Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Translator: Penny
Chapter 22
Agron led Baek Woon and Elena to the Guild.
Having finished their urgent business, they were there to take on a new mission.
To be honest, Agron considered the F-Rank missions from the Guild far more important than some noble's banquet.
He instructed the Majordomo, Collector, and Secretary to handle simple tasks efficiently and entrusted the Crystal Ball for emergency communication to the Majordomo.
"Agron, are you planning to keep your identity hidden while working?"
"Yes, Elder. Wouldn't that be best?"
Agron had never revealed his true identity to the Guild.
Of course, if he wanted to be completely thorough, he could have used a false name and fabricated a fake identity. But Agron simply planned to operate discreetly, without revealing his true status.
In other words, he intended to use his Count's status whenever necessary.
"Alright, that might work. What are you planning to do with Elena?"
"I'll do whatever Master commands, little one."
"Ugh."
Baek Woon never knew how to react whenever he heard that "little one" remark.
Getting angry was pointless, and fighting back was impossible against such an overwhelmingly powerful opponent.
I might have a chance against Jacob, though.
It turned out Elena hadn't been fighting at full strength in the cave.
After her long hibernation, her magical energy had been completely depleted. Agron had only managed to restore some of her vitality by giving her his blood.
Upon arriving at the Guild, Agron ordered Elena to create an Adventurer identity for herself.
"So many eyes."
From the moment Elena entered the Guild, she could feel countless gazes fixed on her. Her beauty shone too brightly for a place like this, where adventurers gathered.
Normally, one might feel tense if their companion were receiving such attention. But Agron and Baek Woon showed no reaction whatsoever. Even Elena herself showed no signs of nervousness or fear.
"Lady Elena, we've registered you as an F-Rank Adventurer. And Adventurers Agron and Baek Woon, you'll be promoted to E-Rank after completing just one more mission."
The receptionist clenched her fist in encouragement.
"Our Master is no mere F-Rank."
"Huh...?"
"Immediately upgrade her to S-Rank, human female."
"Huh...?"
Just then, Agron approached and clamped his hand over her mouth.
"S-Rank isn't enough! Upgrade her to SSS-Rank—mmpf!"
"My apologies. My companion's loyalty to me runs deep."
"Ah, yes..."
Agron dragged her to the mission board.
Baek Woon, who was examining the missions, clicked his tongue and glared at her with disdain.
"Elena, there's a saying: 'When in Romen, follow Romen's laws.'"
"Is that so...? No, I suppose if Master goes there, Master is the law. I understand now. How magnificent."
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"This humble servant will continue to observe the laws you create for the rest of my life, Master."
"Hmm..."
Agron simply nodded, finding it too difficult to explain.
Since she followed his orders without question, he could just give her new instructions whenever necessary.
"But why did that brat reach E-Rank before me?"
"Well, Elder, it's because you've completed several missions with me."
"I see. Master, please let me accompany you from now on. I'll make you an S-Rank... no, a Great Super Ultra SSS-Rank Adventurer!"
"Th-thank you. I'll trust in Elena."
"Thank you!"
Overwhelmed by Agron's trust, she burst into tears.
Baek Woon, who had been watching from the side, shook his head.
"Heh heh heh, that's a sight to see. A truly delightful sight."
Just then, a group of rough-looking men approached them.
"Master, this one seems to have some taste. He says you and I make a fine pair."
"Hmm, I think so too. He has quite the discerning eye."
"...W-what are you talking about?!"
The man who had spoken first looked flustered, but his expression quickly shifted into a leering grin as he turned to Elena.
"Heh heh heh. Hey, sis. Why don't you ditch this dump and come have some fun with us? We've got plenty of money."
"Sis...? Master, this one seems to be a woman."
"I heard you. I guess I'm more narrow-minded than I thought."
"Y-you fucking lunatic! I was trying to be nice, but you're asking for it! You, bitch, come with me right now! And you, you ugly bastard, you're dead today!"
The moment the man's fingers touched Elena's arm, her body moved like lightning, delivering an uppercut to his jaw.
Crack!
She then grabbed his shoulder as he staggered, using the momentum to leap onto his back and kick the other men nearby.
In an instant, three men were down, leaving only one standing.
He stared around in confusion, his face blank with shock, before Elena's fist slammed into his abdomen, sending him collapsing forward.
It was just a single punch or kick from the woman, but they suffered severe injuries, their jaws shattered and ribs broken.
"Kuh... huff...!"
"These worms, these maggots! How dare you speak to my Master like that?!"
Elena's eyes burned crimson with fury.
"Agron, stop her!"
"Huh? Stop what?"
"Elena's about to kill them all!"
"Huh? Shouldn't she kill them?"
Baek Woon slapped his forehead with his palm.
What kind of crazy couple are these two?!
The Vampir and the barbarian held such radically different ethical views on life compared to humans that Baek Woon often felt dizzy from the clash.
"What kind of lord kills his own fiefdom's people on a whim?!"
"Oh... right. Elena, stop."
"But Master! They insulted you and tried to touch me, your property!" Elena protested, her anger still simmering.
"Hmm, that's true, but they're still people of my fiefdom. We can't just kill them arbitrarily."
"Ah... I understand."
"Instead, we can kill people from other fiefdoms as we please. Let's move on to another territory quickly."
"Understood!"
"...??"
Baek Woon's mouth hung open as he briefly pondered how to discipline his damned nephew.
Their newly assigned mission was to escort a caravan.
