Chapter 40: A Covert Operation and a Perilous Cave Expedition

Some time later, Gern nodded in satisfaction as he reviewed the names recorded on the paper in his hand. Once this information was delivered to Snow, he wouldn’t have to concern himself with the remaining details.

Interestingly enough, Leon’s storage space surprisingly contained a considerable number of these hypnotic potions, complete with their antidotes. Gazing at Leon, who had completely succumbed to the potion’s effects, a plan spontaneously formed in Gern’s mind. He then leaned in and whispered softly into Leon’s ear.

“Sign a master-servant contract with me, then infiltrate the Chaos Divine Cult on my behalf.”

Leon nodded dully, and Gern then established the master-servant contract with him. Through this pact, Gern gained control over Leon’s very life and death, thereby preventing any possibility of Leon defecting again.

Having completed all this, Gern released his control over Leon, allowing him to return to the camp. He would send him back to the Chaos Divine Cult when the time was right. After all, his memories from his past life could only serve as a reference; to acquire the most firsthand intelligence, he still needed an insider.

Gern then approached the several individuals who had been hypnotized. He first used a Holy Light scroll to cleanse the corruption within their bodies. Only then did he administer the antidote to them. Before long, they began to stir awake.

The other three appeared deeply bewildered, unaware of what had transpired, some even believing Gern to be their kidnapper. However, Mr. Modi, who had been hypnotized last, still remembered the events leading up to his hypnosis and knew that Gern had saved them.

He promptly stood up and respectfully bowed to Gern in gratitude.

“Many thanks, brother, for your timely assistance. May I inquire your name, so we may repay your kindness?”

“There’s no need for that. I have urgent matters to attend to and cannot linger here. Farewell.”

With that, Gern vanished from sight, leaving only his words behind. The men marveled at Gern’s elusive movement technique while also reflecting on his actions.

‘Performing good deeds anonymously’—that must describe a person like him.

After leaving the group, Gern returned directly to the plaza and relayed his experiences, along with the materials he had gathered, to Snow. She listened to Gern’s account with a furrowed brow, her aura abruptly shifting.

“Gern, are you certain this information is accurate?”

“Yes, I am.”

Gern nodded with conviction. He was all too familiar with hypnotic potions; without sufficient mental resistance, one would be completely at the mercy of their hypnotist. Given Leon’s state at the time, there was no possibility of him lying.

“Very well, Gern. You needn’t worry about the rest; I will have several examiners handle it.”

Gern hesitated, on the verge of speaking, but seeing the resolute expression on Snow’s face, he could only nod.

“Understood.”

Returning alone to the resting area, Gern gazed up at the night sky, a persistent sense of unease lingering in his heart.

‘Heretic God Cult…’

He murmured to himself, his violet eyes filled with hatred and disgust for the Heretic God Cult.

****

The next morning, deep within the forest, Lilia and Sina had risen early, packed their belongings, and continued their journey.

After easily dispatching a few minor monsters in the forest, a small hill appeared before them. The hill seemed unremarkable, offering little of interest for investigation.

Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly discovered a cave entrance. Traces of a magical beast having lived there were evident, and judging by these signs, it was likely an earth-elemental beast.

Lilia frowned in thought for a moment, then looked up at Sina beside her.

“Miss Sina, shall we go inside and take a look?”

“I have no preference, but Your Highness, being a princess, might find such a place unsuitable, and it would be regrettable if anything unforeseen were to occur.”

“With our combined strength, is it truly possible for us to encounter danger here?”

Sina considered this and agreed. As two knights and mages, both infinitely close to the third-tier, unless the magical beast within the cave had reached the fourth-tier, it would indeed be difficult for it to defeat them both.

“Very well. Please, Your Royal Highness, walk behind me, just in case.”

Sina finally nodded, agreeing to Lilia’s request. She took the lead, walking ahead of Lilia, her longsword glinting with a sudden cold light.

The interior of the cave was exceptionally dry, which was quite unusual. Given the surrounding terrain, the cave’s interior should have been very damp. Yet, as they delved deeper, the surrounding rocks and air grew increasingly arid.

Sina closed her eyes, sensing her surroundings. The elemental environment around them was not solely earth-elemental, but also contained a faint trace of fire-elemental magicules. This indicated a magical beast with dual elemental affinity. Lilia, beside her, also noticed the abnormality, her expression gradually turning solemn.

The type of magic a person could wield depended entirely on whether they possessed an affinity for that specific elemental magic. Individuals with magical talent typically awakened affinities for several elements. For instance, Sina’s magical talent wasn’t exceptional, possessing only a wind elemental affinity. This didn’t mean a person could only use that one type of magic, but rather that they were proficient when using magic of that element, and the power they unleashed would be significantly greater than ordinary spells.

Possessing affinity for all elements was a rare mark of a true prodigy. Of course, this statement excluded dragons. Dragons were a race existing outside this rule, as they were born with affinity for all elements. This was the terrifying aspect of dragons, and one reason why their corpses were suitable for alchemical materials.

Magical beasts were somewhat inferior to humans in this regard; they were only able to cast magic corresponding to the elements they had an affinity for. By the same logic, the more elemental affinities a magical beast possessed, the more terrifying it became.

Now, having encountered a magical beast suspected of possessing dual elemental affinities, the pressure on both women immediately escalated.

Sina, walking at the front, glanced back at Lilia. A desire to retreat had already formed in her heart, and she wished to consult Lilia for her opinion. Lilia didn’t want to retreat from the cave; she was curious to see what kind of monster was hidden within. However, the growing sense of unease within her made her hesitate.

“Your Highness, perhaps we should turn back.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

Just as the two women decided to retreat, a furious roar suddenly echoed from the depths of the cave, followed immediately by a massive dark shadow lunging towards them. Sina, who was leading, reacted with lightning speed, raising her longsword into a defensive stance.

The next moment, an immense force bore down on her longsword. Her slender arm trembled uncontrollably from the impact. She dug her heels into the ground, sliding backward for a short distance before finally dissipating the immense power. Only then did she clearly see the colossal creature that had attacked them: a gigantic brown bear. Its bear eyes glowed with a faint red light, fixed intensely on the two women.

As she felt the powerful aura emanating from the giant bear, Sina’s heart sank. This colossal bear had already reached the peak of the third-tier. Though not yet fourth-tier, its dual elemental affinities made it far more troublesome than an ordinary fourth-tier magical beast.