Three hours passed. Through the long-distance Yuan Technique, the dragon carriage carrying Alicia came into Richards' view.

"They're here! Everyone, get ready!"

The ambush soldiers snapped to attention, eyes locked on the valley entrance.

A dragon carriage slowly emerged into sight, then rolled into their hidden valley.

"Huh?"

Inside, Alicia—resting with eyes half-closed—suddenly opened them. She peered outside thoughtfully.

Larry, lying on her lap, also opened his eyes. Unlike groggy sleepers, he was razor-sharp, gaze like a honed blade.

A faint smile curled Alicia's lips. "Interesting. We're prey now. Larry, how many?"

"About a hundred."

Larry closed his eyes, sensing carefully. Enhanced types like him could detect enemies beyond normal senses by refining intuition.

Similar Yuan Techniques existed, but Alicia's innate traits blocked her from learning them. She'd sensed the killing intent seeping from the valley.

"Not strong enough for us," she said. Brushing stray hair back, she added, "I care more if this targets us specifically."

The dragon carriage halted gently. Alicia raised an eyebrow. Through the window, the driver scrambled away.

"Premeditated. And I hired a 'reputable' black-market dealer." She sighed, eyeing Larry still sprawled on her lap. "How long will you laze there?"

"Sorry! Just... too comfy." Larry sat up reluctantly. "Can I lie back after this?"

Alicia pouted. "Go to hell! My leg's numb—I should use yours."

"Deal."

"Die already!"

As they bantered, a fireball streaked toward their carriage.

BOOM!

A blinding explosion engulfed it completely.

"Who fired?!" Richards bellowed. He needed Alicia alive for the contract and Daisy's whereabouts.

"My lord, equipment malfunction—misfire," a soldier reported.

"Misfire?! Unchecked?!" Richards fumed.

The general grimaced. "No checks anymore. Funding cuts mean we keep faulty gear. Better than nothing."

Richards froze, recalling Danga's decay.

"Wait—my lord, look!" A commander pointed at the valley floor.

Richards stared. The carriage stood intact, unharmed. Only explosion craters proved it wasn't a hallucination.

"A Barrier? But that was a military Essence Force shell! Power didn't weaken!"

Darkness deepened on Richards' face. His prep was insufficient.

"Open fire!"

"But—we needed them alive!"

"Strength first. Now!"

"Yes!"

Arrows, fireballs, and bolts rained down.

Alicia strolled out, finger lightly extended. A sturdier Barrier flared. Elemental attacks hammered it like rain—grand but futile, sparking harmlessly like pistol shots on tank armor.

She maintained it calmly, no aggression.

Richards sensed danger. A streak shot from the carriage—

"Watch out!"

Too late.

Unleashed, Larry was a natural disaster. Soldiers fell before they could react—a white flash, then darkness.

Alicia and Larry killed only those who must die. "Must die" depended on their values.

Richards had no time to plan. They couldn't match this power.

Minutes later, only Richards stood—spared as the leader for questioning.

Sword trembling but raised at Larry, he growled, "Monster! I'll never yield!"

"Sorry. Your choice isn't yours," Alicia said, floating above him on her broom.

"Your Majesty! Richards fails you! Let me pray for you in death!" He lunged to slit his throat—

His sword clattered away.

"Sorry. Even death is ours to grant," Larry whispered, appearing beside him.

Alicia hopped down, strolling close. "Third meeting, Knight. Your clinginess troubles me."

Richards glared. "Where's Prince Bruno?!"

"A safe place. You'd only cause trouble joining him." She aimed Mitchell at his head. "Answer honestly. Or you won't like my methods."

With Mitchell, no one resisted interrogation.

"Kill me! I won't betray my lord!"

"Death isn't the worst fear for loyalists like you. Some terrors surpass it. Be wise," Larry urged gently.

Richards glared, hatred burning.

Alicia sighed. "The world loses a tough man."

Enemy heroes were foes. Neither was naive.

After brutal questioning with Mitchell, they got their answers.

Richards died afterward—death was his mercy.

They built him a grave. Hypocritical to outsiders, but his courage earned respect.

They resumed their journey. Driver gone? No matter. Xunlong and the carriage remained—transport to the capital, fare saved.

Larry drove now. Alicia lounged alone inside.

Their faces exposed, they disguised themselves with Illusion Crystals.

"King Garp is suspicious," Alicia mused, recalling Richards' intel.

"Likely controlled," Larry agreed.

Alicia lay back. "Controlled? Can such a person govern a nation smoothly?"