"I Did It."

Gwen turned towards the voice. It was Viktor.

Hearing Viktor claim responsibility, she naturally believed him.

After all, Viktor's reputation as a third-tier mage was well-known. Dealing with these bandits would be child's play for him.

"What are you doing here?" Gwen asked, turning her head back. She was curious why Lia had called her over if Viktor was already here.

She pocketed a crystal flowing with seven-colored light and leaned against Lia.

As the colors gradually faded from the crystal, Viktor noticed Lia had a similar one at her waist.

The two women communicated through these magic crystals, functioning similarly to a two-way telephone.

Viktor maintained his cold poker face and explained unhurriedly:

"My family's merchant convoy was approaching the capital. I came to assist and took care of these bandits along the way."

Hearing his explanation, Gwen didn't doubt him. She turned to the knight squad and ordered:

"Check the bodies. See if you can identify any of them. Conduct an identity investigation and report back to me."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The knight squad sprang into action upon receiving the order.

"Lia, be careful. Contact me immediately if you're in danger next time."

After giving these instructions, Gwen prepared to leave with her knights.

Once she left, Lia puffed up her cheeks, her face resembling a steamed bun.

She had dealt with these bandits herself and wanted to show off in front of Gwen. She didn't expect Viktor to suddenly appear and steal her glory.

"You understand better than I do the principle of not flaunting wealth," Viktor said nonchalantly.

Lia immediately calmed down. It was fine for the people in the convoy to see, as they were her own. But if anyone found out her magic came from an artifact, she could be in danger.

As a merchant, she never underestimated human greed.

"Hmm... I understand," she nodded.

Viktor was satisfied, feeling a sense of accomplishment as an older brother for successfully educating Lia.

He walked up to Lia and extended a finger.

The dull gem flashed with a red light as he recharged the magic.

After finishing, he prepared to leave.

However, Lia asked him somewhat shyly:

"Why did you come here? I don't believe what you told Gwen earlier."

"I sensed you using magic, so I came to check out of curiosity," Viktor turned and answered flatly, his eyes devoid of any spark, maintaining his icy demeanor.

Hearing Viktor's words, Lia felt a complex mix of emotions.

In all her years, Viktor had never shown concern for her.

But what happened today? Has someone rewired his brain? Did he suddenly develop a conscience?

Lia's rapid-fire thoughts soon got an explanation.

Viktor looked at her calmly and continued:

"The attack on the convoy might be related to my enemies, though I've lost count of them and don't know exactly who. You should be more careful."

Lia finally found a chance to retort, sneering:

"Huh, so you're aware that you're disliked."

She had some guesses about the origins of today's bandits, but she didn't tell Viktor.

"Have you tried the potion's effects?" Viktor asked abruptly.

"All the mages have tried it. They all say it's good," Lia nodded, surprise evident in her voice.

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The exhausted mages became instantly energized after drinking just one bottle.

Even though she wasn't a mage, she could understand how astonishing this effect was.

"This convoy trip isn't just for ore trading. I've already scouted a shop location in the capital," she explained.

"There are many adventurers, especially mages. Selling this in the bustling districts will definitely be a hit."

Viktor listened to Lia's description, secretly admiring her executive ability.

He didn't show it, though, as Viktor never praised anyone.

"If you encounter any difficulties in the capital, I might not be able to help. You should contact Gwen more often."

Lia tilted her head, drawing out a long "Oh~?"

She looked at Viktor suspiciously:

"Don't you know?"

Viktor frowned, telling Lia not to speak in riddles.

"Gwen is going on a mission in a few days. She probably won't be back for at least half a month."

"And you're supposed to be her fiancé? You don't even know this. I think she should start preparing to remarry."

Lia mocked Viktor while secretly observing his facial expression.

Viktor naturally didn't know about this. He and Gwen barely had any contact, and to be honest, he couldn't even figure out what their relationship was supposed to be.

"Where is she going?"

Lia's hope of seeing a change in Viktor's expression was dashed. He asked as casually as if inquiring about a stranger's whereabouts.

Feeling bored, Lia lowered her head and fiddled with the Mage Hand for a while before answering half-heartedly.

"She said she's going to Mount Vesuvius."

"Although it's supposed to be a dormant volcano, locals reported some strange sounds from the mountain. The emperor sent her to investigate whether the volcano might erupt and to formulate a contingency plan."

