"Camus arranged to meet someone, here?"
The two walked along the town's streets. It was already noon, and the bright sun shone upon the stone-paved roads, filling the air with a gentle, pervasive warmth.
"Yes, he has acquaintances in the imperial capital as well."
Kai said casually.
He was clearly not the type of commander who micro-managed everything. He never probed into the private affairs of the mercenary group's members.
Therefore, he didn't know—and probably didn't want to know—what the blood mage was off doing.
Su Cheng was already very sure of this.
Just like now, as they came out of the bookstore, as long as she acted somewhat normal, he wouldn't ask what she bought or who she met.
Only if she showed signs of a terrible mood might he ask out of concern and care, mostly just wanting to help her solve her problems.
Thinking of this, Su Cheng's mood inexplicably improved a little.
The black-haired man beside her tilted his head slightly, seemingly puzzled as to why she suddenly broke into a smile.
"Ahem," Su Cheng coughed lightly. "Camus's friend, I'm guessing, must be one of those academic maniacs. When they get together, they probably discuss all sorts of things that nobody else can understand..."
"Indeed, mostly research in the field of arcane magic," Kai thought for a moment. "I've heard their discussions, and I also find those topics to hold limited appeal to me."
Su Cheng blinked. "So what are you interested in? Swinging a sword and getting into fights?"
"Pure combat is more like a habit," he pondered for a moment. "Perhaps drinking and reading? Though I prefer reading storybooks."
Su Cheng couldn't help but laugh. "...Good thing you don't get drunk or affected by it, otherwise that first hobby would be quite dangerous."
The corners of his lips also curled up. "What kind of danger are you referring to?"
Su Cheng hugged her arms, pretending to be scared. "I don't know, like you going crazy from the alcohol, setting up a battle aura training course for me, and making me go one-on-one with some giant dragon?"
"Hahahaha—" He laughed out loud, seemingly amused, and then looked at her seriously: "Sorry."
Kai pressed a hand on her shoulder. A distinct look of apology and guilt appeared on his handsome face.
"Those training plans must have made you suffer a lot. I have to admit that I didn't seriously consider a human mage's—"
"It's fine," Su Cheng was already calm about it. "At least it was rewarding, otherwise I definitely would have broken down."
The man's large hand tightened slightly. His thick palm covered her shoulder, and the coolness of the leather seeped into her skin through her thin clothing.
Su Cheng looked up at him, her eyes meeting those golden irises brimming with sunlight. The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat for a second.
"Right," she said softly, "I haven't had the time to report my battle aura progress to you. Previously in Mythros... I had a sword fight with someone in that illusion, and after coming out, I could—"
Su Cheng described the situation of her battle aura attaching to the sword blade and being released externally. Suddenly, she changed the subject and asked with full expectation, "So, can I learn combat techniques now?"
The concept of combat techniques was similar to spells. Both involved releasing more powerful killer moves through a certain fixed method of circulating battle aura.
It could multiply destructive power.
If she wasn't a warrior, or couldn't learn battle aura, she would have let it go.
But since she was already a half-baked warrior, anyone would inevitably be interested, right?
Kai hesitated to speak.
The young girl looked at him excitedly, her amber eyes seeming to light up with little stars.
Kai: "...You can. Give me a little time."
Su Cheng: "?"
Su Cheng: "Oh, well, our mission definitely comes first. When you have free time—"
"No," the black-haired man sighed softly. "I'll go find some descriptions of combat techniques in other battle aura texts to look at first, because I don't actually know any so-called combat techniques myself."
Su Cheng: "...Do you just fight using your battle aura based on feeling?"
"Yes."
"Or," Su Cheng stayed silent for a few seconds, "Since my battle aura is the same as yours, should I also follow the same tradition?"
"No," he patted her. "Since you want to learn, I'll figure it out—do you have any preferences?"
"Uh, something practical for combat? Or something that looks really flashy?"
"Flashy?" Kai repeated the word. "I hope you don't mean the color?"
