Chapter 95: Ambush

Chapter 95: Ambush The Basolo family's affairs didn't cause much of a stir in the royal market. In this exclusive market open to nobles and wealthy merchants, spending extravagantly was nothing out of the ordinary. The real attention-grabbing events, however, usually occurred only during the monthly auctions. That was the battlefield where nobles, wealthy merchants, and various powerful forces fought tooth and nail, and it was there that truly great acts could capture the spotlight. Although Archie and his friends were unhappy with the domineering behavior of the Basolo family, they couldn't afford to provoke them and had to swallow their frustrations this time. Riezel, on the other hand, returned empty-handed, failing to obtain the desired swordsmanship. Meanwhile, Carrera and Sylvanie, the only girls within the group, returned almost loaded with goods. As soon as they left the royal market, their bodyguards swiftly loaded all their purchases onto the carriage. Anyone unaware might have thought they were wholesale merchants stocking up. The entire group's gathering came to an end just like that. "I'll head back first." Riezel said calmly to the group. "So soon?" Archie hastily tried to persuade him. "Not staying for the second half?" "No, it's about time." Riezel shook his head. "I'm currently living under someone else's roof, so it's not good to stay out too late." His reasoning left Archie, who had wanted to persuade him to stay longer, with no choice but to give up. What could he say when Riezel brought up Yuri? Archie couldn't provoke Riezel's rebellious temperament with statements like 'don't be such a killjoy' or 'men need freedom' like he used to. Times had changed; he couldn't stimulate Riezel's rebellious nature with those words anymore. "Alright..." Archie said with regret. "Let's find another opportunity to get together next time then." "Sure." Riezel nodded faintly, then turned away without any lingering sentiment and walked toward the exit. There, a carriage arranged by the Frenzel family had already been brought over by the coachman. Riezel entered the carriage, followed by Ain and Ian, who walked in without looking back, not sparing a glance at Archie's group. Before long, the carriage departed, leaving the group of eight standing silently. They watched as the carriage adorned with the Frenzel family crest faded into the distance, seemingly caught in a mix of emotions. "We're leaving too." Carrera finally spoke, still holding Sylvanie's hand. "Oh..." Archie didn't try to keep her and just looked disinterested. "Careful on the road." Carrera pursed her lips, neither confirming nor denying. She just intended to leave with Sylvanie as soon as possible. However, before departing, Carrera uttered a sentence. "I advise you not to scheme against him. He's different from before, no longer the naive country boy easily swayed by your tricks." "...I don't know what you're talking about." Archie smiled slightly. "Riezel is my good friend. Why would I trick him?" "If that's how you want to put it, then consider it that way." Carrera looked meaningfully at him. "I'm just reminding you based on our long-standing friendship. Whether you choose to listen is up to you." After saying that, she was silent for a while before sighing. "I have a feeling that the severe injury over a month ago truly transformed Riezel." Leaving behind that contemplative remark, Carrera, along with the silently pondering Sylvanie, walked toward their carriage and left. "..." Archie, with a stern face, stared at Carrera's departing carriage, remaining speechless for a long time. However, as Riezel was about to respond, he suddenly froze. ""Hmm?"" Ain and Ian looked at silent Riezel, puzzled, but shortly afterward, they seemed to notice something and began to squint their eyes. In the perception of the three, the carriage that had been running steadily suddenly came to a halt. All around, for some unknown reason, it became eerily silent. There were no more voices except for the coachman who had jumped off the carriage, frantically preparing to run away. "Halt!" Ain shouted coldly, swiftly leaping out of the carriage with a swoosh, catching the coachman who was about to run away. The coachman was instantly frightened and screamed loudly. "It's not my fault! Those guys threatened me to bring the carriage here! I had no choice!" The coachman's scream prompted Riezel and Ian to step down from the carriage. Riezel remained calmly composed, while Ian's face turned serious, gripping her sword tightly. The three surveyed the area and realized they were in a secluded dark alley, surrounded by buildings, only a couple of narrow alleys led elsewhere. The stone brick pavement underfoot was spacious enough to easily accommodate the luxurious carriage of the Frenzel family, resembling a small square. Ain threw off the yelling coachman and positioned herself in front of Riezel. Ian did the same, standing side by side with Ain, her sharp gaze focused ahead. "Come out!" Ain exclaimed coldly. "..." Silence surrounded them; no one responded. However, Riezel knew those people had arrived—the people who had caused severe injuries to the original Riezel and the reason for his transmigration. *Whoosh—* Suddenly, a faint sky-splitting sound emerged. *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* In the next moment, countless sky-splitting sounds echoed successively. Arrows tore through the sky, shooting from above the buildings in all directions. Riezel, Ain, and Ian were instantly surrounded by a rain of arrows, with no way up or down. Fortunately, the two female knights were already prepared. "Quick, take cover!" Ian embraced Riezel, and with a swift step, turned into a blur, flying away to avoid the incoming arrows. *Scwing!* Ain drew her longsword from her waist and swept it horizontally to deflect the incoming arrows. *Cling!* *Clang!* *Cling!* *Clang!* In the open space of the dark alley, the sound of arrows piercing the stone brick ground continued, turning the area into a battlefield filled with arrows. *Swoosh!* *Swoosh!* *Swoosh!* At the same time, several figures leaped down from the tops of the buildings and landed on the ground.