Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

The Cromwell Barony was not how it used to be before. The walls and cobblestoned roads had been expanded considerably, and new clean streets and rows of bustling shops had been built. All the wooden houses had been replaced with brick, and a modest but efficient sewer system kept the air fresh. Although it was not as grand as the cities of the eastern region, the barony no longer paled in comparison.

The citizens walked freely, chatting and laughing as if there was no care in the world. One of the strangest scenes, however, was children playing on the streets with reddish figures.

Naturally, these reddish figures were the humanoid ants belonging to the Crimson Scourge colony, which was under the command of Nox's pet, the Ant Queen.

With their chitinous red exoskeletons and spindly limbs, the ants were now patrolling the town like human guards back on Earth. They stopped small disputes among citizens and ensured the town was free of any dirt.

The ants, despite their intimidating appearance, received smiles and casual greetings from the humans. After the beast tide, Nox had introduced them as his beast pets. Because of their contributions during the beast tide—and the citizens' trust in Nox—they readily accepted the ants.

At this moment, at the city gates, Hans leaned against the stone archway with a scowl on his face. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he stared at three cloaked figures standing before him with a disapproving gaze.

Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods, and their black cloaks fluttered in the midday breeze.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"I already told you," Hans growled in a stern voice. "No entry without proper identification. Especially not for people like you."

One of the cloaked figures took a step forward with measured, calm steps. A low, gravelly voice escaped from under the hood. "We don't need identification. Let us through."

Hans didn't flinch. "Oh, you need it, all right. We don't trust strangers anymore, not after what happened five years ago." As he said this, Hans tightened his grasp on the hilt of his sword.

The Order of the Flaming Rose taught us that lesson the hard way, was what he wanted to say, but he wisely decided to keep quiet. It was better to make enemies feel that they were one step ahead before pulling the rug out from under their feet.

Another reason Hans couldn't trust them was that he couldn't see their levels, yet they gave off such a dangerous aura as if they were not human.

The air grew heavy with tension. The second figure tilted their head slightly, revealing a sliver of pale skin and piercing red eyes. "Do you know who you're speaking to?" they said in a voice filled with anger.

Hans smirked, though his hand twitched. "I don't care if you're the emperor's long-lost cousin. Orders are orders."

The third figure stepped forward, and a faint murderous intent seeped into the air, making Hans's breathing hitch as big beads of sweat accumulated on his forehead.

I knew it. These guys are not normal.

For a moment, it seemed violence was inevitable. But before the tension could explode, and Hans would face a fight, a voice rang out from behind.

"Enough."

The cloaked figures turned their heads sharply, their postures rigid. Hans glanced in the direction of the voice and inwardly sighed in relief when he saw who it was.

It was his old friend Nathan, who was also the baron of this town. Nathan looked very sickly and pale, as if the wind could knock him over. Despite his appearance, though, his gaze was fierce and vicious, like those belonging to a seasoned warrior.

At his side stood a tall figure wrapped in heavy black clothing. This figure's face was concealed by a hood, and the only visible feature was a faint, glowing, orb-like green light peeking from the shadows of their hood.

Nathan stopped a few paces away, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze swept over the cloaked figures, and he frowned. "Hans, stand down."

"But—" Hans was confused. Seeing his confusion, Nathan whispered in Hans's ear, and he hesitantly released his grasp from his sword, though he couldn't help but shoot a suspicious glance at the three figures. For some reason, he could sense their triumphant looks, even though their features were concealed by the hoods.

Nathan then looked at the cloaked figures, his eyes narrowed. A few minutes ago, Skully had relayed critical information about the three figures to him, emphasizing that he should allow them entry into the town.

Though he didn't want to agree at first, he trusted Skully, the Skeleno butler and the necromancer who lived in the deserted part of the barony.

"So, you're Eve's visitors?" Nathan cleared his throat. "If you are here for Eve, I'll allow you to enter under one condition." He raised a hand, gesturing to Skully. "He will escort you."

The three figures exchanged glances, their faces still hidden. The tallest of the three finally nodded. "Fine."

Nathan motioned to Hans, who reluctantly stepped aside. "Let them through," he ordered before turning to the strangers one last time. "Don't make me regret this."

Skully stepped forward without a word, leading the three figures into the barony. Nathan watched them go, feeling uneasy. He trusted Skully's judgment, but something about the strangers unsettled him.

The streets of Cromwell Barony grew quieter as Skully led the trio toward the outskirts of the town. The cloaked figures said nothing, but their sharp eyes scanned everything around them. Humans and beasts moved about in harmony, a sight that seemed to intrigue and confuse them.

Eventually, they reached a secluded manor on the edge of the barony.

Skully stopped at the entrance and turned to the trio. His glowing green eye locked onto them. "Eve is inside. But be warned—she does not tolerate liars."

The tallest of the cloaked figures chuckled. "We'll see about that."

Skully didn't respond, simply pushing the door open and stepping aside to let them in.

A woman stood at the far end of the room, her back to them. She was tall and graceful, with long raven hair cascading down her back. She turned slowly, her piercing ruby eyes locking onto the visitors.

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"Eve," the tallest figure said.

Eve crossed her arms, her gaze cold and calculating. She didn't need to ask who they were—she could feel it. That disgusting aura.

"Demons," she said flatly, with no emotion in her voice.

The shortest of the cloaked figures flinched, but the tallest one stepped forward. "We come in peace," he said. "We were sent by your father."

For a moment, Eve's expression didn't change. But her hands clenched slightly, and her voice turned icy.

"What does he want?"

The figure hesitated before responding. "We're here to bring you back."