Chapter 20: Anticipating the Enemy, Two Consecutive Victories

Profit Empress Ronnie appeared to have foreseen the outcome, not betraying the slightest hint of surprise. As Safiya was about to speak, Ronier quickly silenced her with a hand over her mouth, her face set in a grave and merciless expression.

This was the first instance Safiya witnessed her displaying such cold efficiency and swift decisiveness, prompting her to cease her objections. 

Once Safiya settled, Ronnie slowly released her hold and whispered, “Silence. We’re at war. Don’t disrupt my strategy.”

Suddenly, a swarm of forest bandits emerged from the cave, their leader roaring, “I claim this mountain, I planted these trees. To pass, leave a tribute!”

He seemed to have taken a leaf from Draxel’s book, using the phrase impeccably timed.

A slight smirk formed on Ronier’s lips as she thought, ‘They’ve taken the bait.’

With a snap of her fingers, the second division of her army, previously concealed, swiftly surrounded the bandit leader and his forces. It was a brilliantly executed counter-surround maneuver.

The bandits were thrown into disarray, scrambling to escape, but found all escape routes sealed. Today, their fate in these woods was sealed, death awaited them.

Amidst the carnage of blood and echoing screams, countless bandits met gruesome ends. Some trampled under horse hooves, others impaled or beheaded by weapons.

Owens and Awang threw themselves into the combat, relentlessly battling back and forth across the battlefield.

In a last-ditch effort, the bandit leader, abandoning most of his gang, attempted to flee through a gap in the encirclement with a handful of his most loyal followers.

Off to the side, Safiya accurately located the enemy leader. With the swiftness and power of a surging wave eclipsing the sun, she loosed an arrow that flew like a bolt of lightning, piercing directly through the back of the bandit leader’s skull.

The iron arrowhead pierced completely through the back of the bandit leader’s head, shattering his skull and exiting through his forehead. Blood and brain matter sprayed out, mingling gruesomely in the blood-misted air.

“That was an exceptionally ruthless shot, Safiya.”

“Your tactics were no less ruthless, Ronnie.”

This was their first collaboration, and despite their usual quarrels, their teamwork was impressively synchronized.

[Experience shared from allied forces: 3500 points. You have leveled up.]

[Current character status: Draxel]

[Level 33, Strength 24, Agility 23, Wisdom 25, Charm 24.]

[Proficiency in All Weapons: 195]

Draxel was reclining on a haystack, engaging in light conversation with the dragon egg, Lein. The unexpected surge of experience points from the system filled him with a warm, comforting sensation.

“Excellent, the battle must have gone well. I think it’s time to prepare a celebratory drink for them.”

Perhaps as a side effect of the level-up, the system seemed to have also healed his injuries. Now, Draxel was moving with ease, his wounds fully healed.

By chance, Ronnie’s supply carts, loaded with freshly brewed malt beer, were still in the village. Eyeing the aromatic beverages, a sly grin spread across Draxel’s handsome face. He fondly recalled how he had previously ‘re-gifted’ Ronnie’s wine to the merchant Marnid. 

Today, he was ready to ‘re-gift’ once more.

Several hours later, Ronnie returned with her troops, all safe and sound. Draxel welcomed them with a cheerful smile: “Welcome back! I assume you’ve won two impressive victories.”

Safiya, seeing him now so energetic and nearly fully healed, was visibly astounded.

“My goodness, how did your wounds heal so quickly? And how did you know about the two battles?”

“Dear Miss Safiya, as I’ve told you, I possess magic. Magic~”

At this moment, Awang chimed in to clarify for Safiya, “Safiya, since I previously scouted the cave, they were likely ready for us. I believe the Count anticipated they would set an ambush, which naturally led to two battles.”

“See, how insightful Awang is to have figured that out. But Safiya, I owe you my thanks. Even though I wasn’t on the field, I can just picture how heroically you wielded your bow.”

As Draxel finished speaking, he looked earnestly at Safiya. Seizing the moment, Awang playfully nudged her, hoping to add some fuel to the fire.

Safiya, distracted by Draxel’s words, failed to notice Awang’s subtle shove. She stumbled forward, on the verge of falling.

In this unexpected situation, Draxel, despite realizing the awkwardness, acted instinctively. He swiftly caught her in his arms, leading to an intimate embrace.

[Your friendliness with Safiya has increased by +2, now at 46]

[Evaluation: Remember, Ronnie is right beside you.]

‘I’m aware she is here, but I had no choice…’

Safiya blushed deeply, her shy demeanor utterly charming.

Profit Empress Ronnie, witnessing this scene, felt a tinge of awkwardness, her smile gradually freezing over.

“Unbelievable, Ronier, he’s so oblivious. You treat him so well. I can’t let this go, today I’m going to teach him a lesson.”

Ronnie’s two formidable bodyguards, the ones who had been stationed at the tavern entrance, were visibly upset on behalf of their master, gearing up to discipline Draxel appropriately.

Others might not fully understand Profit Empress Ronnie, but her two brothers were all too familiar with her. It was evident that she had a soft spot for this scoundrel, which explained her willingness to help him. Yet, there he was, openly displaying affection with another girl, completely disregarding Ronnie’s feelings.

Driven by a mix of desire to protect their mistress’s dignity and an undefined resentment, the brothers were filled with a strong sentiment. There might have been moments when they themselves had felt something for Ronnie.

Witnessing Draxel’s actions, their dislike for him deepened.

“Xiao Nan, Xiao Jia, come back here,” Ronnie called out.

“But…”

“Come. Back,” she commanded with a slightly raised voice, emanating an intimidating presence.

“As you wish.”

Holding back their anger, they returned to stand behind her, staying silent.

As the tension escalated, Draxel approached and addressed them, “Xiao Nan and Xiao Jia, good to see you. Given our age difference, I should probably call you Brother Nan and Brother Jia.”

At this point, Ronnie had completely lost interest in staying and talking, ‘After everything I’ve done for you, you brazenly embrace another woman right in front of me? This is infuriating.’

“I’m not in the mood to talk anymore, Draxel. I’m taking the grain and leaving. As for your troops, they did contribute somewhat in battle, but I can only spare you 300 Denars.”

Observing Ronnie teetering on the edge of anger, Draxel adopted a more humble and earnest approach.

His gaze toward Ronnie deepened, reflecting a mature and dignified demeanor of a noble baron.

“Ronnie, you don’t owe me anything. I realize my troops are few and couldn’t have significantly altered the battle’s outcome. You chose to help out of goodwill, and I appreciate that. Please accept my apology for my earlier rudeness. Truthfully, I am deeply grateful to you.”