On the Eve of Battle

Leaving Greenwood's camp, Dagov and his disciple strolled along the paths of Nork Town. Watching Anxia's lively figure before him, Dagov's eyes softened with warmth. He couldn't help but recall that, over twenty years ago, there had been a youthful, carefree girl by his side as well, but...

The girl's crisp, joy-filled voice jolted Dagov from his memories. He followed the sound, and in the blink of an eye, the tenderness on his face vanished, replaced by his usual sternness.

"Master, master, look! Such an adorable little Soul Beast!"

Anxia crouched in front of a small stall, her face full of delight, eyes sparkling as she stared intently at a pure white beast locked inside a cage.

The stall owner was a sharp-faced, shrewd-looking middle-aged man. Seeing the longing in Anxia's eyes, he rubbed his hands together and grinned.

"Little miss, cute, isn't it?"

"Mm-hmm!"

Anxia nodded eagerly.

"Since you like it so much, how about this—I'll sell it cheap, just 50 Bronze Soul Coins. You can ask your elder to buy it for you, what do you say?" The man's eyes narrowed into slits with his smile.

Hearing this, Anxia looked pleasantly surprised. She turned to Dagov, pouted, put on an adorable pleading expression, and whined:

"Master~"

Watching Anxia beg by the stall, Dagov thought for a moment, then nodded readily. As he spoke, he reached into his robes for money.

"Alright, I'll buy it. Consider this your birthday gift."

At the approval, Anxia's face lit up—until she heard the second half. Then she pouted in annoyance and grumbled.

"Ah, seriously, Master is way too sneaky! You have so much money, yet you're so stingy. You old miser. Bleh bleh bleh."

Anxia made a face at Dagov.

Shaking his head helplessly, Dagov walked steadily to the stall, handed the counted 50 Bronze Soul Coins to the vendor, took the cage from him, and passed it to Anxia.

"Take good care of it. Don't open the ca—"

Before Dagov could finish his warning, he saw Anxia had already opened the cage, scooped the little beast into her arms, and was stroking it with doting affection. The beast, sensing no ill intent from Anxia, cautiously extended its pink tongue and licked her chin.

"Ahahaha, so... so ticklish! Stop it, Little White!" Anxia, hit by Little White's touch on her ticklish spots, trembled uncontrollably, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Ha, haha, Master, what, what did you say?"

Dagov shook his head helplessly and turned to leave. "Nothing. As long as you're happy."

Just as he turned, a somewhat arrogant voice rang out from behind.

"Hold it!"

Master and disciple turned around to see three or four young men grinning as they surrounded the stall vendor, shoving him around while he forced a bitter smile.

"Something wrong?" Dagov's face hardened, his eyes wary. He could tell these young men were Soul Ancestors and Soul Venerables—far weaker than him, but he still instinctively stayed alert.

"Nothing much." The leader, a slick-looking youth with dyed yellow hair, grinned, but his eyes were fixed on the pouch Dagov had just tucked into his robes, greed flickering in them.

"Not much, really. You're new here, right?" The youth didn't answer directly but asked a non-sequitur instead.

Dagov didn't respond, just stared coldly at the youth.

The youth seemed not to notice Dagov's darkening expression—or if he did, he didn't care.

"Hey, it's nothing. It's just that this area's under my protection. Anyone doing business here has to pay a management fee. Not much—just two Gold Soul Coins."

Hearing this, even Dagov, usually unflappable, silently cursed the youth's greed.

But before he could react, Anxia lost her temper first.

Still holding the little beast in her arms, she jumped out from behind Dagov, face full of anger.

"Hey! Are you crazy for money or what?"

The girl's appearance made the youth's eyes light up, a lecherous tint creeping into his gaze.

Seeing that, Dagov's face darkened. His soul power surged uncontrollably, and in the next moment, a fist condensed with terrifying force would land on this clueless brat.

"Thud."

Rubbing his fist, Dagov took just one step forward, ready to teach the punk a lesson, when a thin figure suddenly darted out from the side and slammed a fist into the youth's face. The seemingly frail fist exploded with shocking power, sending the youth flying over a dozen meters away.

"Screw off! Who gave you the guts to mess with our honored guests from Greenwood?"

The figure cursed, kicking each of the remaining youths to the ground, then turned respectfully to the bewildered master and disciple.

"Greetings, esteemed guests. I was sent by our leader to deal with these blind little rats, so as not to spoil your enjoyment."

The figure introduced himself, his tone full of deference.

Dagov frowned, but after a moment, his brow smoothed.

His face returning to its usual sternness, Dagov nodded coolly, his voice flat:

"Thank you. Convey my thanks to your leader for the kindness, but it's unnecessary. We prefer to wander on our own. So, please take your leave."

With that, Dagov nodded and turned away. Anxia, however, smiled silently, mouthing a farewell to the figure, then leisurely stroked the little beast's soft white fur and followed behind Dagov, gradually disappearing from sight.

The figure stood in the street for a long time, still slightly bowed, but a sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Heh. Cannon fodder..."

After a day of wandering, the master and disciple pair did not return to Greenwood's camp. Instead, they found a secluded, shabby inn to stay in.

In the dead of night, the dim lamplight did nothing to hinder Dagov's vision. He sat silently at the desk, quietly watching Anxia, who was sprawled on the bed in a deep sleep, clutching the little beast.

Dagov's expression was gentle, as if a woman's reflection shimmered in his eyes.

He made no sound. In the twenty-odd square meter space, only the soft breathing of Anxia and the little beast could be heard. Watching Anxia's relaxed face, Dagov felt nothing but peace in his heart.

Standing up, he slowed his steps, trying not to make a single sound. Dagov came to the bedside, reached out to pinch the corner of the blanket, and carefully, gently, covered Anxia with the blanket she had kicked off. Then he reached out and stroked her short orange hair.

"Mm~"

"Ngh~"

The two little ones let out an unconscious murmur in unison, then sank back into deep sleep.

"How wonderful..."

"How wonderful..."