The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 419 The "Nun" in Flight

Dawn broke ten hours later.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the first light of dawn appeared on the edge of the horizon, and then the bustling voices and the aroma of baking bread roused the sleeping camp.

Luo Yan and Sarah had a simple breakfast with Taff on the first floor of the hotel.

Perhaps because the incessant "serenades" in the hotel last night were too disturbing, Sarah's usually expressionless face showed a rare, barely perceptible hint of fatigue.

She was the only one who didn't sleep well.

“Sarah, you look tired,” Luo Yan said gently, putting down his barley tea. “If you need, we can rest here for another day.”

Upon hearing that she would have to stay there for another day, Sarah panicked and quickly straightened her slumped back and spine.

"No need, Your Highness."

"But……"

“I’m fine, Your Highness. Please don’t let this small matter delay your journey,” Sarah said, forcing herself to remain focused. “What are the arrangements for today?”

Seeing her insistence, Luo Yan said no more, but smiled and said, "Our 'Voyager' has broken down. I need to send a letter to Mr. Alberto to ask him to salvage the wreckage. Also, we need to find ourselves a new means of transportation to get south."

"Great!" Taff yawned and rattled off in Dragon Language, "I never want to ride that thing again! I'd rather go slower!"

however--

Nobody cares about the pets' opinions.

Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"There will be a chance to do it. I'll teach you to fly sooner or later."

He's been an adventurer, a mentor, but he's never been a dragon knight before; he'll have to experience it sooner or later.

He made up his mind that when he returned to Hell this time, he would consult with Professor Edonia to see if he could increase the "dosage" of the medication and sustainably force its growth.

"Taff gritted her teeth and whispered."

"Are you some kind of devil?! At least wait until I'm fifty before making me work!?"

"Don't even think about it. I'll wait for you for three years at most."

"%￥#@!"

Watching the noisy human and dragon, Sarah smiled, her amber eyes filled with tenderness.

I wish time could stand still at this heartwarming moment.

She didn't have any lofty ambitions, nor did she have the same dreams or ambitions as the Demon King's other demon generals.

All she wanted was a home.

……

The group went back upstairs to pack their luggage, then went downstairs to check out and joined the bustling crowd at the camp market.

The camp was bustling from early morning, with vendors hawking their wares and the aroma of stews and toast filling the crowded streets.

Of course, not all the people who come here are there for "confession"; some are there to mine.

The legendary "Miss Lina" earned her first fortune through the nuns and soon set her sights on the mountains in the eastern part of Eagle Rock Territory.

The area is rich in mineral and forestry resources, but the local lord has neither the manpower nor the money, nor the ability to develop them. Even if he did develop them, he would not have enough transportation capacity to transport them to other places to sell.

Now Sir Richter no longer needs to worry about this problem.

The people of Eagle Rock Territory are not only numerous and wealthy, but they have also attracted enough traveling merchants to help them find markets.

Before long, those normally useless natural resources will be exchanged for gold coins of the Os Empire by more capable people.

Compared to gray income that cannot be taxed, this money is a visible source of income, and a large portion of it will go into the lord's treasury, feeding the lord and everyone around him in the process.

In a sense, this is also a form of bribery.

It's much smarter than just giving money directly.

The next time Sir Richter goes on a rampage and leads his troops into the travelers' camp, everyone from servants to stewards to captains of the guard will have enough motivation to jump out and dissuade him.

If they really can't be persuaded, they could consider joining forces to replace the lord with a young child or a widow...

After passing through the bustling market, Luo Yan found his destination at the edge of the camp.

It was a caravan that was fully prepared and ready to depart; it looked to be quite large.

Dozens of heavy four-wheeled wagons were piled high with goods wrapped tightly in tarpaulins, most of which, judging from the vague outlines, were furs and minerals, special products of the North.

The caravan's owner was a slightly overweight middle-aged merchant with a loud voice. He stood with his hands on his hips, loudly directing his men to load the goods.

"Move quickly!"

"If we can't leave by noon, don't expect me to treat you to lunch!"

"Mr. Thomas, where should we put these tarpaulin-covered crates?"

"In the carriage! Do I have to teach you this?!"

Luo Yan observed for a moment, confirmed the identity of the person in charge, and then walked up with a smile.

"Mr. Thomas, I apologize for bothering you, but may I have a moment of your time?"

Thomas, who was extremely busy, turned his head and looked the young man up and down with his shrewd eyes.

