On the morrow.


    After dispatching the letter in Dude Town, Glen did not hasten his return to Bayek. Instead, he made random inspections of the revenue status of various stores. Overall, the situation was evolving favorably. Regarding other businesses still in the preparatory phase, they were on the verge of readiness, merely awaiting the opportune moment to make their initial foray.


    Having just returned from a distant town, Glen chanced upon several acquaintances on the way. They were those he had come to know while selling pork in Dude Town. Evidently, they held Glen in high esteem and cordially invited him to partake in a libation.


    Having been on the move for a considerable time, Glen felt a touch of dryness in his mouth. Thus, he accompanied them to the nearest town, and they commenced their drinking.


    "Recall that lame Anthony? Just yesterday, he was seized by a factory owner to perform arduous labor. They show no regard for us common folk whatsoever!" A brawny man, attired in simple peasant garb, exclaimed indignantly as he sipped his drink.


    "Anthony was taken to do hard labor?! Do the constables not intervene?!"


    "Can we truly rely on the constables in our locale? Even if they were effective, who would dare to report? Those factory owners are infamously heartless! They are capable of any heinous act!"


    "It would be prudent for us to travel in company henceforth until those from the factory depart. Otherwise, we too might be seized!"


    "With such actions, those factory owners are bound to invite trouble eventually," Glen interjected abruptly.


    "I should think not. Who would deign to meddle with them?" A middle - aged man seated beside Glen remarked, slightly inebriated.


    "Never underestimate the power of the populace," Glen responded enigmatically.


    The others did not fathom his words, yet this did not impede their continued idle chatter.


    After reaching a state of semi - inebriation, Glen took his leave of the group. He could, at any moment, metabolize the alcohol within his body, yet he relished his current state and thus refrained from doing so.


    Leaning languidly in the deer - drawn cart, he offered scarcely any guidance. The great deer, cognizant that Glen desired to return home, instinctively set off along the familiar route.


    By the time their drinking concluded, the sun had already set. As they journeyed, the sky gradually darkened.


    A glimmer of purple light flickered intermittently across Glen''s visage, yet he paid it no heed, for he was already dozing, propping his cheek with his hand.


    However, the great deer came to an abrupt halt. Ahead of it, a magical steed, its body ablaze with purple flames, locked eyes with the deer. Behind the magical horse was a dainty carriage, bearing a resemblance to that of Glen''s new neighbor, yet considerably smaller.


    The two conveyances met at the entrance to the outer forest on the verge of Bayek. The magical carriage, being of a larger size, meant that only one vehicle could pass through at a time. At present, they were at an impasse.


    Ordinarily, with the magical carriage in the lead, it should have entered first. However, due to the large carriage it was towing, the great deer needed to retreat a short distance.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Yet, the great deer simply stared fixedly at the magical horse, and an awkward silence descended.


    The magical horse emitted a distinctive neigh, as if admonishing the great deer to yield forthwith.


    The great deer, however, merely lowered its head and began to graze.


    The magical horse deemed itself rather foolish for expecting more from the other, considering it a low - level beast with limited intelligence.


    Consequently, it suddenly flared its magical flames, intending to intimidate the great deer into retreating.


    The great deer, though, merely lifted its eyelids, cast a cursory glance, and then resumed grazing unperturbed.


    Feeling its authority challenged, the magical horse was on the verge of incinerating this lowly creature when a delicate feminine voice emanated from the carriage:


    "Jasmine, what ails you?"


    Upon hearing this voice, the magical horse snorted angrily towards the carriage behind.


    The curtain on the side of the carriage was drawn aside, revealing a girl who appeared to be around ten years of age. Her visage was deathly pale, and she wore an exquisitely beautiful, diminutive soft hat. Her purple eyes were rimmed with what might be either dark circles or smoky makeup.


    She seemed to have just roused from slumber, bearing a faint trace of weariness.


    With a single glance, the girl discerned the situation. Gazing at Glen, who was asleep in the cart, she murmured softly, "This is perilous! What if he tumbles from the cart and injures himself? And what if he encounters malefactors?!"


    She then turned to the magical horse. "Jasmine, place him in the carriage. ''Twill be safer thus."


    The magical horse named Jasmine, with great reluctance, controlled its purple flames to convey Glen into the carriage.


    The great deer, however, was not amenable to this. Abandoning its grazing, it clamped its teeth onto Glen''s shoe and refused to release.


    At this juncture, Glen was more or less aware of the situation, yet he had no inclination to rouse himself. The sensation of being tugged was akin to a massage, quite comfortable, and thus he was even less disposed to wake.


    Ultimately, the great deer was no match for the magical horse. It could only watch helplessly as its master was borne into the other''s carriage, its heart filled with profound grievance as it neighed incessantly.


    The girl in the carriage, however, extended a finger and gently tapped the great deer''s snout. In her uniquely delicate voice, she said, "Be a good dear! I am safeguarding your master."


    For some inexplicable reason, the great deer immediately quieted.


    Observing this, the girl in the carriage stroked the great deer''s head. "Follow in our wake. Do not lose sight of us."


    With that, she drew the curtain closed.


    This time, the great deer elected to retreat, following the magical horse only after it had entered.


    Glen felt as if he had nestled into a bed of utmost softness and fragrance, and his light slumber gradually deepened.


    The two conveyances then entered the town of Bayek in a harmonious manner.


    The purple - eyed man had led a retinue of subordinates to await outside the villa, prepared to receive his little princess.


    Upon sighting the carriage, several armored warriors promptly sounded a distinctive bugle call, creating an atmosphere of great solemnity.


    "My dear little darling! You have finally arrived! I have prepared a surprise for you at home. You are certain to adore it," the purple - eyed man exclaimed. At this moment, he presented a stark contrast to his usual self. No longer the somber and rigid figure, he was rather comical.


    The servants in his entourage were long accustomed to this spectacle. They have become accustomed to the affection shown by their owner when facing their daughter.


    "Pray, father, desist from such displays. The neighbors here cherish tranquility, and you risk disturbing them," the girl said as she drew back the carriage curtain and floated out, borne aloft by a wisp of purple mist. An armored warrior promptly presented something akin to a wheelchair, upon which the girl seated herself.


    She was a child with infirm legs.


    "Who in this domain would dare oppose me?! I..." The purple - eyed man instinctively assumed a domineering stance, yet his words faltered mid - sentence. His eyes darted nervously in the direction of Glen''s abode.


    "What troubles you, father?" The girl in the wheelchair was perplexed by her father''s sudden stammer.


    "Naught amiss. I shall personally assist you in unloading your belongings," the purple - eyed man coughed twice, deftly changing the subject as he approached the carriage.


    "One moment..." The young girl sought to intercede. She intended to disembark the person in the carriage before her father began unloading.


    Yet, the purple - eyed man had already drawn back the curtain. "Fear not, my dear. As a doting father, it is my duty to be hands - on... AAAAAHHHH!!!"


    Finally, upon beholding the scene within the carriage, this powerful man was so startled that he seemed to have his very soul leave his body.


    He beheld that fearsome werewolf slumbering within his daughter''s carriage!