The moment Rose uttered the words that brought her to see me, the people around us were struck with shock.
After all, that was De’an City!
Although Riverside City and De’an City sounded similar, they were worlds apart. Riverside City was remote and far from Lakecity, fitting the description of a poor, backwater place. In contrast, De’an City was entirely different. Just the presence of House Goldstone in De’an City meant that in Riverside City, the combined might of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone wouldn’t even measure up to them.
And now, Rose from Crossbridge Academy had the audacity to strike one of their servants and boldly demanded to meet with me. How could that not excite the locals?
After hearing her words, they were instantly captivated by Rose’s boldness, but soon their excitement turned to concern. Wouldn’t this offend them? House Goldstone was not to be trifled with. If it were Lunastone or House Windwhisper, they might have let it slide due to the Mistriver Realm rules we established together. But House Goldstone cared little for such niceties. If they decided to retaliate…
Wouldn’t Crossbridge Academy lose a significant force in this Mistriver Realm?
Meanwhile, the younger generations of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were enjoying the spectacle.
“Crossbridge Academy really doesn’t know their place! How can they afford to offend House Goldstone?”
“It looks like we won’t even need to determine a winner in the secret realm this time; the only outcome for those who offend House Goldstone is defeat!”
Among the great families in De’an City, they could walk all over Riverside City.
As for the upcoming secret realm, they need not worry. This year, it would still be a contest between Windwhisper and Lunastone. As for Crossbridge Academy, they better survive House Goldstone’s wrath first. The other two families were more than happy to see this unfold.
In recent months, Crossbridge Academy’s dominance had caused both families to worry. They had even started cooperating in secret. Their younger generations were given orders to unite as soon as they entered the secret realm and eliminate Crossbridge Academy’s influence.
And now, Crossbridge Academy had offended the most powerful of them all, House Goldstone.
Well, they could just sit back and watch the show.
On Crossbridge Academy’s side, Green asked, “Rose, don’t you think… that might be a bit too much?”
“Too much? Not at all! My father’s intentions are clear. This time, we, Crossbridge Academy, aim to make a name for ourselves in Riverside City. Besides, that guy’s attitude really rubs me the wrong way.”
After hearing Rose’s words, Green said no more. Since his uncle had made a decision, he would just go along with it.
Just then, a beautifully dressed girl approached.
“So, you’re the one who struck one of my House Goldstone’s people and now expects me to come to you?”
Shelly confronted Rose.
“Indeed, it was me.”
“Do you know he’s a servant of House Goldstone?”
“Yes, and what of it?”
Rose met Shelly’s gaze, showing no sign of backing down.
For the first time, Shelly saw such eyes—there was no fear or respect for House Goldstone, as if she didn’t care at all.
“Good! Very good! Originally, I planned to kill you. For House Goldstone, destroying Crossbridge Academy in a small town like Riverside City would be as easy as squashing an ant!”
Shelly spoke with disdain, yet there was a hint of admiration in her gaze.
“However, now I’m willing to give you a chance, and also give Crossbridge Academy a chance! Apologize to me, and…”
She didn’t finish her sentence, as she realized Rose’s eyes were growing colder.
Just that gaze made it difficult for her to say the next words.
Shelly had a premonition that if she continued speaking, Rose really might kill her.
But… how could this be?
She was just a girl from a small place like Riverside City—what gave her the right to pose a threat?
At that moment, Shelly noticed that she and her servants had somehow been surrounded by Rose’s followers.
“Miss Rose, how should we handle these people?”
In Kent’s eyes, those servants were already dead. They just needed Rose’s command, and they would strike.
This time, Rose had brought the Ragtag Mercenary Squad with her to back her up at Rhine Tavern.
“Do you dare to speak so boldly? Attack!”
With Shelly’s order, her servants immediately charged at Kent and the others.
Those who could enter House Goldstone and accompany Shelly were no ordinary people; every one of them was at least tier-silver early stage.
However, in front of Kent and the others, these tier-silver opponents were no match!
They didn’t even have to use the combined attack techniques taught by Daniel to take down Shelly’s servants.
The battle ended in just a few breaths.
After Shelly shouted her command, she was met with a scene of utter despair: her servants lay scattered on the ground.
She hadn’t even seen when the enemy had struck.
“Riverside City is not a place for your shenanigans!”
Rose looked at Shelly and said, “By the way, I can forgive your earlier arrogance—just pay me ten thousand inferior mana stones, and you can leave.”
“You… you must be dreaming!”
Seeing her servants defeated, and the hostile gazes of Rose’s followers, Shelly panicked momentarily, her bravado fading.
But she hadn’t lost yet!
“Yuler, help me!”
Shelly shouted.
Yuler was a mage from House Goldstone and was supposed to be hidden nearby to protect her.
As the youngest daughter of House Goldstone, Shelly certainly couldn’t be without protection.
This was also why she could claim to destroy the entire Crossbridge Academy.
However, Crossbridge Academy was not just any small family, and she had chosen the wrong target.
After hearing Shelly’s call, Kent and the others quickly surrounded Rose, ready for potential threats.
But after a few seconds, no powerful figures appeared.
Doubts arose in their minds:
Could it be that this girl was lying?
The uncertainty wasn’t only felt by Kent and his group but also by Shelly.
Although she appeared calm, her heart raced like an ant on a hot stove.
Where was Yuler?
Why hadn’t he shown up?
What if he didn’t come today?
If he didn’t appear soon, those people would surround her again.
Just as she thought of this, Shelly noticed Kent and the others approaching her.
Rose then spoke directly:
“It seems like no one is coming to save you. Since that’s the case, let’s head over to Crossbridge Academy, and whenever someone comes to rescue you, you can leave then. Take her away.”
Upon hearing Rose’s words, Kent moved to grab Shelly.
Panicking, Shelly quickly exclaimed, “I… I was wrong! I apologize! Let me go!”
“To apologize, you need to show it properly—ten thousand inferior mana stones, not a single one less!”
Rose looked at Shelly.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Shelly hurriedly fumbled with her storage crystal.
“I… I don’t have ten thousand mana stones, but I swear the things in my storage crystal are definitely worth that much.”
Kent glanced at Rose.
“Alright, let her go.”
Kent snatched the storage crystal and handed it to Rose.
With red-rimmed eyes, Shelly quickly lowered her head and fled the scene.