Mastering such a surge in power so quickly is not something that can be put into words.

But between being very powerful and extremely powerful, there's an invisible chasm.

Excluding Sister Wang, the most formidable young professional Olivia has seen over the years is Alice.

After Alice began assisting her brother in managing the family's affairs, her strength increased even more remarkably.

Generally speaking, most professionals experience a decline in power after taking over the family.

But the Ashford Family, where Alice belongs, is different.

"Wherever there's war, there you'll find the Ashford Family."

This is the bold proclamation of the Ashford Family.

It's what they say, and it's what they do.

The Ashford Family leads the continent's top adventure team, the Death March.

The adventure team has more than 20 sub-teams.

Most of the time, this formidable team operates outside, severing ties with Ense.

The majority of their work involves acting as war mercenaries.

This adventure team is renowned for their bravery and fearlessness.

So much so that many countries lacking adequate forces invite the Death March to assist in clearing the battlefield for victory.

The Ashford Family is often reviled as war hyenas for good reason.

Many even publicly accuse them of being Ense Empire's disgrace, demanding the revocation of their noble status.

Because its ranks are entirely composed of Ense people, many countries antagonistic to Ense blacklist the Death March.

They simply don't trust that the Ashford Family has severed ties with the Ense Empire.

But it's quite clear...

They guessed correctly.

Indeed, the Death March has never severed ties with Ense.

It's a reserve force never officially recognized by the Ense Empire.

They always charge into the frontline to train soldiers.

Only through the flames of war can the finest soldiers be cultivated.

The Ashford Family's love for war has even led some to suspect they privately worship the Master of Slaughter among the four Abyssal Gods.

This nature often stirs up chaos domestically.

Thus, due to certain special needs, the Ashford Family has always remained outside the mainstream noble circle.

Her friend Alice, hailing from this family, naturally inherited the Ashford blood of war.

Later, she joined the reserve forces of the Sapphire Dragon Disaster Dragon-slaying Team and gradually shifted her focus to the family business.

When she officially became the title adventurer promoted by the Adventurer Guild, she gained considerable fame among surrounding countries.

Especially with that Sword King's title.

Honestly, it did offend quite a few people.

But later, Alice never cared about these, and if challenged, she would fight.

And the more she fought, the stronger she became, to the point where many began to fear this woman.

The nickname "Red Mad Dog," secretly whispered in previous years, became taboo.

Only a few dared to call her that.

Yes.

Bewitch Country is one of them.

Knowing Alice wouldn't dare kill him, Bewitch Country was quite reckless in the early years.

Though the cause was Alice finding Bewitch Country too arrogant and beating him up, subsequent frequent clashes between them were entirely initiated by Bewitch Country.

As a matter of fact, back then, Bewitch Country was often seen with a bruised face while fetching ointments from the Imperial Palace.

Reason would dictate that being beaten so miserably would teach him a lesson.

But Bewitch Country's mouth was insufferably stubborn.

He continued to provoke her upon their next meeting.

Then they would fight again.

From Stellar Year 14450 until Stellar Year 14467, Bewitch Country ascended to Legendary rank and first defeated the then-level 20 Alice.

Throughout this time, regarding both weapon use and professional level, Bewitch Country was constantly suppressed.

This must be true, right?

Bewitch Country was chosen by Sister Wang to secretly protect her considering his growth speed would astonish everyone in the long run.

As time passed, his growth speed increased.

But early on, Bewitch Country could not suppress the prodigies of his time as he hadn't yet unlocked the Great Sin of Greed.

With this realization, it's clear.

"Bewitch Country, you surely have a problem!"

Having understood this, Little Swan jumped off the bed:

"Lumi, I need to see Louis."

I, Little Swan, will expose Bewitch Country's true nature!

Lumi, reluctantly, had to follow.

And then...

Arriving at Bewitch Country's hotel, Little Swan did not find him?

"Odd, why isn't Louis here at this time?"

Little Swan muttered.

Lumi contemplated for a moment, then smiled:

"Your Highness, let's go back and rest well, let's not disturb His Highness Louis today."

Little Swan protested: "No way!"

But Lumi hugged Little Swan's waist and led her back toward the hotel.

"Are you kidding? If you disturb them now, they'll truly be upset."

Knowing how to make Little Swan obey, Lumi said:

"Your Highness, if you keep misbehaving, Princess Beatrice will genuinely be upset; they have matters to attend to today."

"What could be so secretive that I shouldn't know?"

Little Swan said, yet ultimately didn't resist.

Angering Sister Wang would be unwise.

But she felt something was amiss.

She came seeking Louis, what does this have to do with Sister Wang?

Could Sister Wang really want to control her, forbidding her from contacting Louis?

Ugh, my head itches!

Not thinking anymore!

Little Swan's mind ceased to ponder.

Meanwhile, elsewhere at Louis' residence, a man and woman were walking.

Louis turned to Beatrice:

"Luckily, she didn't think of causing trouble and obediently went back."

Beatrice chuckled:

"She didn't refrain from causing trouble; she was simply bewildered by your promotion, disoriented as she disembarked the carriage."

Louis was suddenly enlightened.

The main wife intentionally sent Little Swan off.

Wait.

Something seemed off.

Louis looked at her with nuance:

"Beatrice, did you deliberately reveal my promotion?"

Beatrice blinked and said:

"What do you think?"

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