Hopelessness and Keeping Watch

Sitting in the constantly jolting carriage seat, Rolandis couldn't piece together everything she had just heard. If it were just a conspiracy or a prank, she could accept it. But being told she was a cunning prisoner and hostage was simply too bizarre. Of course, Rolandis had resisted; she even activated her hidden Flame Shield, attempting to fight back and escape. But the little girl with the man easily reached through the barrier—enough to incinerate an ordinary person—and gently pressed her unharmed fingers to Rolandis's lips, then made a "quiet" gesture.

Rolandis immediately understood her proper place and attitude. Frankly, even her grandfather didn't possess such strong magical resistance, able to pass through Flame Shield barehanded without being burned by those dangerous flames. Although she didn't know how this little girl had managed to do this astonishing feat, Rolandis had no other choice but to obediently become a prisoner.

Under Mina's control, the carriage headed towards the western coastline. Li Lin didn't reveal the destination, so the group simply sped forward without any specific goal. Since four of the six people in the carriage were non-human, they didn't need to eat or rest like humans, which ensured the carriage's speed. Li Lin would meditate briefly during the carriage's breaks to replenish his physical and mental energy.

However, such a grueling journey was intolerable for Rolandis. She was only a mid-level mage, unable to do what Li Lin did—taking short breaks to recover her energy—nor could she live a life without food or sleep like Angela.

Even so, Rolandis showed no sign of distress. Although this kind of hardship was quite difficult for Rolandis, who had lived in the palace since childhood, she still gritted her teeth and persevered. Although she understood that she was no match for these people in terms of strength, she, who had been proud and arrogant since childhood, would never expose her weakness to her enemies.

In particular, when Angela's "I'm just waiting to see when you fall" gaze swept over her, it further fueled Rolandis's fighting spirit.

Unfortunately, even with the best mental state, the body cannot withstand such a grueling journey. After three days, Rolandis was clearly in a semi-conscious state, suffering from severe dehydration and lack of food; even a mage could not endure such torment.

Although Rolandis intended to "persist until death" to express her protest and refusal to compromise, Li Lin did not expect her to actually set an example and fulfill her promise. After all, he had promised to return Rolandis to the old mage unharmed. Although he didn't mind her wanting to torture herself, it would put him in a difficult position.

Ultimately, Li Lin decided to temporarily halt this marathon-like advance and parked the carriage in front of an inn in the seaside town. He didn't want the old mage to come and find his granddaughter already a cripple.

Although Rolandis kept a close watch on everyone, Li Lin and Angela clearly didn't take this female mage seriously. They even booked a room specifically for her, with no guards, no surveillance, and no forbidden magic outside the door. Of course, considering their strength, if Rolandis wanted to escape, they could probably catch her in the blink of an eye.

Of course, that was when Li Lin and Angela "free".

"Ugh... Ah..."

Through the wall, Rolandis could faintly hear sounds coming from next door. After a rare, sumptuous dinner, she had finally regained some of her energy and strength. Therefore, the sorceress quickly rallied again, first using a very clumsy method to probe her surroundings. But it was clear that Li Lin and Angela were busy with their own affairs. The two maids were not nearby. Although she didn't know where they had gone, Rolandis didn't pay them any mind. After all, in the sorceress's mind, only that terrifying man and the girl were the real threats.

To her relief, through the magic's propagation, Rolandis quickly heard the noise coming from next door. This made her blush slightly. Although she was still a virgin, Rolandis was, after all, a grown woman and naturally knew what she was hearing. Although such a scene was unimaginable to her, it was clearly an excellent opportunity to escape.

"..."

Rolandis chanted softly, reciting the incantation, and a flash of Magic Power energy passed through the air. The message that returned filled Rolandis with both worry and relief, because there was indeed no magic used to monitor her, either in her room or throughout the entire inn.

If we don't escape now, it will be too late.

Thinking of this, Rolandis mustered her courage, bit her lip, and quietly left the room. Next door, Li Lin and Angela seemed to be immersed in pleasure, completely unaware of her departure.

"Next, as long as I can leave the hotel..."

The initial success did not lull Rolandis into a false sense of security. She knew very well that Li Lin and Angela possessed immense power; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to coerce her grandfather. Therefore, if she rashly used an escape spell now, she might be detected by the two. Thus, Rolandis decided to first retreat to a safe casting range, and then use her magical items to teleport. If the plan succeeded, she wouldn't need to worry about anything anymore.

The hotel was very quiet at night. Rolandis carefully went downstairs, then used her magic to deceive the waiters and quietly slipped to the back door. She held her breath, pushed open the door, and walked out of the hotel.

Night had fallen, and the entire area around the hotel was quiet, save for the distant sound of waves crashing.

"Further, further..."

Suppressing her excitement and unease, Rolandis walked slowly and quietly along the path. Her heart was pounding so hard with nervousness that it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

And just then...

"Where are you going, Miss Rolandis?"

A maid with long, flaxen hair appeared in front of Rolandis, blocking her way.

Fina looked at the female mage before her with a mixture of unease and curiosity, a red light flashing in her eyes that she herself did not notice.

"...!!"

Startled by the sudden sound, Rolandis nearly screamed, but she forced the sound back down and focused her gaze on the little maid in front of her.

"Get out of the way!"

There was no time to waste here, and in Rolandis's eyes, Mina and Fina were just ordinary maids with no real abilities. So she immediately hissed angrily in a low voice, and at the same time stretched out her right hand. A cold light shot from Rolandis's fingertips, flying towards Fina's heart. Although it was a low-level spell, it still had enough power to shut someone up.

Rolandis initially believed that her attack was flawless, and that Fina would be knocked unconscious the moment she was hit by her spell. This would allow her to continue her escape plan.

However, as Fina extended her right hand and a staff materialized in her palm, Rolandis had to change her mind.

The shield, emitting a faint glow, withstood Rolandis's confident attack. Rolandis's magic didn't even have time to take effect before it vanished beneath the glowing shield.

Minor Spell Immunity Shield —this was the spell effect attached to Fina's elven weapon. Although such equipment might put her at a disadvantage against high-level mages, it posed no problem at all against a mid-level mage like Rolandis.

"Please return, Miss Rolandis."

Fina twirled her staff, the weapon Li Lin had specifically allowed her to use today. It seemed Li Lin had anticipated things would turn out this way. And it was time for Fina to understand her place. After all, she wasn't created just to make tea and change clothes.

Faced with Fina's request, Rolandis simply took a step back, then raised her hands and responded with intricate magical hand gestures. She certainly wouldn't give up freedom so easily when it was within her grasp.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

Leaning against the window, Angela, completely naked, lay in Li Lin's arms, looking down at the two people fighting not far away with a mocking gaze.

"That kitten is indeed adorable, but unfortunately, does she really think that your master and I would let you leave so easily?"

"This is a good opportunity."

As Li Lin leaned close to Angela's ear to watch the fight below the window, he gently nibbled at her ear. This caused Angela to let out a small squeal, while she closed her Angela, enjoying Li Lin's caress. To them, the match outside the window was more like a late-night movie used to build up emotions and atmosphere, rather than any particularly important private affair.

"Let's see just how much Fina has grown; hopefully, she won't disappoint me."

"What a pity, I originally wanted to show you, Master, Mina's progress."

"I certainly don't want that old mage to see me giving him a bunch of his granddaughter's parts, at least not now."

Li Lin gently stroked Angela's soft, smooth body as he answered.

"Then, Angela, how about we make another bet?"