Leon had just arrived at the city gate when he saw the players excitedly crowding around Walter and his Beedrill, chattering nonstop.
The female player named [Bell] was even boldly touching the Beedrill all over.
"Uncle Walter, how did you catch this big bee? Can you teach me?"
"They already said it's called a Beedrill. By the way, Bell, aren't you scared? How dare you touch it like that?"
"Why wouldn't I dare? This Beedrill is so cute!"
"Cute...?"
Dylan looked at the Beedrill's spear-like forelegs and the venomous stinger on its tail, shuddering. He couldn't understand why Bell thought the Beedrill was cute.
"Ahem!" Leon deliberately coughed to get the players' attention.
But the players only glanced at him for a second before immediately locking their eyes on the Scyther beside him. They swarmed over in an instant.
"Damn, this mantis is so cool!"
"Those giant scythes on its arms could probably slice a person in half easily."
"Is this also the lord's Pokémon? It looks super strong. Any special abilities?"
"I don't know, it's alright. Not as cute as Beedrill."
Leon felt his ears buzzing from the noise. He couldn't understand how just five people could talk so much.
"Enough! I understand your excitement and curiosity about this new world, but you must restrain yourselves a little."
"The place we're going next is very dangerous. If you remain this reckless, I'll have to reconsider whether you're qualified to come with me."
The players immediately shut their mouths upon hearing this. This was the only quest they could take right now. If they missed it, they'd fall far behind other players.
Seeing how Leon had controlled these visitors from the divine realm with just a few words, Walter felt both admiration and relief.
He truly couldn't comprehend the behavior of these divine visitors. They hadn't stopped moving the entire way here.
Either they pestered him with bizarre questions or touched everything around them, gasping in amazement at every little thing.
They even approached random townsfolk, asking if they needed help with anything. Their overbearing enthusiasm scared many residents into running back home.
Even then, they didn't give up. They tried pushing open doors to houses, muttering things like "Surely not every house is locked?"
Walter had no choice but to call for someone to bring his Beedrill, hoping its intimidating presence would make them behave.
It worked—they stopped running around—but he and the Beedrill became their new targets.
These divine visitors weren't afraid of the Beedrill at all. Instead, they surrounded them, asking endless questions. One girl even started petting it.
If Walter hadn't kept the Beedrill under control, it might have already stabbed someone.
Walter reported everything to Leon in detail, then whispered,
"Young Master Leon, are you sure they're divine visitors? Why are they so... strange?"
Given the importance of rebuilding the territory, Walter couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"They are indeed divine visitors. They're probably just not used to this world yet."
"Go back and tell the frightened townsfolk that these people are refugees. They're grateful our territory took them in, so they want to help out, but they got a little too excited."
"As for their odd behavior, just say it's their unique custom."
Leon was also exasperated. These players were truly unpredictable. After just a short absence, they had already caused so much trouble.
"Understood. I hope everything goes smoothly and you return safely."
Walter wanted to go in Leon's place, but on one hand, he couldn't control these divine visitors, and on the other, he knew Leon needed to face challenges to grow into a proper lord.
Watching Leon's departing figure, Walter silently prayed,
"Lord Nord, wherever you are now, please protect Young Master Leon."
Meanwhile, inside the castle of Ironthorn Town, west of Ember Town...
Baron Bach was glaring darkly at the cloaked man before him.
"News just came in. The young lord of Ember Town isn't dead. Your operation failed. Again."
"Impossible! I had Hypno hypnotize him and made him fall into the river myself. I confirmed he had no life signs before leaving!"
The cloaked man's voice was low but firm.
"And yet, he's alive! This isn't your first failure! Last time, with the beast tide, you swore it would only attack other towns and leave mine untouched. What happened? My town suffered just as much as the others!"
Bach stood up, pointing angrily at the cloaked man.
"You were the one who said that if I helped you trigger the beast tide, you'd ensure my town's safety. After the tide, I could easily take over other territories. But now? Forget expansion—I'm still cleaning up my own mess!"
"I already explained the beast tide was a minor miscalculation. Besides, didn't I divert part of it to Ember Town? Your losses were minimal. You still have the strength to expand."
"Also, I hate being pointed at."
The cloaked man suddenly raised his head. Beneath his hood was only darkness, with two faint red lights staring straight at Bach.
Bach finally remembered this wasn't one of his subordinates but a partner whose strength matched his own. He reluctantly lowered his hand but still grumbled,
"Because of this unnatural beast tide, those lunatics from the Sea Temple are investigating. How can I openly seize other towns now? They'll suspect me immediately."
"Then you said you had a solution—making the young lord of Ember Town die 'naturally.' With no heir, no one would question me taking temporary control. And yet? He's still alive!"
The cloaked man didn't argue this time. Truthfully, he didn't understand how Leon had survived either.
"This was indeed my mistake. I'll make up for it. With the Sea Temple's investigators nearby, I can't act directly. But I know a mercenary—he'll kill anyone for the right price."
"Won't the Sea Temple suspect something?"
"The Sea Temple only cares about our Church. They won't investigate other matters too deeply. A staged accident should suffice. If you're still worried, we can kill the mercenary afterward. No witnesses."
The cloaked man spoke indifferently.
"You people from the Shadow Church are ruthless. I like it. Do it your way."
"Good. I'll make the arrangements now."
With that, the cloaked man turned and left, but not before glancing at a pillar in the hall.
Once he was gone, Bach slammed his fist on the table.
"'Minor miscalculation'? Does he think I'm a fool? That beast tide was deliberately sent here! If we hadn't prepared defenses, we'd have been overrun and turned into his puppets!"
"My lord, he noticed me." A figure emerged from behind the pillar, kneeling before Bach.
"Of course he noticed you. The Shadow Church is sensitive to life energy. I wanted him to see you."
"Only by acting paranoid and hot-tempered can I lower his guard."
Bach gazed thoughtfully out the castle window. Meanwhile, the cloaked man, having just left the castle, paused and looked back, sneering.
"Fool. No matter how you act, it won't change the outcome. The Shadow of our God will envelop this world!"
(End of Chapter)