Ethan looked up, his face breaking into that gentle, harmless smile that had fooled so many people. "We're just passing scavengers, Miss Black."
Scavengers. This was the identity Ethan's group had crafted for themselves through careful historical research. During the Goblin Rebellion period, countless wizard homes had been attacked, forcing families to wander homeless, desperately seeking survival wherever they could find it.
Eve Black studied their shabby clothing, then focused on Ethan. His handsome face and elegant, composed demeanour didn't quite fit the scavenger image.
She couldn't help imagining the tragic story: A young lord robbed by savage goblins, his family destroyed, now forced to wander with his servants in this lawless time.
Goblins always loved targeting wealthy families for maximum plunder.
The servant's obviously that haggard-looking man. They're clearly not from the same social class. And the blonde girl must be the young lord's companion.
Eve slowly lowered her wand. Someone with such a pure, innocent smile couldn't possibly be dangerous.
"What's your name?" she asked.
Ethan's eyes darted briefly. "Light. Just call me Light."
Eve nodded, not bothering to ask the other two their names. She simply turned away. "You, that young lady, and your... servant should all come with me."
"Our camp's nearby. There are still goblin patrols around here, so it's not safe."
A responsible, good person. Definitely someone I'd get along with, Ethan thought approvingly, beckoning Luna to follow Miss Black's confident steps.
With access to their camp, we can better determine our location and find that treasure site.
Only Professor Lupin remained standing there, pointing at himself in complete disbelief. "Servant? You mean ME?!"
I'm clearly Ethan's professor! This is completely backwards!
Unfortunately, no one cared about this "servant's" protests. Lupin watched Ethan and Miss Black already chatting ahead like old friends. He sighed heavily and hurried to catch up.
He didn't notice that after they left, nearby bushes suddenly rustled with movement. A short figure materialised from thin air through magical concealment.
A goblin scout coldly watched their departing direction with calculating eyes. Lifting the communication conch hanging from his neck, he spoke with a mixture of respect and fear:
"Lord Ragnok, after our advance team's reconnaissance, we've determined their strength. We're confident we can eliminate them!"
After speaking, the goblin scout waited anxiously for a response. After several tense seconds, a voice like grinding sandpaper emerged from the enchanted conch:
"I only want to hear news of you completely eradicating these incompetents."
The goblin scout trembled violently. "Ap-apologies! We plan to raid their camp tonight! Kill every last wizard!"
"I guarantee we'll present the ancient magic treasure hidden in their camp before you!"
"I hope you won't disappoint me again," the conch crackled. "Don't let me hear news of another failure."
"Absolutely not, Lord Ragnok!" The goblin scout nodded frantically, despite this being voice communication only.
He knew exactly why Lord Ragnok was so furious. Recently, precious treasures being transported had been intercepted by some unknown force. An entire goblin company had been frozen to death in place like ice sculptures.
A complete slap to their faces! The only trace left behind was that meaningless designation: [Lamp].
Treasures lost, heavy casualties! Lord Ragnok's beyond angry!
He'd vowed that once they found the thief, he'd torture them in the most painful way possible before dismembering them completely!
Remembering Lord Ragnok's volcanic rage, the goblin scout couldn't help but shiver. This elimination operation absolutely cannot fail!
Hesitating briefly, he decided not to mention those three scavengers to Lord Ragnok. Such trivial matters didn't need their leader's attention.
"Sir, rest assured! Tonight, we'll use those foolish wizards' blood and screams to avenge our shame!" His voice grew more confident. "Return the ancient magic treasures to the goblin tribe!"
The scout grinned with savage anticipation, re-concealing himself among the trees.
Meanwhile, up ahead, Ethan tilted his head slightly. His peripheral vision seemed to casually sweep over the goblin scout's hidden position.
His lips curved in that particular way that meant trouble.
"What's wrong, Light?" Miss Black asked, noticing his momentary distraction.
Ethan withdrew his gaze, smiling pleasantly. "Nothing. Just spotted a little bug."
Annoying bugs should naturally be squashed. Trying to compete with me for ancient magic? Dream on.
Arriving at Miss Black's mentioned camp, Ethan was mildly surprised to see that rather than a typical campfire-and-tents setup, this resembled more of a small town. A proper settlement.
High brick walls surrounded rows of small houses. Though they appeared weathered and shabby, they didn't seem lifeless or desperate. Instead, the whole place radiated genuine vitality.
"Sister Eve!" A little girl with bouncing pigtails ran over excitedly.
She threw herself into Miss Black's arms, bringing the first real smile to that stern, battle-hardened face.
The girl peeked out curiously, shyly studying Ethan's group. "Sister Eve, who are they?"
"They're scavengers we met on the road," Eve explained. "The black-haired one in the middle is called Light."
Meeting the little girl's wide-eyed gaze, Ethan smiled warmly. The sight completely stunned her. Her mouth fell open as she stared at him blankly.
Then her ears turned bright red as she shyly buried her face in Miss Black's protective arms. She'd never seen such a handsome big brother before...
Ethan followed Miss Black through the gate guards into the camp proper. His curious, slightly amazed expression further convinced Eve that he really was some exiled young lord.
After all, during the war's most intense period, camps like this were everywhere. Never having seen one means he must've been well-protected by his family before everything went wrong.
Miss Black pressed her lips together, unsure whether she felt pity or envy. She began introducing their setup:
"This is the living area for sleeping, eating, and daily activities."
"Food ingredients usually come from hunting and small-scale farming, with occasional supply drops from Hogwarts when they can spare them."
"Though it's not exactly abundant, feeding everyone isn't really a problem."
Ethan observed children running between the cute little houses and women using soap and washboards to do laundry by hand. Plus some fluffy bipedal cat-creatures going in and out of kitchens, meowing contentedly.
Warm and lively. Rather than a grim military camp, this felt more like a wizard settlement that had developed organically over time.
Remembering the battle scene they'd witnessed upon arrival, Ethan asked casually, "Doesn't seem very safe here. Why do you insist on establishing a camp in this particular location?"
Miss Black paused mid-step, then said stiffly, "None of your business, outsider."
"..." Ethan raised his eyebrows, but his smile remained pleasant. "I overstepped. My apologies."
He casually looked away, waving cheerfully at the children who were watching their group with obvious curiosity.
Instead of feeling satisfied, Miss Black, who'd just refused to answer, began looking increasingly embarrassed. Her body shifted unnaturally, as if ants were crawling all over her skin.
"You—" she began awkwardly.
Just as she started speaking, a loud shout interrupted: "Eve! You're finally back!"
Ethan and Miss Black both turned to see a muscular man in his forties striding toward them with obvious purpose. Well-built and intimidating, he was glaring at Ethan like he personally owed him money.
"How could you bring more scavengers here again!" the man demanded angrily. "Have you already forgotten what happened last time—"
"Enough." Eve interrupted coldly, her voice cutting through his protests like ice.
"Not everyone has sticky fingers, Marcus. He's a displaced young lord who lost everything. Pure and harmless, as you can clearly see for yourself."