Chapter 5

How is this possible!?

Laike was completely stunned.

Who is this man!?

It was already insane enough that he blocked the faint magical weapon with a wooden stick, but, but, but he actually blocked my combat technique with just one finger!?

And he's completely unharmed!?

For the love of the gods, am I dreaming?

Laike rubbed his eyes hard and looked again at Tang En, who was holding Eilya.

He gritted his teeth and charged forward once more!

"Kill!"

Laike was incredibly angry; it must have been an illusion just now!

He actually suffered a setback at the hands of this little brat, and his warhorse was killed! This was intolerable!

Combat Technique — Heroic Strike!

"Clang!"

Laike's Heroic Strike pressed down on Tang En like a mountain, but to Laike's despair, Tang En once again casually blocked his combat technique with just one finger!

Damn!

Laike cursed and thrust his sword, the blade tearing through the air, aiming straight for Tang En's eyes!

Tang En instinctively protected his eyes!

Idiot!

Laike's wrist turned, and with the remaining force, the long sword suddenly changed direction, like a venomous snake striking Tang En's neck!

Got him!

Laike was overjoyed, but then he realized the sword was stuck, unable to advance any further!

Upon closer inspection, Laike saw that Tang En had somehow pinched his long sword with two fingers!

Laike was terrified, he pulled hard, but the sword didn't budge. Seeing Tang En's cold, icy eyes, he felt a chill and instantly let go and retreated!

After letting go, Laike came to his senses and glared at Tang En, wishing he could tear him apart!

His weapon was gone!

Laike couldn't believe this was happening. Is this really Ellington?

— By Yebirni, is this a nightmare!?

Laike was truly afraid and suddenly turned and ran!

"Die."

Tang En waved his hand, and the long sword flew after Laike, piercing his heart and pinning his body to the opposite wall.

Who is he!?

This was Laike's first thought.

I'm going to die...

This was Laike's second thought.

Darkness consumed his consciousness.

"Eilya, it's over, everything's fine, the bad man is dead."

Tang En continued to comfort Eilya. The little girl's emotions had stabilized a lot, and the magical fluctuations around her were no longer as intense.

Tang En looked at Eilya, who was crying like a little kitten, feeling a bit incredulous.

This little girl, Eilya, is a resident of Ellington, which means she is one of my people? Am I that lucky?

Tang En noticed that when Eilya was in danger, her emotions fluctuated wildly, causing a resonance in the surrounding magic, a clear sign of a magic affinity.

Magic affinity is a very rare talent, as the name suggests, it has an astonishing affinity for magic, thus granting immunity to arcane magic, reduced elemental spell damage, and a denser magical aura around the body. Cultivating spells is also much more efficient, making it an extremely rare talent.

"Sniff... You, you're bleeding... sniff..."

Eilya was still crying, but her mood was much better.

"It's not my blood."

Tang En smiled and waved to Fiona. Fiona ran over quickly, and Tang En handed Eilya to her: "Take care of her, I'll continue to clear out the bandits."

Fiona nodded: "Leave it to me."

"Big brother..."

Eilya grabbed Tang En's sleeve. She had just been saved and was very uneasy, not wanting to leave him.

"Stay behind and let this sister take care of you for a while."

Eilya finally let go of Tang En.

The area was still in chaos, and the bandits didn't know Laike was dead, still running around setting fires and chasing the villagers.

Meanwhile, at the Lord's Manor.

"Damn it! Those are your people! Are you just going to watch them be killed!?"

A young girl, her face red with anger, confronted the fat man in front of her.

This fat man was Baron Hogg, the current lord of Ellington, and the young girl was Elsa, the leader of the Ellington Militia.

"How dare you speak to Lord Hogg like that!?"

Hogg's butler scolded Elsa.

"No matter."

Hogg smiled at Elsa, his face almost squished together: "Elsa, I'll still say it. If you agree to be with me, I'll send the guards to save those peasants. Otherwise, let them fend for themselves. There's a piece of news I haven't told you yet, I'm about to leave Ellington."

"What!?"

The butler was stunned; he didn't even know this.

Elsa's face, however, suddenly showed a hint of joy. If this trash lord left, the people of Ellington would certainly live happier lives.

"I'm sick of this godforsaken place. Some fool actually offered the kingdom a huge sum of gold to buy it, utterly foolish."

