The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1173 - 351: Northern Empire_3

Julian, terrified out of his wits, stammered out a sentence, then hastily grabbed his sister's reins, urging the tired horse to flee in panic from the carriage that had filled them with endless fear.

Watching the backs of the two clowns disappear into the snow curtain, Sarah worriedly glanced back, lifted the door curtain slightly, and whispered.

"Did I do the right thing... your highness?"

The bone-chilling cold seemed absent from those eyes as she cautiously observed Luo Yan's expression, like watching her master's large orange cat.

Although she sensed the Demon King's impatience, driving the two people away was ultimately her own decision.

"It's not important, just a trivial matter." Luo Yan replied leisurely, merely turning a page of the book on his lap.

If they truly needed help, that would be another matter, as he was someone easy to talk to. However, those two were clearly just freeloading, and he had no intention of being taken for a fool.

Taufu turned over and continued to doze, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, regaining her composure, her sharp gaze sweeping around them. Not only the ill-intentioned individuals but even those who were merely watching from afar and had no intention to approach were frightened into quickening their pace to distance themselves.

That evening, at the "Adventurer's House" inn by the roadside, the group parked the carriage in the backyard and sheltered inside from the wind and snow.

Luo Yan sat by the bar, savoring the local bitter ale while listening to the surrounding students passionately discuss.

Serving him was a rugged-looking bartender, seasoned by many storms, whose face bore a scar that reminded Luo Yan of an old friend in Thunder City.

"It's exam season again, huh." The bartender mused while wiping a glass, seeming to speak to himself and Luo Yan simultaneously, "Are you also heading to the Academic State? From your demeanor, I assume you have a noble to recommend you."

Some nobles also went to the Academic State to study magic, and these individuals not only carried letters of recommendation but often wouldn't start as apprentices, and even required apprentices to serve them.

So for those eager to enter the Academic State, earning a noble's friendship is also a pathway through the interview—the selection of apprentices in the Academic State is strict, but not as stringent as ordinary people imagine.

It's like the laws of the Holy City; when it's appropriate to show leniency, they'll naturally turn a blind eye.

Luo Yan smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

The bartender was used to this, having served countless guests like Luo Yan who bore an extraordinary air, alongside countless hopeful yet impoverished youths.

Lowering his voice, he nodded toward the other end of the hall, where a girl sat alone in a corner, her gaze vacant.

"Do you see her? Her name is Amy. She comes here daily in hopes of finding an adventurer willing to take her on a journey to Dragon Watch City to meet her brother."

"What happened to her brother?" Luo Yan asked offhandedly.

"A genius, and also a fool." The bartender sighed, a flicker of pity in his eyes, "Her brother's name is Caterel, the son of a stone mason, reportedly possessing incredible talent for runes. Last year, he actually passed the initial exam at the Academic State, and everyone thought the family was about to rise to prominence."

The bartender paused, reducing his voice to a whisper: "But their family was too poor, and he hadn't earned enough money on the way to cover the high tuition at the Mage Tower, with no Master willing to take him in. That foolish kid was unwilling to give up, so he worked odd jobs at the foot of the Mage Tower for a whole year, hoping to impress a Mage with his effort. Later, a young Imperial Noble recognized his talent and offered to fund him, on the condition he helped with research on an ancient rune topic."

"Caterel handed over all his research to that Imperial guy. And the result? That fellow used his results to get promoted within the Mage Tower, then discarded him like a used rag. Infuriated, Caterel tried to reason with them but got his legs broken by a demon statue guarding the Mage Tower."

The bartender placed the glass heavily on the bar: "Now, he's reportedly in some small town under the Mage Tower's jurisdiction in the Northern Wilderness, abandoning himself, his life or death unknown. His sister Amy is here every day, hoping someone will take her to see her... brother, ruined by his dreams."

There was a glint of encouragement in his eyes, seemingly hoping this honorable gentleman would help the vacant-eyed girl.

However, Luo Yan knew well that if such matters couldn't be helped to completion, taking her there would only harm her.

Searching for an ordinary person whose life or death is uncertain in the vast Northern Wilderness is tantamount to suicide.

At least here, she could hold down a job, waiting for the day her brother comes to his senses, stops giving up on himself, and realizes there are more important things than academics in life, perhaps meeting her on the way home.

If her story is true.

After the bartender walked away, Taufu murmured softly from under his cloak.

"This is just too much."

Luo Yan took a sip of ale and casually replied.

"Is your Holy Armor Dragon Empire that much better?"

Taufu's face froze, her nostrils flaring slightly.

"I, my intentions are good, who, who knows they..."

"Executed it perfectly?"

"You scoundrel!!!"

Watching the irate Taufu, Luo Yan smiled faintly, leaving a silver coin on the table so the bartender could order dinner from her hometown for the unfamiliar girl, regardless of whether she ate it or not.