Meanwhile.

Elven Nation.

Javier had already climbed onto Buddy’s back, watching as the crates were transferred from the horse-drawn carriages to the Armand pekko-drawn carriages. He sat casually, both hands behind his head, his legs dangling lazily.

The Armand coachmen, two special units who had been with Javier from the very beginning of the mission, stood nearby, watching the transfer with calm, observant eyes.

"So, mister?" one of the coachmen said, crossing his arms as he glanced at Javier before turning his gaze toward the group. "Direct to Armand, I assume?"

"Yes!" Javier grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Full speed! Ehehehe!"

Mikhail tilted his head, glancing at ’Beggar Jee’ as he spoke with one of the pekko-drawn carriage coachmen.

I wonder what he means by ’full speed’?

And I also wonder how fast these... creatures are.

He glanced up at the massive pekko standing in front of one of the carriages. The bird was enormous, its feathers gleaming under the sun. It turned its head slightly, giving him a sharp, one-eyed look, its beak curling into what seemed like a smirk.

Mikhail blinked.

Err... did that monster bird just smirk at me?

But... birds can’t smirk or smile, right?

He shook his head, exhaling slowly.

Perhaps... it’s just my imagination.

Mikhail was startled when someone grabbed his shoulder from behind. He turned and glanced up, seeing Gorak crossing his arms while Jaigar gave him a cold, dismissive smirk.

"Y... yes?"

Jaigar signaled for Mikhail to follow them a short distance away.

I wonder what this is about...

Mikhail followed them and stopped, his voice uncertain. "Yes, Sir Jaigar? Sir Gorak?"

Jaigar handed him a few copper coins, his smirk widening. "Gorak and I have discussed it with the others. We’ve decided we don’t need a weakling like you on this mission anymore. You’re dismissed."

"B... but, Sir Jaigar..."

Gorak crossed his arms and glared down at him. "You’re useless, Mikhail. You barely contributed anything. You’re just a liability. We don’t need dead weight slowing us down. Our funds are too low to waste on feeding someone who can’t pull their weight."

"But Sir Vane said I was to stay with the group until..."

Jaigar wiggled his finger dismissively. "Just listen to us. We’ll handle the explanation later. You’re no longer needed. We’ve already changed carriages, and the other coachmen are far more capable than a weakling like you. Now take the copper and go."

Gorak crossed his arms and glared hard at Mikhail. "If they ask, tell them you had something else to do. Now leave."

He turned and began to walk away with Jaigar, then paused, glancing over his shoulder with a cruel smirk. "Consider yourself lucky we’re letting you leave with your life."

Mikhail stood frozen, his hand closing around the pitiful coins as Jaigar and Gorak turned and walked away without another word, leaving him standing alone by the roadside.

They just threw me away.

If I go back to Sir Vane... I’ll receive punishment. He doesn’t tolerate failure. He might even kill me for being dismissed from the mission.

Mikhail’s hands trembled as he stared at the few copper coins in his palm.

I wonder... what should I do after this?

They left me with almost nothing.

He checked his pocket and found two silver coins he had tucked away earlier, a small emergency fund he had kept hidden. He closed his fingers around them, his shoulders slumping as he began to walk away, his steps weak and uncertain.

Javier, from atop Buddy, noticed the man who had negotiated with him walking away alone in the distance.

Ah~ Good.

That guy got dismissed and left the group.

He let out a quiet, relieved sigh.

It would have been a waste to kill a good man like him. By the looks of it, he has talent for being a merchant, a silver tongue and a natural instinct for negotiation. He’s better off far away from those bastards.

He watched Mikhail disappear into the crowd, a faint, genuine smile crossing his face.

Heh~ Good luck, Mikhail.

Jaigar stopped in front of Buddy and glanced up at Javier, who was still seated casually on the massive pekko.

"We’re ready to go. Let’s move."

Javier nodded before pretending to look confused, glancing around. "Hey, what about the guy who negotiated with me earlier? The friendly one? He’s not coming?"

Jaigar let out a smug, arrogant chuckle. "That guy? He asked to leave the group. Said he had his own business to take care of. So we let him go."

"Oh... okay then." Javier shrugged, pretending to accept the answer easily. He turned to the coachmen with a wide grin. "Alright, let’s move!"

The carriages lurched forward as the pekko began to pull them along, their pace steady and smooth.

Javier settled on Buddy’s back, his grin fading into a cold, knowing smirk.

Woo... this guy is dumb. Along with the other one and his whole party.

How can he casually say that when it completely contradicts what Mikhail said earlier?

First they were ’adventurers hired for protection,’. And now he’s saying the merchant just decided to leave on his own? What a pathetic excuse.

He shook his head, his eyes narrowing.

Another dumbass who thinks they’re better at lying than they actually are.

Well... this means I won’t be giving any of them mercy.

He patted Buddy’s feathered neck, his smirk turning dark.

Once they try something... let’s just say they’re going to test my new sword.

Few hours later.

Elven Royal Palace.

Liana exhaled softly as she moved toward one of the elegant couches, ready to take a seat, when the door swung open.

Gloria stepped inside, letting out a long, weary exhale as she closed the door behind her.

Liana smiled and gave her a teasing glance. "What happened to you, oh second wife~?"

Gloria narrowed her eyes before giving Liana a mock glance, raising her palm to her lips. "I could ask you the same thing~"

Liana smiled and shook her head. "My siblings kept insisting on spending time together. We talked for hours, caught up on everything, and then they wanted to sleep together in the same room like when we were children. I barely had a moment to myself."

She glanced at Gloria. "And you?"

Gloria let out another sigh as she gracefully took a seat beside Liana. "My brothers were the same. They wanted to hang out, talk about old times, and ask about Young Master. It was nice, but draining."

Liana nodded, already pulling out her mana glasses and mana talkie, slipping them on and adjusting the earpiece.

"Ara? Miss First Wife?" Gloria teased, a smirk forming on her lips. "Can’t go a few hours without checking on him?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"What?" Liana shot her a sharp glance. "He’s our husband. Of course I want to check on him." She paused, letting out a long, weary exhale. "Besides, I forgot to check on him earlier today. I need to make sure he’s alright."

( End Of Chapter )