The next day, Verlith woke up as usual, her internal clock unnaturally precise.

She lingered in bed for a moment, stretched lazily, then got up.

For over ten minutes, she did two hundred squats and two hundred push-ups. Only when every muscle felt loose did Verlith step out of her tent, satisfied.

Dawn hadn’t broken yet.

Mercenaries sat by their tents, sipping water and munching dry rations. Two stood up immediately as Verlith approached.

"Thanks for last night," they murmured.

"Just a small favor," Verlith waved dismissively.

These were the patrol guards from yesterday. When Verlith returned to camp, she’d woken them up—saving them from sleeping on duty. They’d begged her not to tell the captain. Verlith happily agreed; such easy kindnesses were her specialty.

After breakfast with Alyssa, daylight began to seep in.

"Miss Alyssa, time to move," Horatu called.

"Alright." Alyssa nodded and climbed into the carriage.

The convoy resumed its journey.

The forest terrain was treacherous for carriages. Mercenaries hacked through vines with blades, forcing the group forward in fits and starts.

Hours passed. Sweat drenched every mercenary’s brow.

Verlith, the "frail" maid, stayed comfortably seated beside Alyssa, watching the chaos.

"How much longer?" Verlith yawned, voice lazy.

"Almost there," Alyssa said. "Just a bit more."

"If we keep trudging through this forest, I’ll fall asleep," Verlith complained.

"Then sleep," Alyssa pulled her close, gentle.

Hearing this from the carriage, Horatu snorted inwardly. *Some people have it easy.*

"Push harder, men!" he barked, frustration thick.

"Yes, Captain," they replied weakly, swinging axes with tired arms.

The convoy crawled onward.

Suddenly, a mercenary shouted.

"Captain! The path’s blocked ahead!"

"What?" Horatu snapped. "I traveled this route years ago. Impossible!"

"See for yourself!"

"Fine, I’ll see!"

Verlith and Alyssa heard the commotion. Bored in the carriage, they followed the mercenary.

They reached the obstruction quickly.

"Here it is, Captain," the mercenary said.

Ahead, massive boulders sealed the way—debris from a collapsed cliffside, stretching endlessly.

Horatu stared silently. His voice turned dry.

"The carriage won’t pass."

"Then we walk back to the Eastward Path," Verlith seized the chance. "No other choice, right? You wouldn’t make Miss Alyssa trek on foot?"

This was a rare opportunity. If the mercenaries took the main road, they’d face inspections. And under scrutiny, Verlith had ways to expose their secrets. It was tedious but safest.

She longed to punch them all down—simple, direct, satisfying. But too risky. With Alyssa watching, she couldn’t use force. If Horatu denied his identity, explaining her own strength would raise suspicion. Better to test him carefully.

Horatu’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t argue.

"We head back!" he growled through gritted teeth.

It took a full day to return to the Eastward Path.

Without obstacles, progress sped up. Yet Horatu pushed harder, demanding maximum speed to escape this uneasy stretch.

His hope was crushed.

Trouble found them after barely a hundred miles on the road.

Five armored knights on towering horses spotted the convoy first. They blocked Horatu’s path on the Eastward Path, rifles aimed.

"Halt! Everyone dismount and submit to inspection!"

The lead knight—a burly man with a bushy beard—glared at Horatu’s group, voice rough.

"All out! Line up straight! Screening starts now!"

Horatu glared back. The knight’s horse snorted at him, as if mocking.

"Show respect!" a smaller knight snapped beside the leader.

Horatu dropped his gaze but refused to yield. "Who authorized you? Show credentials! What gives you the right to search us?"

"Right?" The cavalry captain unrolled a scroll, thrusting it high before Horatu. "Behold! An imperial decree from the Eastern Pearl Empire’s Royal Netherized Beings Eradication Corps. No one obstructs a purge operation. Your convoy will be inspected!" He snapped the scroll shut.

The motion was swift, but Horatu caught the title: "Eastern Pearl Empire Netherized Beings Defense Protocol."

He spotted a flaw.

"Hold on." Horatu narrowed his eyes. "This bears the Empire’s seal, yes. But it’s just a routine purge order—every nation issues dozens yearly. Who are you to act superior and search us on this alone?"

"Hmph. We’re the Purge Knights!" The captain flashed his chest insignia—a slender sword piercing a monstrous figure.