Chapter 32: with translation of chapter title

Morning, the sunshine was bright.

It was also the time of day when business at the Wild Cat Inn was at its slowest.

On the first floor of the restaurant, a few idlers sat sparsely scattered, among them a group of 'idlers' seated by the window.

This group consisted of three people: two men and one woman.

One was mercenary Klub, another was the lame artificer Alonso.

The last was the fugitive former court apothecary Weige, who appeared to be an ordinary middle-aged woman, likely having used Transformation Technique for disguise.

Klub took a sip of cheap light beer, shifting uncomfortably in the seat: 'I say, you two were also recruited by that mysterious old gentleman, right?'

Alonso shrugged, his scarred cheeks making him look somewhat fierce.

'To be precise, I'm just here to have a look.'

Weige's face was expressionless like a puppet's: 'Just like Alonso, I'm merely here to look; after all, unsolicited solicitations are not common.'

Seeing that the two had no intention to say more, Klub also kept quiet, just sipping the cheap light beer mouthful by mouthful.

While they were drinking, the inn hall door was suddenly pushed open, and immediately after, a tall man in a large wanderer's cloak walked into the hall.

This man leaned on an ordinary wooden staff, had a wrinkled elderly face, gray-white hair, a slightly stooped back, and looked like a completely ordinary old wanderer.

Alonso and Weige showed little reaction, after all such wanderers are everywhere, nothing unusual.

Mercenary Klub initially paid no mind either, continuing to drink on their own, but after less than half a sip, their movement suddenly paused, as if recalling something.

They immediately turned their head to look at the old man.

Turning halfway, they felt it improper, so turned back, observing only with the corner of their eye.

The more they looked, the more surprised they became; later, their face even showed fear, their hands slightly trembling, causing the beer in the cup to spill somewhat.

Alonso, who had been watching the scenery outside the window, finally noticed something off about Klub: 'Mercenary, are you swaying?'

Klub swallowed hard, subtly pointing at the old man sitting in another corner of the hall: 'Do you know who that is?'

'Just a down-and-out old man.'

'Shh~'

Klub quickly made a quiet gesture, their small eyes staring wide as mung beans: 'If I'm not mistaken, that should be the wandering sage Levin.'

Upon hearing this, Alonso also gasped in shock; the light beer they had just half-sipped went down the wrong pipe, causing them to cough repeatedly, their face turning red.

After a while, they returned to normal: 'Are you sure?'

Klub gave a slight nod: 'Last night, a major incident occurred outside the Blue Whale Mansion; you've probably heard about it, right?'

Alonso and Weige both nodded.

The story of the wandering sage leading countless people to repel the Aaron warriors and successfully protect the Weilan Princess is nothing short of a legendary epic.

After a night of spreading, it had already spread throughout Dawn City and was quickly radiating across the entire Weilan Giant Island and even the Natural Alliance.

Now, this legendary mage who commands terrifying arcane power appears in a shabby village inn, drinking cheap light beer at three copper coins a cup and eating coarse wheat bread mixed with sand and bran, truly inspiring reverence.

Because their austere lifestyle is certainly not due to poverty or destitution, but because of a saintly, flawless moral character.

Alonso let out a deep sigh: 'The sage is the sage; their mental realm is far beyond what we mortals can attain.'

Weige nodded in agreement, speaking seriously: 'This is one of the most worthy-of-respect mages in the Natural Alliance.'

Klub chuckled: 'If I had such legendary power, I would surely rob the vault of Dawn City Bank.'

Weige gave a contemptuous glance: 'If you keep thinking that way, you'll only ever reach the rank of high-level warrior in this lifetime.'

Klub shrugged: 'I'm just a mercenary; I don't have such great ambitions.'

They themselves have no confidence in breaking through to the master level; in fact, as they age, their strength has not improved but actually declined somewhat.

Just then, the door was pushed open again, and Ailiya and Stonard entered one after another, then turned and walked toward them.

Ailiya said: 'Three of you, my master has arrived.'

Klub immediately stood to greet them, while Alonso and Weige remained seated, unmoving.

But all three of their gazes were directed toward the restaurant door.

Footsteps came from behind the door, and soon two people entered.

The man was tall and sturdy; the woman was tall and slender.

The man's appearance was ordinary, while the woman's was astonishingly beautiful!

