Chapter 438: Forgetfulness and Ambush

Venna's shape-shifting artifact was highly advanced; even Luo De could only see through it after acquiring the domain skill 【Insight Demon Eye】.

This old man wore the uniform of a militia squad leader, his hair and beard completely gray-white; his seventh-rank mid-stage spiritual accumulation had declined due to age and frailty, yet he looked utterly ordinary—how could he see through it at a glance?

Venna is an idiot.

She couldn't even pretend—her face turned deathly pale, guilty like an old woman caught cheating on her husband.

Luckily, her legs were still quick; she didn't freeze in place to die, but spun around and ran.

But she couldn't possibly outrun a seventh-rank, even if he were old and frail.

The old squad leader refused his subordinates' support and charged forward alone.

The street held no civilians—only militiamen.

Venna had just turned into a deserted alley.

Behind her came a gust of fierce wind, brutally pinning her arms behind her and slamming her to the ground.

The impact jolted the pampered young lady with such pain that tears squeezed from her eyes.

"Who are you? Why are you impersonating a militiaman?"

Old Squad Leader Ed barked sharply.

Meanwhile, Tally moved at incredible speed and arrived at the alley in an instant.

Hearing this, Luo De nodded: "He didn't see through the disguise. It must be pure instinctual perception."

"Won't you save her, Master?"

"Of course I'll save her—but let her suffer first. Best if she's near death; then my intervention will seem timely."

"Little Luo De is naughty, Auntie likes~~"

"Tally, are you imitating Lillian again?"

Tally froze.

She protested: "What do you mean imitating? Is it her exclusive right to call herself 'Auntie' in that sultry, seductive tone? Or can only she call you 'Little Luo De'? I'm speaking the Common Tongue—if that counts as imitation, then everyone on the continent is just parrots copying others!"

"You're flustered."

"I—I just wanted you to love me the way you love her…"

She'd spent two full nights in a row, with such high spirits, like an endless wild ox that never tires.

Tally had only received such treatment when she was first enslaved.

Now return to the alley.

Venna remained silent, struggling desperately.

But she was a weakling who couldn't even lift a pot—there was no way she could break free from a seventh-rank warrior's grip.

Old Squad Leader Ed's icy face showed no emotion; he swiftly pulled off her helmet, revealing a young, delicate face bound with a white headscarf.

"Hmm?"

He instantly noticed the anomaly—the headscarf was clearly feminine; no man would wear such a thing.

Without hesitation, he reached to tear it off.

Venna panicked: "No, don't!"

"Woman? Wait—this voice… Venna Pweil?" Ed exclaimed in shock.

"Yes it's me! Old Squad Leader Ed!"

Axe Beach wasn't large, and the militia's size was small enough that Venna recognized this squad leader who had served over thirty years.

Besides, the upright and stern old squad leader was fairly well-known.

In his youth, he had been extremely powerful, once single-handedly repelling a lizardman raiding party.

Venna hurried on: "Old Ed, I didn't kill my father! The treason with the lizardmen wasn't my doing! Bugo Torres—he's just a puppet. The real mastermind is a wicked organization called Xantalin. They've allied with demons to seize control of Axe Beach!"

Old Ed's expression didn't change; cold and stern as ancient ice.

"Save it for interrogation."

"No! Old Ed, I beg you! I can't be captured by the private soldiers—that is, Xantalin's men. They'll only find ways to kill me and solidify their power! I must avenge my father—I can't die here!"

Venna's voice cracked with tears; her sincerity genuinely moved the air around her.

Old Ed's hand pressing on her head paused.

For a long while, he made no further move.

Sensing his hesitation, Venna pressed on: "Old Ed, I don't need you to do anything for me—just pretend you didn't see me. When I gather forces and expose Xantalin's plot, reclaim the Axe Beach title, I'll give you everything you desire!"

Silence followed.

"Miss Venna…"

Old Ed's tone softened, no longer harsh.

"Actually, I believe you. Lord Pweil was a masterful parent—he raised children with great care. Even as a child, I saw kindness and gentleness in your eyes. You could never have murdered your father."

Venna beamed: "Then rest easy! Wait for me—I'll make you commander of the militia. Your son and daughter will become high officials."

"But Miss Venna, precisely because of your kindness and gentleness, I can't imagine you successfully retaking Axe Beach."

"Huh?"

"Rest assured, out of respect for Lord Pweil, I won't let you be disgraced. You'll depart this world with full dignity."

Fear spread across Venna's face.

"No! Old Ed! You can't do this! My father helped you! He settled your son's gambling debts and rescued your daughter from that wandering minstrel who tricked her!"

At these words, Old Ed slumped, utterly broken.

He said nothing more, unmoved by Venna's struggles and curses.

He took out rope and bound her tightly.

"Despicable wretch! Hypocrite! My father was blind to help a man so ungrateful!" Venna's eyes burned red as she screamed.

"Yes, yes… I, Old Ed, owe the Pweil family dearly. In my next life, I'll serve you as beast or slave. But in this life… please, Miss Venna, do me this one final favor."

With that said,

Old Ed slung the tightly bound Venna over his shoulder, preparing to head to the lord's ancient castle to claim his reward.

Suddenly, a chill surged from his soles, racing straight up his spine, instantly striking his brain.

Instinctively,

His leg muscles exploded with force, violently contracting, causing him to drop Venna and crouch half a body's length lower.

Puff!!

A howling gale swept past his head.

In his peripheral vision, a massive scythe-blade, like a mantis's forelimb, dragged thick shadows behind it!

It had passed exactly where his neck had been moments before.

Old Ed's back instantly soaked through with cold sweat.

"Huh? You dodged that?"

A voice, sultry and girlish, rang out.

He ignored Venna; years of combat experience drove him to reposition instantly—a roll followed by rapid backward leaps to create distance.

He looked closely.

In the narrow alley stood a mature woman, shouldering a massive 【Scythe-Claw Reverse Blade】, expression dismissive.

Black shadows spread from her feet, dragging the bound Venna Pweil to her side.

Seventh-rank, early stage

Shadow magic

Her eyes didn't match her mature appearance—this was shape-shifting

Shadow magic + shape-shifting… a succubus?

Old Ed's gaze was sharp and confident; he instantly deduced Tally's true race.

"Pathetic, Tally. You missed the ambush."

A slightly teasing, young man's voice blocked the alley's entrance.

"Mr. Luo De!"

Venna, rescued from certain death, saw Luo De at once—her eyes blazed with hope, and she cried out in relief.

"Don't you know the rules? Don't call me by name."

"Oh? Sorry…"

Old Ed raised his gray-white eyebrows, staring at the dusty, ragged man.

Instantly, his mind exploded like fireworks!

A primal instinct screamed at him to flee!

(End of Chapter)