CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 272: SHATTERING ILLUSIONS

On the observation platform, the other tourists had evidently noticed the strange yet palpable tension between the two individuals.

They deliberately or unintentionally diverted their paths, avoiding the spot where the two were standing.

Aiven realized he had spoken too eagerly, forcing a smile onto his face in an attempt to ease the atmosphere:

"Miss Vinya, didn’t you say you wanted to help the people of your homeland?

Merely closing off and engaging in seclusion will only lead to backwardness and beatings. Since you are willing to step out to understand the world outside, you should know how rapidly the Old Continent is evolving now.

So, why not choose a kingdom on the continent as your collaborator?"

Aiven was not one to turn cold-hearted abruptly, though his overly direct intent had already met with the other’s resistance.

However, if possible, he still preferred to achieve a win-win situation through peaceful cooperation, with force being the last resort.

"Collaborate with a kingdom?"

Vinya tilted her head, repeating the phrase, without revealing whether she agreed or disagreed.

Aiven continued to persuade:

"Knowing so many secrets, you surely hold a significant position in the Golden Kingdom. If you could facilitate cooperation between two countries, it would be a tremendous achievement for both the rulers and the people living there!

Having traveled the world, you must be aware that the two colossal native empires of the New Continent, the ’Gashna Empire’ and the ’Azik Empire,’ were nearly powerless to resist and were easily eradicated by the first-arriving Hilus Kingdom.

To avoid such a tragedy befalling the ’Golden Kingdom,’ you should plan ahead."

Despite only meeting twice, the information was still limited. Aiven only knew she was of extraordinary origin, yet he still didn’t know the girl’s true identity in the Golden Kingdom. But as long as he catered to her preferences, it should work.

For this girl, who traveled from across the continent and oceans to the Old Continent, her primary concern should undoubtedly be the people of that native country.

After listening to Aiven, the girl gave Aiven a peculiar glance:

"Isn’t it you who told me that the only reason for colonization and being colonized is the comparison of power?

Even if we collaborate, so what? Will you open up core technologies to us? Or can you cross the entire Broken Star Sea to provide us with firearms and ammunition?

Furthermore, when Hilus’s warships truly approach, will your Phaletis come to help us fight?"

Her series of rhetorical questions left Aiven speechless, essentially causing him to stumble on his own words.

The distant journey resulted in a substantial physical separation—besides the export of technology and knowledge, what else could aid them? Would the kingdom be generous enough to "fish" for others, allowing its foundational steam engine technology, warship building techniques, and artillery casting technology to flow into the hands of the natives?

As for those commonplace goods, how could they captivate Vinya, a "continental expert" who had traveled extensively? What right did he have to exchange for the knowledge she deemed critically valuable?

At this point, Vinya, endowed with extraordinary wisdom, seemed to have grasped the secret technique of "Those who learn from me survive, those who resemble me perish!" without a teacher, determined to leverage her strengths and not buy into Aiven’s approach.

"Perhaps my incessant praise of the civilized world led to some misunderstanding on your part. Though the ’Golden Kingdom’ lags far behind in science and culture here, it doesn’t mean it’s the same in other aspects!

The inhabitants of the Divine Kingdom naturally have their remarkable qualities, and we will find our own path, so there’s no need for Mr. Aiven to worry.

In the end, I still welcome you to cross the Black Sea in the future, traverse the New Continent, and sail across the entire Broken Star Sea to visit the Golden Kingdom.

Of course, as a great adventurer exploring the world, not as a greedy colonialist!

Let’s part ways here, Mr. Aiven!"

Having said that, Vinya took her sketchpad on her back and was about to turn and leave.

"Miss Vinya..."

At this moment.

Tap... tap... tap... tap...

Amidst the loud and rhythmic footsteps,

the two simultaneously raised their heads.

Not far away, a squad of Navy soldiers with firearms slung over their shoulders happened to be passing by.

With the vigilance level along the "Leiden River Valley" continuously heightened, Nisk, as a tourist city with many outsiders, had also increased several rounds of patrol forces.

In the main city, particularly in the bustling areas, the garrison had achieved round-the-clock vigilance and duty after entering the city.

The leader of this patrol was a familiar face to Aiven.

Bertram Solomon, dressed in a School Officer Uniform, draped in a Captain’s cloak, with a golden large book hanging at his waist, led the way at the forefront.

Behind him, a total of 20 Navy soldiers marched in two neat rows.

As a Navy Captain, Bertram was not supposed to patrol ashore. However, being a soldier from Tyrone and the "Navy New Star," he was frequently enlisted by Major General Koverdale to participate in city patrolling, demonstrating the halo effect of a star figure to stabilize public sentiment under special circumstances.

Being of noble background, Bertram possessed both the heroism of a soldier and the mysterious aura of a wizard, drawing gazes wherever he went, nearly becoming another scenic view in Water City.

When Aiven saw him, Bertram evidently also spotted Aiven and the eye-catching beautiful girl beside him.

"Halt!"

Bertram issued the command, stepped forward two steps, and waved to greet Aiven:

"Captain Aiven, good morning! This young lady is...?"

Woof woof woof...

Suddenly, an urgent canine bark echoed in his mind.

His raised hand slightly stiffened but quickly adjusted, continuing nonchalantly:

"Is this beautiful young lady a friend of yours? This season, the scenery in Nisk is the best of the year.