He initially didn't want to engage, but seeing that the young man's clothes, though simple, were made of fine materials, he subconsciously restrained his rudeness and spoke cautiously and politely.

"Yes, that's fine... What can I do for you?"

“My name is Colin, and I’m just an ordinary traveler. My companion and I are heading south,” Luo Yan introduced himself with a smile. “I noticed your caravan seems to be traveling the same way, so I came to check it out… Would it be convenient for us to chat?”

“Ah, Mr. Colin, it’s a pleasure to meet you! My name is Thomas… though you may already know it, anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you!” Thomas nodded readily, shook Colin’s outstretched hand, and didn’t seem to realize that the name was related to the prince.

It's likely that his caravan didn't travel as far as the Duchy of Campbell, and it's even highly probable that this was his first time leaving the North for the South.

During the subsequent pleasantries, Luo Yan confirmed this from his words.

Mr. Thomas used to be in the fur business, mainly traveling between the various baronies in the North, until recently he sensed a business opportunity and decided to switch to the clothing trade.

This was even his first business trip south.

“To be honest, sir,” Thomas said, gesturing toward the camp, his smile a mix of merchant shrewdness and the characteristic generosity of the Rhodes, “this place used to be freezing cold, and the girls only wore rough sheepskin coats. Thanks to Sir Richter, now the girls need more beautiful dresses to serve the ‘Holy Light’.”

“We plan to go south to buy a batch of goods. I heard that the textile industry there is booming recently... But we can’t go empty-handed, so we plan to pick up some local specialties such as animal hides and ores along the way. Making a profit of 60% or 70% on this trip shouldn’t be a problem.”

He lowered his voice and winked.

"How's it going? Are you interested?"

He wasn't afraid that others would learn his business; only shop owners who were content with their small plot of land would keep their business secrets tightly guarded.

Thomas immediately recognized the delicate-skinned fellow as someone who couldn't endure hardship and would certainly not withstand the arduous journey; he was definitely not a traveler.

This kind of person is probably using their father's money to "make a living".

Rather than letting others benefit, I might as well benefit myself. At least I do have a caravan, and I happen to be planning a trip to the south.

However, to Thomas's surprise, just as he was thinking this, the young man in front of him showed a gentle smile.

"What a coincidence! We are also heading south. Would it be possible for us to travel with your caravan?"

"To...go in the same direction?" Thomas was stunned, and subconsciously asked, "You...you're really going to the South?"

Luo Yan nodded with a smile.

Do I look like I'm joking?

Thomas's smile faded slightly, and his shrewd eyes began to subtly scrutinize the master and servant before him once more.

The leader, "Mr. Colin," was elegant in speech, dignified, and handsome; he didn't look like an ordinary person at all.

The female guard named Sarah beside him remained silent, but her upright posture and sharp eyes suggested that she was also incredibly skilled in martial arts.

Of course, the most eye-catching thing was the... uh, pet that the female guard was holding in her arms?
In short, he had traveled all over the country for more than ten years and had never seen such a noble "breed".

This master and servant, along with a peculiar pet, looked like noblemen who had slipped out of some big city.

Although he enjoys making friends, his years of business experience have taught him that getting too close to such people can easily lead to trouble, and refusing them can lead to even more trouble.

How to deal with this?
A hint of hesitation appeared on Thomas's face.

Seeing that hesitant face, Luo Yan roughly guessed what he was thinking, so he smiled.

Without saying another word, he subtly raised his hand and beckoned with his index finger to the dozens of heavy cargo boxes piled up not far away.

Those cargo boxes that required two or three strong men to lift floated silently into the air, as if they had lost their weight.

As if directed by an invisible architect, they flew together like birds returning to their nests to the unfilled carriage and stacked themselves perfectly and silently.

The whole process took only a few breaths.

The caravan camp fell into a deathly silence. Everyone stared in disbelief at the young man in front of Thomas, their eyes filled with awe and shock.

It wasn't because of his miraculous magic—

What they didn't expect was that the esteemed mage would actually use his noble magic to grant mortals' wishes!
"By Saint Sith..."

Thomas was so shocked his jaw almost dropped to the ground.

Looking at the unassuming "Mr. Colin" in front of him, he finally realized that he had almost turned away a walking god!

Magician!
This gentleman is actually a distinguished magician!
Moreover, judging from his effortless demeanor, his strength is absolutely unfathomable!
"Big... lord!"

