Frank completely ignored Jouri as she alighted, and he drove off.Nonetheless, Jouri was smiling as she watched Frank drive into the distance. "You really know how to hide, Frank Lawrence… It took me considerable trouble just to find you!"It was obvious she knew who Frank was… or indeed, had set up an elaborate plan for him as soon as they met. The point is simple—she wanted to get in his good graces, what with his vast connections!And for that, she had to show sincerity, pretending not to know him while sending a hottie like Meg straight to his bed.Add a big contract with the Ingrams on top of that, Jouri was really convinced that Frank would soon be her friend, and all her efforts would soon be repaid.-Meanwhile, Frank returned to the hilltop villa and found Sally York seated leisurely on the couch.Nearby, Sadie and Ida were watching the woman who was younger than them.Even if others would have no idea, they were well aware that Sally was the reason they had superpow
Frank ignored Sally and called out to Sadie and Ida.Both ladies were thrilled. "Are we going to fight, master?""Yes, we are—the remaining six of The Plough, in fact," Sally answered sarcastically.Both Sadie and Ida frowned—one against six was really slim odds…That was when Sally added, "That's not all either. Your mentor is challenging The Ploughs at the headquarters of an enemy. Just watch out and don't get captured, or you'll end up as slaves."Sadie and Ida were left totally confused right then, with Sadie asking, "Why charge into the lion's den alone, master? I think you could win in a single duel against any of them, but it has to be on our turf.""Exactly." Ida tried to reason with Frank too. "You must never underestimate how cutthroat those people can be. It'd be terrible if we ended up bungling this."Sally merely snorted. "Do you really have no idea what your mentor is like? No one ever gets to change his mind!"Sadie and Ida traded glances at that—others aside, th
Axel was promptly sweating buckets as his lips turned pale. "Please, Mr. Dutton! That's not what I mean."One-Armed Dutton snorted coolly but flung Axel on the floor as he turned away. "You're really getting presumptuous lately, aren't you?"Even as Axel climbed up, he was flattering One-Armed Dutton. "Don't worry, Mr. Dutton! I'll definitely change—you're all my bosses now!" One-Armed Dutton smiled but said nothing else, just as a youth ran towards them, yelling, "Mr. Hamm! Lugh Frankton has arrived!"At those words, everyone looked down the hill to see a Passat stopping there, with three women and one man alighting.Goldilocks licked her lips and sighed in disappointment. "That's Lugh Frankton? Woah, he's such a looker… shame that you're going to rub that face in the dirt."The hag snorted in annoyance. "Could you stop being such a skank? Quit falling for every man you meet, for starters."The middle-aged man with a hawkish nose quickly reasoned, "It isn't Goldie's fault. Eve
And yet, Frank managed to dispatch Bald Eagle in just a few moves. How did that even make sense?!"He's no pushover. Let's go together—don't fall behind now!"The brat led the charge this time, facing off against Frank with his deer-horn knives while the hag and Goldilocks cut off Frank's escape.Frank simply smirked. "Don't you know that the weirder the weapon, the harder you fall?"The brat was not letting up, however, watching Frank closely while signaling subtly at the hag and Goldilocks.Both women waited for their chance, with one aiming her palm while the other kicking toward Frank's vitals.When Frank vaulted past them, the brat's knives were waiting where he would land… but the brat swung and missed."It's been a while since I broke a sweat!" Frank chuckled, flexing his arms.-At the same time, Axel walked up to Sally, nodding politely. "There's really no one else like you, Ms. York, goading that brat to come to my hill with words alone. Otherwise, I really don't kno
Sadie and Ida could not help applauding right then. "That's so cool, master!"Earlier, they were actually worried if Frank really could beat The Plough, only for him to slice through them like a burning knife through butter.On the other hand, Axel was terrified and turned to whisper to Sally, "You're really sharp, Ms. York… I could never have imagined that he was that amazing!"Sally completely ignored him, however, and folded her arms before her chest as she studied her surroundings…Farek strode up to Armless Dutton just then, not holding back as he taunted, "So, do you believe me now?""What are you spacing out for?! Fight!" Armless Dutton spat.Farek was not sure if he should laugh or cry. "What am I supposed to do, boss? You're much better than I am, but he beat you anyway. I'd never win no matter how many times I try in this lifetime.""You coward!" Armless Dutton shrieked hysterically. "Why did I even recruit you to The Plough?!"Farek simply laughed himself silly. "I'm
Still, Sadie warned, "Mr. Hamm, have you considered the possibility that all of Skywyrm Guild put together wouldn't be able to beat my mentor? Quit talking big, or you'd hurt your hip."Axel ignored her, however, and waved.Countless archers appeared, training their crossbows at Frank while Axel gloated. "You're right. They won't win against that brat in a barehanded fight, but times have changed! Even if I'm not getting guns, this would still be enough!"He then spread his arms loftily like a king. "All of you, kneel!"Sadie and Ida were spooked at that, as Axel was right—no matter how good Frank was, he would be helpless against so many crossbows.Sadie promptly shielded Frank behind herself. "Master, run!""Run? Where to? The best thing to do about this is to kill that geezer!" Frank chuckled, pointing at Axel fearlessly.Axel snorted. "I must say that you're surprising me by still remaining calm—it's the first time I've met a man like you. I don't mind letting you leave a pr
"That's not what you said earlier." Frank smirked and glanced at Farek and the others. "And I'm sure someone would kill him for me even if I don't do it, right?"As he strode off, Sally and the others quickly followed, not bothered by the screams that soon rang behind them.Ida even joked with him, "That was amazing, master. You should've told me—I would've streamed it live, and you'd definitely get very popular!"Frank ignored her and turned toward Sally. "So? Are you satisfied?""What?!" Sally appeared perplexed. "What are you talking about, handsome? I'm not sure I'm following?"Frank snorted and ignored her too while hurrying ahead.Sally hurried after him, yapping endlessly, "What were you talking about? Don't keep me in the dark—I hate it when people do it to me."Frank continued to ignore her as they headed down Laron's Peak, where Frank noticed a familiar figure at the bottom.It was Jouri Yelin!"What a coincidence, handsome—we meet again." Jouri smiled as she went up
Jouri said, "Come on. Even if you don't trust me, you can trust your own strength and believe that you'd definitely overcome any hurdles I have in store for you."Frank remained half in the dark but decided he should help for Alda Ingram's sake.As they sped away, Ida and Sadie were left trading glances. "What do we do now?"Sally smiled. "I'll get you a car. As apprentices, you really shouldn't be third-wheeling when your mentor is flirting!"Both Ida and Sadie smiled but said nothing, as their mentor was really so lucky with women that even they were a little jealous.-Meanwhile, Frank drove for thirty minutes, eventually arriving outside a mansion.Jouri alighted and said, "My boss would like to see you. He has a gift waiting!"Frank followed her into the mansion, not particularly aware of what was happening.He then felt a strange sensation when he stepped inside and looked down to see that his ring was reacting with a purple glow."Your ring could sense it, it seems…" J