Holding Aiweila’s hand, Luo Xiaosu led her through the dense forest, heading toward the town.
“Sister… I’m so tired… I can’t walk anymore…”
After walking for a while, Aiweila’s legs felt sore and heavy.
She tugged at Luo Xiaosu’s hand, stopped, panted softly, and plopped down onto the ground.
“We still have some distance to the town. Hmm… let’s rest by the roadside for now. Get up, don’t sit on the ground—it’s dirty.”
Luo Xiaosu reached out, pulled Aiweila to her feet, and led her to a large rock by the road.
She sat her down, lifted her little legs, and gently massaged them.
At the same time, a soft flow of magic power seeped from her palm, easing the soreness in Aiweila’s legs.
Aiweila felt a tingling numbness, and her tired legs suddenly became much more comfortable.
Even her breathing smoothed out.
She opened her mouth in surprise, eyes wide, then stood up and stomped her feet, an incredulous expression on her face.
“Hey! It doesn’t hurt anymore! Sister is amazing!”
Luo Xiaosu reached out and brushed the dust and mud off Aiweila’s bottom, then took her hand again.
“Alright, let’s keep moving.”
Just as they were about to set off, the bushes nearby suddenly rustled.
“This mountain is mine, this tree is mine. If you want to pass, leave your toll behind!”
With a rough shout, several figures burst out of the bushes.
The leading man brandished a large chopping knife, and a hideous scar ran along his right forearm.
As soon as he appeared, he pointed the knife at Luo Xiaosu and the girl, a vicious smirk curling on his lips.
“Heh, two little chicks. Not bad-looking. Should fetch a good price, hahaha!”
He was about to step forward with his men to seize them when someone grabbed his clothes.
“Chief Baron, don’t be hasty!”
It was Ges who grabbed him.
His voice trembled, and his eyes were full of terror as he stared at Luo Xiaosu’s outfit.
“Sh-she’s the witch who burned Chief Allen to ashes yesterday!”
“What?!”
Baron’s forward step froze.
He glared at Luo Xiaosu.
“So it’s you!”
Veins bulged on Baron’s forehead, and the greed in his eyes instantly turned into bloodshot rage.
“Damn witch! You killed my big brother! I’ll avenge him!”
“Heh, so it’s those little rats who ran away yesterday. What, you dare to come back? Looks like you didn’t learn your lesson.”
Luo Xiaosu snorted mockingly, her face full of provocative amusement, completely forgetting how panicked she’d been when they cornered her the day before.
She flicked her wrist, and the wand topped with a purple gem appeared in her hand out of thin air.
“Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!”
She shifted slightly sideways, shielding Aiweila behind her.
The purple gem at the tip of the wand began to gather a glaring red light, and the surrounding air warmed up a little.
“Aiweila, close your eyes. Sister will take care of them right away.”
Aiweila huddled behind Luo Xiaosu, clutching her cloak tightly, voice trembling.
“Sister, be careful… there are so many of them!”
“Hmph, don’t worry. With sister here, I won’t let them hurt you.”
“Fireball Spell!”
The moment the words left her mouth, a fireball shot out, flying straight at the leader, Baron.
Before the ferocity on Baron’s face could fully fade, it was replaced by sheer terror.
He watched helplessly as the fireball, radiating destructive energy, grew larger in his pupils.
Survival instinct made him roll and scramble to the side.
BOOM!
The fireball slammed into the spot where he’d been standing, erupting into a dazzling burst of flame.
Countless rocks and dirt flew into the air, and the massive shockwave knocked him and the other bandits flat on the ground.
The air reeked of burnt smoke.
The bandits, who had been roaring with menace just a second ago, now looked like their necks were being squeezed, too frightened to even breathe.
“Th-this…”
Baron, black-faced and covered in dust, staggered up from the ground and stared blankly at the crater, his eyes wide with terror.
“Oh? I missed?”
Luo Xiaosu tilted her head, looking a little annoyed.
She gently waved her wand, and the deadly red glow on the purple gem lit up again, even brighter than before.
“No problem. I’ll just try again!”
Her tone was so light, but the words she spoke were terrifying.
“Run!”
He no longer cared about avenging his brother. With a miserable cry, he scrambled up and fled in the opposite direction.
“Chief! Wait for us!”
Seeing their chief run, the remaining bandits fell into chaos, each one following his lead, disappearing around the bend in the road in an instant.
Hearing the bandits flee, Aiweila cautiously peeked out from behind.
“Sister… are they… gone?”
Luo Xiaosu turned and patted her head, putting away her wand with a relaxed smile.
“Yes, sister chased them away.”
Aiweila blinked.
She looked at Luo Xiaosu’s confident face, then at the smoking crater nearby, and her eyes lit up with adoration.
“Wow! Sister is so amazing!”
Luo Xiaosu chuckled, rubbed her little cheeks, and took her hand again.
“Come on, when we get to town, sister will buy you some candy!”
“Yay! Sister is the best!”
Aiweila immediately forgot the scare she’d just had, hopping excitedly and tugging Luo Xiaosu forward.
“Don’t rush!”
Luo Xiaosu smiled helplessly and let herself be pulled along, quickening her pace toward the town.
—
pant… pant…
On the road, Baron ran as if chased by a monster, stumbling and crashing through the thick underbrush.
Only when the two figures were completely out of sight did he dare to stop.
He leaned against a big tree, gasping for air.
“Ch-chief…”
The sound of ragged footsteps came from behind.
His men staggered up, covered in dust, panting heavily, their faces a mix of terror and disgrace.
Baron spat fiercely and punched the tree beside him.
“Damn witch! Making me look like this! I’ll kill her!”
He gritted his teeth, fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms.
“Ch-chief… maybe… we should… just leave that… witch… alone…”
Ges panted, cautiously edging closer.
The mere mention of the witch sent a fresh wave of fear through him.
“You’re saying we should tuck our tails between our legs and crawl away like stray dogs?!”
Baron whirled around, bloodshot eyes fixed on Ges.
He slapped the back of his head so hard that Ges stumbled and nearly fell.
“My brother’s blood hasn’t been avenged! How can we flee!”
Baron’s voice grew low.
“Besides, I’ve heard witches stash countless treasures.”
He dusted himself off, his eyes turning dark and vicious.
“B-but… we can’t beat her.”
Ges held his head, looking wronged and pained.
“With just a flick of her wand, she sends a fireball that big flying at us.”
“You fool! If you can’t win, who said you have to fight head-on?!”
Baron stroked his chin, thinking for a moment.
“Hmph! No matter how strong she is, she’s just one person. With all of us, why should we be afraid?”
He glanced around at his men, only to see them looking away, still cowed by the witch’s intimidation.
“A bunch of useless idiots! Follow me. I’ve got a way to deal with her!”
He waved his hand, signaling the men to follow, and ran off toward the town.