Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Exploiting a Time Difference

As the only person in the group with no combat training, Rosalind was the last to react.

After all, everything had just happened so fast.

From the assassin’s sudden attack and Jon’s furious roar to the moment he and Evans struck the assailant down—it all took place in the blink of an eye.

Even the well-trained guards had barely been able to react, let alone her. She had been the target, and after being yanked to safety behind Evans, she was still feeling dizzy.

So, it wasn’t until she heard her colleague’s voice that the silver-haired supervisor snapped out of her stupor and looked up at the tall "guard."

He was so composed, so nonchalant, as if saving her was a trivial matter.

Rosalind had always thought she would dedicate her life to the Xavier family, never again to be swayed by worldly affairs.

Yet at this moment, she had to admit that an inexplicable emotion surged within her whenever she looked at Jon, causing her heart to beat a little faster.

But she knew this was not the time to deal with these strange feelings.

Facing everyone’s confusion, she had to provide an explanation.

So, after remounting her horse, she scanned the faces of her people, projecting the calm composure of a leader while taking the chance to steady her own nerves. Then, Rosalind spoke.

"This is Mr. Jon, an Adventurer."

"He is the one who brought us news of Miss Rhea. I returned to Birch Town specifically to meet him."

As she finished speaking, an uproar went through the crowd.

They had been working nonstop since last night, nearly turning the area around Birch Town upside down. And for what?

Wasn’t it all to find Viscount Yed’s daughter and repay his kindness?

Now, with this sudden good news, everyone’s spirits soared!

Even Evans couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

He had also been leading a team to search for Reya. The only reason he had left his team and returned alone was because he received a message from Rosalind: "Trouble at the Chamber of Commerce. Return to Birch Town immediately."

But she hadn’t mentioned anything about Reya in her message.

Rosalind knew that deliberately concealing this information was wrong, so she apologized without hesitation.

"My apologies, Evans. It was for Reya’s safety."

"I understand."

Evans nodded slightly, accepting her explanation.

For everyone in the Birch Town branch, finding Reya was the most urgent matter.

This Adventurer named Jon had brought news of Reya, joined their party, and even saved Rosalind during the attack. Considering all these factors, the possibility of him being an undercover agent sent by a rival to sabotage them plummeted.

No faction would be willing to sacrifice an Official Level assassin just to prove an infiltrator’s loyalty.

Their Birch Town branch simply wasn’t worth that price.

As for the other guards, between Rosalind’s endorsement and the power Jon had displayed, they easily accepted the fact that an outsider had joined their ranks.

A moment later, a guard returned to report.

"My lady, sirs, the assassin has been dealt with. There are no traces of any other enemies nearby."

"What are our next orders?"

Rosalind and Evans exchanged a glance but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, they turned to look at Jon, who had been silent and acting the part of a stoic expert. It was clear they were seeking his opinion.

At that, Jon could no longer keep up his act. The corner of his mouth twitched downward almost imperceptibly as he grumbled to himself.

’Come on, you’re the leaders... Why does everyone always want to pass off the decision-making to someone else...’

But things had come to this point, and there was no longer any need to keep up the pretense. To stabilize the team’s morale, everyone needed to know the objective.

He subtly adjusted his helmet, collected his thoughts, and spoke seriously.

"Everyone, I understand your urgency to find Miss Rhea."

"But rest assured, she is currently hidden in a completely safe place. You don’t have to worry about her being found."

"What we truly need to be wary of is the journey back to Birch Town after we retrieve her."

He pointed at the assassin, who had been stripped of all his gear, and his tone grew grave.

"I don’t know what faction you’ve offended, but since they could dispatch a Knight Level assassin, their ambitions must be great. It’s unlikely they’ll give up just because of one loss."

"This time it was one. Next time it might be two. If that happens, our current defensive strength will make it difficult to cover all our bases."

He was actually putting it mildly. A single assassin had nearly taken Rosalind’s head. If two more came, even Evans would likely be hard-pressed to protect himself.

The smarter ones among the guards naturally realized this and couldn’t help but ask.

"Then, Mr. Jon, do you have a good plan?"

"Of course—"

Jon nodded crisply.

"There’s an old saying in the Northern Territory... ’He who fights a wolf pack—’"

"’—must not be controlled by the pack.’"

It was Evans.

He had finished the second half of the proverb.

Then, the typically taciturn noble swordsman spoke at length for once.

"A wolf pack has its own patterns. A Hunter who wants to kill wolves must be more cunning than them and avoid being surrounded."

"Exactly."

Jon nodded at Evans in agreement, then continued to lay out his plan.

"Our enemy’s forces may be large, but I don’t think they’re that much stronger than us. The difficulties we face, they face as well."

"For example—the deployment of their forces."

As he said this, many of them began to understand, and a glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes.

"You already searched the area. There were no traces of other enemies besides this one assassin. This means the enemy was confident, believing this single assassin was enough to deal with us. But as you can see, this guy is now a dead dog."

"If they want to attack us again, they will also have to gather intelligence, make an assessment, and finally dispatch their people."

"Just as we need time to move our people, do you think the enemy’s men just fall from the sky?"

"That’s not how it works!"

The young Warrior scanned the crowd, his voice filled with confidence.

"And that is our opportunity."

By this point, even the slowest among them had caught on.

An impatient guard immediately shouted.

"My lady, sirs, if that’s the case, we can’t delay! Let’s move out now!"

Jon looked to Rosalind and Evans.

And Evans looked to Rosalind.

The silver-haired woman didn’t hesitate. She raised her riding crop and declared loudly.

"Everyone, follow Mr. Jon! To retrieve the young lady!"

"Yes, Ma’am!"

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