"Shadow Veil?"

Roland ignored the unfamiliar term, his wary gaze still locked on Avril.

"So you’re..."

"Mr. Colin sent me to protect you."

As Avril spoke, she scratched her head in embarrassment, the tips of her pointed ears turning a faint red.

"It’s just..."

She gave an awkward smile.

"I didn’t expect that guy to not only be proficient in Spiritual Spells but also to use a Secret Technique to create a body double..."

The Elf Maiden’s voice grew softer and softer.

"So just now... I was lured away by him..."

"Wait..."

Hearing this, Roland’s brow furrowed, and his gaze shifted to where the mysterious white-robed man had turned to ash.

"You’re saying... he was just a body double?"

"That’s right!"

Avril nodded emphatically.

"My teammates from Shadow Veil and I have fought him before..."

At this point, the Elf Maiden frowned slightly, her tone becoming uncertain.

"Although I don’t know if the one we fought back then was also a clone, his strength was far greater than the ones that have appeared in Distant Harbor..."

’Even stronger?’

Hearing this, Roland’s expression grew grim.

Immune to physical damage, shockingly fast, seasoned Combat Skills, and mastery of a Secret Technique for Spiritual Attacks...

Recalling the scene of carnage from moments ago, a mountain of corpses in a sea of blood, Roland couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

If it weren’t for the enhancement from his [Will of Steel], he would have likely become the man’s plaything in an instant.

And that level of strength... wasn’t even his full power.

Thinking of the white-robed man’s covetous gaze, Roland didn’t understand what the man was after, but it was clear he had become a target.

With that in mind, Roland asked in a deep voice, "Do you have any specific information on this person?"

Avril shook her head decisively.

"I only know that he’s the mastermind behind the Truth Church. As for anything else..."

"I understand."

Seeing that Roland’s face still held a trace of lingering doubt, even after she had revealed so much information, Avril had a flash of inspiration. She slowly raised her right hand while carefully retrieving an object from the leather pouch at her waist with her left.

It was a uniquely shaped badge.

A crystal, bluish with a hint of red, was carved into the shape of a seashell, gleaming with a strange luster under the setting sun.

"Now... you should believe me, right?"

Roland’s gaze shifted slightly.

This badge was nearly identical to the token Colin had given him, differing only in the fine details of its pattern.

Moreover, the unique, warm texture of the material and the way it played with light and shadow were impossible for an ordinary craftsman to replicate.

Roland’s posture relaxed slightly, but his right hand remained firmly on his sword hilt. He subtly took half a step back, maintaining a safe distance from Avril.

Although the badge was genuine, he wouldn’t let his guard down until he had fully confirmed her identity.

"So... what exactly happened here?"

Seeing Roland finally lower his guard a little, Avril let out a long sigh of relief and broke into a bright smile.

"It was all part of a plan by Mr. Colin and His Majesty Morne!"

She explained eagerly, gesticulating with both hands.

"The Truth Church has been causing trouble in the Golden Valley Kingdom and the River Domain for years, so this time, a trap was deliberately set to lure them to Distant Harbor and wipe them all out in one go!"

’A plot... a scheme... the Truth Church...’

While Roland was lost in thought, Avril suddenly moved closer, pressing her palms together in a pleading gesture.

"Please, Roland!"

She tilted her head, her pointed ears twitching slightly.

"For the sake of me selling you those Devil Fish at a low price before..."

"Wait..."

Roland frowned, cutting her off.

"You said... Devil Fish?"

"Of course!"

Avril gave a sly smile and suddenly cleared her throat.

The next moment, her clear voice abruptly changed to that of a gruff woman.

"Back again, little brother! Just got a new batch of Devil Fish in today, and I saved some just for you!"

The familiar voice made Roland’s expression change drastically.

He stared in disbelief at the slender maiden before him, completely unable to connect her with the burly, broad-waisted, pockmarked fisherwoman named Jenny from his memory.

But the truth was right in front of him.

Not even his good friend Dalko knew about his dealings for Devil Fish with Jenny.

There was no way the Truth Church would have investigated such a trivial matter just to plot against him.

At this thought, Roland’s expression suddenly turned sharp.

As his thoughts churned, numerous clues began to connect...

