The Witch

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Two soldiers carefully approached Bennett's body with their rifles loaded with ammunition. One of them extended his foot and kicked the body.

Seeing no reaction, they crouched down to carefully inspect the wizard's body and gestured back indicating it was safe.

Only then did Paul and the others completely relax.

"Hurry, treat the wounded!" Paul ordered loudly, sending someone to gallop swiftly towards Frand Port to summon carriages and physicians to rush over.

The soldiers dispersed to inspect the injuries of their fallen comrades.

After confirmation, fifteen soldiers from the first squad were already dead, and the rest were severely injured, temporarily incapacitated.

Captain Victor was very lucky. He passed out after being kicked squarely by the wizard, but he still had breath, and a few of his ribs might have been broken.

Ladia approached Bennett's body and whispered almost inaudibly, "Kindred? Kin? That's just wishful thinking on your part."

Blood had already stained the ground beneath the body, and intestines spilled out, making the scene extremely nauseating.

She crouched down, carefully examining Bennett's wounds and touching his skin with her hand.

"This sensation... Hmm, it's indeed the Stone Skin spell. To be able to maximize the effect of the Stone Skin spell like this, it's really not simple."

She secretly marveled at the tremendous power of the firearms. Such extreme defense was effortlessly pierced by bullets. This wizard didn't evade or dodge and directly faced Victor's full-strength blow. She had witnessed it clearly.

From the several large holes in Bennett's back, it seemed that several bullets had directly pierced his body. The Earl had indeed created an incredible weapon.

She felt someone approaching from behind, stood up, and turned around to see Earl Grayman.

Paul's face was solemn as he slowly said, "Firstly, I thank you for saving my life and the lives of my men. If it wasn't for the 'shield' you created to buy us time, we would probably all have been wiped out by that 'wizard.'"

Ladia's heart tightened slightly, sensing a noticeable distance in his words.

Sure enough, Paul changed the subject, "However, shouldn't you explain certain things to me? Miss... Scholar!"

"Earl, I..." The female advisor hesitated.

Paul waved his hand and said, "Forget it. This isn't the place to talk. We'll discuss it when we reach Frand Port."

The female advisor lowered her head. "Yes, Earl."

Over an hour later, the convoy rushing from Frand Port arrived. After loading the wounded and the bodies of fallen soldiers onto the carriages, they continued on to Frand Port.

Some of the injured with rib injuries, like Victor, could only be carried on stretchers slowly to Frand Port.

Paul issued a gag order to all the soldiers present. Not a word of today's events was to be spoken to outsiders, as it involved wizards and magic. He feared it might attract the attention of the Church.

The soldiers selected to enter the Inner Guard system were absolutely loyal to the Grayman family, so Paul trusted them greatly. Even though many had guessed the true identity of the advisor lady, they would remain tight-lipped.

...

After arriving in Frand Port, Paul exchanged pleasantries with the mayor and others who came out to greet him before heading straight to the Naval Headquarters.

Upon reaching the heavily guarded naval base, he finally relaxed, then requested a private audience with Admiral Austin.

Only after confirming that there were only the two of them in the room did Paul begin to speak.

"Austin, do you know what happened to me on the way? It's unbelievable! It's terrifying!"

Austin had already learned that Paul had arrived this time with a large number of casualties, so he had guessed what had happened on the road.

"Lord Grayman, are you okay? Have the assassins been captured, or are they dead or escaped?"

"He was shot dead by us with rifles, and the body has been brought to Frand Port."

"Dead? That's a pity. We won't be able to interrogate if there are any accomplices still lurking. Wait, he? One person?"

The Inner Guard isn't to be trifled with. How could one person cause so many casualties?

Paul's expression became solemn. "Austin, what I'm about to say next, you are not to tell anyone!"

"Yes, Lord Grayman!"

"You swear!"

"I swear on my honor to obey your orders!"

Austin solemnly swore by his own honor. Having spent so much time together, he knew that Paul was not one to believe in gods and such.

Only then did Paul whisper, "The person who attacked us was a 'wizard.' He brazenly walked up to us and killed and injured so many people."

He then detailed the entire incident.

"This... This is truly astonishing!"

Although somewhat stunned, the naval commander hadn't reached the level of worldview collapse that Paul had experienced before his arrival.

Austin had always had a "better to believe than not" attitude towards wizards, a group from legends. Now, the Earl himself had confirmed it.

He said, "Lord Grayman, there's no need to panic too much. According to your description, they can still be killed with rifles."

"Right! You're correct! We must equip all our soldiers with rifles. After returning to Alden Town, I will start expanding the scale of the arsenal."

"The next time we encounter such lunatics, damn it, I'll make sure to turn them into sieves."

Paul shuddered at the thought. Without rifles, he would have been dead on the road this time.

"So, what do you plan to do with Miss Ladia?"

From Paul's description of her, this beautiful and intelligent female advisor undoubtedly also seemed to be a wizard. Would the Earl hand her over to the Church for disposal? That would be a pity.

Paul said, "Help me call Advisor Ladia over. I have some questions for her."

Austin stood up. "Yes, my lord. But if I may be so bold, Miss Ladia did save your life and the lives of many brothers. You must think carefully before acting."

Paul nodded. "Rest assured, Austin. I, Paul Grayman, am not an ungrateful person."

After Austin left for a moment, he quickly returned with the female advisor.

He said, "Then, I'll take my leave."

"Alright—no, Austin, you stay and listen too. Miss Ladia, please, have a seat."

After both of them sat down, Paul composed himself. Facing the female advisor, he asked in as calm a tone as possible, "Miss Ladia, do you have anything to say to me?"

Facing his gaze, the female advisor answered, "Lord Grayman, as you have already confirmed in your heart, I am indeed a wizard, of course, we prefer to call ourselves mages."

She blushed slightly, with a hint of guilt in her tone. "I'm sorry for hiding this identity from you. But please rest assured, I did not lie before. I am indeed a scholar."

"So, how do you plan to deal with me now?"

(End of the Chapter)