Chapter 37: Division of Investigation

"I don't think it's likely to be a lupine magical beast. Lupine beasts are generally social creatures that live in packs, but it is clear that this string of attacks has been carried out by a single beast. There have been no signs of multiple creatures operating in the area."

Li Si analyzed the situation. In his past life, he had hunted many lupine beasts and was very familiar with their habits. They typically occupied territory as a pack, and it was rare for a single wolf-like beast to live and roam independently.

"Li Si and Elena have a point," Arsen agreed. He then added, "Furthermore, based on previous encounters, this beast should be at the Silver tier. If it were a Gold-tier beast, it would have been impossible for only one mercenary to have died in the previous attacks."

After a brief discussion, Arsen spread a simple map provided by the steward onto the table and pointed to an area to the east of the castle.

"This is where the previous attacks occurred and where that Silver-tier mercenary was killed. Since it only appears at night, we will perform a simple patrol tonight to see if we can track it down."

Arsen drew lines on the map as he spoke. "I will be responsible for this area, and Yaa, you will take the other half."

Yaa nodded obediently. She didn't mind the assignment; there was no need to worry just because she was a young girl—if she really encountered the beast, it was the beast that should be worried.

"Elena, I need you to scout the area further out toward the vineyards to see if you can find any tracks or clues."

Elena had no objections; field scouting and tracking were the specialties of an elven ranger.

"Lombos and Li Si, you two will remain at the castle. The safety of the castle and the townspeople tonight is in your hands. Keep an eye out for signals, and if you see one, provide support immediately."

"Regardless of who encounters the beast, prioritize your own safety and signal immediately. Everyone else must respond to the signal at once without delay."

After assigning the tasks, Arsen thought for a moment and, still feeling a bit uneasy, emphasized to Yaa once more: "Yaa, even if you encounter the beast, do not pursue it. Even if you are strong enough, getting lost at night is a major inconvenience."

Elena glanced over as well. Yaa, looking somewhat displeased, nodded vigorously and earnestly, her expression so sincere she might as well have been swearing a blood oath to the God of Dawn.

It seems Yaa has pulled similar stunts before, Li Si thought with amusement. He made a mental note of this—this was dirt on the future Valkyrie, and it would surely be valuable one day.

The title of the book would be something like *"A Few Things About Me and the Young Valkyrie!"*

It was the perfect example of false advertising.

"Li Si, since this is your first mission with us, be sure to stay safe and stick with Lombos the entire time."

"Lombos, please look after Li Si. After all, he’s a mage!"

No sooner had Arsen finished speaking to Yaa than he turned to admonish Li Si.

Li Si nodded obediently. He suddenly felt that Arsen had it tough; he was essentially the full-time nanny for Yaa’s adventuring party!

Besides, he didn't really need special care. After gaining the warrior profession's attribute bonus to Strength, his health pool was no lower than that of a warrior at his level.

Added to that were his magical shields and martial skill effects; Li Si felt he was quite sturdy now.

However, he couldn't compare himself to Silver-tier veterans like Arsen yet, especially since they were melee professionals whose stats leaned heavily toward Strength and Toughness.

Soon, Yaa, Arsen, and Elena gathered their equipment and headed toward the outskirts of the town under the veil of night.

Li Si and Lombos climbed to the highest point of the castle to observe the surroundings and ensure they could deploy quickly if a signal was spotted.

As the night deepened, a silvery full moon hung in the western sky. The town below fell into silent darkness, save for the faint movement of torchlight in the distance—likely the Baron’s guards performing their rounds.

Lombos and Li Si stood on the castle’s watchtower, observing their surroundings in silence.

With their professional-grade eyesight, they could survey the area clearly under the dim moonlight.

After a while, Li Si broke the silence. "I heard that the wine from Baron Tony’s estate is quite famous in Radiant City. Once we take down that beast, we should properly enjoy some."

Lombos, clad in heavy armor, thought for a moment and replied in a gruff voice, "Forget it. I don’t have a taste for wine. Ale is much more satisfying."

That made sense. For dwarves, a large mug of ale was always more to their liking than wine.

As they kept watch, Li Si and Lombos struck up a casual conversation, ranging from fine food and drink to goblins and dragons. They hit it off immediately, chatting about anything and everything.

"Li Si, you’re a good lad!" Lombos said, patting Li Si on the shoulder. "Aside from that kid Arsen, you’re the most unique noble I’ve ever met. When we’re back, I’ll have a suit of full plate armor crafted for you at the dwarven workshop in Radiant City as a welcome gift. It’ll definitely be better than what you’re wearing now."

It seemed Lombos had connections with the dwarven workshop in Radiant City. He recalled the name... the Hammer Workshop, it was. Very fitting for dwarves.

Still, forging weapons and armor was a dwarven specialty. From mining and smelting to smithing, dwarves possessed unique expertise that made their gear highly sought after by other races. That was why dwarven workshops could be found in almost every major city on the continent.

"Then thank you, Brother Lombos. I’ll be sure to trouble you when the time comes."

Li Si accepted the offer politely. There was no point in refusing a favor; at worst, he could just gift Lombos some high-quality liquor later.

Lombos waved a hand dismissively. It was a minor task for him that would only cost him some drinking time. He could just get some of his kin to help, treat them to a round at the tavern, and kill two birds with one stone.

Just as they were chatting, a stream of light shot into the sky from a hilltop far to the east of the castle, emitting a conspicuous glow. It was a signal from one of the party members.

"Work’s here. Let’s go!" Lombos said, hoisting his warhammer and leaping directly from the thirty-meter castle wall. He landed steadily, kicking up a cloud of dust. The tough, resilient body of a dwarf allowed him to absorb the violent impact with ease.

Li Si couldn't pull off such a stunt. With his current physical constitution, jumping like that would leave him with broken bones at best.

But being a mage, there were always ways around such difficulties.

"Third-circle spell: Flight!"

Li Si drifted gently down from the castle and, once on the ground, hurried toward the signal's location alongside Lombos.

Don't ask why he didn't fly the rest of the way; the third-circle *Flight* spell was notoriously slow—barely faster than a normal person's walking pace.

Until a mage learned the sixth-circle *Swift Flight*, they lacked the ability to engage in aerial combat. Flying up prematurely was just asking to be a living target—a hard-learned lesson passed down by mages of the past.