"Hmm? Magic Sword Kilineiram, so this is Lakyus, the leader of Blue Rose? My apologies, it was our fault for acting without confirmation and accidentally injuring Lakyus's companion." The Black Scripture immediately recognized Lakyus's identity. At this moment, Tina, who had been accidentally injured, recovered under Holy Hymn's treatment.
"How strange. The Theocracy's Black Scripture, fully armed, appearing in the Kingdom's territory. Is this an invasion?" Lakyus retorted grumpily. Yesterday, Tia was accidentally killed by Iri, and today Tina was accidentally injured. Lakyus's mood was naturally not good.
"Lakyus is truly joking. How could the peace-loving Theocracy possibly invade the Kingdom? We are on holiday, sightseeing, and simply 'lost' our way here. We didn't expect to meet Blue Rose here; it's truly a relief!" The Black Scripture said.
Bullshit… This scoundrel is just talking nonsense. 'Lost' their way to this place? Iri grumbled inwardly, noticing the scattered remains and severed limbs of various Treants in the swamp. It was clear that they were too late; the Treants had mostly been dealt with by them.
"Sightseeing? You certainly pick interesting places for sightseeing. How about you tell that directly to the Kingdom's diplomats?" Lakyus, of course, wouldn't believe such an excuse, especially with her temper flaring.
"Hehe! If I'm not mistaken, one of the Adventurer's Guild's rules is that Adventurers do not participate in national disputes, correct?" The Black Scripture revealed an unfriendly smile.
"Unfortunately, before becoming an Adventurer, I was a noble of the Kingdom. I will protest to the Theocracy's diplomat about your unauthorized entry into the Kingdom's territory and the injury of my companion!" Lakyus said, pushing aside Holy Hymn, who had just finished treating Tina, and helping Tina up. Although Tina had recovered, her complexion was still very poor, indicating that the injuries she sustained were quite severe.
"Is that so, Lakyus? Then, standing before me now, are you here as a member of the Blue Rose Adventurers or as a noble of the Kingdom?" The Black Scripture asked. At this moment, Iri had already reached into her small satchel.
"Let's go…" Lakyus ignored him, instead helping Tina up and turning to leave. Gaguran and Tia retreated with Lakyus while keeping a wary eye on them.
"I told you there's no need to talk nonsense with them!" As soon as the Handsome guy finished speaking, he flicked his hand, and a black, magic-arrow-like object shot towards Lakyus.
Iri, who was prepared, dodged directly and at the same time pulled out her hammer from her satchel to block the black arrow.
Originally, facing such a low-level directed magic, Iri could have directly used the professional skill, Counterattack, learned from Albedo, to bounce the magic back. However, doing so would only provoke them, and Iri did not want to duel Death Knight under these circumstances.
"You guys!!" Irubyue was about to explode, but Iri extended her hand to stop her.
"Hurry and go!" Iri motioned for them to leave quickly. This group was not someone Blue Rose could handle. They needed to run before Death Knight got interested!
"A wise judgment." The Black Scripture didn't seem interested in pursuing them. It appeared their presence here had another purpose, not to stake out. Blue Rose running into them was merely an accident.
"Is it alright to just let them go?" The Handsome guy who had cast the first spell asked.
"It's fine… No need for further complications." The Black Scripture waved his hand, appearing uninterested in Lakyus and her group. He said there was no need for further complications, so why didn't he stop the Handsome guy when he launched a sneak attack with magic?
This scoundrel was clearly arrogant. If Death Knight hadn't been there, Iri would have really liked to beat the Black Scripture into a pig's head. Iri was quite confident in just beating this guy, but adding Death Knight made her feel uneasy.
"Let's go…" Iri didn't care about anything else, quietly telling Blue Rose. Seeing the Black Scripture's attitude, Iri certainly wouldn't turn her back so easily. She slowly retreated step by step, remaining vigilant.
"Damn it!" Irubyue cursed under her breath and could only retreat cautiously like Iri.
Perhaps… everyone's attention was on the Black Scripture. Except for Iri, who still had her senses active, no one noticed that on the edge of the swamp, in the direction Blue Rose was retreating, there was a still active Treant hiding. Iri only sensed it when she got close, thanks to her cloak and mask that resisted poison.
That Treant spewed out several bullet-like objects. Iri, sensing them, this time directly used Albedo's true skill, Counterattack, first blocking all the objects that were likely seeds, and then, using that as a base, adding her own strength to reflect those seeds back, directly piercing the ambushing Treant.
"Hmm, that child…" Iri's actions caught the Black Scripture's attention. Death Knight, who had been facing away from them, also seemed to sense something, turning her head slightly and looking at Iri with the corner of her eye.
Not good! I had considered using that skill when defending against magic earlier, and now, being attacked again, I subconsciously used it. Drawing their attention is not good! Gotta run! Iri suddenly felt a bad premonition, and the feeling of being watched intensified. So annoying!
Iri simply tore off her cloak and mask… This thing was too much of a hindrance to her senses. The Black Scripture and his group weren't wearing such things, so it must be fine!
Once she removed the equipment, Iri finally understood where the constant feeling of being spied on came from. Thanks to the Black Scripture eliminating the Treants when they entered, the magical aura Iri sensed was not as abundant or chaotic.
So… Iri quickly discovered the individual who had been secretly observing this area, as this forest, due to the magic trees, had no birds or beasts nearby.
Moreover, the Treants were concentrated near the swamp from which Iri had retreated. Only one individual, emitting a faint magical aura, was hidden near the outer edge of the forest. That faint magical aura was clearly being deliberately concealed.
This made it possible to deduce who was monitoring this area: it should be one of the Black Scripture, Astrology Thousand Miles, who specializes in surveillance.
Although it was also possible that the Kingdom sent someone to monitor the Black Scripture, Death Knight's strength should have allowed her to discover them. Besides, there shouldn't be anyone in the Kingdom who possesses long-range surveillance magic!
As stated above, when Blue Rose entered the forest, they had already been monitored by Astrology Thousand Miles, which means… Tina was not accidentally injured… but intentionally!
Bastards! Accidentally injured, huh?! If you're unjust, don't blame me for being unjust! Iri immediately flared up, then pulled out a magic scroll from her satchel.
Take this, Set Magic Reversal!
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