Chapter 55: Are the Scorpion Bandits Coming to Attack?!

Isabella woke again to find herself lying on a clean bed.

The bed was clean and soft—so comfortable and warm for her, after years without a fixed home.

But wasn’t she supposed to be dead?

Could this be heaven?

Yes, it must be heaven—only heaven could feel this comfortable, and she had never done anything wicked!

“You’re awake!”

A voice came, and Isabella realized someone was beside her bed.

“It’s you!”

She immediately recognized him—the noble who had tried to save her just before she died.

“Let me introduce myself—I am Gervas Gale, Lord of the Stormlands. I’m glad to see you awake.”

Now Isabella was certain: she had been saved.

But she had been poisoned by Blue Vein Toxin…

“It was the unicorn. You said before you lost consciousness that a unicorn could cure your poison—and I happen to own one.”

Isabella’s expression turned complex—such luck had somehow come to her.

She tried to rise and thank him, but found herself weak and limp.

“Don’t move. Though your poison is gone, your body still needs time to recover!”

“And in my castle, you need not fear for your safety—everything can wait until you’re healed.”

Isabella’s eyes softened. “You are the most benevolent noble I have ever met. Thank you, Lord Gervas!”

Gervas nodded. “While you were unconscious, you kept calling out for your mother—and shouting for Lina to run. If you can, could you tell me what terrible thing happened?”

If it had been anyone else, Isabella would never have revealed these things.

But before this kind noble, Isabella held nothing back—even how she had been captured by the slave hunters.

“So you were planning to flee to the Chaos Wastes, wait until your strength improved, then return to find your homeland and your mother?”

“Yes, Lord Gervas!”

“Do you know exactly which kingdom or duchy your homeland lies in? Five or six years have passed—you’ve crossed many lands. Finding it won’t be easy.”

Isabella grew somber. She had traveled with her mentor through city after city, duchy after duchy, crossing deserts, hills, grasslands—

And she had been too young then to remember where home was, only that it lay to the west.

Because they had always walked toward the rising sun.

“Here’s what I propose, Isabella: stay with me in the Stormlands for three years, serve me, and grow stronger. That journey is so far—even a junior wizard might not survive it safely!”

“For these three years, I guarantee your safety and will pay you a salary. After three years, when your strength has improved, you may leave freely.”

“Moreover, I know people at the Tulip Trading Guild—their caravans travel to every duchy and kingdom on the Glory Continent. I can ask them to search for the city you remember as ‘Solar’ or ‘Flame.’”

Isabella was moved. The noble’s offer was made entirely for her benefit.

After all, she had not yet fully broken through—three years from now would be when she truly stabilized her junior wizard realm and could be most useful.

“Thank you, Lord Gervas—my lord!”

Isabella vowed inwardly: even if she left someday, once she found her mother, she would return to repay this noble.

Isabella did not know that Gervas was not worried about lacking wizard subordinates in the future.

On the contrary, at this early stage, wizards were what he lacked most.

For instance, the Dino Body-Refining Elixir—the ingredients had already been procured from the caravans. He only needed the final piece.

And Isabella was that final piece.

…

Soft sunlight fell upon the bed; the air was so fresh!

Last night had not been peaceful—it rained heavily all night long.

But all was past; a beautiful day was about to begin.

【Ding! Daily Intelligence System has refreshed…】

【Intelligence One: The Scorpion Bandits will assemble a force of six hundred today and march toward the Stormlands, preparing to attack Wheatfield Town!】

Of course, the Scorpion Bandits have not discovered that you stole their silver—nor have they even learned of Old Carlo’s death.

It is because Kunto’s death has reached them.

As one of the most notorious border bandit gangs, you killed Old Kunto and handed three of their members over to Iron Wolf City—in the eyes of Boss Scorpion, this is an outright provocation and insult.

That is why Boss Scorpion has ordered the attack on Wheatfield Town—it will come at dusk.

Be wary: the fact that the Scorpion Bandits received news so quickly from Iron Wolf City suggests ties to certain individuals within the city.

Rumors say the Scorpion Bandits may be secretly funded by certain nobles—but this has not been confirmed.】

【Intelligence Two: For three consecutive days, apple trees in the western orchard of the Stormlands have been wilting—and the condition spreads at a rate of three to five trees per day.】

The serfs tending them are terrified, for they cannot determine the cause—no pests, no disease—they plan to report this to you.】

But misfortune may conceal fortune: the apple trees are wilting because a rare magical seed has begun to sprout beneath the hill they grow on.】

It is a War Tree seed—the legendary tree guarded by the elves.】

Buried underground for countless years, it finally stirred due to yesterday’s earthquake, which caused the earth’s ley lines to leak in the Stormlands.】

But the Stormlands are not the Verdant Forest—the leaked ley energy is too weak to fully awaken the seed.】

Thus, the surrounding apple trees have been starved of nutrients and died; if the magical elements continue to go un replenished, the War Tree seed will also rot without ever breaking the soil.】

Solving this problem is simple: daily, transport three carts of Swan Lake Spirit Spring water to irrigate the War Tree. The apple trees’ wilting will cease, and the War Tree seed will fully sprout and grow!】

【Intelligence Three: Today is the final day the Mists of Death Mountains will clear. Beneath the ground where you found the Golden Reverse Scale yesterday lies another precious treasure—a dragon egg!】

This dragon egg was buried by a Golden Dragon after she was gravely wounded; to hide it from enemies, she even shed her reverse scale as a decoy.】

The egg’s aura has been sealed—but a Bronze Knight’s keen perception can still sense a faint pressure, indicating its location.】

Remember: only a Bronze Knight can sense it. Any being above Bronze Knight level is no longer affected by the sealed dragon aura and cannot detect the egg’s location.】

Also, the Golden Dragon’s enemy is an evil Black Dragon—he too is searching for the egg’s hiding place. So once you obtain the egg… do not boast! Do not boast! Do not boast!】