The Frugal Mage

Chapter 195 195: Undetected

"It's really safe… He's gone."

"Right… This mission is basically a failure."

"What a pity…"

The Copper and Iron Ranks looked broken as their morale was shattered. It just didn't feel right seeing how their Caravan's most prized item was taken away from them.

But Mr. Shrubs… he was strangely calm even after the item was actually stolen.

He straightened his cloak, brushed snow from his shoulders, and gave orders to the escort and adventurers. He didn't even look sad or frightened anymore.

"Recover the mage's body! Quickly! We must honor his sacrifice. His family will be compensated generously."

Nara and the others wryly smiled after hearing this.

'He thinks Rayven is dead… At least he's not planning to just leave him here.' They thought.

Still, Shrubs wasn't finished.

"Do not waste time mourning. The cargo is gone, but we will continue. The Guild will not blame us if we report that a Tier 5 Archmage intervened. That is beyond mortal defense."

The others couldn't help but feel curious about his attitude.

"You don't even care that the heart was stolen? Well, we're still getting paid anyway." One of the adventurers said. After all, the main mission was to get to Kesla City. Though they would have less reward as they failed to protect the good, they would still get paid.

Shrubs glanced at the adventurers…

"Care? Of course I care. But the Guild knew this risk. My duty is to deliver what rest of the items and report the truth. Compensation will be arranged. That is all."

Thyruz squinted his eyes as he noticed something off…

"Notice how calm he is? Too calm. Either he expected this… or the heart wasn't the only item."

Rayven, still feigning unconsciousness, heard every word.

'Shrubs isn't panicking. That means he's hiding something. If the heart were truly the only cargo, he'd be ruined. But he looks… relieved.'

Shrubs clapped his hands, summoning his men. "Lift the mage carefully. Cover him with cloth. His family will receive gold for his bravery. The Guild will honor his name."

The escorts obeyed, moving toward Rayven.

However, since the Archmage was already gone, there was no need to act up. So, Rayven stood up.

"What?!"

The escorts stumbled back as Rayven rose... His cloak was torn, his hair was a mess, but he was alive!

Gasps echoed through the caravan.

"A zombie?!" one adventurer shouted, clutching his sword.

"Wait! No, he's not dead!" another cried, pointing at Rayven's steady stance.

"How did he survive that?!"

The Copper and Iron Ranks whispered among themselves, fear mixing with awe. To them, surviving a Tier 5 Archmage's direct strike was impossible.

Rayven brushed snow from his cloak and chuckled. "I'm alive. And I don't appreciate being buried before my time."

Nara smirked faintly... "You acted really well... So they'll act like that."

Miki also smiled as she shook her head at the panicked adventurers. "Zombie? Really? He's tougher than all of you combined."

None of them were sure how Rayven managed to survive the attack, but since he was a mage, they could only guess that he had a mystical artifact or a powerful spell that could save him from that move.

It wouldn't be surprising if Rayven decided not to reveal it.

After all, such a precious life-saving move must not be known by his enemies.

The escorts murmured as they all wanted something similar that could help them escape death. Still, if that were a Magic Item, that would definitely be expensive.

Mr. Shrubs, however, froze in place. He was also sure that Rayven died from that move of the Archmage…

"You… survived?"

Rayven smiled and nodded. "Disappointed?"

Shrubs quickly composed himself while straightening his cloak.

"No, no… of course not. I'm relieved. Truly. But you must understand, I thought you were gone. I was already preparing compensation for your family."

Rayven stepped closer… He wasn't really planning to pry too much, but since this matter was too dangerous, which had even involved an Archmage, he must know everything since it could happen again.

"You seemed awfully calm for a man who just lost the most valuable cargo..."

Shrubs swallowed and shook his head.

"The Guild knew the risks. A Tier 5 Archmage is beyond mortal defense. Losing the heart was inevitable once he appeared. My duty is to deliver what remains and report the truth."

Thyruz's eyes squinted.

"You're hiding something. That calmness isn't natural. If the heart was truly the only item, you'd be ruined. Yet you look… relieved."

Shrubs hesitated, then forced a smile. "You're imagining things. I am simply pragmatic. Panic won't help us."

Rayven felt something off.

'He's lying. There's more to this cargo than he admits.'

The adventurers whispered again, some emboldened by Rayven's survival.

"So… Are we still heading to Kesla and completing the mission? If possible, I don't really want the payment to be deducted…"

"Even if that heart was lost, we shouldn't be the ones getting payment cut… That's beyond our level. They should've hired high-ranked Adventurers if this mission involved an Archmage."

Shrubs raised his voice, silencing them. "Enough! We march to Kesla City, and the payment will even be doubled because of the risk you've had… The Guild will handle the rest. Your pay will be honored."

Rayven's eyes then locked onto Shrubs as he approached him. "I almost died just now… I want to know exactly what you're hiding."

Shrubs stiffened, but nodded quickly. He also realized that Rayven was not so simple. To be able to survive an Archmage's attack while being an Adept Mage was something unheard of.

"Of course… I'll discuss it with you later. For now, let's leave this place as quickly as possible." Shrubs said.

Soon, the caravan began to move again…

Rayven also followed with his group, unaware that the black stain on his shoes grew larger…

It was something that his Detect Mana Source could not sense… and as a matter of fact, it was also missed by the Archmages he had met.