As soon as she entered the inn's dining hall, she instantly drew everyone's gaze, like a golden phoenix landing in a straw hut, its radiant light transforming the hut into a splendid palace.

'Hiss~~~~'

Everyone in the inn froze, involuntarily sucking in a breath of cold air.

Then, the man and woman walked side by side toward Klub and the others.

By the time they drew near, the well-informed mercenary had already recognized their identities.

They pointed a trembling finger at the two, looking as if they had seen a ghost.

'Dawn Princess and the Baron of White Sturgeon Island!'

He had also gone to the garden square last night, so he knew the Baron of White Sturgeon Island.

As for the Dawn Princess, there's no need to say more.

The princess often attends the temple-organized festival prayers; once you see her face, you'll never forget it in this lifetime.

Alonso sprang up like a spring, bowed, and addressed her as 'Your Highness the Princess.'

As for Weige, they rose normally, performed a normal salute, their face remaining expressionless.

In fact, aside from the wandering sage Levin in the corner, everyone in the hall, including the innkeeper, bowed from afar to the Dawn Princess.

Selena, accustomed to such scenes, wore a kind smile, nodded in return one by one, and exuded an innate nobility and elegance.

All the Weilan people who received her salute felt honored on their faces, their excited expressions making it seem as if they were ready to throw themselves to the ground and kiss the princess's shoes at any moment.

Selena looked at Klub and the two others, smiling and asking: 'My husband said he recruited three rare talents and wanted me to take a look—are you the three?'

Klub had already guessed some things, and at this time he was also the first to return to normal.

He straightened his chest with force, presenting a truly military bearing: "Yes, Your Highness, it's us!"

Alonso shifted his mouth, wanting to say he still hadn't agreed.

But he couldn't say those words no matter what, because he had already been deeply moved.

To follow the Dawn Princess and serve her is the highest life pursuit for the vast majority of Dawn Princess commoners.

Even if following the princess to the desolate White Sturgeon Island, Alonso would be willing.

Even the noble princess can endure this hardship, so Alonso certainly can.

Then he also straightened his chest: "Your Highness, being able to serve you is my utmost honor."

But Weige remained calm.

First, because she comes from Levinde, she is a foreigner.

Second, because she had once been the chief apprentice of the Court Magical Potion Master, she had no unrealistic fantasies about figures such as princes and princesses that commoners rarely encounter; in her view, those princes and princesses were also ordinary people.

Of course, she also had to admit that this Dawn Princess was truly exceptional, both in appearance and character, far surpassing ordinary princes and princesses.

But that had nothing to do with her; she only cared about how much benefit she could gain.

Thus, she responded politely.

"Your Highness, I have not yet agreed to serve you and the Baron."

"I admire your courage in pursuing happiness, and I envy your deep bond with the Baron, but I heard that the Duke prohibits trade between White Sturgeon Island and the Weilan counties, leaving White Sturgeon Island completely isolated as an overseas island."

"At the same time, your actions have also drawn hostility from the Allen Kingdom. Although thanks to the protection of Sage Levin, the Allen people no longer threaten your lives, no one knows how long such protection will last."

"Even if I say just in case, if Sage Levin falls seriously ill or meets with some accident, then White Sturgeon Island would be in great danger."

Selena listened attentively, then whispered to Luosen: "This potion master is an extraordinary person, but earning her loyalty is the hardest."

Luosen nodded in agreement, but he very much hoped to obtain her service.

Because the essence of potionology is the chemistry of another world, or what could be called magical chemistry, its development potential is enormous, occupying an indispensable position in his island development plan.

But for various reasons, he currently lacks potionology knowledge greatly.

Therefore, Weige, who possesses the most cutting-edge potion knowledge of the current era, is extremely useful.

But he also knew that, relying on himself and the princess, even if he spoke eloquently, he could not earn her loyalty.

Because this Court Magical Potion Master is extremely knowledgeable and clear-headed, not easily deceived.

Therefore, external forces must be brought in.

Thus, he stepped forward, about to speak persuasively, when a slightly aged voice came from the corner of the hall.

"Your Highness, Baron, we meet again—what a coincidence!"

Wandering Sage Levin appeared.

Luosen "was greatly surprised," as if just noticing him, and immediately took his wife Selena over to pay respects.

"It turns out to be the Sage; being able to see you again so soon is truly our honor."

