Chapter 587: Situation

"Rosalia?"

On the edge of the newly under-construction commercial street within Coral Bay.

Luo De, who was idly patrolling, felt surprised upon hearing the witch Dimea's words.

"She's appeared in the conscription corps?"

"Yes, neither did we expect it."

The witch Dimea walked beside him.

The twilight hills in April showed no trace whatsoever of the death desert's sandstorms.

The spring sun hung high.

The witch's skin was unusually delicate; Dimea had no choice but to don her wide-brimmed wizard hat again.

She wore a wizard's robe embroidered with colorful magical runes.

But the witch lady was a trend-chaser and wouldn't settle for just any loose, universal-fit garment.

The wizard's robe had clearly been tailored.

It cinched at the waist and upper chest, perfectly supporting and enclosing the bouncing giant rabbit beneath the fitted fabric.

Balanced perfectly against the slightly flared hem.

The collar had also been slightly loosened.

Exposing her snowy, delicate collarbones and part of one shoulder, adding a touch of elegance and dignity.

Despite her mature, voluptuous figure and attire.

Yet every time he saw her.

Luo De didn't want to pinch any other part—he wanted to pinch that baby-faced, cute little face.

"Wasn't she saying she'd join the Shadowwind Hunters?"

Luo De didn't attend the conscription corps' welcome ceremony.

That was the responsibility of the Shiying Town authorities.

"I saw the Stormeye emblem of the Shadowwind Hunters in the conscription corps, but only about ten of them, and from the spacing between them, they were likely dragged in midway."

Dimea said this.

"What was her attitude? Did she say anything to you?"

"No, the Shadowwind Hunters stick together—perhaps wary of the official conscription corps, they didn't even make eye contact. I hate this situation—it feels like we're opposing Rosalia."

The witch lady grew a little downcast.

Though she'd held a high position in Shiying Town for some time, she was actually younger than Luo De.

A touch of melancholy was only natural.

And besides.

She was still an emotionally rich, risqué novelist who'd once suffered magical imbalance from writer's block.

Luo De smiled.

He pointed to the nearby commercial street.

"Yesterday, someone from the Snow Hill Evening News approached Yuna, saying they wanted to open a branch office in Coral Bay and promised to open a bookstore here. I thought of you, so I agreed—and suggested splitting the bookstore into two zones: one for general readers, one for adults."

Dimea knew he was teasing her about buying risqué novels before.

Her baby-faced cheeks flushed pink as she protested:

"What do you mean 'thought of me'? I don't buy them often!"

Shiying Town had once endured a harsh crackdown on incoming populations, during which Rosalia had overseen the suppression—official risqué bookstores were nearly impossible to legalize.

So Dimea had to sneak into gray zones in disguise just to buy them for reference, terrified of being seen by acquaintances.

After all, she was an official.

Breaking the law was unacceptable.

If Coral Bay could open one, it would spare so much worry!

She was happily thinking this.

Then Dimea suddenly caught Luo De smiling at her, and her eyes flickered in panic.

"Let's talk seriously! This conscription corps isn't weak—even without the Shadowwind Hunters, they have five eighth-rankers, and the rest likely excel in formation coordination, plus over a dozen hero candidates!"

"Over a dozen hero candidates. Do the Igors just mass-produce them?"

"I suspect they're collaborating with a half-deer hero-giver, mass-producing individuals with the 【Hero Amplification】 to boost combat power."

"I doubt it's collaboration."

Luo De sneered bitterly.

Lilith the half-elf said 【Hero Amplification】 consumes lifespan.

Two or three candidates balanced with one hero-giver—that's plausible. But over a dozen?

There are only thirty-six half-deer hero-givers total.

Luo De simply didn't believe they'd send over a dozen of them to this ridiculous conscription corps instead of handling their own righteous business.

No need to guess.

The Igors must have seized control of one or two hero-givers and forcibly turned all who met the basic criteria into candidates.

That means the quality of these candidates is extremely suspect.

As they spoke,

The two kept walking outward.

From Dimea's account,

This conscription corps presented a tax authorization document from Windstorm City, claiming they were auditing Shiying Town's taxes on Windstorm City's behalf.

Such documents? During wartime, sure—but Windstorm City hasn't interfered in months.

Shiying Town must survive too—it's expanding territory, training troops to resist Coral Bay; its tax records looking clean would be absurd.

They'll find nothing but silence.

But those who understand know this is just the conscription corps' way of extorting funds.

Old gentleman Humbert and the Shiying Town councilors have already prepared Jin Along, waiting for the right moment to hand it over and send them packing.

Luo De knew there was nothing he could do.

The lingering prestige of the Aithelon Kingdom still held weight—sending a dozen legendary mages to cleanse the land with legendary spells was still feasible.

Haven't you noticed how few mages died in the battle reports?

The dead were all spiritual warriors and cannon fodder.

Luo De wasn't afraid.

But it's a nuisance! Others might not hold up!

Spending money is the best way to solve problems—problems solvable with money aren't real problems.

Luo De considered himself a man of dignity.

If this conscription corps could depart honorably, that would be best.

If not,

Then there's no choice—let the blood flow.

After finishing their discussion on the conscription corps,

Luo De instinctively began making light, amusing remarks.

Laughing as they reached the grasslands beyond Coral Bay.

Dimea couldn't help laughing at times, her cheeks flushed red.

A light breeze swept past.

She froze, suddenly realizing her reluctance to part.

No—this can't go on!

Otherwise, she'd betray Sharon!

This man was poisonous—he could make others cling to him!

"Well, then—I'll take my leave, Luo De. I've arranged with Pan Ni to clear out the bandit nests on Kula Hill."

She flustered for a moment, forcibly suppressing the ripples in her heart.

Immediately bowed politely to take her leave.

Luo De didn't notice, already raising his hand to wave goodbye.

"Miss Dimea, there you are! I was wondering where you'd gone—didn't you promise this morning to lead us against the chaos in the Twilight Hills?"

A flippant male voice rang out from nearby.

Accompanied by the clink of armor and heavy footsteps.

Luo De turned toward the sound.

Saw five men ascending the slope.

Their armor was elite, their faces unfamiliar.

No need to ask—they were clearly from the conscription corps.

The witch Dimea frowned and whispered: "All hero candidates from the conscription corps. We exchanged pleasantries this morning, and they actually showed up."

Luo De studied them closely.

Their ranks were indeed high—all five were seventh-rank.

And young, wearing expressions of arrogance and disdain.

The conscription squad had wandered all day, yet not a single scratch marred their armor—clearly, they had lived in comfort and been treated with great deference during this time.

(End of Chapter)