Chapter 38: The Beginning of the Story

“Anthony? Are you going to take me to find Wei Bai?”

Mida looked at Anthony with anticipation, hoping for a response.

Anthony stared at her for a moment, then spread his wings and flew onto Mida’s shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

Mida asked, utterly confused by Anthony’s reaction.

‘Is he going to take me to find Wei Bai or not?’

“Caw!”

Anthony let out a cry and then went still, burying his head into his wings and ignoring Mida completely.

Seeing Anthony like this, Mida realized that he probably wasn’t going to take her there, no matter how slow she might be to catch on.

Feeling the weight on her shoulder, Mida stared blankly toward the doorway, lost in thought.

Wei Bai had really left, and she might never see him again.

For a moment, Mida felt extremely dejected.

She felt a sensation that had disappeared long ago.

Loneliness.

Whether it was in the Church or the Anda Kingdom, no matter where she went, she always felt like she could never truly fit in with the people around her.

Ever since her father sold her, Mida had been unwilling to interact with others.

She hid her heart away, refusing to reveal it again.

To her, this was a form of self-protection.

She was terrified of trusting someone again, only to be met with another abandonment.

Like someone tossing out trash, they would just leave her behind.

But after meeting Wei Bai, the more she understood him, the more her guard lowered.

Although the youth was often careless, he would stand firmly in front of her during critical moments.

It was a sense of security and ease that no one else could provide.

In front of Wei Bai, she could reveal her true self and act like an innocent little girl.

Yet now, Wei Bai was forced to leave Count Arnie’s territory.

Her peaceful life had been abruptly interrupted, and she had to face the cold reality alone once more.

As Mida thought this, the light began to flicker back into her dull eyes.

If Wei Bai hadn’t stood up for her in the tavern, he wouldn’t have been forced to leave.

And that spoiled brat in the tavern was reportedly the son of Count Arnie.

Why?

Why could they use their status to bully others and persecute truly kind people?

‘It’s all Count Arnie’s fault. I hate these nobles. I hate how they use their power to bully others and hold positions they don’t deserve.’

She had to find Wei Bai, and then she would teach Count Arnie a lesson!

Mida clenched her fair hands, having made up her mind.

At this moment, she found Count Arnie’s very existence an eyesore.

Sensing the shift in Mida’s emotions, Anthony pulled his head out from his wings and stared at her with bright, spirited eyes.

Seeing Anthony’s reaction, Mida was now full of confidence.

A brave warrior protects a kind girl and is forced to leave his home; thereafter, the girl follows the path the warrior once took to find him in a distant land.

‘This is the start of a romantic story!’

“Let’s go, Anthony. I’m leaving too. Come with me.”

“Caw, caw!”

—

“Achoo!”

Wei Bai wiped his nose.

“Who’s talking about me?”

Currently, he was standing in front of the carriage station in Kavin City, and there was a long line ahead of him.

As an important port in Count Arnie’s territory, Kavin City naturally drew many merchants.

Out of everyone standing in front of Wei Bai, nine out of ten were merchants doing business.

“Hey, young man, you look like a local. Are you leaving the city too? How about we go together?”

A merchant with a crooked nose suddenly approached Wei Bai, winking at him.

“I think I’ll pass. I’m not very familiar with the areas outside the city.”

Wei Bai glanced at the crooked-nosed merchant and then looked away.

“Oh, young man, it’s better to have more people to look out for each other. It’s a long journey, and there are always troubles that one person can’t solve alone.”

The crooked-nosed man clearly didn’t want to give up easily.

His gaze flicked toward the bundle on Wei Bai’s back, which was wrapped in cloth and looked like a fire poker.

“No need, thank you. I’m fine on my own.”

Seeing the crooked-nosed man prattling on, Wei Bai knew he wouldn’t be able to leave unless he sent him away.

“How about this, young man? Come with us, and we’ll cover your food and lodging!”

Hearing Wei Bai’s refusal, the crooked-nosed man stomped his foot and offered a deal.

“Cover my food and lodging?”

Wei Bai obviously didn’t believe there was such a thing as a free lunch.

He looked at the man in front of him with suspicion.

