"So you already figured out a way to counter me this quickly. Using ranged attacks to wear me down."

Rosalia casually waved her hand. The gigantic dragon claw beside her erupted with terrifying speed and slapped the arrow away in a single strike.

The instant the ice arrow shattered, the dragon claw itself was frozen into an ice sculpture.

"Damn it, why are there so many damn tricks."

Even Rosalia was getting annoyed.

Empowered by overwhelming strength, the dragon claw instantly shattered the ice and broke free.

"Damn it, even the freezing arrow is ineffective. Spell Storm!"

With a staff in one hand and a giant crossbow in the other, Sinta gritted her teeth and battled Rosalia fiercely for half an hour. For a short period of time, neither side could take down the other.

"No, if this keeps dragging on, I will be the one at a disadvantage."

Sinta’s divine artifact armor was nearly smashed apart, while Rosalia had spent the entire half hour being harassed by ranged attacks and had already taken several arrows.

Their thoughts aligned at the same moment. Almost simultaneously, both abandoned the idea of killing the other and retreated with tacit understanding.

Rosalia took a detour while withdrawing and ran into the approaching Phield, who had come to reinforce her.

Meanwhile, Sinta carried her huge bags and retreated toward Maple Leaf Territory.

After cautiously walking for over ten minutes...

"Hm? Horse hooves? Could it be corrupted cavalry? In my current condition, another hard battle would be troublesome."

Hearing strange noises coming from within the gray fog, Sinta scattered a pile of caltrops across the ground and stared warily into the mist.

Soon, however, the fog was pushed aside. A squad of black-armored riders emerged carrying warm lantern light through the haze.

Sinta jumped in fright. The unified black attire of the Nightfall Domain knights looked genuinely intimidating. Fortunately, the clean insignias on their shoulder armor and shields silently proved their identity. The group before her was clearly a squad of noble knights.

"Huh? There are actually living people here."

Sinta sounded genuinely shocked. She lowered her spear and waved enthusiastically toward the cautious Phield.

"I’m not a corrupted creature. I’m Sinta from the Imperial military. It’s great to meet you all."

"She really looks like a Kamen Rider..."

The Divine Chosen before him was carrying enormous bags while dressed in domineering crimson armor paired with a cape. The style looked exactly like a masked rider straight out of a fantasy drama. There was even a savage crack running across the shoulder armor, proof of how intense the earlier battle had been.

Phield had already learned everything from Rosalia beforehand. He had deliberately wandered around just to "coincidentally" run into Sinta.

He had no intention of killing her. A military Divine Chosen dying here would create endless trouble. More importantly, Sinta’s divine artifacts had not dissolved yet. If she escaped alive after that, he would absolutely be finished.

Based on his experience from the rebellion suppression campaign, the military and the Shadow World Sect were mortal enemies, and the military’s Divine Chosen were generally decent people.

It would be far better to gain information and benefits from her instead.

"Thank the heavens, I actually managed to encounter soldiers here."

Phield switched from feigned surprise to joy in an instant. Jumping down from his warhorse, he walked forward to greet her.

"Welcome to my territory."

"You can just call me Sinta."

She waved her hand and removed her armor, revealing slightly dark skin and a mature yet charming appearance. She enthusiastically waved toward the knights.

"This is wonderful. Being able to meet everyone here in Nightfall Domain must be fate guiding us together. You must be Baron Phield, the lord of Nightfall Domain."

"Oh? You actually know me."

Phield scratched his head. Apparently, he was fairly famous.

"Of course. Miss Sherry mentioned you before. She said you were a fearless knight, fighting alone in the Northern Frontier for the sake of the Empire."

Sinta took out the military’s official identification.

Phield immediately understood.

"So it’s Miss Sherry, from the investigation corps that came here before."

"Actually, this journey was originally meant to bring me to you in the first place."

Sinta enthusiastically stepped closer.

"I even brought you a gift."

Phield widened his eyes in surprise.

"There’s actually something this good?"

"Let’s talk at a nearby camp. I built a settlement around here."

The manor contained too many secrets, and Phield had no intention of bringing her there during such a sensitive period.

Arriving at the salt mine outpost, the underground cavern had already been surrounded by a wooden fortress and was beginning to be renovated into brick walls. As for the underground area itself, it had been converted into living quarters.

Entering the wooden fort and descending the stairs led directly into the outpost’s residential area.

Sinta continuously looked around in amazement, her mouth hanging open.

"You are truly impressive. Not only did you survive, you even established a safe zone."

"What else could I do? Other than gambling everything here, I honestly had nowhere else to go."

Phield spread his hands helplessly.

"Also, I hope Miss Sinta can help me keep this place secret. The Shadow World Sect has been wandering around nearby recently. If those lunatics discover my territory, we’re finished."

"Seriously?"

Despite looking like a mature woman, Sinta deliberately puffed her lips like she was acting cute.

"That is impossible. Two giant fortresses guard the Northern Frontier. There is no way the Shadow World Sect could ever reach this place."

"Uh..."

"According to rumors, and I mean only rumors, Baron Bull may have connections with the Shadow World Sect."

Phield spoke in an extremely tactful tone.

"A lot of people have gone missing in Bull Territory."

"Impossible. Baron Bull is an idiot overflowing with justice. His wife used to be my comrade."

Sinta did not even hesitate before responding. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Though I suppose it is possible someone infiltrated Bull Territory. I will report this matter."

"No need to report it. I doubt anyone would ever uncover the truth anyway."

"I can feel your courage and integrity, child."

Sinta was deeply shaken by the harsh conditions of the salt mine outpost. There were no luxurious rooms, no maids, only a shabby underground cave and battle flags fluttering violently in the wind. She mistakenly assumed Phield lived here and could not help but feel moved to the point that her eyes grew moist.

She said seriously, "The Empire needs people like you. You should join the Imperial military and pursue glory."

"This is my territory. I’m not going anywhere."

Phield lazily waved his hand dismissively.

"Fine. I already expected that answer. Otherwise, you would have left with Sherry long ago."

Sinta placed down her massive backpack.

"I’ll provide you with a batch of staffs as support. Hmph, after all, I am the famous Brown Forgemaster, a Divine Chosen of the Forging Goddess."

Brown Forgemaster? Phield had never heard the title before, but that did not stop him from becoming delighted.

They had barely exchanged a few words, and before he even had the chance to complain about being poor, she was already gifting him equipment.

"Ohhh, I have always deeply admired your craftsmanship."

Phield gave her a thumbs up and shamelessly improvised.

"To be honest, I am also a forging enthusiast myself. My dream is to spend ten years forging a single steel rod and become a master blacksmith."

"Hahahaha! Then tomorrow I will begin working immediately. In order to find Gray Mercury Stone, I have already fought countless powerful enemies."

Sinta spoke bluntly.

"Have you seen a woman carrying a gigantic greatsword? She is a Third-Tier corrupted Divine Chosen."