It’s a huge change in attitude compared to when we first met.

I’m in no position to be disrespecting her… in her face.

Even considering there being some danger, it’s weird for the husband of Lady Si to simply ask them to escape though.

Is the situation that dire that he can’t even protect them himself?

As I think these thoughts, Sylvia pinches me on my arm.

“Ah! L-Lady Si! Please, come in!”, I responded, surprised.

She sat inside, with the guard captain still standing beside her.

I can more or less guess what’s coming next.

A potential ally with strong capabilities just appeared. What’s more, I could possibly be a genius young noble mage. If she played her cards right, she could escape this crisis and even build a strong connection with the family behind me.

A Baron family is the lowest in stature amongst the nobles. While they are still nobles, the amount of resources it takes to raise a fully fledged mage is certainly not bearable by a mere Baron family.

So her guesses should be:

A) My family was made bankrupt to raise me.

B) I’m lying to avoid being conspicuous, and the true status of my family is much higher.

C) I’m not a noble’s child at all, and I belong to a certain organisation.

D) I’m not a Class 1 Mage, and it was by chance that I fired that spell.

Option A is possible, however, even if that were so, such a family who successfully raised a young genius would certainly be well regarded by the king.

Option B is the most believable, since if I were to have revealed that I was, say a Duke’s son, I would certainly have been taken advantage of.

Option C is likely as well, since if I were supported by such an organisation, my achievements would be understandable. However, I don’t have any crest of the sort on me showing that.

As for Option D, people aren’t likely to believe that something so odd like an apprentice mastering so many ‘lance’ series spells would happen. Sometimes, the truth is the hardest to believe.

“Young Master Xue, I would like to thank you for saving my child’s life earlier, if there’s anything we can do to pay back the favour, please let me know.”, she bowed.

As she looked down in her bow, she seemed to be waiting for my response.

I’ll just play along for now.

“Please, raise your head. There’s no need to be so courteous, I merely did what anyone in my position would have done.”, I help her up, saying in a perfunctory tone.

“Thank you for your kindness.”, she expressed sincerely.

“Nonetheless, I would like to show something to express my gratitude.”, she says as she beckons to her maidservant who was behind her.

The maid servant bows, then beckons to another maid, who was outside.

The maid then brought in a package wrapped in paper and tied by rough rope.

The maid did a bow towards me, before placing the package in front of me.

Lady Si explains, “These are nothing of value, just some rations. However, I hope you’ll accept them.”

She bows again.

It’s really a complete turn from how she was when we first met.

“Thank you for your gift. I appreciate it greatly.”

“I’m honoured.”, she smiles.

Suddenly, another servant comes near, passing a message to the maidservant next to Lady Si.

She passes the message to Lady Si, whose face pales.

She has a difficult expression on her, seemingly struggling internally.

I know where she’s going with this, but if I don’t play along it’ll just waste more time.

“If you don’t mind me asking, is there something troubling you?”

Her expression seems to falter slightly, as if disappointed.

However, it quickly recovers as she explains, “We searched the body of the masked man who was killed here. He has the token of one of our business rivals, the Mu Family, I’m afraid they’re still targeting us to use as threats against my husband…”

She pauses.

“We’ll p-pay you, so could you protect us for the journey?”, she finally reveals her true purpose.

If it was truly only a mere rival family, how could they have been so fierce?

With how fast they retreated, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were just the advance party.

Not to mention…

Right before I fired the spell, I noticed a shadowy figure near the masked man.

That’s why I fired the spell. It wouldn’t have changed a thing.

If they were about to get killed, we’ll just escape during the crossfire.

That would have been the best case scenario for us.

But, even Sylvia can’t tell how strong that shadowy figure is.

If it was just a conflict between merchants, I doubt such an unfathomable person would be reduced to a secret guard.

Nobility? A mighty Organisation?

It’ll be either of those.

Either way, it all sounds complicated.

I don’t want to have to stick my hands into the matter.

We’re really stuck between a rock and a hard place though.

If I rejected her, I’ll still have to continue assuming the role of bait for her.

And noting what she estimates of my strength, she won’t spare any effort to use this strong bait.

She might even lead the head carriages in our direction.

I start to think, showing a difficult expression.

Sylvia, who’s beside me, suddenly bends over to whisper something in my ear.

“The shadowy figure is one of us.”, she whispers.