Thomas's face was beaming with a warm smile, all his previous hesitation vanished.

"Look at my eyes... I was so blind to realize you were a esteemed mage! Please forgive my arrogance and rudeness. It is my greatest honor to travel with such a distinguished mage as you!"

His attitude underwent a complete 360-degree change in an instant; the shrewdness and hesitation on his face transformed into ecstasy and fawning.

Don't blame him for that.

After all, with such a powerful figure by your side, not to mention bandits, even legendary dragons would probably have to give way!

Luo Yan smiled gently.

“No need for formalities, Mr. Thomas. Let’s just get along as usual. By the way, I need a carriage; my old one has broken down… Of course, we’ll pay for it.”

"Pay?! Talking about money is too formal, sir!"

Thomas's face was filled with undisguised eagerness and joy as he rubbed his hands together and smiled broadly.

"Don't worry, leave the carriage to me! I'll take care of everything, including food and drinks for the journey! I only have one small request..."

After showering him with attention, Thomas chuckled ingratiatingly and continued to tentatively speak in a low voice.

“Although we have hired guards, we still can’t guarantee that we won’t encounter desperate criminals. What I mean is… if we run into some fools, I hope you can lend a hand.”

Upon hearing this, Sarah frowned slightly. The fact that mere humans dared to mistake the esteemed Demon King for a caravan guard made her somewhat displeased.

Noticing Sarah's mood, Luo Yan gestured with his eyes for her to calm down, then looked at Thomas and smiled in agreement.

"No problem, it's no trouble at all."

He had never experienced the life of a caravan guard before, which would be an interesting experience for him. Moreover, caravans often hired experienced guides to lead the way, which saved a lot of time by taking detours.

Upon seeing that the Demon King had agreed, Sarah immediately had no objections, just as the Demon King had decided to experience what it was like to be an adventurer.

Thomas breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and forced a relieved smile onto his face.

"Great! It's a pleasure working with you!"

The young man was easy to get along with, but the guards next to him were really scary.

Especially those unusual pupils reminded him of a half-demon.

Although the Vatican has declared that those demons are also human, they still have demon blood in their veins, and therefore are not as popular with humans as the orcs, who have more obvious beast-like characteristics.

Thomas didn't know why this sorcerer would hire someone from a marginalized ethnic group ostracized by mainstream society, but the sorcerer's perverse tastes were beyond the comprehension of a mere mortal like Thomas...

The deal was thus completed.

Most of the caravan members were overjoyed, but a few of the porters were huddled together, grumbling sullenly. A passerby, out of curiosity, asked them a question.

"It's good that someone else did the work for you, why are you still unhappy?"

The guys glared at him irritably.

"What's there to be happy about? We're paid per item!"

"That lord waved his hand, and we lost several silver coins!"

"Exactly! Can't these mages just stay in the mage tower and behave themselves?!"

"..."

In the carriage.

Taf looked at Luo Yan with schadenfreude and let out another burst of laughter, as if mocking herself for doing a good deed but not receiving a good evaluation.

Poor guy.

To this day, the little rascal still doesn't realize that his voice sounds like a pig snoring.

However, Luo Yan didn't care and wouldn't remind her. He just smiled faintly, then closed his eyes and entered meditation.

During this time, he has been consciously strengthening his control over magic and exploring the mysteries of the "Butterfly of Myriad Phenomena" in his sea of ​​consciousness.

He believed that the gift the curator left him was not just for his own travel convenience, but must contain some other secret.

such as--

ether.

If he can understand and utilize the existence of ether, his mastery of supernatural power will undoubtedly reach a new level.

That is something closer to the essence of the universe than "Source Force".

After all, in the study of the spiritual realm, the Solipsians, who inherited their lineage from the "Os," advanced fifty centuries further in their own timeline.

To defeat Norville, one must understand what is extraordinary about him.

Just as Luo Yan was meditating quietly, Sarah silently stood guard opposite him and brewed him a cup of clear tea sprinkled with tranquil snow buds using a well-organized tea set.

The aroma of the tranquil snow bud tea helps with meditation and focusing the mind—this is what the Demon King once told her.

Even the adults themselves may have forgotten...

Time passed quietly, and the caravan finally set off.

Thomas came to the carriage once to ask for instructions, but after learning that the master was meditating, he respectfully withdrew.

……

After a day's journey, before nightfall, the experienced Thomas chose a leeward side of a valley to set up camp.

