Chapter 63: Is There a Wizard?

However, Meng Fei Si quickly put on a smiling face again, trying to soothe Luobin.

"Don't worry, as long as you return safely I'll give you a bonus, I won't shortchange you." He pounded his chest and promised, "Moreover, every time we set out we have that many Knights together, everyone works in unison, it won't be too dangerous."

He spoke while gesturing with his hands, trying to make Luobin believe the bright future he described.

Luobin remained silent, but in his mind he weighed the pros and cons. Going to the Nora Han Great Labyrinth would undoubtedly place him in great danger;

but if he refused, he would face expulsion from Tutan Gate, losing the chance to continue developing in the city.

He knew Meng Fei Si was far from benevolent; if he really went to the municipal hall to lodge a complaint, he feared he would indeed be blacklisted.

After pondering for a long while, Luobin clenched his teeth, silently resolving in his heart.

Since he had come this far, retreat would be useless; better to go all out. He lifted his head, his gaze steady on Meng Fei Si, and said, "Fine, I'll do it. But you'd better keep your word; if I return without the bonus, I won't let it go."

Meng Fei Si laughed and gave Luobin's shoulder a hearty pat, his smile especially radiant as if they were long-time friends, "Don't worry! The bonus is guaranteed. As long as you work hard, there'll be plenty of benefits later."

A hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, as if calculating how much profit this escort could bring him.

Luobin felt full of helplessness and resentment; he had just started his job that morning, barely had time to get to know the city, and now in the afternoon he was to set out for the Mine District to escort minerals back to Tutan Gate.

This Meng Fei Si really gave him no breathing room, treating him like a beast of burden.

In the afternoon, Luobin arrived at the rendezvous on time. He saw a massive Caravan already assembled, a dozen or so cargo‑laden wagons lined up, each drawn by two sturdy horses.

Among the Caravan's guards were fifteen Knights like Luobin, some with solemn expressions, others nonchalant, seeming indifferent to the upcoming journey.

The display truly surprised him, and also made him realize the peril of the trip; if it were as safe as Meng Fei Si claimed, there'd be no need to hire so many Knights as guards.

Luobin noticed that among these Knights, a few appeared experienced, exuding a calm aura of battle‑hardened steadiness;

others seemed younger, with a hint of nervousness and excitement in their eyes.

"Depart!" With Meng Fei Si's command, the Caravan set off slowly. Wheels turned, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Luobin rode his warhorse, staying in the middle of the Caravan, vigilantly watching his surroundings.

"Don't be so nervous! Our Iron Stone Guild in Tutan Gate is a top‑ranked guild; no short‑sighted person dares to trouble us." A young Knight beside him said cheerfully, trying to ease Luobin's tension. He rode a reddish‑brown warhorse, lithe and confident, his face radiating self‑assurance and wildness.

Luobin heard that, forced out a faint smile, and politely greeted, "I am Luobin Gabriel, a country‑born Knight."

His tone carried a hint of modesty; after all, in this unfamiliar setting, making more friends is always good.

The young Knight laughed heartily, his bright, resonant chuckle seeming to dispel the air's dullness. "Menluo Dal! Also a country‑born Knight."

He laughed while introducing himself, his enthusiastic demeanor making it hard not to feel goodwill.

"I haven't been here long, but I've already run with the Caravan several times. Every trip has gone smoothly, so you can relax." Men Luo patted Luobin's shoulder, taking on a seasoned air.

Luobin gave a slight nod, his tension easing a bit.

"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. It's just the Nora Han Great Labyrinth that still makes me uneasy," Luobin said honestly, voicing his worry.

"Hey, the Nora Han Great Labyrinth is indeed dangerous, but as long as we stay away from its depths, in the peripheral zones, nothing usually happens. Moreover, we have so many of us, with plenty of seasoned veteran Knights leading the charge." Men Luo said nonchalantly.

Luobin looked at those veteran Knights; their expressions were solemn, eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings, every movement exuding composure and competence.

"By the way, what battles have you experienced back in the countryside?" Men Luo asked curiously, excitement flashing in his eyes, as if eager for countryside adventure stories.

"In the countryside, I dealt with some bandits and occasional magical beasts," Luobin said simply, choosing not to mention the Black Forest Beast Tide.

Lest anyone guess he came from the Black Forest border region.

After all, that place has recently been one of the kingdom's hottest topics.

It has been more than a hundred years since a territorial noble family was exterminated, and what angers people even more is that many innocent civilians of Winston City have also died.

"Wow, that's impressive! Maybe traveling with you this time I'll get to see your remarkable skills." Men Luo said with a smile, seeming even more eager for the upcoming journey.

The Caravan continued onward amid their conversation, the scenery along the road constantly changing, and the distance between Luobin and Men Luo gradually closed through the relaxed talk.

"Tutan Gate is so big; are there Wizards?" Luobin asked cautiously, a hint of curiosity and prudence in his gaze.

In his brief memories of Winston City, Wizards always carried a mysterious and dangerous aura, their bizarre spells and sinister body modifications filling him with awe.

Men Luo, hearing the question, gave Luobin a strange look, as if staring at a creature from another world.

Then, in a sour tone, he said, "Of course there are, and there are many. In Tutan Gate, Wizards aren't some rare novelty; there are even dedicated Wizard Small Groups. What, you didn't even know that?"

Luobin scratched his head awkwardly and explained, "I've been in the countryside all this time, so I'm not familiar with big‑city affairs. Wizards back home are a once‑in‑a‑century rarity, so I was just curious."

Every time they appear, many people end up dead.

The last sentence was spoken by Luobin only in his own mind.

Men Luo, after hearing Luobin's explanation, softened his expression a bit and said, "That's true; information is scarce in the countryside, so it's normal not to know these things. In Tutan Gate, Wizards have their own circles and organizations. Some specialize in magical theory research, others are keen on using magic for business. Some delve into spells in high towers, others sell magical items at markets; in short, you can see their presence everywhere."

Regarding the Tutan Gate part, it's a bit awkward; after all, coming from the countryside to a big city, in the Black Forest a Knight was equivalent to a Local Tyrant, but in a big city it's only Entry Level, just like modern society where a ten‑thousand‑salary is high in a fourth‑ or fifth‑tier city but not in a first‑tier city.

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(End of Chapter)