Chapter 69: Chapter 69: A Stratagem to Lure the Enemy

As the system prompt faded, Jon had planned to continue with his preparations for the afternoon outing.

But to his surprise, after he finished naming Flame Dragon Dance, another prompt popped up!

[Ding! You have created a unique Perfect Level Skill. You have earned the achievement ’Proof of a Genius IV’.]

"What the... I got an achievement?"

This made Jon’s eyes widen.

But before he could check the Achievement System, the voice of a female attendant came from outside his door.

"Mr. Jon, Miss Rhea sent me to ask if you would like to join her for lunch."

’It’s already noon? Time really flies.’

Jon blinked. He glanced at the prompt on his panel and the metal rod on the floor that had been sliced in two, then called out his reply.

"Just a moment! I have something to take care of. I’ll be there in ten minutes!"

He then picked up the metal rod and rushed to his workbench. He deftly removed the scorch marks from the cut, then took out some parts he had made on the side while crafting the Arm Armor early this morning. With nimble hands, he began assembling another item.

’I’m on a tight schedule. Now that I have strong damage output, I can’t neglect my Defense!’

’And this Achievement System... Heh, pretty interesting...’

...

"Miss Rhea, although your plan is set, as head of security, I must still voice my opinion."

Outside the dining hall, Evans, who had changed into a clean set of clothes, faced Reya directly, his tone serious.

"Leaving the trading post at this time is not a wise move."

"I know, Sir Evans. You’re right."

The red-haired girl had also changed out of the light, flowing dress she wore during breakfast with Jon. She was now in a hunting outfit suitable for going out, which seemed to be the same style as Rosalind’s.

She looked at Evans, her expression equally serious.

"But I’ve thought about it. Simply holing up here is meaningless."

"It’s like doing business. If you want the other party to accept your terms, you have to offer them a tangible benefit. The same should apply to those people lurking in the shadows."

"Rather than letting them hide in the dark, it’s better if we make the first move. We’ll present the ’bait’ and get them to move as well."

"That way, we’ll have a chance to catch them by the tail."

After hearing Reya’s explanation, Evans’s expression remained stern, but he didn’t argue further.

He simply gripped the sword at his side, remaining silent.

Seeing his stance soften slightly, Reya decided to press her advantage.

"Besides, when we go to the Sun Church, you and your guards will be with me, won’t you?"

"With your protection, even if the enemy dares to make a move within the town, they are bound to fail. All they’ll do is expose themselves."

"What’s more, Mr. Jon will be with us too."

Her tone lifted slightly when she mentioned Jon, a clear sign of her good mood.

"With you in the open and him in the shadows, we’ll have multiple layers of security. Nothing will go wrong."

Upon hearing this, perhaps recalling yesterday’s dangerous assassination attempt or this morning’s Swordsmanship spar, Evans nodded in agreement.

"If Mr. Jon will be there, then I have no objections."

"Oh? Did I hear someone say my name?"

From the other end of the hallway, the black-haired, blue-eyed Warrior strode over, carrying a helmet under one arm and a box in the other, teasing casually as he approached.

He walked up to Reya and Evans, first nodding to the trading post’s head of security, then turning to the red-haired girl with a light chuckle.

"Reya, were you talking bad about me?"

"Of course not!"

The girl’s cheeks puffed out slightly, her bright, emerald-green eyes fixed on Jon, her expression a mix of feigned annoyance and delight.

"We were talking about the trip this afternoon! You’re the one who’s about to miss lunch, Mr. Jon!"

"Ha, my apologies. I had a few things to take care of and got a little held up."

Jon chuckled and gestured with the box in his hand. Then, ignoring Reya’s curious gaze, he smoothly changed the subject.

"Let’s eat first. We can talk about everything at the table."

He turned to Evans, who was standing to the side.

"Mr. Evans, would you like to join us?"

The gray-eyed man shook his head.

"No, thank you. I need to arrange the guards for today’s defensive duties. I’ll eat with them later."

"Please, enjoy yourselves."

With that, he nodded to Reya and Jon respectively before turning to leave.

Reya took the opportunity to explain to Jon.

"Mr. Evans is in charge of so many guards, so he rarely eats in the dining hall. You don’t have to worry about inviting him."

Then, she turned to the side and, grinning, struck a waiter-like ’this way’ pose.

"This way, Mr. Jon. I made today’s lunch myself, you know~"

Her lively and charmingly cute appearance was a world away from the quiet, noble [Flame-haired Princess] she would one day become.

’She’s still just a young girl, after all...’

A flicker of emotion crossed Jon’s eyes as he played along with Reya.

"Oh? In that case, I’ll really be looking forward to it."

"Hehe, I definitely won’t disappoint you!"

...

Rosalind wasn’t around, so it was just Reya and Jon for lunch.

Throughout the meal, Reya did most of the talking while Jon chimed in from time to time, and the atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious.

Reya also told Jon her plan and asked for his opinion.

"Mr. Jon, do you think what I’m doing is the right thing?"

She looked up at Jon, her eyes filled with apprehension, like a student waiting for a teacher’s critique.

After a moment of contemplation, Jon gave his opinion.

"Reya, no plan in this world is ever completely foolproof. The only question is whether it’s worthwhile. Your arrangement this time might not be the best solution, but it’s thorough enough, and the goal is worth the risk."

"But I do need to remind you of one thing: with a plan that involves putting yourself in danger, your own safety has to be the number one priority."

"If the enemy were to throw everything they have into a single, all-out attack, how would you respond?"

Seeing how sincere and serious Jon was, Reya sat up straight, her own attitude becoming serious as well.

"You’re right, Mr. Jon... That is a problem."

"So, there’s something that, until now, only I knew. I’m only telling you, right here."

Her voice was very soft, as if afraid a third person might overhear.

"About the reinforcements my father sent that I mentioned before... The Mage from that group has already arrived in Birch Town. She’s lurking on the outskirts of the trading post right now."

"Once we head out, she’ll secretly follow us."

"She’s very skilled in Shadow Magic. Both hiding herself and finding enemies concealed in the shadows are her specialties."

When Reya said that, Jon understood.

This was a classic case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

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