Chapter 18: Chapter18-Mapleleaf

"Found it!" Ranch's heart leaped with joy as he scrolled through the items that had appeared before.

[Fire Ball (Enhanced Version): Purchase to instantly learn the enhanced Fire Ball. Price: 1,000 gold coins.]

After spending a thousand gold coins to make the Fire Ball a permanent good, Ranch immediately opted to purchase it.

To his surprise, after his purchase, the item, now a permanent good, transformed.

[Fire Ball Scroll (Enhanced Version): Use to unleash an intensified fireball that inflicts severe burn damage on the enemy. Price: 100 gold coins.]

"Could it be that once spell-related or knight combat skill items are designated as permanent goods, they turn into corresponding skill scrolls?" Ranch pondered, quickly understanding the logic.

Skill-related goods, once purchased, could be learned immediately, and after learning, there was naturally no need to purchase again; thus, converting them into skill scrolls made sense.

Of course, now was not the time to ponder over this.

As the fireballs released by Haren flew towards him, Ranch unleashed the newly acquired enhanced Fire Ball.

It consumed less mana, yet the power of the fireball was significantly more formidable, even devouring Haren's fireballs and rapidly smashing towards Haren!

"This… impossible!" Haren was utterly shocked.

As an advanced magus, he had encountered countless spells, but the Fire Ball cast from Ranch's hand was something he had never seen before; it consumed less mana yet was more powerful, clearly defying the common knowledge of magic!

Boom!

The fireball exploded, emitting a fierce vibration.

As the black smoke cleared, Haren's expression was dark and ominous.

A pale blue water shield floated in front of him, but as he was about to chant a spell, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen.

Ranch's fist had fiercely smashed into it, bringing intense pain that twisted Haren's face, interrupting his incantation.

A cardinal rule for magi in combat is never to let an opponent get close.

This was a lesson many magi had learned, but clearly, Haren had failed to heed it.

Taking advantage of Haren's lingering pain, Ranch hoisted him up and threw him into the air, leaping up himself to deliver a precise kick that sent Haren hurtling back to the ground, skidding to a stop at Vera's feet.

"You, you…" Butler Haren was weakened, coughing up blood.

Vera, looking down at the pitiful state of Butler Haren, felt no sympathy but suppressed anger as she spoke,

"Haren, you have deeply disappointed me! When we return, I will personally inform my father and have your stewardship revoked!"

"What!" Haren was utterly shocked.

He struggled to his feet, saying, "Miss, you can't do this! He deceived you, made you use the chance for a blessing."

Haren still firmly believed that Ranch had deceived Vera, exploiting the Blessing Necklace for a wish.

However, Vera shook her head, pulling out the necklace and holding it in her hand.

A faint magical power emerged from her hand, infusing into the necklace, which then emitted a dazzling light.

"Haren, do you have anything else to say now?" Vera asked.

Haren, crestfallen, collapsed to the ground, unable to believe what he was seeing.

The Blessing Necklace being activated by mana meant the blessing chance was still intact, not used by Ranch, yet Ranch was supposedly devoid of magical talent.

Haren couldn't comprehend, muttering incessantly, "Impossible, impossible, this can't be…"

Vera approached, unable to meet Ranch's gaze, and apologized once again, "Mr. Ranch, I…"

"Vera, this isn't your fault. Also, although I spared Haren, his current condition won't last long without treatment," Ranch said, handing her a bottle of Energy Reagent.

Haren is Haren, Vera is Vera.

Considering Vera and the meditation technique she provided, Ranch didn't mind giving Haren another chance.

But if Haren remained unrepentant, then sending him to meet the grim reaper was the only option left.

Hearing Ranch's comforting words, Vera nodded.

She took the Energy Reagent from Ranch, then tiptoed up and kissed his cheek.

Her face turned crimson with shyness as she murmured, "Ranch, thank you."

Ranch was somewhat taken aback, while Vera quickly ran off, directing the mercenaries to move Haren to an open area.

Sophia witnessed this scene, her expression a mix of dissatisfaction and jealousy, remarking, "Lord Ranch, isn't it delightful to receive a kiss from a noble lady of such esteemed status?"

"Sophia, what are you implying? Are you jealous?" Ranch countered.

"Yes, I am jealous!" Sophia's mood was agitated, her expression cooling as she grabbed Ranch's hand and dragged him to a secluded hillock away from the caravan, pushing him down onto the grass.

Swiftly removing his clothes, she began to tenderly attend to him, her voice low and soft.

"Sophia, you don't have to do this," Ranch said, seemingly reluctant.

Hearing his words, Sophia smiled, placing her hand on Ranch's warm chest, her voice carrying a hint of fear, "Ranch, I'm scared of losing you."

"You won't lose me," Ranch whispered soothingly, gently stroking the elf girl's silky hair, then carefully laid her on the grass, nestling his head against her soft bosom, murmuring, "Sophia, you have no reason to worry. I will always be by your side. Besides, I still have to fulfill your wish; we have to deal with Hawk together."

"But you're too outstanding," Sophia whispered back, her breathing growing rapid.

Under Ranch's gentle ministrations, her skin flushed, turning as rosy and dewy as a ripe apple, tempting to the touch.

Sophia's concerns weren't unfounded; powerful individuals often claimed more women, wealth, and treasures—it was the nature of their world.

She had entrusted her hopes entirely to Ranch, unable to bear the thought of him leaving her, the despair it would bring unimaginable.

Ranch understood Sophia's worries.

But such fears were clearly unnecessary; he had no intention of abandoning Sophia.

Amid the escalating caresses, Sophia seemed to grasp Ranch's intent, her mood turning fervent as she brushed back her flowing hair, whispering, "Ranch, I promised you before."

With that, Sophia enveloped his heated arousal with her lips.

Her movements were unpracticed, her inexperience lending an exquisite sensation that overwhelmed Ranch swiftly, making him release his intense fervor into her mouth, much to her disdain.

Of course, this unique encounter was far from over.

In the tranquility of the hillside, Ranch and Sophia explored the heights of ecstasy again and again until late at night when they finally returned to the reassembled tent in the caravan.

…

The next day, as the sun rose, the caravan set off once more.

The journey proceeded smoothly; the group encountered no further spellbeasts, and Butler Haren, under the treatment of the Energy Reagent, though still gravely injured, had at least preserved his life.

For this, Vera came over to express her gratitude again.

However, both Ranch and Sophia noticed something off about Vera; her heart seemed to be racing, her cheeks flushed, sparking a memory in Sophia who, after Vera had left, leaned close to whisper to Ranch, "Ranch, she seems to have seen us on the hillside doing that. You know, it seems I've regained some of my magical talent due to your influence, sensing the presence of wind elements. That night, Miss Vera appeared to have watched us for quite a while."

"Didn't you think to warn me at the time?" Ranch asked.

"Why would I warn you?" Sophia retorted, then paid him no further mind.

She mounted her horse, looking ahead at Mapleleaf.

The towering city walls reflected a golden glow in the sunlight.

After two days of travel, the caravan had finally reached Mapleleaf, marking the time for everyone to part ways.

Pierre needed to transport the goods to a large warehouse outside the city, Vera and her party were headed to Viscount Layne's castle within the city, while Ranch and Sophia decided to first visit the Knight Hall for advancement.

After the advancement, they planned to make a trip to the Mapleleaf Dark Night Tribunal branch.

After all, Ranch was now not only a knight but also a magus.

Lastly, they intended to find a house in the city.

Ranch had plans; he needed to stay in Mapleleaf for a while.