King Morne suddenly changing his itinerary to visit Distant Harbor...

The usually strict city gate Guards inexplicably relaxing their posts after the King’s arrival...

Avril, disguised as a fisherwoman, selling Devil Fish to the Truth Church...

The meaningful reminder from Gandar and Colin before they left...

And even things he hadn’t noticed...

Every detail confirmed that Avril was telling the truth.

"So..."

Recalling the look of pleasant surprise in the mysterious white-robed man’s eyes when he looked at him, Roland sighed softly.

"I’m just some unlucky guy who happened to get dragged into this?"

"You are... a bit unlucky..."

Avril stuck her tongue out playfully, a hint of chagrin in her expression.

"Because the Truth Church’s target was definitely His Majesty Morne. According to the plan, His Majesty Morne was supposed to go to the seaside this evening for a treasure-hunting event."

"So, although Mr. Colin told me to protect you, he didn’t arrange for many defenses at the Sea Pearl Hall."

"Who would have thought that the Church leader would actually..."

She explained her mistake once more, then looked at Roland with anticipation in her violet eyes.

"So, Roland... can you please not tell Mr. Colin about my mistake at the Sea Pearl Hall?"

"I just joined Shadow Veil as a Ranger, and I’m still in my probationary period..."

"A Ranger?"

Hearing this word, Roland’s eyes widened, and he carefully sized up the maiden before him.

He clearly remembered Bronson saying that Rangers were one of the few Extraordinary Professions still in existence.

"Hahaha..."

Seeing Roland’s shocked expression, Avril couldn’t help but laugh out loud, puffing out her chest proudly.

"Just an apprentice, an Apprentice Ranger!"

"So, Roland, could you please..."

Roland waved his hand, cutting her off, and glanced around.

He looked at the smoke-scorched room and shook his head helplessly.

What’s done is done; there was no point in being harsh.

He couldn’t just pull out his Secret Silver Longsword and kill the Elf Maiden before him to vent his anger, could he?

That would bring him nothing but a moment of satisfaction.

It would be better to have her owe him a favor.

He would have to go to the River Domain sooner or later anyway. He didn’t know the lay of the land, and he might need this Elf Maiden’s help then.

Besides, she was an Extraordinary Professional on the verge of officially becoming a Ranger.

No matter how he calculated it, this was a much better deal than simply blaming her or reporting her.

Thinking this, Roland looked up, met Avril’s faintly glowing violet eyes, and spoke slowly.

"I can agree to it, but..."

"But what?"

Avril’s ears immediately perked up.

"You’ll owe me a favor. If I need your help in the future..."

"No problem!"

Before Roland could even finish, Avril threw her hands up and joyfully agreed.

"I knew you were the best when I sold you those Devil Fish, Roland!"

Her smile was as radiant as the sun, as if her earlier nervousness and worry had never existed.

"So... what’s the situation now?"

Hearing Roland’s question, Avril tilted her head slightly, her gaze drifting out the window.

"His Majesty Morne and Mr. Colin had planned everything thoroughly. It should have been over by now, but who could have guessed that the mastermind would also be able to command Demons."

"Command Demons?"

Roland frowned and followed Avril’s gaze.

The next second, his pupils contracted sharply.

On the other side of the harbor, a group of fish-faced Demons were brandishing rusty tridents, roaring as they battled the Guards.

Although the Guards were well-trained and coordinated, pushing the group of Fishmen back steadily, the pervasive stench of blood and the ceaseless, miserable screams still weighed heavily on the heart.

However, what truly made Roland’s breath catch was the scene that suddenly arose in the distance.

Through the layers of rooftops, several enormous, purplish-red tentacles burst from the water. Each one was as thick as the trunk of an ancient tree, its surface covered with grotesque suckers and slime that glistened coldly in the twilight.

They twisted toward the sky, blotting out the sun and obscuring even the sunset into fragmented patches of light.

As the tentacles appeared, the entire harbor began to tremble.

In the distance, wooden crates and cargo on the docks tumbled into the sea. Moored ships were tossed by massive waves, crashing into one another as the sharp cracks of snapping masts echoed repeatedly.

"What... the hell is that thing?"

Staring at the twisting tentacles in the distance, Roland felt his throat tighten.