“Forget it. I’ll just consider it the price of obtaining Fey Magic.” Sophia could only comfort herself with that thought.

Still, if her strength had truly declined this much, she might no longer be able to slaughter all the bandits outside with her sword.

“Good thing I prepared beforehand. Otherwise, this would’ve been troublesome.” Sophia let out a soft sigh.

After killing the bandit chief, Sophia didn’t leave the room right away. Instead, she began searching it for something.

She didn’t stop until she found the wand shoved into a corner, along with the money pouch fastened to the bandit chief’s waist. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

A flash of fire passed by, and An transformed back into a small red cat. She curled up on the table and watched Sophia.

“Little princess, do you need my help?”

Although the question sounded kind, Sophia had no doubt that if she agreed, An would definitely mock her.

Still, An would help in the end.

Sophia shot her a glance. Then she lifted An by the scruff of her neck and pulled her into her arms.

“I’d like to see how you, with your strength greatly reduced, plan to deal with nearly a hundred bandits.”

An glanced at Sophia with great interest. Then she settled strangely into Sophia’s embrace and closed her eyes.

Sophia said nothing. She simply draped her black robe over herself again, took up her wand, and slowly walked toward the door.

Outside, the bandits all stared at their leader’s tightly shut door. They couldn’t see what was happening, but that didn’t stop them from imagining the little beauty’s moans.

They grew even more excited when they heard a muffled “Mmmph, mmmph!” coming from inside.

But contrary to their expectations, after that cry of pain, the room fell into an eerie silence.

They were somewhat puzzled, but simply assumed this was some strange preference of their leader’s.

And then—

Creak!

A faint sound rang out as the door was slowly pushed open from within.

Everyone froze. The girl who should have been pinned beneath their leader, moaning helplessly, now walked out of the room fully dressed.

“...”

The cold-faced girl left everyone present stunned. For a moment, the entire scene fell into an eerie silence.

Then one sharp-eyed bandit caught sight of their leader through the gap between Sophia and the doorframe.

He was sprawled on the floor, his eyes wide open. Blood sprayed from his neck and spread across the ground.

“!!! The boss is dead!!!”

With that shout, the entire scene erupted.

Some of the bandits still stood there in stunned confusion. The quicker ones had already raised their weapons and charged at Sophia.

Sophia faced the bandits rushing toward her with a cool, clear gaze. She could see the murderous intent flickering in their eyes.

“Ah...”

Sophia let out a soft sigh. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she slowly raised the wand in her hand.

Then she lightly struck it against the ground.

In that instant, a ring of watery-blue magical energy rippled outward, pushing back the bandits charging at Sophia.

The next moment, a magic circle condensed beneath the girl’s feet.

Then, four towering columns of watery-blue light suddenly rose around the bandit camp.

The four pillars resonated with the magic circle beneath Sophia’s feet. In the end, they formed a vast array that enveloped the entire camp.