"I intended to privately inquire about your perspective, but then they materialized unexpectedly and I concealed myself in the carriage. I was concerned about detection, so I consumed a breath-masking elixir."
Recognizing escape proved impossible, Audrey hesitantly confessed, appearing mortified.
She'd initially desired to question Ace regarding his opinion, though fearing her family might apprehend her, she'd hidden.
Before she could emerge, Wester manifested. To prevent discovery, she possessed no alternative except consuming the breath-masking elixir, and subsequently Ace transported her from Piltover City.
"You possess remarkable audacity!"
Ace didn't know what commentary to offer regarding Audrey.
Breath-masking elixir, alternatively designated feigned demise potion—following consumption, an individual entered a condition of simulated death, maintaining consciousness while unable to move, which could deceive breath detection methods.
In a simulated death condition, you remained utterly vulnerable. You had to acknowledge Audrey's courage—she'd simply consumed the breath-masking elixir without any preparation whatsoever.
"Zaun City remains directly behind us. Once you've consumed sufficient nourishment, you should return."
After comprehending what had transpired, Ace indicated toward Zaun City, instructing Audrey to return at the earliest opportunity.
"Listen, why did you consent so rapidly? Aren't you going to contest it whatsoever?"
Audrey behaved as though she hadn't heard him and mentioned the engagement.
"Unnecessary."
Ace responded dispassionately.
Noble matrimonies were founded on exchanges of advantage. As a necromancer apprentice, he provided no benefit to either household. Creating a spectacle would merely appear pitiful.
"I suppose that demonstrates logic."
Audrey contemplated it. Correct, that seemed accurate.
"You're not departing?"
Ace observed Audrey peculiarly, uncertain what she was contemplating.
"You can pursue liberty, and I can refuse to be constrained similarly!"
Audrey proudly elevated her chin.
Initially, she'd been genuinely opposed to the arranged matrimony. When she was youthful, she'd gone to confront Ace regarding it.
Ace's response during that occasion had left a profound impression on her.
Ace had declared, "His existence was his to govern, and once he became a mage, he'd personally visit the Morcasson family to dissolve the engagement."
Precisely then, Audrey grew competitive. Why should Ace get to dissolve her engagement? She desired to locate him and dissolve it first, before he could articulate anything.
For that objective, while other young women were occupied socializing, she was training rigorously in battle aura, cultivating confidence for the dissolution.
Subsequently, when circumstances deteriorated for Ace's family, Audrey maintained training. She'd developed alternative concepts.
As she matured, she recognized Ace had been correct.
Their existences should be theirs to govern. She shouldn't be utilized as a negotiating asset.
Dissolving the engagement because Ace had experienced misfortune, then becoming engaged to someone else subsequently—that wasn't the future she desired.
Since fate had transported her from Piltover City, it resembled the deities secretly granting her permission to pursue liberty.
"Observe, you're a vulnerable mage apprentice who even roadside criminals can intimidate. You require a knight to safeguard you!"
Audrey tapped her armor with her blade, clarifying she desired to pursue adventure with Ace.
"Drybone isn't precisely hospitable territory."
Ace maintained a neutral expression as he reminded her, hoping Audrey wouldn't act on some momentary impulse.
There existed a reason Drybone was designated the land of exile.
Following that conflict, the Drybone territory had become extraordinarily chaotic.
There were marauders, there were alternative races—it was an unpredictable location where you never knew if you'd survive to your subsequent meal.
Before Ace, there had been numerous pioneers.
Initially, the noble council appointed pioneers with the objective of reclaiming the territory.
As pioneer groups perished consecutively, the Drybone territory became a location where noble families disposed of their fallen members—a land of exile.
Designated pioneering but actually exile—it was a hypocritical performance those nobles maintained.
"Naturally I comprehend that. That's precisely why you require a knight to safeguard you!"
Audrey's eyes were abundant with yearning for liberated adventure.
She was experiencing elevated excitement. Ace didn't articulate much more.
There remained more than three days until they reached Frostguard Fortress. He believed Audrey would compose herself and contemplate existence seriously.
[System Alert: Companion Detected]
[Analyzing Audrey Morcasson...]