Dozens of horse-drawn carriages formed a circle, creating a makeshift fortress. Inside the "fortress," several bonfires burned brightly, dispelling the surrounding darkness.

The mercenaries hired by the caravan sat in a circle around the fire, drinking ale and sharing the wild rabbits they had stolen from the lord's forest. They boasted about their "heroic" exploits of fighting snow wolves on the northern snowfields, creating a lively atmosphere!

Luo Yan did not disturb their "refined enjoyment," but instead leisurely leaned against his comfortable carriage, quietly reading a book by the light of the campfire, as if separated from this rugged atmosphere by an invisible barrier.

The atmosphere at the camp was like a roaring fire.

Just as Taf was eyeing the roasted rabbit on the campfire, a commotion suddenly broke out on the outskirts of the camp.

Everyone instinctively grabbed their weapons, only to see a young woman in a black robe stumbling out of the darkness outside the camp.

Her clothes were disheveled, her hair was messy, and her face was covered in tears and fear, like a rabbit that had been chased by hounds all night.

“By Saint Sith,” a young mercenary swallowed hard, muttering excitedly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

It wasn't that he had any ill intentions; quite the opposite, he saw an opportunity to "save the damsel in distress" after a long, suffocating winter.

The girl clearly needed help, and he happened to have the strength.

“Damn it…” A slightly older mercenary was not as optimistic as him, and a hint of solemnity gradually appeared in his cloudy pupils.

This guy might have escaped from Miss Lina's clutches...

As if confirming his guess, the girl staggered over and cast an almost pleading look at the group.

Even though she knew that the group of guys in front of her might not be good people either.

"Please...please...for Saint Sith's sake, take me away from here!"

“We have to help this poor man,” the young mercenary said in a low voice, glancing at his companions.

The older mercenary ignored him and instead walked towards the caravan owner who was approaching.

"There is a situation."

“I know,” Thomas said, turning a questioning look to him. “What I want to ask is, what happened?”

The older mercenary glanced at the woman by the camp and said in a low voice.

"No need to ask, she's Lina's woman, you know what I mean... This woman is troublesome, and our trouble is that Lord Carbin's cavalry is definitely waiting ahead."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Thomas heard it clearly, and a look of sorrow appeared on his weathered face.

Carbin, Sir Richter's captain of guard, would never allow a "nun" to escape to the neighboring territory. Not only because it would have a bad influence, but more importantly, because it would set a bad precedent and undermine his authority in this land.

Unsurprisingly, this woman is either a wanted criminal or a "fugitive" from the lord's lands. The soldiers waiting ahead will definitely stop them, and even if they don't find her, they'll certainly use this as an excuse to extort some money from her.

If they didn't want to pay, they would have to turn back and go to a nearby outpost for questioning. For such a large caravan, a few days' delay on the road would result in losses exceeding the cost of paying for the journey.

The mercenary was implying to him that the best solution was to arrest the "culprit" for Lord Cabin. Pretending not to see anything or deliberately helping her escape were not good options.

But seeing that poor guy, Thomas couldn't bring himself to be cruel.

He was a devout believer.

He might turn a blind eye to the "chaos" at the traveler's camp, but he would find it hard to let a poor person fall into hell.

"Could it be that we're just overthinking things?" he said, unable to bear it. "If she really was the girl who escaped from Lina, how could she have gotten here?"

The mercenary sighed.

“Sir, I’m only telling you this for the reward. I’m more eager than you to deliver this batch of goods and get the remaining payment... So, let’s not worry about how she escaped here. Can we please not create trouble for ourselves?”

Thomas remained silent for a moment, then came up with a compromise.

"We can take her with us first, and hand her over if we encounter any soldiers."

The mercenary shrugged.

"That's a good option... but if you don't want her to become alert and run away, thus getting into more trouble, I suggest you don't let her see your intentions."

Although he would recommend tying the person up and waiting until it's confirmed they're alright before releasing them or making other plans.

Thomas nodded, walked around him, and went to the girl with a sad face. He cleared his throat and asked a question he already knew the answer to.

"Young lady, who are you? What's your name? Where are you from? And why are you crying so sadly?"

"I... my name is Karen..."

The girl's shoulders trembled, her lips turned slightly pale, and her eyes darted around as she recounted her tragic experiences.

According to her, a severe famine struck her hometown, and she was forced to flee her homeland because she could not survive.