This guy looked like the type who wouldn’t do anything without a profit.

He was definitely plotting something.

And looking at his eyes…

Wei Bai couldn’t help but shiver and took a step back.

‘Is this guy gay?’

“We’ll cover your food and lodging. You just need to stay with us. Once we reach the borders of the Papal State, you can leave.”

Seeing Wei Bai’s reaction, the crooked-nosed man thought there was a chance and hurriedly stated his requirement.

The moment he heard the words “Papal State,” Wei Bai’s expression changed instantly.

Was he joking?

Where was the Papal State?

It was the headquarters of the Church.

Asking him to go there was practically a death wish.

“No.”

Upon learning the destination was the Papal State, Wei Bai’s previous hesitation vanished.

He was exceptionally firm; there was no way he would go to that place.

He would rather stay in Kavin City and fight it out with Count Arnie than go there.

Although the Church might not kill him because of his status as an Immortal, they would definitely escort him back to the Elf Kingdom.

Back then, as Mo Baiwei, he would truly suffer a fate worse than death.

Having made up his mind, Wei Bai walked away from the crooked-nosed merchant without looking back, leaving the man behind with a miserable expression.

After walking a few steps and looking for the best chance to cut in line, Wei Bai passed a caravan pulling yaks.

The merchants in the caravan were currently discussing something.

“Hey, have you heard? There’s a Bandit Plague in Count Kevin’s territory lately.”

“What? Hasn’t Count Kevin been governing quite well in recent years?”

“Hmph, it’s all just for show. That Bandit Plague is huge; they’ve almost become a real force.”

“Doesn’t that mean the road to the Papal State is cut off? What am I going to do with this batch of goods? I can’t exactly take a detour through the Saragon Kingdom; the travel fees would double!”

…

Hearing these rumors, Wei Bai finally understood why that crooked-nosed man wanted him to go to the Papal State.

The man probably saw the “fire poker” on his back and mistook him for some powerful bodyguard.

‘Tsk, even if it’s wrapped up, it still gets noticed?’ Wei Bai took the Radiant Throne off his back and checked the white cloth covering it.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Wei Bai had specifically wrapped the Radiant Throne tightly in cloth.

After all, there would always be some people who would have wicked thoughts upon seeing the luxurious design of the Radiant Throne.

Although he didn’t mind tying those guys up and handing them over to the guards, it would be a huge hassle if people kept pestering him.

He hadn’t expected that wrapping it in cloth would actually add a touch of mystery, making some people even more curious about him.

But there was no other way.

Wei Bai really couldn’t think of a better way to hide such a long sword.

Soon, Wei Bai found an opportunity to cut in line.

Just as the person in front turned back to check something, Wei Bai slipped in with lightning speed.

Immediately after, he heard a mumble from the person behind him.

‘I remember the person in front wasn’t carrying a fire poker… Did I remember it wrong?’

But despite the mumbling, the person behind didn’t realize that the person in front of him had changed.

After waiting for a while, Wei Bai finally reached the front of the carriage.

The coachman who received him puffed out his beard, looking at Wei Bai with an impatient expression.

“Is it you? Fifty silver coins. I won’t take you for a single coin less.”

“How much?!”

When Wei Bai heard the price, his eyes nearly popped out.

Normally, a coachman only charged one silver coin to leave the city.

Now it actually cost fifty.

“If you don’t have the money, go back. Don’t come looking for a ride.”

The coachman’s tone was impatient, seemingly having already decided that Wei Bai didn’t have the financial means and preparing to send him away.

“Since when did it become so expensive?”

“If you don’t know anything, then don’t cause trouble. The Bandit Plague outside is serious. I’m risking my life to drive this carriage for you.”

The coachman had clearly lost his patience.

“Are you going or not? If you don’t have the money, let the next person in line.”

“I have the money. Fifty it is.”

Wei Bai gritted his teeth and decided to pay.

If he didn’t leave soon, there was no telling when Kavin City might be locked down for a search.

If that happened, he wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed.

Seeing Wei Bai take out fifty silver coins, the coachman became much more pleasant.

He took the coins and pulled open the carriage door.

“Fine, get in.”