Wizard + System

CH227

When Helag introduced them as adventurers, the members of the Wind Sword Adventurer Group showed a hint of disdain.

Adventurers?

Three ordinary people calling themselves adventurers—any wild beast could wipe them out.

Pierre also felt a bit contemptuous but masked it well, laughing heartily, "So you're adventurers too. Consider joining our group. As you can see, we're quite powerful."

"Very powerful indeed," Reese replied earnestly, emphasizing the last three words.

Pierre signaled a lean man to bring over a wagon.

"This is a spare wagon. You can ride in it," Pierre said with a smile.

"Thank you," Helag replied politely, climbing onto the wagon first, followed by David and Reese.

As Reese boarded, her figure was enticing, catching Pierre's eye. He suddenly said, "Miss Reese, would you like to ride my horse? I'm quite skilled and can show you what speed feels like."

Pierre hoped to win Reese over without force.

He thought no ordinary woman could refuse a young, handsome grand knight's invitation.

Reese smiled back, "No thanks, I don't like men who are too fast."

Instead of getting angry, Pierre felt Reese was teasing him. Just as he was about to speak, Reese entered the wagon and lowered the curtain.

Inside, Reese cast a soundproof spell and held Helag's arm, saying, "Are grand knights this dumb now?"

Helag chuckled, "It's not about intelligence. They think they're far superior, so they're fearless."

"Teasing fools can be fun sometimes," Reese giggled.

Helag advised, "Don't tease them too much. They seem desperate. Let's just travel peacefully. But if they want trouble, we'll deal with it."

"Got it~ So when will you pay attention to me? You're always doting on that girl back home," Reese said with a hint of jealousy, openly expressing her thoughts.

After spending time with Helag, Reese saw his potential and wanted to stay close to him.

She'd wanted to visit Helag's cabin, but he'd brought a girl there, leaving her no chance.

Now, on a mission, Reese thought the time was right.

She glanced at her long legs, the deep cleavage, and her perfect face, confident she matched Asna.

Helag didn't expect her to speak so openly in front of David and joked, "I'd like to, but I'm afraid you can't handle it."

"Let's find out," Reese replied boldly.

David closed his eyes, meditating, ignoring their conversation.

Helag was surprised by Reese's boldness, coughing, "Ahem, let's focus. We don't know if we'll survive this mission."

Reese laughed but said nothing, snuggling closer to Helag, resting her head on his shoulder.

Helag enjoyed her warmth and closed his eyes to meditate.

Outside, a bearded adventurer rode up to Pierre, glancing at the wagon, and whispered, "Boss, should we take them out? They might have something valuable."

Pierre, confident, smiled, "No rush. They're just ordinary people, no life force at all. I'm interested in the girl, don't spoil my fun."

The bearded man nodded, "Alright, they can't escape anyway."

The Wind Sword Adventurer Group wasn't known for their kindness. Like many adventurer groups, they took jobs for pay and resorted to robbery when work was scarce.

To them, Helag's group seemed unusual, but they kept it to themselves.

There were no human settlements nearby, yet these three walked unharmed.

Either they were strong and handled any danger, or they were lucky.

Pierre hadn't acted immediately, fearing they might be skilled.

But after talking, Pierre believed they were just naive adventurers, putting him at ease.

From the moment Pierre saw Reese, he considered her his target.

His glance made it clear to his men that the woman was off-limits, silencing them.

Pierre was tired of taking things by force and found Reese intriguing, wanting to try a softer approach.

In his view, once they joined his group, they were his to control.

Unbeknownst to him, Helag heard their conversation clearly.

Helag sighed, and Reese, resting on him, asked, "What's wrong?"

"Someone's looking for trouble," Helag replied.

Reese understood immediately, smiling, "No problem, I'll handle it. You just relax."

At dusk.

The adventurer group stopped by a lake to camp for the night.

At their pace, they'd reach Nightfall City by the next afternoon.

By the lake, they started fires and cooked, some adventurers swimming.

Helag's group set up a fire by the wagon, using a pot from David's pack to cook some cured meat.

As night fell, stars dotted the sky, and everyone began eating and resting.

Pierre brought a large pot to Helag's group, placing it down, "This is fish soup from the lake. I brought some for you."

He lifted the lid, releasing a delicious aroma.

Inside were several fish, tender and white, with dried mushrooms in a creamy broth.

Helag and Reese exchanged a glance, smiling, "Thanks, it's kind of you to share."

Pierre smiled, "No problem, adventurers should help each other."