"Of course not, our black battle aura can be very flashy too... uh, that sounds a bit eerie. What I mean is a visual effect that looks very stunning?"
As they spoke, the two left the town center and entered a quiet and peaceful little tavern.
In the downstairs hall, Su Cheng even saw her neighbor.
Rowan was sitting at a corner table, eating with two other people. Seeing her from afar, she even waved.
Su Cheng couldn't help but wave back, then looked up at Mr. Commander. "That's my classmate and next-door dorm neighbor. I'll go say a word to her."
Kai nodded slightly. "We are not pressed for time. You can spend as much time with your friend as you like."
Su Cheng originally didn't want to disturb their meal too much; she only wanted to say hello and leave.
However, as soon as she walked over, Rowan gave her a thumbs up. "No wonder you aren't interested in Yin Ning. So you like that type."
Su Cheng's face darkened with exasperation. "...That is my companion."
Although in terms of appearance she did like that type, that was another matter entirely.
"Well, sorry," Rowan waved her hand. "In these short few seconds, you've already looked toward the stairs three times. You'd better hurry up there."
Su Cheng: "?"
Really?
Su Cheng hesitated to speak.
After saying goodbye to her neighbor, she went up to the second floor. The private booths here were divided by curtains. A few tables in the corners were embedded with special magic arrays that, once activated, provided two-way soundproofing.
However, if guests wanted to use them, they had to pay an extra fee.
Sasha was already sitting in the corner waiting for them.
"Alright, my dear, we are about to enter the imperial capital. It will be crowded and full of prying eyes there, so let's get things straight here first."
The vampire waved to her and patted the scrolls on the table.
Kai sat opposite him. The two each occupied one side of the table, and then looked at her simultaneously.
Su Cheng was still standing in the aisle.
Su Cheng: "..."
This was a standard four-person booth, with a rectangular table in the middle and two rows of sofa seats on the sides.
So now she had to pick a side to sit down.
Su Cheng sat down next to the commander without hesitation.
Under Sasha's knowing gaze, she picked up those scrolls and flipped through them, discovering that they were all information regarding their upcoming mission.
A gathering of elemental mages would be held in five days. The location was a top-tier private club in the imperial capital named the Marigold Palace.
This event was held annually and hosted by the Oulu family, one of the great aristocratic families of the Silver Moon Empire, who had always intermarried with the royal family.
Because they had continuously provided financial support for thousands of years, the present-day Oulu family had immense say in both the Imperial Bank and the Magic Guild.
In the original novel, all this information was written vaguely, and she hadn't paid close attention to it. Now, after reading it carefully, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Judging from the intelligence, the essence of the gathering was to trade various magical materials, and there would also be an auction.
It was just that these materials were all extremely rare, and some contraband items might even make an appearance.
This contraband wasn't violating the Church's ban, but rather the Magic Guild's.
The two were actually quite different.
The Church's bans focused on isolating dark forces and censoring various heretical artifacts—some related to the Dark God, and others related to various false gods.
Ultimately, they were all enemies of the God of Light.
However, the Magic Guild cared about more than just that. Of course, they would give the Church face; whatever the Church forbade, they wouldn't sell openly.
But beyond that, the Guild also controlled materials with questionable safety that could easily cause major accidents.
Like how an alchemist's failed experiment could blow up half a street, or a magic array master's poor workmanship could lead to a building collapse.
Similar accidents used to be very common. Later, the Magic Guild issued various regulations to strictly control the circulation of certain materials on the market.
From then on, the situation improved significantly.
"Your mission is," Sasha rested his chin on one hand, "to enter the gathering and see if there are any dragon bones from the Lightless Ruins being sold."
He paused. "They've stopped handing out invitations, but that's not a problem. Camus can get his hands on one, so you don't need to worry about that."
Su Cheng nodded. "I understand. Dragon bones. Wait—"
She had an impression of this plotline from the original book, but couldn't remember some of the details. She just wanted to confirm them carefully this time.
Su Cheng asked, "Is there only one piece? Or could there be many? Or do you not know?"
