The Herb King



The next morning, they resumed their journey. 

Aethelwolf tried to create a skill, but he found out that he could no longer use this option of the Status Screen. He could still see all the skills and talents he had, but he could no longer create new skills. 'Did I reach the limit of creating skills?' He thought to himself. 

Aethelwolf was slightly disappointed by this, but there was nothing he could do. 

While he was looking at the Virtual Map, he suddenly noticed a few green dots surrounded by numerous red dots. 'What's this? Is there something happening up ahead?' 

There were only three routes that they could choose at this point, but two of the routes had countless magical beasts and the remaining one was filled with unknown. He knew that those green dots represented neutral parties, but Aethelwolf didn't want to get involved with them because his family was with him. However, this route was also the safest so he couldn't bring himself to decide.

"Is there anything wrong?" Julie Irish asked when she saw his expression.

Aethelwolf shook his head. "I found three routes for us. Two of these are filled with danger, but the remaining route has a situation. I don't know if we should intervene in their matters." 

"Let's just take a look. We will decide after seeing the situation." Samira suggested.

"Alright." Aethelwolf masked their auras with a rune. He didn't know how strong the other party was so it was necessary to remain vigilant. After all, this was no longer the Regalis Continent. He might be an ultimate expert there, but that might not be the same in this continent. 

Aethelwolf carefully led them towards the location and upon moving closer, they could already hear the sounds of fighting and the clashing of weapons. 

Aethelwolf furrowed his eyebrows as he used a perception skill to observe both parties. There were eighteen green dots in the Virtual Map and sixteen of them were Level 4 or Level 5 Espers. The other two were a bit weaker at Level 3. The strongest among them was a Transcendent expert. 

Meanwhile, they were surrounded by more than fifty enemies. The weakest of them was a Level 3 Esper, but the majority are Level 4 and Level 5. There were also two Transcendent experts leading them. 

Aethelwolf stared at the people that represented the green dots in his Virtual Map. The two Level 3 Espers were wearing luxurious garments and their guards were garbed in full body armor. Based on their clothing, Aethelwolf guessed that they had some background. On the other hand, the hostile force was dressed in black clothes which were usually worn by assassins. "What do you think we should do?" He asked while looking at his two wives.

"We have walked this forest with no clear destination. I think we should help those people and ask them the way to the nearest city. That way, we can save a lot of time." Julie Irish said while looking at the battle. 

They were hidden on top of a giant tree and with the runes masking their auras, no one noticed their presence. 

"Julie is right." Samira nodded her head in agreement.

"Fine. You guys stay here and don't move around." Aethelwolf said before he jumped down from the tree.

There were two Transcendent assassins, but their auras were weaker compared to the three Underworlder Kings he fought back then. 

Aethelwolf targeted the guy who seemed to be the strongest. He pulled out a Transcendent sword and used a sword skill in one quick motion. 

Shuaa!

"Huh?!" 

Everyone was stunned by his sudden arrival. They also witnessed how he effortlessly killed one Transcendent assassin. 

"Who are you?! We have no grudge against you! Stay out of this and my faction will forget what you have done!" The remaining Transcendent assassin shouted as he stared at Aethelwolf. 

Aethelwolf didn't respond and just glanced at him tauntingly. His figure blurred and reappeared behind the assassin. He then cleaved down his sword. 

Clang! 

The other party managed to block his attack since he was closely observing Aethelwolf, but he was thrown off by the force behind Aethelwolf's sword. "What?!" 

The assassin stabilized himself in midair and landed gracefully on top of a branch. "Retreat!" He commanded while glaring at Aethelwolf.

"Did I say that you guys can leave?" Aethelwolf sneered as he summoned thousands of swords. 

"Sword Momentum!" The remaining Transcendent assassin cried out in shock when he sensed the dreadful sword aura that Aethelwolf was emitting. 

The other assassins also broke out in cold sweat. Some of them tried to escape, but the hovering swords targeted them first. 

Shua! Shua! Shua!

"Ahhh!!" 

"Ahhh! Help!"

The assassins stared at Aethelwolf in fear. They never thought that they would actually encounter a top-notch sword expert on their mission.

"Descend!" Aethelwolf muttered. Thousands of swords rained down from the sky and nailed the assassins to the ground. Even the Transcendent assassin couldn't escape as he was struck by numerous swords. 

Shua! Shua! Shua!

The two rich kids and their bodyguards stared at Aethelwolf's figure in awe after witnessing his mighty power.

"Thank you so much for helping us, sir. May we know your name?" The leader of the bodyguards asked as he cupped his hands as a form of greeting.

Aethelwolf glanced at him and smiled. "Aethelwolf Lassiter." 

"Sir Aethelwolf, I am Tyrone from the Suliman Family of Northern Trance. I am escorting the young miss and the young lord of the Suliman Family back to Northern Trance." Tyrone couldn't gauge Aethelwolf's power so he guessed that he was at least one realm stronger than him. He had to ensure that this kind of expert wasn't hostile to them. 

"I see." Aethelwolf nodded. He then gave a signal to his family while shouting. "You guys can go down now." 

Tyrone was surprised by his words and he thought that there were still enemies hiding, but Aethelwolf patted his shoulder and said. "Relax. They are not enemies." 

Julie and the others jumped down from their hiding spot and landed behind Aethelwolf.