After initially joining forces with a few pig-headed friends and dog-like companions to loot several Villages, he then joined the Desert Bandit Organization and actually became a behind-the-scenes boss there. Commanding the Bandits, relying on his Strength and Connections, he had done countless wicked Deeds. He was one of the top-ranked individuals on my blacklist.
However, being able to accomplish so many major things with mediocre Strength, Bashak's Brain shouldn't be underestimated either. In several Pursuits, he had managed to escape far away upon hearing the Wind. That Encirclement of the Desert Bandits was originally a good opportunity, but he actually managed to slip away during the chaos. Later, the Fallen One incident gradually subsided, this guy reaped ample benefits, and also began to Conceal himself, no longer appearing, making me itch with hatred, but there was absolutely no Method.
I don't know if it was because he did too many Bad Deeds that even Heaven wanted to take him. Just after I had left Dry City not long ago, when passing by a small Village, I happened to find this fellow engaged in the Deed of forcibly seizing a maiden. I don't know if his Brain was addled or if he thought the Fallen One incident was over, he actually became brazen. This was truly a case of Nemesis meeting on a narrow road. Enemies meeting made them particularly Envious. I was like this, and so was he. Having been forced to flee in a sorry state several times, the hatred in his heart was definitely no less than mine.
Escape? Let's see where you'll escape to. The previous times were because I hadn't seen you yet, and you escaped upon hearing the Wind. But now we're face to face. Can you still escape Light Snow and Lazy Crow's All-Encompassing Net?
Glancing at the girl in my arms, mm, indeed beautiful. Although not at Sarah's Level, but that pure and beautiful face, those pitiful Eyes... I said, no wonder Bashak's Guts were so big. It turns out he was blinded by lust.
"Thank you... Lord..." Putting the girl down, she was probably scared stiff, she couldn't even stand steadily.
"It's alright, be careful in the future." Seeing those Villagers swarming over, I smiled and shook my Head.
"Lord, that Bandit is getting away!" The girl, having just recovered from her fright, glanced at Shabak's receding Back View and couldn't help but exclaim. Her Gaze towards me held a bit more fervor and Pleading.
"It's alright, he won't get away."
I looked at her with some surprise. I didn't expect this girl to have such Guts. An Ordinary Person who had experienced something like this would probably find it hard to Calm Down for a while. But she was fine. She immediately recovered and Hinted for me to pursue and eliminate the menace for the people. Without a doubt, this was a beautiful and formidable girl.
Glancing at the Lazy Crow circling overhead, I smiled faintly, mounted Light Snow , and raised my hand to pursue—Shabak, let's see if you can survive this time.
"Lord, my Name is Shelaiya, remember me—" From afar, the girl's Voice came from behind, making me give a Bitter Smile. Maidens of the Desert are truly unbearably enthusiastic and proactive. Unfortunately, I still prefer quiet ones...
Regarding this Pursuit of Shabak, I was full of confidence, but I also kept a Caution. This guy was skilled in Concealment. It is said that he once buried himself Underground in the Sand for several hours to evade Enemies. If he really did that, even Light Snow and Lazy Crow wouldn't be able to find him. So I wasn't in a hurry. Instead, I hung back, not too far, not too close, neither forcing him into a corner nor giving him a chance to play tricks. Competing in Stamina with me and Light Snow , could he, a mere Mercenary, do it?
Thus, on the third day of the pursuit, we encountered this Paladin in front of us. Could it be that this bastard's life wasn't meant to end? Why? Why would God protect this kind of Junk? Seeing Shabak's triumphant Gaze as he turned his Head, at this moment, the rage in my heart surged. God, if there really is a God protecting him, then I use my Life to Curse you, to suffer Despair and Torment for all eternity.
"Lord Kalot, you must avenge our dead Brothers!" Shabak cried and complained tearfully. Someone who didn't know would really think he had been Wronged.
"I know the Propriety." The Paladin Kalot replied coldly.
"Bashak, is it?" He suddenly turned his Gaze onto Bashak's Body. Those indescribable eyes, as if they had lost half their Soul, made Bashak shiver violently. His Voice also trembled.
"Yes, yes," Bashak said, his Eyes darting around as he immediately flattered. "I didn't expect Lord Kalot to remember this Lowly Person's Name, this is truly a great Honor for this Lowly Person." He was also secretly delighted. It seemed he wasn't doing too badly. Even Lord Kalot remembered him. Who said only Strength could bring success?
"I know, of course I know. You were one of the instigators of the disturbance in Lut Gholein this time, weren't you?" Kalot still maintained his expressionless appearance. Even Shabak, who was good at reading people's expressions, couldn't help but feel uneasy, not knowing if the Lord in front of him was giving Praise or Sarcasm.
"This Lowly Person merely assisted from the side." He replied cautiously.
"Four Class Changers, fifty-eight Mercenaries, destroyed one hundred and forty-five Villages, nearly fifty thousand people. Good Stats." Kalot counted expressionlessly. Each string of Stats made the Muscle on Bashak's face twitch once. Now, he finally felt a hint of unease.
"Lord Kalot, I..."
Before he finished speaking, his Voice abruptly stopped. Unbeknownst to him, a Longsword had already pierced his Chest. Trickling Blood dripped onto the Sand, staining the Sand red.
"You..." Looking Incredulous at the Blood on his hand, judging by the Health that had already dripped onto the ground, this Longsword must have been inserted into his Chest at least ten seconds ago. But, he had only felt the Existence of this Sword when he had lost too much Blood.
Exactly when was this Sword inserted into his Chest? Exactly to what Degree was Kalot's Strength powerful? Before falling down, such Questions lingered in Bashak's Brain.
"Next, it's your turn. Although they deserved their fate, even if you didn't act, I would have dealt with this Junk. But even so, you killed Members of the Freedom Alliance (self-proclaimed Fallen Ones). I have to save some Face. Don't you agree, my Little Junior Brother?"