Kai pondered for a moment. "If there are multiple similar auction items, you only need to pay attention to the largest one. Hmm, it might look a bit different from the other bones. Those people might even claim it's unidentifiable."
"Alright," Su Cheng didn't ask further. "And then? Grab it and run?"
Sasha burst out laughing. "If you can manage that, then of course!"
"No," Kai looked down at her helplessly. He seemed to know she was joking, but he still corrected her seriously, "You just need to confirm where it goes."
He paused. "See who the buyer is and try to confirm their identity as best as you can. Just do what you can; don't push yourself."
A tavern waiter approached with a tray, standing outside the soundproof magic array, and gently lifted the curtain.
Hot apple cider, charcoal-grilled lamb chops, mushroom chicken pie, and a few small pastries were placed on the table one after another.
The tender lamb rib chops had a crispy, golden crust and a juicy interior, paired with perfectly browned roasted potatoes.
The pie was filled with chicken thigh meat, button mushrooms, onions, and peas, stewed in a rich and thick cream sauce. When cut open, the aroma was mouthwatering.
Having been delayed in the bookstore for quite some time, Su Cheng was actually feeling a bit hungry again.
But her mind was full of the mission. In a rare display, she resisted the temptation of the delicious food, holding her spoon without making a move to eat.
"By the way," Su Cheng tilted her head up, "I'm guessing that thing is very valuable to you? If I can find a way to just get my hands on it directly, wouldn't that be bett—Mmph!"
The black-haired man picked up her fork, speared a piece of roasted potato, and stuffed it into her mouth. "No 'ifs'. It's best if you just stay out of trouble."
Su Cheng was speechless.
Annoyed, Su Cheng punched him.
She didn't use much force, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway; even if she used all her strength, she couldn't hurt this guy.
Kai looked a bit startled. "Sorry, did I hurt you?"
He was clearly certain he hadn't used any force, or at least nowhere near enough to make her uncomfortable.
Tears in her eyes, Su Cheng swallowed the roasted potato. "It's hot!"
Kai fell silent.
The vampire sitting opposite them, who had watched the whole thing unfold, laughed uncontrollably. "Hahahahahaha!"
Kai hurriedly apologized to her, reaching out to cup the young woman's delicate jaw, his thumb gently pressing against the soft corner of her lips.
"Did you get burned?"
His beautiful golden eyes were filled with concern.
As someone's teacher, he naturally knew very well—
Her meager battle aura could only protect her internal organs and bones. She couldn't even avoid superficial flesh wounds, let alone protect her lips and tongue.
Su Cheng shook her head slightly, wanting to say it didn't matter, that at least she wasn't burned, just caught off guard by the heat.
Besides, compared to her suffering on the back of the dragon-eagle, this was nothing.
The man in front of her frowned slightly. As he turned and leaned in closer, his broad shoulders completely enveloped her, his eyes still brimming with regret.
He had taken off his gloves before eating. His bare fingers, with their distinct knuckles, carried a refreshing coolness.
As his thumb brushed over the tubercle of her upper lip, Su Cheng felt as though she were kissing a handful of snow.
Her lips, still stinging slightly from the heat, instinctively craved that sensation, and she couldn't help but want to lean into his touch.
He rested one arm on the back of the sofa, his other hand lingering against her mouth.
The warm, moist breath from her mouth brushed over his fingertips, and through her slightly parted lips, he could see the tip of her pink, glistening tongue.
...It really wasn't that serious.
"I'm sorry," Kai said softly. "You prefer eating cold things to begin with, so getting burned must have been quite uncomfortable."
"It's whatever," Su Cheng mumbled. "You didn't do it on purpose—"
Before she could finish speaking, a figure flashed beside her, and an ice-cold glass was pressed against her cheek.
Sasha had left his seat at some point and returned just now, holding a glass of lemonade filled with ice cubes, pressing it to her face.
"Just cool it down," the silver-haired young man bent over beside her, looking at her with a beaming smile. "Aren't I good to you?"
