Chương 79: The Return of Ethan Light

Felicity and Leah were inside a sword shop, filled with weapons hanging from the walls and resting on old, worn wooden benches. Leah stopped in front of a sword with a crimson hilt, examining it with curiosity. The owner, a thin man with shrewd eyes, hurried over.

"Oh, miss, that's an exceptionally fine sword. It was personally wielded by a Golden Knight, one who fought in dozens of battles. And I'll let you have it for only a hundred crowns. A real bargain, wouldn't you say?"

"Really?" Leah asked, surprised.

"No", Felicity cut in without hesitation.

"He's lying. That sword is terrible quality. Look at the blade, it's worn down and poorly balanced. It would snap the first time you landed a serious strike". The merchant spun toward her.

"How dare you accuse me of selling inferior merchandise?"

"Because that's exactly what you're doing". Felicity walked along the counter and picked up another sword, this one with a green hilt. She inspected it carefully before giving a slight nod of approval.

"This one's not bad. How much?" The merchant smiled, sensing an opportunity.

"That's one of the finest swords I own. Five hundred crowns". This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Felicity smiled back.

"Forget it. One hundred and fifty".

"Impossible. Four hundred and fifty and I'm already taking a loss".

"Two hundred". The man hesitated.

"Four hundred. I won't go any lower". Felicity stepped closer.

"Two hundred and fifty. And we won't tell everyone you try to swindle your customers. Deal?" The merchant stared at her, clenching his fists in frustration before finally sighing.

"…Fine. Damn it". They left the shop. Leah admired her new sword, its green hilt firmly in her hands.

"I can't wait to try it", she said excitedly. She raised the blade, letting it catch the sunlight, then carefully slid it back into its scabbard. Xia caught up with them shortly afterward.

"Did you get the sword?" Leah nodded.

"Yes".

"Good. Then let's get moving again. It'll rain in a few hours". They mounted their horses and continued down the road. Not far away, deep in the forest, a little girl with red hair and pale, freckled skin ran desperately through the trees. Behind her, a group of goblins chased after her, laughing.

"Where are you going, little human?!"

"Come here! We won't hurt you!" The girl kept running until she suddenly came to a halt. A goblin stood directly in her path. She stumbled and fell to the ground, terrified. The three goblins surrounded her. Trembling, she covered her face with her hands. One of the goblins reached out toward her. A heartbeat later, a blade pierced straight through his back. Blood spilled from his mouth as he collapsed to the ground. The other two spun around. One was beheaded with a single clean stroke.

The other's throat was slashed before he even had a chance to react. The hooded man wiped his blade on the goblins' clothes before sheathing it. Then he knelt down and pulled back his hood. It was Ethan Light, his hair slightly longer than the last time they had seen him.

"Are you all right?" he asked calmly.

"Y-Yes…thank you, sir", the little girl replied, still shaken. Ethan held out his hand. She took it and he helped her to her feet.

"Come on", he said.

"I'll take you back to your parents". The little girl nodded and followed him as the forest slowly fell silent once more.