This is a common reason, or rather, an excuse.

Some refugees who could not prove their status as free people would say that they had encountered famine, and this was the only reason that Saint Sith gave them to leave their lord.

Alternatively, they would have to prove they were free citizens, or registered adventurers or mercenaries with employment contracts, or carry a letter of introduction from the lord.

Sometimes these things don't work, after all, even in the empire's directly administered lands, not all places are as civilized as the Holy City.

"Just... just give me something to eat! I can do your laundry, cook, and do any chores, I don't want any money!"

Thomas looked at her silently, feeling a pang of regret in his heart.

To be honest, her acting skills weren't very good. Even if he wanted to turn a blind eye, raising the muzzle of the flintlock rifle by an inch would be a bit of a stretch.

The cotton robe she was reluctant to take off had already betrayed her identity, and the only truth in her words was probably that she had been hungry for three days and three nights.

Let Saint Sith decide everything...

If the soldiers are waiting ahead, he has no choice but to hand her over. If not, then it means her escape was God's will.

only……

Will the esteemed Saint Sis forgive these blasphemous fellows?
Thomas sighed, hesitated for a moment, and finally took out a piece of dry bread from his pocket, broke it in half, and handed her half of it.

"Eat first."

He watched the girl wolf down her food and said in a muffled but gentle tone, "We'll take care of our own meals. You... could you help us with the laundry if we need it?"

"Thank you, sir! You are such a kind person!" The girl named Karen was so grateful that she almost kowtowed to him on the ground.

Thomas could not accept such a generous gift, and quickly advised her to stop and sit in the covered wagon to avoid the wind.

After settling the "uninvited guest" in, he happened to pass by Mr. Colin's carriage. After hesitating for a moment, he walked over to the magician who was reading a book.

"Sir, there was a little accident at the camp just now, which I'm sure you've seen, but I still have to tell you... But don't worry, we'll handle it and won't make things difficult for you."

Out of respect for his "partner," he told Colin the whole story, including the girl's background and his own decision.

Of course, he also concealed some things, such as the plan he and his mercenaries had made, and that he had actually seen through the girl's lie.

Sarah heard everything in the camp, but her indifferent face seemed unconcerned about human joys and sorrows.

However, Saint Sith's former ally, "Dragon God," showed a look of sympathy on his face.

famine……

That's so cruel.

She couldn't imagine what a famine was like, but she knew how unpleasant it felt to be hungry. Occasionally, the Demon King would deliberately bring back food very late, leaving her to wait hungry until dark.

Luo Yan also knew what had happened.

However, he didn't say anything, but simply closed the book in his hand and looked at the shrewd businessman with great interest.

"You knew she was a problem, so why did you take her on?"

He remembered that during the day, this man had been quite hesitant towards him. If he hadn't shown off his skills, he probably would have already uttered that tactful refusal.

Surely I don't want to look more troublesome than a "nun"?
Thomas smiled sheepishly, his shrewd eyes darting around as he looked at the campfire beside him and muttered something.

“Sir, people are all made of flesh and blood. I can’t just stand by and watch her escape from hell only to fall back into it… The lords don’t care about the lives of their subjects. Even for the sake of face, she deserves to die ten thousand times over.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Luo Yan's eyes.

"I never imagined you possessed such noble character."

"Moral character... well, that's not an option."

Thomas scratched his cheek with his index finger, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said vaguely, "Sir, don't let my business appearance fool you, I also grew up reading epics of heroes."

After leaving those words, Thomas hurriedly departed.

Sarah stared at his retreating figure, a mocking smile playing on her lips, before turning her gaze to the Demon King standing to the side.

The Demon King didn't say anything, but simply opened the book he hadn't finished reading and continued reading the epic hero story that he was almost at the end.

They will soon arrive at the Kingdom of Ryan.

Before entering the Kingdom of Rhodes, the first thing he did was learn about its history. And now, he's doing the same thing.

“It seems there are good people even in the land abandoned by the Holy Light,” Taff exclaimed sincerely, making a startling remark. “I thought those guys who are lustful for the Holy Light would devour her!”

Her mind was filled with images of white arms and... well, curiosity!
Although they had already traveled dozens of miles away from the traveler's camp, it was clear that the repressed Dragon God's soul had not yet left that place.

Luo Yan glanced at the dragon's face, which was both innocent and complex, smiled meaningfully, and turned the page.

"That's hard to say."

(End of this chapter)