Viktor paused slightly upon hearing this name.

Memories flooded his mind.

That place wasn't really a dormant volcano.

Behind the layers of magma at the bottom of the crater lurked a massive monster - the neutral world boss that appeared in the first chapter of the game's storyline.

Its power was not to be underestimated.

In the game, world-class bosses were challenged by players from the entire server. They had extremely high levels and much more HP compared to ordinary bosses.

After defeating it, a dungeon would be generated for players to challenge repeatedly.

If Viktor remembered correctly, that boss would awaken in a year and a half.

At that time, players were generally low-level. The game had only been open for half a year, and most players were only around level 20.

But this boss was an astonishing level 50!

Players could barely break through its defense.

He remembered when the boss awakened from the volcano, it burned all the surrounding towns to the ground.

The empire dispatched armies and knight squads to suppress it, but they were easily crushed.

In that critical moment, the empire had to seek help from adventurers like the 'players'.

This world-class boss was finally defeated after players died countless times, grinding away its last bit of HP over three full days.

Viktor had the fortune to participate in that battle. He remembered staying up for three nights, logging in every day just to chip away a tiny bit of the boss's HP along with other players.

Every time he recalled it, he felt a surge of excitement.

Their efforts paid off, and generous rewards were given to every player who contributed to the battle.

Although he later challenged that dungeon again with various classes, he could never recapture that initial sense of despair.

However, Viktor was curious to see what it looked like before it awakened.

The Furnace Beast - that was the name players had given it.

True to its name, it was like a giant celestial furnace, striking fear into hearts and devastating all life.

Its appearance even turned the earth into charcoal.

Viktor decided to visit Gwen tonight to probe for information.

If he could tag along on Gwen's mission, that would be even better.

Seeing Viktor standing there lost in thought after she finished speaking, Lia felt he must be thinking of something unpleasant.

She waved her hand at him dismissively.

"Are you that free? Wandering around outside when you're supposed to be a professor at the Magic Academy?"

"If you have nothing to do, can you just go home?"

Viktor looked down at her, nodded without refusing, and a magic circle appeared under his feet. With a 'whoosh', he disappeared.

Seeing Viktor leave, Lia held her forehead and sighed:

"This guy..."

"He really just leaves without a second thought."

But it's fine that he left. Now she could attend to her real business.

She began directing her subordinates to inventory the goods.

The mages who were curled up in a ball were dumbfounded. They had just witnessed Viktor teleport in and then teleport out.

Was that the legendary head of the Kravina family?

Casually using teleportation magic, even more powerful than their own boss!

Soon after, the inventory was complete. Not a single item was missing, which made Lia breathe a sigh of relief.

Lia called over a subordinate behind her, gesturing for her to come closer, then whispered in her ear.

"Contact our people below. Investigate the recent movements of the du Cloye family."

Her eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Since when has anyone dared to rob a Kravina family convoy?"

She had long suspected the Duke.

Because recently, only his little daughter had made an enemy of Viktor.

As for Viktor's other previous enemies? Those who could be buried were buried, those who could be exiled were exiled.

Even those who couldn't be dealt with wouldn't be so blind as to mess with their family's convoy.

Except for the Duke, she didn't believe anyone else would be so ignorant of the rules.

It had always been them collecting protection fees from others. Even in the capital, they couldn't let these locals bully them!

.......

Viktor teleported back home and immediately went to his bedroom to prepare another set of clothes.

He called for the servants to ready a carriage, preparing to visit the Delin family mansion.

The servants quickly carried out his orders upon receiving them.

Meanwhile, Gwen had just finished her day's work.

Returning home, she immediately took off her armor and shed her cumbersome clothes.

The maid at home had already prepared hot water for her. Gwen soaked in the bathtub, comfortably stretching her limbs, enjoying this rare moment of relaxation.

"Mmm~ah!"

A contented sound escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, letting the gentle water envelop her entire body.

At this moment, a maid knocked on the bathroom door.

"Miss, you have a visitor."

Gwen was enjoying her bath. Hearing the voice, she let out a small "hmm" and lazily surfaced.

Her white back leaned against the edge of the tub, water droplets rolling down her skin, creating ripples on the water's surface.

"Ha... Who is it?" she asked, having just yawned.

Then she heard the maid suddenly say from outside the door.

"It's Mr. Viktor."

'Splash!'

Gwen's body slipped, and she fell completely into the water.