[Class: Warrior Apprentice]
[Combat Rating: Tier 0.7 (Approaching Tier 1)]
[Loyalty Status: Undetermined]
[Recommendation: Companion may prove valuable for expedition survival]
"This must be Miss Audrey, correct? The Morcasson family requested I deliver correspondence to you."
When Ace submitted his travel documentation, a clerk transferred correspondence to Audrey, who was positioned adjacent to him.
Audrey had been absent for several days presently. Her family had determined she'd absconded with Ace.
"Ace, observe, I've got no route back presently."
Audrey rapidly examined the correspondence, then suddenly laughed with relief. She didn't have to agonize over it anymore.
Ace accepted the correspondence and perused it. The essence was that Audrey had disgraced the Morcasson family, no noble son would desire to marry a young woman like her, and she'd been expelled from the family.
That's how pragmatic the nobles of Piltover were. If you possessed no utility, getting expelled was standard procedure.
Ace understood the sensation thoroughly. He wasn't surprised.
"Let's proceed."
Ace didn't articulate anything, just summoned her to follow. He'd been planning to travel alone, yet presently he unexpectedly possessed a companion.
"Ace, this isn't the direction to the pioneer territory?"
Audrey adapted rapidly. While Ace guided the carriage, she occupied the position beside him examining the map.
"Once we're beyond Frostguard Fortress, that's Drybone. Wherever I am is pioneer territory. What's at that location you're mentioning besides numerous criminals?"
Ace was absolutely clear on where he was traveling. He'd never planned to visit the pioneer territory abandoned by his predecessors.
"That's absolutely correct! Ace, you've possessed excellent concepts since you were youthful!"
Ace's insight made Audrey's eyes illuminate. Certainly, this individual had always possessed distinctive perspectives since he was small.
Frostguard Fortress was constructed in a mountain valley, functioning as a barrier to obstruct adversaries during that conflict.
After departing Frostguard Fortress, you could still observe the fortress's patrol groups initially.
However as they traveled farther, everything became desolate.
The area the Frostguard Fortress patrols encompassed was relatively secure. Ace and company didn't encounter any marauders obstructing the route.
After departing Frostguard Valley, Ace halted at some isolated ruins.
"Ace, I didn't realize you transported spices!"
In the darkness, Audrey stared at the roasted rabbit sizzling with oil over the flames.
As Ace distributed the spices he'd blended personally, an even more enticing aroma permeated the air. She couldn't help swallowing.
"Well, well, appears we're consuming excellently tonight!"
The spreading scent of meat attracted uninvited visitors. Dozens of marauders surrounded them.
Observing Audrey, the marauders grew extraordinarily excited. They were going to experience some entertainment tonight.
"That youth's reasonably attractive similarly. Not declaring we can't utilize him. Just proceed gently on him subsequently, don't damage him!"
While most of the marauders were observing Audrey greedily, one yellow-toothed brute established his attention on Ace.
"Hander, you're interested in that similarly? Include me subsequently!"
The yellow-toothed brute's words attracted kindred spirits. Some marauders clarified they were interested in that similarly.
"Hahaha!"
The marauders laughed without restraint, treating Ace and Audrey like lambs for the slaughter.
"Ace, I'll obstruct them, you escape first!"
Audrey gripped her blade and positioned herself before Ace. This occasion their opponents weren't street criminals—they were a group of bloodthirsty marauders.
There were several knight apprentices who'd trained in battle aura among them. Audrey wasn't certain she could defeat them.
"You individuals laugh like excrement!"
The marauders' filthy discourse made Ace's murderous intent flare.
He positioned the roasted rabbit in the ground and declared something coldly.
Just as Audrey was bewildered and the marauders were about to laugh again, Ace shot past the flames with velocity.
His blade flashed like a shadow, trailing brilliant crimson blood. Wherever Ace's figure passed, marauders clutched their spurting necks consecutively, producing gurgling sounds.
[System Alert: Combat Initiated]
[Host Combat Performance: Excellent]
[Enemies Eliminated: 14/37]
[Experience Gained: +28]
[Current Level Progress: 28/100]