Since it was close to the royal capital, Ethan’s carriage didn’t encounter anything particularly dangerous along the way.
Of course, there were plenty of bandits and monsters, but he didn’t see anything that made Ethan need to use his ghost path attack.
A mere woodcutting axe took care of them all.
As a warrior, he might not be able to match those who came from official training, but dealing with these small fry was no problem at all.
Magic power wasn’t just for mages; he had long mastered the method of strengthening his body using magic power.
Of course, these guys didn’t even force him to use that move.
Just as he thought the carriage would reach its destination smoothly, the unexpected happened.
On the morning of the day three days away from the royal capital, Ethan had driven the carriage for less than two hours when he suddenly stopped it.
“Stay in the carriage and don’t move.” After telling Übel, who was still sleeping in the carriage, Ethan turned his gaze to a Mimic on the side of the road.
The reason it was a Mimic was because its mouth was wide open, revealing its red flesh and sharp fangs from within.
Of course, it was biting someone.
Judging by the lower body exposed from its huge mouth, the one being bitten was likely a petite female mage.
She wore a snow-white robe, and her ornate staff and clean suitcase were thrown to the side like trash.
When Ethan first glimpsed the scene from the carriage, he thought the bitten mage was dead.
After all, both the Mimic and the bitten mage were completely still, making it easy to assume she had probably passed on.
But when he got out of the carriage, he noticed that both the Mimic and the mage had very steady and long breathing patterns, as if they were asleep.
Wait, asleep?
Ethan’s mouth twitched.
It was the first time he had encountered a Mimic in such a situation.
Was this reasonable?
Ethan didn’t approach rashly, as monsters were endlessly devising ways to lure adventurers.
Even if a monster appeared that used this method as bait, Ethan felt it wasn’t entirely impossible.
He pondered for a moment and slowly backed away.
He’d rather play it safe.
His main goal now was to get Übel to school, and it wasn’t worth risking his life for a stranger.
If he were on his way back to his village, he might have intervened.
“Alright, let’s run away.” Ethan analyzed the pros and cons.
It looked like the mage wouldn’t die anytime soon.
It would be better to wait for another kind passerby to rescue her.
However, just as he was tiptoeing to get back on the carriage, perhaps sensing Ethan’s presence, or perhaps the Mimic suddenly woke up, the limp legs outside suddenly began to struggle violently.
“It’s so dark, so scary, help!
Is anyone there?
Help me!
It’s so dark, so scary—” So it really was a person!
“Ethan?
Who’s calling for help?” At this moment, Übel from inside the carriage poked her little head out, looking at the Mimic and the struggling little backside in its mouth.
After a few seconds of silence, Übel said, “It’s probably better to leave her alone.
She looks like she can get out by herself.” What?!
My little princess, what’s going on with you?
Ethan suddenly realized that this might be an opportunity to teach the child a lesson.
This child, who hadn’t reached an age of understanding, already knew how to completely ignore other people’s problems.
This wouldn’t do!
Übel-chan should be the kind of noble mage who was looked at with admiration as she walked down the street!
It doesn’t matter in private, but you absolutely must put on a good show in public!
“You can’t say that.
When you see injustice, you should draw your sword to help.
That’s the good quality we should have.” Übel: ?
This is a bit different from your usual self, Ethan.
Regardless of what Übel thought, Ethan eventually intervened.
Bakudo, No 4: Crawling Rope.
A golden light rope shot from Ethan’s hand, instantly wrapping around the Mimic’s open mouth and body.
“Miss Mage over there, don’t move around.
Relax your body, I’m about to exert some force.” Whether it was because she heard Ethan’s voice, the mage’s body trembled, and she obediently stopped struggling.
Ethan nodded with satisfaction and began to tighten the rope.
The gaping mouth was pulled open uncontrollably until it was wide enough for someone to escape smoothly.
Although the Mimic’s bite force was strong, it couldn’t even crush a person’s body, so its strength was indeed limited.
“Now, hurry and get out!” The mage struggled slightly and let out a “pop” sound as she was freed from the Mimic’s mouth.
Before the mage could notice, the light rope dissipated, and the Mimic turned back into a treasure chest, waiting for its next victim.
“…” The mage’s entire upper body was covered in the Mimic’s saliva.
It was sticky and damp, and it even gave off a strange stench, making Ethan not want to get too close.
However, when Ethan looked at the girl, he realized that she wasn’t human.
Pointed ears and a calm face with no emotional fluctuations…
Didn’t you just say it was dark and scary a moment ago?
Is this what an elf looks like?
This is the first time I’ve seen one.
Ethan felt a bit emotional.
Elves, they were a race of immortality that he had only heard of but never seen.
It was even rumored that their lifespan was close to eternity.
In any case, the history of this world had no records of elves dying naturally.
All of them had died from accidents or being killed.
While Ethan was observing the elf mage, she skillfully opened her suitcase, took out a towel and cleaning tools, and ran off in a flash, abandoning her suitcase and staff.
“Wait, your stuff!” No, you’re really leaving them with a stranger you just met?
“So carefree.” Übel held her face in her hands, her eyes showing a hint of amusement.
Ethan was certainly not the kind of bad person who would steal other people’s belongings.
He patiently stood in place, waiting for the mage to return.
For mages, their staff was their weapon; they wouldn’t just leave it behind, right?
Half an hour later, she did return.
All the stains on her body had disappeared, as if nothing had happened.
Elves were indeed beautiful, like sprites from a painting, a race favored by the gods.
Their doll-like, lovable appearance, combined with their somewhat cold demeanor at this moment, made them seem a bit unattainable.
That is, if Ethan hadn’t seen her unsightly state just now.
At this moment, the elf had become quite down-to-earth in Ethan’s impression.
“Thank you for saving me, Ethan.” The elf tidied up her belongings and politely thanked him.
“You’re welcome…
How do you know my name?” Ethan was about to wave it off but immediately realized something was wrong.
The elf lady’s expression immediately changed to “Oh no.” After a few seconds of silence, she displayed a ( ´ω` ) expression, sweat beading on her forehead, and glanced at the carriage, her eyes meeting with the five-year-old Übel.
“…Just now, the child called you that, right?” Why are you asking it like a question?
Ethan became even more suspicious.
Did this person know him?
“Nice to meet you.
My name is Frieren, a mage.” Looking at her outstretched hand, Ethan was silent for a few seconds before shaking it.
“I’m Ethan, a warrior.” “Then, without further ado.” Frieren gave a faint smile.
“Young man, I see you have unusual bones and extraordinary talent.
You’re a good candidate for learning magic.
Do you want to learn magic from me?” ?
Did you hear what you just said?
“I’m a warrior.” “Oh, right.” Frieren nodded with a straight face and continued, “Then do you want to change your profession to a mage?” ??