Raven carefully looked over the front of the carriage.

As expected, the coastal road was blocked by a makeshift barrier of rock and wood. He would have to clear the way after getting rid of the people who were headed towards him.

“Sixteen of them, my lord. There are three orcs.”

Isla spoke as he climbed down from the horseman’s seat.

“They must be mercenaries. No sorcerers?”

“None. I’m sure if there are, they would’ve headed for the villa.”

“That must be it. Those stupid bastards think I’m too injured to fight.”

Raven sneered. Wizards and sorcerers were rare. There couldn't be more than thirty of them in the entire empire.

But this was Leus, and two powerful men, Toleo Arangis and Sagunda, were after him. They wouldn’t only send some random mercenaries they picked off the street. They were sure to have hired a wizard or a sorcerer.

Their sorcerer or wizard was probably sent to the villa where more manpower would be needed. Each wizard or sorcerer was capable of rivaling dozens of warriors by themselves.

“They have made ample preparations. Do you recognize where they are from?”

“Hm, maybe from the Ironclad Shark or Warship, either one of the...