Selena also felt deep gratitude toward the Sage; seeing him again now filled her with joy, and she sincerely paid her respects.

Master Levin sat sprawled in his seat, calmly accepting their salutations; everyone in the inn, upon learning his identity, felt it was quite natural.

After all, Levin is the lifesaver of this couple.

After the two finished their salutations, Levin looked at Selena with a smile.

"Most of Weilan's nobility are spineless; it's rare to see a princess with an honest disposition who does not fear authority—I am pleased and admire her."

"You have already held your wedding in the Temple, right?"

"Yes, Sage." Selena openly admitted.

Levin then said: "Since Mother Nature has let us meet again, I will give you a new wedding blessing."

As everyone was curious, they saw Levin's wooden staff tip slowly condense a five-colored light ball as clear as crystal.

At first the light ball was only the size of a sesame seed, but gradually it grew to the size of an apple, emitting a soft five-colored gleam, like an exquisitely beautiful gem.

When this light ball appeared, all the mages present, including Weige, were deeply moved.

The Sage's Five-Ring Power is the dream of every mage.

Under everyone's gaze, the light ball detached from the staff, slowly floated above Luosen and the Princess, and finally turned into threads of light rain that fell upon them.

As everyone puzzled over its meaning, the voice of Sage Levin rang out.

"This is my original Five-Ring Blessing Technique, called 'Levin's Revenge'."

"It is immensely powerful, consuming ninety percent of my magical power."

"Whether I live or die, it will remain etched upon your souls, lasting a hundred years."

"When someone launches a lethal attack against you, this blessing will automatically block that strike and generate a very powerful mystic-type curse."

"As long as you, within the next ten seconds, silently chant the name of your enemy in your mind, even if that person hides within Aaron's Lion Fortress, they will suffer endless misfortune!"

He paused, then smiled: "I also believe that, for now, no mage in the world can dispel my blessing."

Upon hearing this, Weige's expression of awe grew even stronger.

It was obvious that she had been intimidated by the Sage's magic.

Because the Five-Ring Sage's Power is nearly the pinnacle of magical force, aside from the Sage himself, no one knows what kind of techniques the Sage actually masters.

Even among Sages, they exist in a state of mutual reverence.

As for others, they naturally believe the Sage's words without doubt.

Luosen watched the crowd's reaction, secretly chuckling: "Hehe, the Sage's reputation is just for intimidation."

Actually, this technique does exist, but its effect is far weaker than described; yet who would dare to lightly test the Sage's magic? He immediately took Selena to Levin to offer thanks with a bow.

Levin gave a faint smile: "Farewell, young ones."

After saying that, his figure abruptly vanished in the tiny inn, and on the table before him remained a small half‑cup of untouched light wheat ale.

The inn's patrons were still immersed in the contemporary legend, everyone's face showing reverence for the Sage.

Some expressed their feelings within propriety, while others went straight to action.

Click

Suddenly, the innkeeper strode forward, seized the cup the Sage had drunk from, and shouted excitedly.

"Holy cup~ this is the holy cup the Sage drank from~ inside is the Sage's unfinished holy barley wine!"

Having said that, he gulped down the beer in the cup, and the other patrons, seeing this, slapped their thighs in envy.

Those quick to react grabbed the stool Levin had sat on and ran off, shouting as they ran.

"This is a holy stool; from now on it will be my Old Tom's family heirloom!"

Immediately someone started grabbing plates and tables, even trying to pry up the floorboards where the Sage had stood.

The inn's hall descended into chaos, yet this also revealed the high esteem in which Sage Levin was held among the common folk of Weilan.

"Today's publicity effort is not bad, but we must keep building it, elevating Levin to a flawless saint of Weilan and even the Nature Alliance, hehehe."

Luosen was thinking this to himself, his face full of 'relief': "Madam, it seems Mother Nature is looking out for us."

Selena lightly nodded in agreement: "Exactly."

She then turned her head to look at Weige: "Mage, do you still have any worries?"

Weige shook her head, knelt in salute: "It is an honor to serve Your Highness."

She understood clearly that White Sturgeon Island's remote location was perfect for her to evade the Levinde Royal Family's pursuit.

And the Baron, too, counts as a hero—having married the princess and received the Sage's strong protection, he will naturally seek ways to develop his territory.

So, her future days should not be too bad.

(End of chapter)