Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 117: Mercenary Mission (Part-5)

Raphael’s gaze deepened, momentarily lost. This kind of beauty was unforgettable, the sort that branded itself into one’s soul.

"Zora," he said sincerely, "your combat skills are astonishing."

"You really don’t look like someone fighting a demonic beast for the first time," Sylvandria added with a gentle smile. "We were worried for nothing."

Alaric Von Seraph said nothing. His eyes lingered on Zora for a brief moment, heavy with unspoken meaning.

Zora curved her lips into a faint smile, showing no intention of hiding anything.

They would be working together often in the future. Exposing a bit of strength now was inconsequential.

Even if her combat experience didn’t match her supposed background, no one would ever suspect the truth.

"The hide is intact," Alaric Von Seraph finally said coolly. "More than sufficient."

Raphael’s peach-blossom eyes lit up with a grin. "Looks like our team just gained a terrifyingly powerful ally."

Zora smiled and joined Raphael in carefully removing the armored rhinoceros’s hide.

The hide was the beast’s most valuable asset. Armor forged from it was extremely durable and highly sought after among cultivators.

However, just as the four of them were busy harvesting the materials, an unpleasant voice cut through the air.

"Alaric Von Seraph, Raphael. What a coincidence."

The tone was mocking and oily, steeped in provocation. One didn’t need to look to know the speaker meant trouble.

At the sound of the voice, both Alaric Von Seraph and Raphael stiffened.

"Julian," Alaric Von Seraph said coldly.

His expression darkened instantly, the depths of his eyes churning like a brewing storm.

Zora looked up.

Four figures approached, all appearing around eighteen years old.

The man in front wore a pale yellow robe, his long black hair bound with a jade crown. He was tall and lean, with sharp features that might have been handsome if not for the cruelty etched into them.

His eyes were hawk-like, sharp, and predatory. The hooked bridge of his nose and thin, pale lips curved into a chilling, mocking smile.

At a glance, he was the type who thrived on arrogance and bloodshed.

Behind him, the three accompanying cultivators radiated dense killing intent. Their bodies carried the unmistakable scent of blood. To Zora’s experienced eye, these were men who had killed more than a few times.

"Truly a narrow road for enemies," Julian sneered softly, his voice laced with malice and frost.

His gaze swept over Alaric Von Seraph and Raphael, madness and hatred flashing briefly in the depths of his eyes.

Zora lifted her brows slightly. Judging by the atmosphere alone, the grudge between Alaric Von Seraph and this man clearly ran deep.

"Julian, what exactly do you want?" Raphael asked coldly.

"What do I want?" Julian’s lips curved upward, but his eyes grew darker by the second. "That armored rhinoceros. It’s mine."

Raphael snorted. "You’re dreaming."

"Dreaming?" Julian’s smile widened, twisted, and was mocking. "Then we can fight for it. Just don’t blame me if something happens to the women in your team."

He cast a leering glance at Zora and Sylvandria. "My brothers don’t mind tasting a little beauty along the way."

The three men behind him immediately followed his gaze, their eyes filled with undisguised greed.

Julian’s eyes suddenly lit up. "I didn’t expect the academy to have another beauty. Never seen you before."

His gaze crawled over Zora without restraint, the filth in his eyes making one’s skin crawl.

"Watch your eyes." Zora’s voice was icy, sharp with warning. She had always despised men like this, shameless and rotten to the core.

Instead of being angered, Julian laughed. "This little beauty is even more fiery than Sylvandria. Interesting."

The moment those words fell, Sylvandria’s face drained of color. Her delicate figure swayed slightly, as though struck by something unseen.

Zora felt a strange chill in her chest. To anyone else, Sylvandria was a goddess-like existence. To be spoken of so contemptuously by Julian was... quite unsettling.

And Sylvandria’s reaction made it clear. This was not their first encounter.

That realization deepened Zora’s doubts.

With Alaric Von Seraph, Raphael, and Sylvandria’s standing in the academy, who would dare provoke them so openly?

Julian and his companions clearly weren’t current students. Yet they spoke as if this were an old feud.

"Master," White whispered in her mind, "this disgusting guy smells just like Alaric Von Seraph."

Zora’s eyes narrowed slightly. A flash of understanding crossed her mind.

A faint conjecture formed.

These people...

They were likely former academy students.

Only geniuses of that caliber could possess such cultivation at such an age.

"Julian, don’t push your luck," Alaric Von Seraph said coldly.

His voice was low, but murderous intent quietly spread, chilling the air.

"I’m pushing my luck?" Julian’s smile vanished, replaced by raw hatred. "Alaric Von Seraph, you ruined me. Why should I let you live comfortably?"

"You brought everything upon yourself," Raphael said icily. "Being expelled from the academy was your own doing."

"Oh?" Julian stepped closer, his expression twisting. "I deserved it?"

His voice suddenly rose, madness blazing in his eyes. "If it weren’t for you people, would I have ended up like this?"

Blue veins bulged at his temples as he roared, hatred pouring from every word. "As long as I’m still breathing, I swear—you will never live in peace!"

Sylvandria’s face turned deathly pale, the last trace of color draining away.

The calm, watery eyes that usually held gentle composure were now filled with panic and fear. Mist gathered within them, tears clinging to her lashes like pear blossoms soaked in rain, pitiful and fragile.

"So... is this some kind of twisted love triangle?" Zora rested her chin on her hand, eyes thoughtful. No one had explained the past, but she could already guess a few pieces.

Sylvandria, the academy’s first beauty, certainly had that kind of allure.

Yet even if Julian had once loved her, being expelled from the academy was far too severe a price. There had to be more to the story.

"This kind of drama is always the most entertaining," Black mused, nodding to himself.

"Master, look—"

Inside the Ring of Chaos, Shihtzu poked out its fluffy little head, watery eyes full of pleading.

Black and White were happily watching the spectacle outside, while it alone had been left behind, bored out of its mind.

Zora felt a headache coming on. How did all her contracted beasts turn out to be such shameless onlookers?

"Master..."

Shihtzu whimpered softly, eyes misting over, its pitiful expression almost enough to break hearts.

Zora sighed inwardly. To be fair, the little fellow spent most of its time cooped up inside the ring.

"It’s not time for you to come out yet," she said calmly. "Once this is settled, I’ll let you out."

Shihtzu clearly wanted to protest, but seeing the seriousness in her expression, it could only droop its head obediently.

Meanwhile, Julian’s lips curved into a cold, sinister smile.

"Either you hand over the armor," he said slowly, eyes locking onto Sylvandria, "or we fight. As for the consequences... you’d better think carefully."

It was obvious now. This was fueled by love turned to hatred.

"The armor is not something you’ll ever get," Alaric Von Seraph replied flatly. "Julian, leave now. I haven’t made a move yet."