Hogg's face was full of disdain. He waved his hand and looked at Elsa with a half-smile: "Do you really think the new lord will be charitable? Too naive. Do you think he'll spend so much money and not try to make it back?"

Elsa's face turned very ugly.

The militia captain, Ronnie, clenched his fists, restraining the urge to punch Hogg.

Elsa was the woman he had his eye on, and this damn fat lord dared to make a move on her...

A fierce light flashed in Ronnie's eyes. Maybe it would be better to have Buck's men kill him...

"You won't go! I'll go myself!"

An angry Elsa turned and walked towards the door.

Hogg's guards blocked her.

Elsa said coldly: "Move!"

Hogg's face changed slightly, and he was about to tell the guards to let her pass, but it was too late.

Elsa casually waved her hand, and with a dull sound, the two guards were sent flying.

Elsa snorted and rushed out.

Ronnie gritted his teeth and followed, the militia seeing their captain leave and knowing Hogg was about to leave, chose to follow Ronnie.

"Hmph! A bunch of idiots rushing to their deaths!"

Hogg snorted, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and muttered to himself: "Elsa's strength is still so freakish... It might be a good thing she doesn't want to be with me."

Just as Tang En was about to continue clearing out the bandits, a wave of angry shouts came from the north of Ellington.

The Ellington Militia?

"Revenge for the villagers! Defend our home!!"

Elsa shouted, swinging her long sword, the wind from the swing was terrifying, cutting off a warhorse's head, the bandit screamed and fell off, looking at Ronnie in disbelief, and was instantly chopped into pieces by the enraged militia!

"Eilya, please be safe!"

Elsa tightly gripped her sword, feeling very uneasy.

Ronnie wiped the blood from his face, noticing Elsa's unease: "Elsa, go find Eilya. Be very careful, these dogs are ruthless and won't show mercy!"

Elsa wanted to go find Eilya immediately but hesitated, shaking her head: "I have a duty now. I'm part of the militia, I need to protect Ellington with everyone else!"

Ronnie said solemnly: "We have enough here. When it's your turn to worry, it means Ellington is in trouble! Stop talking and go!"

Elsa felt her eyes well up, nodded heavily, and rushed into the village.

Ronnie watched Elsa leave, feeling a bit smug.

He knew Elsa was always self-conscious about her strength and wanted to be protected like a little girl, so he deliberately said that, both showing his personal charm and winning her favor, a win-win.

Ronnie's eyes gleamed, and he swung his sword fiercely, shouting: "Show these dogs the might of Ellington! Leave none alive! Kill them all!"

"Kill them all!"

The militia members, originally very afraid, were greatly encouraged by Ronnie, their blood boiling with anger, and they charged at the bandits.

"Sir! What do we do!?"

"Sir— Damn it! Sir Laike is dead!— These militiamen came back too quickly!"

"Damn, that guy betrayed us! Retreat quickly!"

"Everyone retreat!!"

"Eilya!"

As soon as she entered the square, Elsa saw Tang En and Eilya, her heart filled with joy: Eilya was safe!

But then she saw the blood on Eilya and rushed over in alarm.

"Ellington's scum, we'll be back! Run while you can! Hahaha—"

The remaining six or seven bandits laughed maniacally as they retreated north, drawing their bows and shooting without aiming: "Parting gift— Die!"

Arrows flew through the air.

"Danger!"

Tang En's pupils contracted, and he instinctively grabbed Elsa, turning his body to shield her from the arrows!

"Tang En!!!"

Fiona cried out in alarm, but when she saw the arrows hit Tang En and fall to the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Elsa, who was held by Tang En, was stunned.

"Sorry—"

Tang En let go of Elsa, not having time to talk to her. These bandits wanted to escape after killing, burning, and looting? No way!

Today, they will all die here!

Tang En picked up an arrow from the ground, aimed at the fleeing bandits, and threw it with all his might. The arrow whistled through the air!

"Ah!!!"

It pierced through three bandits in one shot!

Tang En sneered, repeated the move, and picked up more arrows, killing the remaining bandits on horseback!

"Who are you?"

Elsa looked at Tang En in shock. She didn't sense any blood energy, which meant Tang En wasn't a Warrior-type Awakened, but if not an Awakened, how could he have such incredible strength?

"Tang En."

Tang En paused, smiled, and said: "...A passing alchemist."

An alchemist? When did alchemists become so skilled!? Don't try to fool me!