The caravan consisted of eight large, two-horse cargo wagons, all laden with goods. Besides the drivers, it was protected by about forty well-equipped mercenaries armed with swords.

The Wilderness Bandits numbered nearly two hundred, including several dozen tall and sturdy Lizardmen mixed in their ranks.

With their morale shattered, the Wilderness Bandits’ combat effectiveness dropped significantly. They found themselves unable to overcome the mercenaries, despite outnumbering them.

The main reason for this was a valiant-looking woman in leather armor and high boots, her face obscured by a hood. Standing atop a wagon, she continuously drew her bowstring. Even amidst the chaotic melee, she precisely sent arrow after arrow into the eye sockets of the Lizardmen. Her aim was truly unerring.

Such skill—nearly a tenth of the Lord’s own—made the bandits hesitant, terrified of becoming her next target.

This brought the two sides to a temporary stalemate.

Seeing his chance, Levi led his Barbarians to sneak up from the rear. He had his forces spread out into a pincer formation, preparing to encircle the Wilderness Bandits.

The beleaguered Wilderness Bandits were locked in a fierce fight with the mercenaries when they noticed a group sneaking up from behind. They were about to split their forces to counterattack when they got a good look. ’Why do these big, burly oafs look so familiar?’

Then, faster than a flash of lightning, they raised a white flag. One after another, they dropped their weapons and squatted on the ground.

This left the mercenaries dumbfounded. ’Just a moment ago they were fighting like men who didn’t fear death. Why did they suddenly surrender?’

And the looks on their faces were as if they’d seen the Undead.

The Wilderness Natives wanted to cry but had no tears. ’These enemies are terrifying! We’ve already been defeated, yet they’re still hunting us down!’

Three or four thousand of their men had failed to crack this tough nut; the Wilderness Natives knew their own motley crew stood no chance against these Beastmen.

The Beastmen herded the dejected captives together, their cold eyes watching over them.

Originally, Levi could have waited for the caravan to be wiped out and for the Wilderness Bandits to claim all the loot. If he had stepped in then, all the spoils would have rightfully belonged to High Cliff Castle. After some thought, however, he abandoned this tempting idea.

This caravan had just returned from a trade run deep in the Wilderness. Most of the goods on the wagons were products of the Wilds, like beast hides and milk. High Cliff Castle was currently just a military outpost; it had no way to process these goods itself.

Transporting goods like beast hides to Debei for sale would be troublesome and time-consuming. Besides, without established buyers, they were guaranteed to get ripped off.

Secondly, as a nascent domain, High Cliff Castle’s reputation was far more important than any goods.

Only a far-reaching reputation would attract merchants to stop for provisions, which in turn would drive High Cliff Castle’s economic growth.

Levi understood the folly of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

If this caravan were to fall here and word got out, most other caravans would choose to avoid this dangerous route.

Conversely, if Levi could guarantee the safety of this trade route, caravans would undoubtedly flock to it.

The bandits who had plundered the caravan were dealt with, and the crisis was resolved.

However, the mercenaries did not lower their weapons. Their faces remained wary, and one crossbowman even quietly loaded another arrow into his hand crossbow.

The straightforward Beastman Barbarians couldn’t stand for this. ’We went out of our way to save you, and this is the attitude you give us?’ They raised their weapons, spoiling for a fight.

Zat, in particular, had zero hesitation. A curse was already on his lips: "Goddamn sons of..."

"We’re civilized people. Let’s have a little less of the Debei Kingdom’s local profanity."

Levi waved a hand, stopping him.

’The guy’s lived in the Debei Kingdom for three years,’ Levi thought. ’His Beastman temper hasn’t changed one bit, but he’s certainly learned all the curses.’

The mercenaries’ fears were not unfounded. Although these Beastmen had indeed saved them, in the chaotic, lawless expanse of the Wilderness, the enemy of your enemy isn’t necessarily your friend. They could just be another Jackal Wolf.

Besides, one look at these hulking Beastmen told you they were no saints.

He could understand their reasoning, but that didn’t mean Levi wasn’t annoyed. Seated atop his tall steed, he rested a hand on the hilt of the Holy Sword at his waist. His smile was cold—so cold it seemed he might draw his sword at any second and give the order to attack.

Although this new group was less than half the size of the Wilderness Bandits, their overwhelming presence was more than ten times as strong. The mercenaries swallowed nervously, fine beads of sweat breaking out on their foreheads.

A cool morning breeze was blowing, yet they felt as if they were standing under the scorching midday sun, an unbearable heat baking them from all sides.

The atmosphere grew tense.

After a long moment, a mature female voice broke the silence.

"Lower your weapons. They are friends who came to help us."

The mercenaries all let out an involuntary sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from their brows.

The female archer from the top of the wagon leaped to the ground, her movements light and nimble.

She handed her bow and arrow and the half-handed sword from her waist to a nearby mercenary, then walked toward Levi, pushing back her hood as she went.

Just as Levi suspected, it was a woman—and a remarkably beautiful one at that.

Her features were exquisitely delicate and fair, giving her a foxy, seductive air. Her beautiful, long red hair cascaded down to her waist. Her hair was pulled back from her face, revealing slightly pointed ears.

Unlike young women such as Baisitina and Liya, this woman was mature, more like Fulina. Yet she lacked Fulina’s noble coldness, possessing instead a fiery, bewitching charm.

Fortunately, Levi was no longer the country bumpkin he’d been when he first arrived in this world, wowed by any pretty face. These days, his heart was as placid as a frozen lake; not even the sky falling could fluster him.

"Miriel?!"

He turned his head and saw Baisitina approaching.

Baisitina rode up on her white horse and stopped beside him. Levi asked curiously, "You two know each other?"

"She used to trade with our tribe," Baisitina explained simply, before leaning close to Levi’s ear to whisper, "She’s a very promiscuous Half-Elf."

The Lord looked the Half-Elf up and down, then leaned toward Baisitina’s ear and whispered his own frank assessment, "She’s definitely sultry."

Watching the two of them huddle together to whisper right in front of her, like partners in crime, Miriel’s expression stiffened. Inwardly, she was cursing up a storm.

Getting attacked by Wilderness Bandits for no reason first thing in the morning was bad enough. But now, to have people whispering about her right to her face... Miriel’s mood was as foul as being caught in a sudden downpour on a sunny day only to find your umbrella is broken.

Sharp ears and keen eyes are an innate Talent of Elves, a Talent that Half-Elves naturally inherit. To her, their whispering was no different from them shouting right in her ear.

Miriel forced a stiff smile and placed a hand over her heart in a salute. "I am Miriel, a merchant with the Secret Silver Commerce Association. Thank you for your selfless assistance."