Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 55: The Caravan's Astonishment

 

The warm breeze, carrying a hint of earth, woke Tom from his nap. He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and groggily opened his eyes.

 

The scent of cooking food wafted through the air, making Tom instinctively swallow. He mumbled sleepily:

 

"Huh? Is it time to eat?"

 

Giggling non-stop, the adorable Xiao jixiang approached, carrying a bowl full of food.

 

She handed Tom a piece of black bread, her mouth already stuffed full. Chewing as she spoke with muffled words:

 

"Brother Tom, it's time to eat, hehe."

 

With a goofy smile, Tom grabbed the bread and stuffed it into his mouth, finishing it in two bites before happily taking a sip of water. He curiously glanced around:

 

"Where did Jifan run off to?"

 

"Brother went ahead with a rogue uncle to scout the road. I heard we're almost at Bay Village."

 

Xiao jixiang, being sensible, explained slowly, though there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

 

Traveling with the caravan had been the happiest time in Xiao jixiang's memory.

 

She could eat three meals a day, and as much as she wanted, with meat in at least one meal daily.

 

Though sometimes the nights were frightening, with swamp creatures occasionally emerging from the fog, croaking loudly, Xiao jixiang felt that these were the best days she had ever known.

 

She secretly hoped this journey would never end—being full every day was her greatest wish.

 

But every journey has an end, no matter how long.

 

As Xiao jixiang stared blankly at the vast plains ahead, she suddenly spotted her brother running back. Her worries melted away as she joyfully sprinted toward Jifan, with everyone smiling slightly at the scene.

 

From atop his carriage, Adam Smith carefully observed the group of soldiers returning with Jifan.

 

Thud! Thud! Thud!

 

A team of ten soldiers jogged forward.

 

Their polished new boots, which many of the cart-pushers envied, struck the uneven dirt road in unison.

 

Every soldier wore a serious expression, their sharp gazes making many avert their eyes instinctively.

 

"So elite? Are these Lord Matthew's personal guards?"

 

"No, wait—some of those lads are from Bay Village. I even hired them before..."

 

Adam Smith, with his excellent memory, recognized a few of the soldiers.

 

Having seen much in his time, Adam Smith even sensed a faint aura of danger emanating from some of the soldiers.

 

This meant they were not only professionals but had likely taken lives recently.

 

He never would have imagined that in just a few days, these soldiers would undergo such a dramatic change.

 

Before Adam Smith could make sense of it, Leon, the squad leader, approached and asked matter-of-factly:

 

"Are you from the Pearl Merchant Company? Are you Mr. Adam Smith?"

 

With a smile immediately plastered on his face, Adam Smith hopped off his carriage and warmly stood next to Leon, nodding in response:

 

"Yes, by Lord Matthew's order, I've returned with the goods..."

 

Placing a hand on Adam Smith's wrist, which held a gold coin, Leon shook his head. In Adam Smith’s astonished gaze, Leon calmly said:

 

"In Lord Matthew's territory, don’t ever try that again. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in jail."

 

"Now, bring in all the goods, unload them at the warehouse, and then proceed to the new lodging."

 

Before Adam Smith could react, Leon had already turned around, leading his soldiers in perfect formation down the road.

 

Looking at the gleaming gold coin in his palm, Adam Smith felt his mind buzzing.

 

He never expected an ordinary soldier to refuse a bribe.

 

Putting the coin away with a sigh, Adam Smith noticed how everyone around was staring at these upright soldiers in amazement. He cleared his throat and called out:

 

"Pack your things, get ready to move!"

 

Subconsciously smoothing his sister's hair, Jifan stared at Leon and the soldiers, shocked.

 

In his mind, even the personal guards of Bloodmoon City's lords weren’t this poised, and they certainly wouldn’t have refused a bribe.

 

Perhaps the lord's personal guards wouldn’t harass the homeless in the slums.

 

But Jifan knew all too well that it was their disdain and aloofness that gave them their high status.

 

Meanwhile, the other cart-pushers, as they packed up their things, began to discuss curiously.

 

What kind of place was Bay Village?

 

How could it produce such impressive soldiers?

 

The adventurers traveling with the caravan couldn’t help but exchange glances.

 

In each other's eyes, they saw a mix of curiosity and caution.

 

These adventurers had been drawn here, most hailing from Bloodmoon City.

 

They weren’t particularly interested in the housing conditions Matthew offered.

 

What truly intrigued them was the bounty—50 gold coins for each captured troll!

 

Adam Smith, experienced and wise, wasn’t offended by Leon’s refusal to take the bribe. Instead, he silently marveled:

 

"As expected of someone from an esteemed family. To cultivate such talent... He could easily be my guard captain..."

 

In Adam Smith's eyes, Leon was clearly a talented individual Matthew had brought from the Ser Family.

 

Before Adam Smith could think of how to befriend Leon further—

 

A sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.

 

The entire caravan was thrown into chaos.

 

Reflexively gripping his rapier, Adam Smith turned toward the source of the sound—a lean rogue on top of a wagon was shouting:

 

"There are hundreds of kobolds up ahead!"

 

Adam Smith's face paled. Hundreds of kobolds weren’t an enormous threat, but he feared that wasn’t the full story.

 

With the destination so close, the last thing he wanted was casualties or lost cargo.

 

"Everyone, stay calm! Those kobolds are part of the territory; they won’t attack humans at random."

 

"Look closely—they’re just working on the road!"

 

As panic began to swell in the caravan, Leon's clear voice rang out, bringing with it an unbelievable revelation.

 

Holding his sister, Jifan whispered softly in her ear before lifting her onto the wagon.

 

The little girl squinted, her small head filled with confusion, and asked curiously:

 

"It’s true! Those kobolds are lined up, carrying wooden frames filled with rocks—looks like they're paving the road ahead."

 

Over the past few days, Xiao jixiang’s clever and sensible nature had won the affection of many. No one doubted her words.

 

But the reality she described only made everyone more astonished!