Night had fallen. Though the house had other rooms, Xueyi showed no intention of sleeping elsewhere. In fact, this was one of her rare chances to sleep beside Lorin in a long time.
Clutching Lorin’s arm, Xueyi murmured softly at his side, as if talking in her sleep.
What he’d witnessed today fully confirmed her genuine desire to live alone with him, away from others.
Lorin reached out and gently touched Xueyi’s hair. Sensing it, she shrank slightly and snuggled closer to him.
“She really is like a child,” Lorin thought. Though children weren’t usually as bold as Xueyi.
Listening to her soft breathing, sleepiness crept over Lorin, and he slowly drifted off.
But deep in the night, the Bookkeeper’s voice jolted him awake.
“Six people are approaching this place.”
“Approaching here?” Lorin glanced toward the door.
Since arriving in this world, the Bookkeeper’s information had never been wrong. So many people suddenly appearing in this forest felt off—even wild beasts would be more plausible. Lorin couldn’t help but heighten his alertness.
“Xueyi.” He gently shook her beside him.
Xueyi, deep in sleep, opened her eyes and rubbed the corners. “What is it?”
“Someone seems to be approaching us.”
“Someone?” Like Lorin upon hearing the warning, Xueyi’s face showed surprise.
Hearing the rustling of trampled grass and leaves outside, she snapped fully awake.
This house belonged to the Gret Family. If Xueyi hadn’t recalled it by chance, it might have been forgotten entirely—its location was quite remote. Now, intruders at night felt deeply wrong.
Carefully, they slipped out of bed. Lorin moved to the window and peered outside under the moonlight.
That’s when he saw several figures in black night attire approaching from a distance. It reminded him of the clothes worn during Lilith and Xueyi’s trial.
Mere bandits wouldn’t need such gear. And they’d never foolishly attack a noble house like this. They must have another purpose.
“Are they after me?” Recalling Xueyi’s repeated warnings about the danger of returning to the Royal Capital, Lorin suspected a connection.
Xueyi pulled her longsword from under the bed and joined him. Her face was clearly displeased—Lorin felt she might snap any moment.
One approaching figure stopped and whispered, “Boss, is this really the house?”
“I’m not sure,” the leader replied, crouching low as he eyed the building. “But it’s the only spot nearby showing activity. The other teams haven’t reported anything. We’ll take a chance.”
After learning of Lorin’s disappearance in the forest, they’d split into small search teams. As the area expanded, only traces here led them.
As they prepared to move closer, a fireball burst through the door, hurtling straight at them.
The shadowy figures paused and scattered. Peering through the broken doorway, they saw no one inside.
“What’s going on?” The front figures exchanged confused glances. A house attacking on its own was too eerie.
Just as they moved to investigate, a lookout nearby shouted, “Someone’s running that way!”
Under the night sky, two figures sprinted deep into the woods. Had they not left a sentry in a tree, those at the house might have missed them entirely.
“We’ve been spotted,” Lorin frowned. Xueyi’s fireball had drawn attention, but he hadn’t expected a tree lookout.
Guided by the sentry, the others quickly caught up and surrounded them.
The leader scrutinized Lorin. “It’s indeed the Second Prince. We didn’t make a mistake.”
“Am I that popular?” Lorin didn’t recall becoming so sought-after since leaving the Royal Capital.
Ignoring his remark, the shadow continued, “Second Prince, don’t blame us. We’re just hired.”
With that, he drew his sword and lunged.
Seeing no time to dodge, Lorin released Xueyi’s hand and shoved her aside.
The blade slashed down, missing both. The attacker immediately shifted stance, swinging back at Lorin.
Lorin reacted, but it was his first real fight. His speed lagged, and a large piece of his sleeve was sliced off.
Xueyi, pushed aside, swiftly stepped forward and parried the next strike with her sword.
She looked at Lorin’s torn clothes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Lorin examined the tear. Half his right abdomen was exposed, but thankfully unharmed.
“Good.” Xueyi sighed in relief. Her gaze fell on the torn fabric on the ground, but her brow furrowed the next second.
From the pocket of the severed sleeve, a small scented pouch slipped out.
Xueyi didn’t carry such things—she knew they were typically for girls. She’d never heard of Lorin having this habit either.
Unaware of her shift, Lorin asked the Bookkeeper, “Can one Intermediate Magic spell handle these guys?”
“It should work, but unexpected situations can’t be ruled out.”
Lorin avoided Advanced Magic due to its side effects. Humans were far more unpredictable than monsters—if he passed out again, it’d be trouble. Intermediate Magic offered more uses, a safer backup.
Upon the reply, Lorin spread his palm. A light blue book materialized in his hand.
The shadowy figures froze, but remembering his past use of Advanced Magic, they lunged again.
“Quick, interrupt his chant!”
Disrupting a caster’s chant before spell completion was basic tactics, known even to novices.
But to their surprise, as they moved, the nearby lake water surged as if summoned, rushing toward them and engulfing them completely.
