Chapter 339: Bengsen Clan

Delaford’s sudden insight was shocking, but given the current state of Ron’s party, they truly couldn’t continue exploring.

"My shield was destroyed by the Count, and even Victoria’s Repair Magic can’t restore it to its original state," Aive said dejectedly when Ron and Delaford asked the others for their opinions.

"I’ve enjoyed my time exploring with you, but this level of combat is just too much for me..." Quest smiled. "I think I can be of more help to you in other ways."

The Shadow Spirit gazed at the re-sealed Secret Door. "I’m already being targeted by my own kind. If you don’t want to deal with them constantly in the future, it’s best you don’t bring me along. It’ll save us both some trouble."

Since the two temporary allies had lost their will to fight, and the other party members and their equipment had all sustained varying degrees of damage, Ron and Delaford had to abandon their plan to press on. Instead, they looted the castle with the others and headed home.

In the Count’s study, they found a map of the surrounding area. The route seen from a giant eagle’s perspective was clearly different from the better path for land-bound humanoids. With the map’s help, the group no longer had to push through the forest and contend with the physically tough Mud Monsters.

After crossing the mountain range, passing the last settlement of the Farama Remnants and the Green Dragon’s lair, and traversing Dogman Canyon, the party finally returned to their own territory a little over ten days later. From the outside, New Green Swamp Town looked even more prosperous than when they had left. Large swaths of the surrounding land had been cultivated, and almost no trace of the former ruins and treacherous swamp remained.

"Master has already moved into that tower!" When Ron and the others arrived at Aiksuuri’s lair, only a single Spirit Body was left wandering there.

You’s form was much more solid than before. She was currently maneuvering a whole set of cleaning tools to tidy the lair. She didn’t seem very surprised to see Ron and his companions.

"A few days ago, Master recovered a living bronze statue that had been lost. It told him you were on your way back," You explained. "Master seemed a bit afraid of it at first, but after signing a contract with it, he took it and a few of his other treasures to the tower."

"Why didn’t you go with him?" Aive asked curiously. "I remember you aren’t bound to a specific location, right?"

"I stayed here voluntarily," You said, her translucent body flickering. "Most of Master’s treasures are still here, and I don’t think I can fully trust two Treasure Chest Monsters that don’t even have legs."

"Is that really necessary?" Silvia asked, surprised. "You can’t be serious. Are there really thieves here who would dare to steal from us?"

"Not the residents here, no. But Delusional Land isn’t the same isolated little place it used to be," You explained. "Another trade caravan arrived recently, and some sneaky figures have been spotted in the area since. Master doesn’t pay them any mind, but I believe I should take responsibility and protect his property."

"A trade caravan? Where are they from..." Ron slapped his forehead. "Never mind. I think it’s best if I go back to town and see for myself. I’ll look into it. If someone is really up to no good, I’ll get to the bottom of it for you and Aiksuuri."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Ron!"

...

"How many times do I have to say it? This is not a place for haggling!"

In the Divine Hall of New Green Swamp Town, a frustrated Buni was in a heated argument with a group of outsiders. "This is the Divine Hall of the Lady of Luck! We also honor Heim, Tyr, and several other Deities. My fellow Priests and I are happy to help travelers passing through, but we can’t do it for free—you have to pay a service fee!"

"Lady Smile may not care about such a small amount of money, but we mortals cannot simply rely on the Lord’s charity!"

"Oh, come on, Miss Buni," sneered a tall, powerfully built, blond young man with a buzz cut. "Look at this magnificent Divine Hall. I don’t recall Taimola needing a place like this to spread Her gospel. You must have quite a bit saved up, right? You really need this little bit of money from us?"

"We came all the way from Cloud Port, and my companion was injured by a wild beast on your land. You have to answer for that! At the very least, I demand you provide us with free healing services!"

"Or else..." Behind the young man, another man, his head and shoulders shrouded in purple silk, let out a cold laugh. "When we go back, I’m afraid we won’t have many good things to say about this place! I wonder, when the caravans from Cloud Port stop coming through here, will that Lord of yours, the one off enjoying the sights, still care about your contributions?"

"You!" The Half-Elf Priest glared at the pair of unreasonable outsiders, but this only made them laugh more brazenly. The other Priests and residents in the Divine Hall cast sympathetic glances at Buni, but almost no one was willing to step forward and provoke these people.

This was because the group of outsiders shared a common feature: on their left shoulder, each wore a Silver Star Pendant—the symbol of the Bengsen Clan from Cloud Port.

As one of the three largest families in Cloud Port, the Bengsen Clan had a near-monopoly on the shipping industry, raking in millions of Gold Coins annually from the passing fleets. However, in recent months, the opening of the trade route through Delusional Land had caused a large number of merchants to abandon the traditionally safer, but less profitable, sea routes. This had caused the family’s profits to drop by three percent! For a commercial family that haggled over every last coin, this was absolutely unacceptable.

Thus, a trade caravan led by Levi Bengsen set out overland for Delusional Land, intending to strike a deal with the Lord here to protect their family’s business. However, Levi and his group arrived at an inopportune time. With Ron and the others away, they could only take up temporary residence and wait.

During the long wait, as their patience wore thin, Levi and his men decided to turn the tables and seize the initiative. This way, when that lord who didn’t even have a surname returned, he would be forced to bow and scrape before the Bengsen Clan, no matter how unwilling he might be!

The buzz-cut Levi glanced at the Attendant lying on a stretcher behind him and shot Buni a cold smirk. "Miss Buni, as a Priest, you can’t just watch someone die, can you? Otherwise, if my companion dies here on your watch, don’t you think things will become much more difficult to clean up?"