Adventurers and Mercenaries

After being briefed on what happened when Zhen lost his conscience. He found himself to be struggling a bit like he had no strength left in him.

Zhen doesn't know what happened to his body but he feels like there are some changes and he cannot pinpoint exactly what it is. 

Without trying to overthink, Zhen decided to gladly embrace Sara as she helped him get up since Zhen wasn't able to stand still for a while.

Since Zhen was in no condition to walk and his mana was feeling a little bit sluggish, Zhen decided to have Kuro carry them into the air. 

Sara has finished storing all those magical beasts piling up and Zhen can't help but feel grimace when he remembers his previous incident.

'That Uncle Davis will definitely extort me a bunch if he were to know that the magical beasts come from me.'

"Sara, I think it's better for you to request Uncle Davis to butcher them up," Zhen asked cheekily while giving her a hand to leaped up onto Kuro's back with him.

"Hehe, aren't you just afraid of being scammed more money this time? I recall someone almost died of shock and want to lay down like a dead man."

"..... Sara, could you forget about that incident already?"

"Absolutely not!" 

Sara replied but inwardly she sighed, 'How could I forget about that event which leads to us having an intimate relationship?' She couldn't help but blush a little and check to see if Zhen noticed.

However, Zhen did not notice her blushing face as he was busy laying down on Sara's lap while admiring the beautiful clear sky.

'To think I could've died and left her and Kuro behind.'

Zhen might have said that he didn't care about death but truthfully, he was nervous inside. 

Leaving them alone would be painful as Zhen knows the feeling of losing someone close to you.

Taking a deep breath, Zhen decided to stop thinking about what could have happened if he made some wrong conjecture regarding that mysterious old man. 

Zhen closed his eyes and inhaled the soft fragrance smell emitting from Sara.

"Eh, Look Zhen, there are so many mercenaries and adventurers scouting and exploring the area." Sara suddenly shouted.

Zhen opened his eyes slightly in confusion, "Isn't it normal for them to scout and explore? What is there to be surprised by such action?"

"You haven't been in this town for long so you don't know that this is an unusual occurrence. The last time this happened was when there was a magical beast's riot that is approaching the town and everyone is issuing a mission to provide defense and counter-measurement."

"Hmm, so it is to say that the town's adventure guild and mercenary guild are working together now whenever they face a common danger. This town sure has a hope to survive this incoming calamity." Zhen replied slowly after thinking about the situation now.

Some 15 black mages suddenly appeared and in the new dungeon no less would only add more panic. 

They would question their objective and motive, plus whenever you see black mage appearing, they are always planning some malicious scheme that could destroy a town or village.

Now this danger is directed at the town, what benefit will there be to compete with each other if the town is no longer present. 

Only fools would continue fighting and not join hands to counter a threat.

After flying in the air sometime later, Kuro landed down at the town's entrance so they won't be taken as black mage attacking the town given the circumstance now.

As expected, there are many people leaving town, most of them are likely taking missions from their guild and to ensure the town's safety. 

However, entering the town is a whole different story as traffic here is extremely slow.

There are multiple guards strictly questioning the people entering and if found suspicious then they would be denied entry or even worse, detained. 

Zhen, Sara, and Kuro have to wait in a line as well and notice that it has multiple sections for entry.

One section is for the residence people, one for adventurers/mercenaries, one for merchants/other reasons, and the last one is for those with a background or have an influence in the town.

They lined up for the last one seeing how it's the shortest and with John's influence, Zhen was pretty sure the guard wouldn't dare to deny them entry or detain them.

They would be a fool to try to detain John's beloved daughter and face his wrath later on.

'Wait a minute. Now that I've mentioned John, just how did Sara come out? I doubt John would change his decision to let her daughter go to this dangerous dungeon.'

"Uhh, Sara, how did you convince your father to let you join us?" Zhen asked in hope for some confirmation since it was also a surprise for him back in the dungeon when he saw Sara appearing out of nowhere.

"He didn't allow me and even sealed my room with a formation. I broke the formation and snuck out so he probably panicked right now and would thrash you later." Sara said in a calm voice that chills my bones.

'Damn it, my luck has really hit rock bottom for this scenario. John would definitely scold Sara but not harshly since he spoils her too much to have the heart to continue scolding.'

However, Zhen is a completely different story. He would definitely get plummeted to the bone for endangering her precious and Zhen knew Sandy would not help him this time.

Sandy cares a lot about her little Sara so Zhen will be punished worse from her than John.

"Sara, you really put the cherry on the topping this time on my punishment." Zhen's body is trembling from the nightmare he was about to face when he replies to Sara's nonchalant comment on her action.

"Hmph, who told you to listen to father and ditched me. Don't expect me to save you nor would I allow you in my room." Sara said slowly despite her worried and warm feeling toward him before.

"...."

'Didn't you forgive me back in the dungeon already and you were hugging me so tightly when I was unconscious. Women are truly a frightening being that changes their mind in an instant.'

Knowing his fate is already sealed, Zhen decides to screw all those complicated things and not give a damn about what's to come.

"Haha, you think I would believe your word woman. I could care less about your parent's punishment for me since I have stolen their precious." Zhen laughed aloud and grabbed Sara by the waist, bringing her closer to him.

Sara tried to push Zhen away but how could he not see that she wasn't trying and only putting up an act.

'My maid has always said this to me back then. Always take the initiative if you don't want to stay lonely for life.'

Zhen never paid any attention to those words since there wasn't anyone for him beside her. She knows his thought process as well but still says it. 

'Maybe it was prepared for this moment of mine.'

As they continue to wait for the line, Zhen teases flirtingly and kisses Sara to pass time. 

'I'll be a fool to stop embracing my woman in a waiting line that takes forever.'

Kuro could only shake his head as he has once again become a background character. 'Master and Sara really treat me like a carrier but I'm glad they're both safe now.'