The caravan was a sizable procession, including the Caravan Master, Guard Knights, mercenaries, adventurers, porters, prostitutes, gamblers, and a few itinerant merchants.
"But is it really necessary to bring Guard Knights, mercenaries, and adventurers along?" Agron asked.
Baek Woon stroked his long beard and replied, "The Guard Knights are likely the Caravan Master's own men, but their numbers are insufficient, so they hired mercenaries. As for the adventurers, it's a kind of mandatory measure. There have been cases where caravans reported being completely robbed during transit and then claimed insurance from the Merchant Guild. So, they randomly assign adventurers to monitor the situation and ensure the reports are accurate."
In simple terms, those sent by the Adventurers' Guild were essentially observers.
Of course, they would fight if bandits or robbers appeared, but they weren't the kind of group a Caravan Master would choose to hire.
"From the Adventurers' Guild's perspective, it's good for revenue. From the Merchant Guild's perspective, it ensures objectivity."
"But the Caravan Master must hate it."
"Not necessarily. After all, they'll still fight if something happens. The problem is, since they're randomly assigned by the Adventurers' Guild instead of being personally hired, there's no way to verify their skills. That's when the money feels wasted."
"Hmm, I see."
Agron and his group decided to follow the caravan on foot.
They decided to walk because Baek Woon, a lower-ranked adventurer, advised that riding horses might attract unnecessary trouble.
Ironically, Baek Woon himself had to rely on a merchant's baggage cart due to his bad knees.
Of course, this wasn't free. Two silver coins and Elena's striking beauty played a significant role in securing the ride.
"I feel bad riding the mule alone," Agron said.
"If you know that, get down, kid. And give your seat to the Master."
"Ugh, you'll understand when you get older and your knees start..."
"I'm more than five times your age, you brat."
"..."
Elena, who always wore dresses, followed Agron's orders and donned a thin robe to move more discreetly.
Her striking beauty was simply too conspicuous.
Utan, a wandering merchant pulling a mule-drawn cart, clicked his tongue inwardly as he observed their appearance and composition.
Looks like a ragtag group of misfits, all bewitched by that one woman, he thought.
"Excuse me, what rank of Adventurers are you?"
"Heh heh, we're only F-Rank," Baek Woon replied with a friendly smile.
"Hmph, that kid's skill might be F-Rank, but my Master and I are different. Especially our Master, who possesses SSS-Rank power—"
"Elena, enough."
"Yes, Master!"
Utan sighed openly, convinced they were an even bigger mess than they seemed.
This caravan is quite interesting, Agron thought, fascinated by the long line of over a hundred people stretching out before him.
In the Snowfield, it was rare to see such a large group moving together at once.
Occasionally, when a terrifying monster appeared and destroyed a village, the entire community would relocate en masse. Even then, they never formed such a long procession.
As they ascended the mountain path, stragglers began to fall behind.
If these were hired hands of the caravan, the mercenaries would grumble but offer assistance, or the adventurers would lend a hand. But those who had joined the group uninvited were left to fend for themselves.
Some small-time merchants and travelers followed caravans for safety. The caravans didn't stop them, but neither did they offer protection.
"Master, it looks like they're about to stop for a meal."
Elena, whose physical abilities rivaled Agron's, observed the very front of the procession—a sight invisible to ordinary people—and remarked, "Hmm, it seems that's the case."
Utan, overhearing their conversation, scoffed. He assumed Agron and Elena were exaggerating.
"Huh?!"
Yet, just five minutes later, a mercenary at the front shouted, "Mealtime!" and sprinted halfway down the line before turning back.
Utan and the others who had overheard Elena and Agron's conversation stared at them with wide eyes.
"How on earth...?"
"Did you see that?"
"Are you crazy? How could anyone see that far with the naked eye?"
The group halted at the foot of the mountain and began settling down to prepare their meal.
Fortunately, the Caravan provided meals for its hired personnel.
Of course, only the Caravan Master, key merchants, and a handful of Guard Knights received full service. Mercenaries and Adventurers had to patrol the perimeter or gather firewood and drinking water until meal preparations were complete.
"I'll go find firewood," Agron volunteered.
"Master! Let the kid do it!"
"The kid... I mean, the Elder's legs are bad. Let him rest. You'll stand guard."
"Understood. Hey, kid! Be grateful to the Master!"
"Th-thank you..."
"...Yes."
Agron accepted the awkward thanks and disappeared into the undergrowth.
"Elena, try this."
"M-mine too."
"This is the wine we're taking to sell. It's really delicious!"
"Nonsense! Our top-grade jerky pairs best with it!"
As soon as Agron left his seat, the men around Elena began vying for her attention, bringing her food and wine in an attempt to win her favor.
It seemed they had been hesitant to approach her while the gorilla-like man was present.
"Leave it there. I won't eat anything until my Master returns," Elena said, not even glancing at the offerings. Her gaze remained fixed in the direction Agron had disappeared.
The men clicked their tongues, reluctant to take back the food they had offered, and retreated empty-handed.
Just then, a strange sound reached her ears—the rustling of many feet moving through the grass, accompanied by the clashing of metal and leather.
"Hey, kid. Get ready."
"What do you mean?"
"Ambush."
Her crimson eyes flashed as she steeled herself.
In that instant:
"Waaaah!"
"Heh heh, kill the men and rape the women!"
"Kill them all!"
"Kuhahaha, take everything!"
Dozens of armed bandits swarmed the procession from all sides.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny