Chapter 14: Elder Brother Leimeng (Two Chapters Released Together, Please Follow)

Eric spread his hands, a helpless expression on his face, saying he also didn't know, "Who knows, the Black Bear Thieves Guild and the Black Wizard are so mysterious, they might have other tricks."

Lily was too lazy to answer Tomson; in the battle with the Giant Python, she keenly realized Tomson's lack of strength, seriously dragging the squad's rear.

Every time danger struck, Tomson seemed panicked and helpless, barely able to help, which left Lily somewhat dissatisfied.

"If there's no raid tonight, the Black Bear Knights and the Black Wizard should have fled," Robin suddenly said, his voice low, yet like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring ripples.

Several Knight Apprentices nearby turned their heads, casting curious glances.

"What do you mean?" Et, the chief apprentice of Fitz Knight, couldn't help asking, his brows slightly furrowed, eyes full of doubt.

"It's simple: the Black Bear Thieves Guild can't even handle rookies like us, so where would the power to confront the Damia Great Knight Leader come from? Today's raid must be to cover their main force's withdrawal." Robin analyzed methodically, his gaze lazy yet confident, each word revealing clear logic.

At that moment, Fitz Knight happened to return and heard Robin's words.

He immediately grabbed the nearby Malizi, his expression urgent, signaling him not to rush back, "Hold on, listen to what this kid says."

Malizi Knight instantly took interest, halted his steps, his gaze fixed on Robin, a flash of surprise and admiration in his eyes, seemingly not expecting the young Knight Apprentice to have such keen insight.

Et, after hearing Robin's analysis, tightened his chest and hurriedly asked, "So that means we might still face a raid tonight."

A hint of worry showed in his eyes; if they encountered another fierce battle like daytime tonight, these Knight Apprentices would likely struggle to get out unscathed.

Robin nodded slightly, then said, "I don't rule it out, but I think the chance is small. If I were leading the Thieves Guild, I'd definitely flee overnight. After all, once the Damia Great Knight Leader arrives, the Black Bear Thieves Guild's meager strength is no match."

"Once they dodge this spotlight, they can resume activity. As for a night raid, at most they'd just eliminate us Knight Apprentices, but if we hold them up, when the Damia Great Knight Leader arrives, they won't be able to escape." Robin spoke while gesturing on the ground with a branch, trying to make his reasoning clearer to everyone.

"They're a Thieves Guild, not a Knight Order!"

Robin's final remark, tinged with teasing, seemed to stress the Thieves Guild's usual modus operandi—prioritizing profit and shying away from reckless risks.

Fitz Knight, hearing that, couldn't help laughing out loud, looking at Robin with admiration in his eyes, "Kid, good analysis!"

"Old buddy, this time I took heavy losses, only five Knight Apprentices remain; give this kid to me, and I'll just barely stay out of the bottom."

The Knight Apprentices under Fitz Knight had suffered many casualties in earlier battles; he knows Robin's potential, and incorporating Robin would greatly boost his team's strength.

Malizi Knight, irritated, brushed his hand away, feigning anger, "Get out of the way; this kid is Gabriel's son, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him with you."

Malizi Knight obviously understood Robin's worth, and as a longtime friend of Gabriel, he felt responsible for looking after Robin, so he wouldn't readily hand Robin over to Fitz Knight.

Their exchange slightly eased the previously tense atmosphere around them.

The group of Knight Apprentices, hearing the two knights vying for Robin, showed varied expressions.

Eric, full of envy, quietly nudged Robin and whispered, "Hey, never thought you'd be so valued, with both knights scrambling for you."

Lily's eyes flashed a complex emotion, recognizing Robin's ability yet feeling a sting of resentment at being outshone.

Tomson stood with his mouth open, astonished, as if unable to believe what was happening.

Silvan and the other two wore especially sour looks; Silvan clenched his teeth, eyes full of jealousy, "Hmph, just lucky, what's so impressive about it? He's still just a kid."

Dain and Camille nodded in agreement nearby; they had already been dissatisfied with Robin's performance in battle, and now seeing him so spotlighted made them even more unsettled.

Even the Knight Apprentices under the opposite side's knights heard the commotion and flocked over to watch the spectacle.

In the crowd, a figure stood out: Robin's older half‑brother Leimeng.

Leimeng stood behind the crowd, his expression ominously dark.

He had just buried his father and was eager to drive Robin out of the house, assuming the younger brother would fend for himself outside, but unexpectedly he emerged prominently in this operation, even causing the two knights to scramble for him.

Leimeng's gaze flickered with a hint of panic, quickly replaced by anger and resentment. He took a few steps forward, let out a cold snort, and said, "What can a person driven out of home achieve? It's just a stroke of luck."

His voice was low, yet in the suddenly hushed crowd it sounded especially harsh.

The surrounding Knight Apprentices cast odd looks, some with disdain, others whispering nearby.

Robin, hearing Leimeng's words, felt a surge of complex emotion; his gaze lazy yet edged with sharpness as he looked at Leimeng and coldly said, "In half a year I'll advance to Knight Apprentice Midstage, my dear big brother, how long did you spend at first—two years, three, or four? And how many years did you stay at Knight Apprentice Midstage—probably three, right!"

The remark instantly provoked uproarious laughter.

The nearby Knight Apprentices were first stunned, then burst into a wave of unrestrained laughter.

Everyone knows that lingering too long at any stage of a knight's advancement is rather embarrassing.

Robin's words undoubtedly hit Leimeng's sore spot precisely.

This time, even Silvan's face turned ashen.

The reason Silvan had always resented Robin was largely that Robin, despite his youth, displayed impressive strength, while Silvan himself had lingered far too long at Knight Apprentice Midstage, leaving him still not a full knight at this age.

Among the Knight Apprentices, he was among the strongest batch yet also the oldest; Robin's comment unintentionally laid his embarrassment bare.

Leimeng suddenly erupted in fury, his face flushed scarlet, eyes seeming ready to spew fire, glaring at Robin viciously, roaring, "You ignorant wretch! How dare you humiliate me in front of everyone!"

(End of Chapter)