Well, I have a task to accomplish, so I won’t disturb your outing."

```

Before Aiven could answer, he was already preparing to turn and make a getaway.

Unexpectedly, Vinya looked up into the void behind Solomon and spoke calmly:

"Hehe, Solomon School? A Formless Dog Demon? Interesting!"

The moment these words were uttered, Solomon’s face changed dramatically.

Earlier, his servant demon, the Formless Dog Demon Kashler, had already warned him that the source of that inhuman, otherworldly scent they had detected last time was standing right by Aiven.

Moreover, facing this "otherworldly being" head-on, the dog demon’s incredibly keen instincts told it that this seemingly delicate and beautiful girl might... not be easy to deal with.

This is a powerful dog demon at Tier 2 Peak, only unable to break through due to my current wizard level!

The "otherworldly being" in the form of a young girl should at least be at the same Tier 2 Peak as the Formless Dog Demon, and undoubtedly belong to some powerful extraordinary profession!

Solomon immediately realized he was entangled in some troublesome affair.

He wanted to withdraw in time, but didn’t expect the girl, as beautiful and delicate as an elf, to directly expose Kashler’s presence!

Possessing not only immense strength, she undoubtedly also has some unknown means of detection.

Solomon saw Aiven standing aside constantly motioning for him to leave first, yet he felt an intangible aura enveloping him, leaving him in a dilemma.

Vinya stared at the giant dog demon concealed in the void. As she was about to leave the "civilized world" and return to her homeland, she no longer cared about revealing the identity she had painstakingly maintained to avoid the True God Church’s attention.

Seeing Aiven hesitating, wanting the knowledge in her mind, yet swayed by his personality, morals, and perhaps a little chivalry towards a beautiful woman.

Vinya decided to generously shatter his unrealistic fantasies. Adventurers chosen by the Ocean Goddess should honestly go explore the world!

In the next moment, the young girl’s aura changed drastically, surveying the two with an aloof demeanor unfamiliar to Aiven:

"Actually, aside from culture, art, and technology, what interests me most in the Old Continent is your mystical knowledge.

But the essence is mostly spread within schools, and the heritage of the Wild Mages isn’t much stronger than the Principalities of the New Continent.

Didn’t expect to meet a Solomon here, let me see what level the extraordinary noble lineage of the ’civilized world’ can reach."

At this time, Bertram also realized the hostility in Vinya’s words, understanding that her relationship with Aiven was far from harmonious.

Unable to guess her background or fully comprehend her words. But in the face of a challenge from an unknown extraordinary, no Solomon of the thousand-year noble lineage could remain indifferent.

Thus, Bertram seemed nonchalantly to smile, even taking a step forward to greet as a well-mannered gentleman:

"Lovely lady, surely you jest. As an upright knight, how could I lay a hand on an extraordinary woman like you?"

Pa!

But the magic book at his waist, Solomon’s Golden Book, suddenly flipped open, its golden pages turning without wind.

cane——

In a deep, obscure syllable with a tinge of sulfur.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two more slightly smaller Formless Dog Demons leaped from the pages.

Solomon family’s adage: Even a lion must use its full strength to catch a rabbit!

The Formless Dog Demon is a powerful branch within the Lower Realm Dog Demon Race, with their supreme form being the legendary Otherworldly Hunting Dogs that can traverse worlds at will.

They never reveal themselves nor leave tracks in the Material World.

With instinctive extraordinary concealment and a powerful bite able to crush steel, they are natural fierce assassins.

Uncommonly, among the chaotic lower-level demons, they are known for unwavering loyalty once they accept a master, a key support in Solomon’s summoning sequence.

In past combats, even seasoned Official Knights were caught off guard, having their heads bitten off by a sneaking Formless Dog Demon wasn’t unheard of.

Evidently, as a wizard family, they have no qualms about using ambush tactics.

The chosen servant demon, adept at ambushing, hints that beneath Bertram’s handsome, sunny exterior lies a truly dark core!

Woof woof woof...

Two three-meter-long smaller dog demons emitted barks only audible to their master, lunging at Vinya who was nearly within reach.

Whoosh——

Simultaneously, a fierce gale swept overhead, the more experienced hunter Kashler leapt over Solomon’s head, aiming a vicious bite at the woman causing it discomfort.

Even though Aiven couldn’t see the Formless Dog Demon, he understood Solomon’s attack had begun.

Grasping the sword staff within his Magic Pocket tightly, he hesitated whether it was necessary to rip off the pretense and join Solomon to physically restrain the girl.

Suddenly he realized, the battle had just begun and already... ended!

Awoo... awoo...

In almost the blink of an eye.

A large and two small Formless Dog Demons, each at least at the Official Knight tier, were already ensnared firmly mid-air by the faint cyan chains extending from the air, faintly revealing the shape of giant canines.

Other than issuing true loser-like whimpers, they hadn’t even touched the edge of the girl’s clothing.

The continually flipping pages of Bertram’s Golden Book seemed frozen, suddenly stiffening.

"Utter defeat!"

The two turned ashen, undeniably realizing that despite overestimating the girl’s strength based on her age, reality proved their conjecture completely wrong!

This seemingly delicate, easily bullied beautiful girl’s body surprisingly harbored at least Tier 3 immense strength!

Their all-out battle effort might have been just a game to her. Moreover, the mysterious "Golden Kingdom" was far from being the weak lamb to be bullied by the ’civilized world’ that they had imagined!