With a wind-powered ship, Gloden could finally open a direct trade route from White River City to Raven Shore.
That route would bypass treacherous terrain and cut down travel time drastically.
And most importantly,
Salt.
Salt was a high-demand commodity.
If he could control its flow, he could reduce its price locally and sell it at a premium in neighboring noble territories.
The profits would be enormous.
Torvald's invention wasn't just a ship, it was a key to economic dominance.
Gloden clenched his fists.
"I must have him. One way or another."
-----
"Ring!!!"
Aaron's eyes snapped open.
The loud bell echoed through the castle, still ringing in his ears.
He rushed to the window, sliding the curtains aside.
Outside, armed soldiers were pouring out of the castle gates, torches blazing against the evening sky.
Suddenly, his door burst open.
Alice entered with Fiona, her expression tense.
"Aaron, the Undeads… they've appeared."
Aaron immediately began strapping on his leather armor.
"Miss Alice, please head to a safe place."
But Alice shook her head, her tone firm.
"Nope. I'm going to the city wall with you. I want to experience the undead myself."
Aaron hesitated, then turned to Fiona.
"Did Lord Alaric give her permission to leave the castle?"
Fiona looked helpless.
"Nope. But who dares harm Miss Alice in Starfall City?"
Now it was Aaron's turn to be speechless.
He finished gearing up, leather gloves, his new bow, a dagger, and a sword.
Then he said,
"Miss Alice, it's dangerous outside. Please stay in the castle."
Without waiting for a reply, he rushed out of the room.
Alice gritted her teeth, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Hmph. Idiot. I'm not some weakling, I'm a Knight. I can fight too."
She followed after him.
Fiona sighed and trailed behind, a helpless look on her face.
From the balcony above, Lord Alaric watched silently.
He didn't stop them.
Instead, he thought it was time Alice experienced the undead firsthand.
Moria would be protecting her from the shadows anyway.
-----
Outside, the city was alive with chaos.
Evening had fallen, and torches lit the streets.
Guards were shouting, urging citizens to return to their homes.
Aaron stepped out, scanning the horizon.
"Aaron, wait for me!" Alice called out.
He turned, a helpless look on his face.
"Miss Alice, stay close behind."
Then, without warning, he bent down and leapt onto the rooftop of a nearby house.
"Follow me."
Alice was stunned, then thrilled.
She had never run across rooftops before.
Fiona, exasperated, muttered,
"Can't you just take the road?"
But she followed anyway, leaping up behind them.
Aaron opened his map mid-run, jumping from rooftop to rooftop.
The wind rushed past his face.
Below, the crowd roared in confusion and fear.
But Aaron's expression was solemn.
Outside the city walls, the map showed densely packed red dots.
Thousands, maybe tens of thousands.
Each dot bore a number from 1 to 14.
Some even displayed question marks.
Aaron's eyes narrowed.
There were undead stronger than Aaron among the horde.
He knew it was wise to stay atop the city walls,
From there, he could pick off as many as possible before they reached the gates.
A few minutes later, Aaron stood on the wall, scanning the horizon.
He turned and saw Alice and Fiona following closely behind.
He was surprised.
He already knew Alice was a Knight, but Fiona… wasn't she just a maid?
Curious, he opened his map and checked her stats.
Level 10.
That meant she was a peak-tier Knight Apprentice, just a breath away from the Knight Realm.
Aaron sighed in amazement.
"So she's been hiding her strength all along…"
-----
The soldiers on the wall noticed the trio's arrival.
When they recognized Miss Alice, they quickly saluted.
"Miss Alice!"
One of the guards stepped forward.
"It's dangerous here. Please stay behind the barricades. The undead have archers, they can rain arrows and cause heavy casualties."
Alice waved him off.
"You don't need to worry about us. Just do your job."
Then she turned to Aaron with a playful smile.
"Aaron, you'll protect me, right?"
Aaron gave her a helpless look.
"Please, Miss Alice, don't joke. I'll do my best to protect you. But it's dangerous, stay alert."
-----
Aaron looked around.
The guards were already equipped with bows and arrows.
Nearby, boxes of spare arrows and quivers were stacked neatly.
He picked one, filled it with arrows, and turned his gaze beyond the city walls.
Fires lit the landscape outside the gates, casting flickering shadows.
Skeletons clad in armor and wielding weapons marched steadily toward the city.
Among them were undead knights riding skeletal horses.
And towering above them, two giant undead, radiating intense pressure.
A black aura surrounded the horde, and the atmosphere was suffocating.
Even the plants near the walls were withering.
Just then, a trumpet blast echoed through the air.
The soldiers snapped into position, bows raised, eyes locked on the advancing undead.
Alice stared at the skeletal figures, horror etched on her face.
"Ah! They look terrible…"
Fiona's face was pale.
Some nearby soldiers chuckled,
The first time seeing the undead was always terrifying.
But Aaron's calm voice cut through the tension.
"Alice, are you afraid? It's normal. Anyone would be. But don't feel embarrassed. Fear won't solve the problem, you have to face it and kill it yourself."
Another trumpet sounded.
The soldiers released their arrows in a synchronized volley.
Aaron turned to Alice once more.
"Don't be afraid. Shoot now. Kill your fear, or it will haunt you for the rest of your life."
He raised his bow, aimed at an approaching undead soldier, and fired.
Aaron's words snapped Alice back to her senses.
Her face was pale, and Fiona looked no better.
But both of them picked up bows, nocked their arrows, and fired toward the advancing undead.
The arrows struck true, bones shattered, some skeletons collapsed.
But many kept marching, relentless and unfazed.
Seeing the broken yet still-moving corpses sent a chill down their spines.
It was one thing to fight a living enemy.
But these creatures… they didn't feel pain, didn't hesitate, didn't stop.
Alice's hands trembled slightly.
Fiona's breath was shallow.
Yet Aaron's calm voice echoed again, grounding them.
"Don't stop. Keep shooting. Fear fades when you fight through it."
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