He stayed, chatting idly with them.

CH228

Helag held a bowl containing creamy fish soup and a small fish.

He didn't need to taste it; a mere sniff revealed a subtle scent.

It was a herb called Lost Herb, needing only a tiny amount to induce deep sleep.

Typically used as incense to aid sleep.

Ingesting it directly could be dangerous, potentially causing a death-like slumber.

Lost Herb needed a professional to prepare it for safe consumption.

Helag eyed the soup, knowing Pierre hadn't prepared it safely, likely just adding it in.

An ordinary person eating the fish and soup might not wake up the next day.

But for Helag and his companions, it posed no threat.

All three were full-fledged wizards, their constitutions far surpassing ordinary humans.

The small dose of Lost Herb wouldn't affect them, perhaps only improving their sleep.

Helag considered this but showed nothing, sipping the soup and eating the fish.

Reese and David, seeing Helag's expression, knew something was off with the soup.

Their noses weren't as keen, unaware of the contents.

But seeing Helag eat without concern, they knew it posed no danger to them and began eating.

Pierre watched, a hint of cruelty in his eyes as Helag ate, quickly masking it.

To Pierre, Helag and David were useless, intended to be disposed of that night.

Only Reese was worth keeping.

Seeing Reese sip the soup, Pierre felt elated.

He only needed to wait for the Lost Herb to take effect, leaving the three at his mercy.

"How's the taste?" Pierre asked with a smile.

"Not bad," Helag replied.

"Have more. I'll be back shortly," Pierre said, pretending to leave for other matters.

Reese, holding her bowl, whispered to Helag, "What's in this?"

"Lost Herb," Helag replied, sipping more soup.

He wasn't just being polite; the soup was genuinely tasty.

Reese nodded thoughtfully, "We'll sleep well tonight, then."

The trio ate and chatted by the fire.

Wind Sword Adventurer Group members casually positioned themselves around, blocking escape routes.

They waited for the Lost Herb to take effect.

Pierre stood by the lake, leaning against a tree, telling the bearded man, "Kill the two men and toss them in the lake. Once I'm done with the girl, you can have your fun."

The bearded man chuckled, "You're generous, boss, always sharing."

Pierre laughed, "Of course, I never let you down."

"You're the best, boss!" the bearded man praised.

***

"I'm feeling sleepy, going to rest," Reese stretched, her figure drawing attention.

Nearby adventurers couldn't help but stare, drooling slightly.

Reese, seemingly unaware, entered the wagon to rest.

Helag stood, "I'm tired too. David, keep watch," then entered the wagon.

David nodded, adding wood to the fire, collected earlier.

Wind Sword members noticed, pleased the Lost Herb was working.

Someone reported to Pierre, who said, "Good, wait until they're out cold."

Inside the wagon, Reese embraced Helag, kissing him.

In the cramped space, Helag couldn't avoid her, but eventually pushed her away, "It's a sedative, not an aphrodisiac. Calm down."

Reese smiled seductively, still holding Helag, "Am I better than your little Asna?"

"Asna's not little," Helag laughed.

Reese puffed her chest, "I'm bigger, you'll see."

Helag sighed, "Enough, they'll act soon."

"No worries, I'll handle them. You've protected us before; tonight, you rest. I'll take care of them, then return to serve you," Reese whispered, her breath tickling Helag's neck.

Helag, feeling a surge of desire, reached out…

***

Outside, David heard the commotion, gazing at the stars, sighing.

The adventurers grew impatient, glancing at David, waiting for him to sleep.

Noticing their stares, David feigned drowsiness, soon dozing by the wagon.

Once he appeared asleep, the adventurers approached, Pierre among them.

"Hey, wake up," Pierre kicked David, who didn't react.

David sighed inwardly, enduring this for Reese's plan.

"Helag? Reese?" Pierre knocked on the wagon, hearing nothing.

Satisfied they were asleep, Pierre smiled, eager to take Reese.

"Kill the men, keep the woman," Pierre ordered.

His men drew weapons, moving toward David to kill him.

Just then, movement came from the wagon.

Reese emerged, slightly flushed, clothes disheveled.

She adjusted her outfit, smiling, "What are you doing?"

"You're awake?" Pierre was surprised, yet drawn to her appearance, feeling restless.

"Awake? What do you mean?" Reese feigned ignorance.

Pierre dropped the pretense, seeing David asleep and no sound from Helag, he said, "I don't know why the Lost Herb didn't work, but Reese, will you come willingly, or must I force you? Your choice."