"Awoooo!"
The dozen lightning wolves summoned by Roy finished their task, letting out a long howl toward the sky before their forms dissipated into thin air.
The three Level 2 remnants of the Rudra Familia and every single bandit in the stronghold were dead. Under the fading glow of the setting sun, the corpses were piled like mountains. Yet, the faces of the survivors showed no fear—only a sense of profound gratification.
Roy turned to the liberated captives and smiled. "It's over!"
"OHHHHHHHH!"
After a brief, stunned silence, a thunderous cheer erupted, shaking the very earth. People wept and embraced their loved ones. It took a long time for the excitement to settle down.
Suddenly, a series of stomach growls broke the quiet. The sounds of hunger rippled through the crowd, causing many to lower their heads in embarrassment.
Roy didn't mind at all; survival was the ultimate instinct. He called out to everyone and led them to the bandits' storehouses. Piles of supplies were hauled out of the caves—the very goods and specialties that had been looted from the caravans. Having starved for days, the survivors didn't stand on ceremony; they began to feast, hosting a spontaneous, enthusiastic banquet.
Roy was undoubtedly the star of the show. Since his battle against Hyakinthos was broadcast via the Divine Mirror, almost everyone in Orario recognized him. His fame had spread across the world like a gale.
When Shakti arrived with the members of the Ganesha Familia, following the markers Roy had left through the deep forest, she was stunned. She expected a brutal battlefield but instead found a lively bonfire party. Under a canopy of brilliant stars, the survivors were drinking and laughing regardless of race or age. If not for the piles of bodies and the thick scent of blood lingering in the air, Shakti would have thought she'd stumbled into the wrong place.
The Ganesha Familia began their work, identifying the victims and distributing supplies. Under the immense pressure of the past few days, the captives' nerves had been stretched to the limit. Now, with a full stomach and the protection of the Ganesha Familia, a wave of exhaustion hit them, and they fell into a collective, deep sleep on the ground.
Shakti walked up to Roy and said, "Justice's Sprout, thank you. We've been hunting this group for nearly half a month without success." The brutal human sacrifices and the disappearance of numerous caravans had long caught Ganesha Familia's attention, but the bandits' base was hidden too well. These thugs were like foxes, fleeing whenever they saw Shakti's group and only attacking small caravans—until they kicked the steel plate that was Roy.
Roy replied with a grin, "Captain Shakti, no need to be formal. We're all one family."
Shakti gave him a strange look. She still remembered the fierce, predatory gaze he had directed at her during the duel when she tried to intervene. Yet here he was, acting like a friendly, easygoing guy. He was truly hard to read.
Switching from business to personal matters, Shakti lowered her voice. "How did you get out? We have no record of you leaving the city."
Roy gave a sheepish laugh. Here it comes. As the "Center of the World," Orario strictly controlled its high-level adventurers to prevent power leakage or the creation of external threats. High-level adventurers usually needed rigorous screening and paperwork to leave. Roy had slipped out illegally.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Starting with an Elf (232 Chapters, Ongoing)
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Shakti sighed, realizing she couldn't just ignore it. "I'll help you file a backdated record later."
Roy smiled. It was good to have friends in high places!
"But you have to help us," Shakti added, pointing toward the survivors. "As an escort, help me get these people back safely."
Roy agreed immediately. "No problem!"
The winding mountain paths were difficult, especially at night, so the group rested in the camp and set out the next morning. Roy joined the convoy as an escort.
"Mr. Roy, thank you!"
Two young, beautiful girls ran up to him—Eina and Misha. Their faces were full of gratitude. During the banquet the night before, Roy had been surrounded by people, leaving them no chance to approach. Now, they finally had the opportunity to thank their savior.
The journey back to Orario was over a hundred kilometers. With nothing but time, Roy chatted with the two recent graduates. He used "cheesy pick-up lines" from his previous life, making the girls giggle uncontrollably. Coming from anyone else, it might have seemed frivolous, but from the powerful and handsome Roy, it was "charming."
The laughter lightened the mood, helping to dissolve the trauma of their two-day imprisonment. Eina's emerald eyes stole shy glances at Roy. Remembering their eye contact the day before and his smile, she realized he had been comforting her, telling her not to be afraid. Her face flushed a deep crimson that spread all the way to her ears, and her heart began to race.
Misha noticed. "Eina, why is your face so red? It's burning! You didn't catch a cold, did you?"
Roy had just been called away by Shakti. Misha, worried, was about to shout, "Mr. Roy—"
"I'm fine! I'm great! Don't say anything!" Eina hissed, covering her friend's mouth.
"If it's not a cold, then why is your face so red? Could it be...?" Misha couldn't speak, but her eyes burned with the fierce fire of gossip. Eina gritted her teeth, wishing her friend would apply that level of sharpness to her exams instead.