Chapter 38: Bounty?

In no time at all, news of the open duel between the Orc Slayer and an elite Royal Knight spread like wildfire throughout every corner of Vex City, even reaching neighboring cities and the kingdom’s outermost border outposts.

The hot topic dominated every conversation in taverns, market streets, and even narrow alleyways.

The public was divided into two major camps. Most commoners and local mercenaries stubbornly supported Kael, while several arrogant nobles and wealthy merchants proudly backed Arthur, relying on his official status as a Knight who had graduated from the Royal Academy.

While the outside world was busy debating who would emerge victorious from the upcoming fight, Kael himself seemed completely unconcerned.

In between taking care of his wife, Kael had openly discussed their plans for the future.

He had even entrusted Cherry with a special task regarding their future finances, specifically asking her to help him open and manage a dedicated savings account at the city bank to ensure their gold coins were kept safe.

"How are you feeling today? Does anything still hurt?" Kael asked gently, straightening the blanket covering his wife’s legs.

Lizzy shook her head softly, a sweet smile on her lips. Three days had passed since the verbal confrontation outside the inn, and there were only two days left before the official duel.

Lizzy’s physical condition had improved dramatically. Her previously high fever had returned to normal, and she now seemed much more energetic and cheerful, radiating a comforting aura of happiness.

"Are you not even a little worried about having to fight that Royal Knight?" Lizzy asked, her curious tone accompanied by a hint of playful teasing.

Kael chuckled softly and reached out to gently stroke his wife’s pristine white hair. After hearing the horrifying story of her past from Xavier a few days ago, Kael’s love, sympathy, and concern for Lizzy had multiplied several times over.

Who would have thought that the woman in his arms had once endured such a dark and miserable existence?

"Why would I worry about a young Knight like him?" Kael replied casually. "Besides, judging by that young Knight’s face and his unstable emotions earlier... it seems he graduated from the Royal Military Academy right after the great war ended. Compared to my experience on the battlefield, he’s nothing more than a wet-behind-the-ears brat."

Lizzy, however, let out a soft laugh, her melodious giggle sounding as though the funniest thing in the world had just crossed her mind.

"That’s not what I meant, Kael... I’m not worried about your safety at all. What I’m worried about is... what if you accidentally beat him so badly that he ends up crippled? What if you get yourself into serious trouble because you beat that royal lapdog to a pulp?"

Kael was momentarily taken aback before bursting into loud laughter.

"Oh! Hahaha, you’ve got a point! But even if some royal official dares to come here and complain because I beat up their precious little darling... I’ll just beat them up too!"

Kael playfully pinched the tip of his wife’s delicate nose.

"Kael..." Lizzy called softly, her voice sweet and affectionate.

"Hmm? What is it, my dear?"

"Can we go outside for a little while today? I’m terribly bored of being cooped up inside this inn room for weeks..." Lizzy whined, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Smiling, she stretched out both arms. "I want my husband to carry me."

Kael smiled warmly, unable to refuse such an adorable little request.

"With pleasure, my Empress."

Without wasting any time, Kael lifted Lizzy’s petite body into his arms and carried her outside to enjoy the fresh air of Vex City.

As they strolled along, Kael’s thoughts suddenly drifted back to the secret information Princess Elara had once given him about the surviving descendants of the Valerius Family.

"???? ???????????????????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ??????????????????... ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????????," Kael mused inwardly as he recalled the royal parchment.

"?????????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ??????????????, ?????????????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ????????, ????????’?? ????????????, ???????????????? ????????, ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???? ?????????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????????? ??????????????..."

"Kael, darling! Why are you spacing out in the middle of the street?!" Lizzy protested, playfully pinching both of Kael’s cheeks with her hands. "I want you to buy me some sweets! Hurry up and find the best pastry shop in this city!"

Kael snapped out of his thoughts and let out a small, amused laugh.

"Ah, forgive me, Lizzy. Something sweet, huh? All right! Then let’s find the most expensive and delicious pastry shop in all of Vex City for my beloved wife."

The married couple eventually spent their time enjoying a leisurely stroll, buying a large cake decorated with soft cream to share between them.

The pastry shop’s service was exceptionally warm and accommodating. The owner even willingly gave them a special discount, feeling honored to have the city’s hero as a customer.

However, not long after Kael and Lizzy left the shop and disappeared down the street... the peaceful atmosphere inside suddenly changed drastically.

Jingle—!

The shop’s wooden door creaked loudly as a group of unfamiliar, intimidating-looking individuals barged inside. They were a party of adventurers radiating an overwhelming aura of bloodlust.

There were four newcomers in total. Their leader was an athletic woman with exotic, deep brown skin, a pair of sharp eyes, well-trained muscular arms, and long black hair tied into a ponytail. Her face was actually quite beautiful, but her appearance carried a wild and vicious air.

Behind her stood three large men with completely bald heads and intimidating expressions, their bodies and faces covered in scars left by sword strikes.

The pastry shop owner and the employees immediately froze, overwhelmed by the murderous aura radiating from the group.

"W-welcome to our pastry shop..." a female employee greeted them in a trembling voice, struggling to swallow her fear. "I-is there anything we can help you with?"

The exotic brown-skinned woman flashed a wide, savage grin. Without warning, she clenched her fist and smashed the glass display case in front of her, shattering it into countless pieces with a thunderous crash!

CRASH—CRACK!

"Of course there’s something you can help us with!" the woman shouted in a voice loud enough to make everyone’s ears ring. "My group and I came here to ask one simple question... Where can we find that damn bastard named Kael, the Orc Slayer?!"

The three large, bald men standing behind their female leader simultaneously broke into wide grins. They stuck out their tongues and licked their dry lips, letting out strange, high-pitched chuckles.

"That target has a ridiculously huge bounty on his head, Boss!" one of the bald men shrieked, his eyes widening wildly. "We need to capture him alive or drag his head back here... Kukhe-hehe-ha-ha-ha!"