Who taught him to restore the country like this

Chapter 223 The number of competitors is increasing.
Two days later.

“Mr. Gratoni, we’re now within the Star Empire’s territory. To avoid any unnecessary trouble, let’s go ahead and greet the lord first.”

"Atop a dense forest on the mountainside on the border of over a hundred states in the Star Empire," Ron began to speak.

Baiduobang Prefecture, formerly the Baiduobang Kingdom ruled by the Feathered Clan, became a prefecture of the Star Empire after its defeat in the first War of the Gods.

Having followed the development of the Star Empire for so many years, it has cultivated many eighth-tier powerhouses.

The Winged Race, in particular, are skilled in aerial combat.

Unlike other ordinary kingdoms, the red dragon can fly freely in its airspace.

If you fly around here without warning, even if you're a dragon, you'll still get a beating.

Gratoni wasn't stubborn; heeding Ron's advice, he landed in the forest below and transformed back into human form.

Ron took a set of clothes out of his bag and handed them to Gratoni.

Gratoni put it on, covering the conspicuous layer of scales on his body.

"Before we visit the lord of this place, we can find a magical beast here so that Beretta can practice the fighting style of the Hero's Sword."

Gangji suggested, his gaze sweeping over the dense forest that was extremely suitable for magical beasts to inhabit.

During the two-day journey, he verbally taught Ron many ways to use the Hero's Sword, all of which were valuable experiences passed down by Master Horn.

Theoretical instruction is not enough; we also need to practice in actual combat.

Karina nodded, agreeing with Gangji's suggestion.

Ron naturally had no objections.

Although he knew exactly how to use the Hero's Sword, he was still a novice hero and needed a learning process.

Moreover, killing monsters to level up is exactly what he wants.

After searching for a while in the dense forest, the group found a suitable target.

A level 40 Ridgeback Bear.

Upon sensing the enemy's powerful aura, especially the innate superior pressure emanating from Gratonian, the Ridge Bear immediately wanted to flee.

However, surrounded by several seventh-tier powerhouses like Kertia, it had no way out and could only choose to fight Ron.

"Go for it, Lady Beretta."

Karina from the atmosphere team provided timely encouragement.

"Ah."

Ron took a deep breath, his face showing just the right amount of tension, but even more so, determination.

He gripped the sword of the hero and stepped forward.

The battle broke out instantly.

The splitback bear is incredibly strong; when it charges, the ground shakes and the bone spurs on its back can be fired at long range.

Ron perfectly embodies an inexperienced but talented warrior, nimbly dodging and seeking opportunities.

The sword of the hero shone with a pure light in his hand, and each strike, honed by his mastery of the skill, landed precisely on the Ridge Bear.

He "struggled" to evade the attacks and "perilously" fought back.

Finally, in what seemed like a desperate battle, Ron seized the opportunity when the Ridgeback Bear stood upright, exposing its chest and abdomen, and plunged the sword of a hero, seemingly imbued with all his courage, into its heart.

The split-backed bear let out a mournful howl before its massive body crashed to the ground.

"That's amazing, Lady Beretta."

Karina immediately stepped forward to praise him.

"Well done, Beretta."

Gangji stepped forward and patted Ron on the shoulder.

"Your timing and courage are both outstanding."

"well enough."

Ron, slightly out of breath, looked at the fallen monster with a triumphant smile on his face.

A warm current flowed from the Sword of Heroes, and the experience bar for leveling up to 38 increased significantly. Another monster like this should be enough.

"continue."

Steel Road.

Proficiency in the Hero's Sword cannot be accumulated through a single battle.

Just as the group was preparing to look for their next target.

A series of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed through the quiet forest.

The group looked toward the source of the sound at the same time.

The footsteps grew closer.

"Help... help!"

Soon, a panicked figure, with a sobbing voice, rushed out of the dense grass and collapsed on the open ground not far from them.

It was a young girl, and no one knew what she had been through. Her clothes were tattered and stained, and her exposed skin was covered with abrasions and bruises.

What is most striking is that half of her cheek, as well as her neck and arms, are covered with a layer of fine scales that shimmer with a faint blue light.

Her ears were also slightly pointed and long, and her fingers had a faint webbed connection.

"Mermaid tribe?"

This feature is not difficult to identify.

The group was surprised.

Don't the mermaids live on the northern island of the Sky Sea, isolated from the world?

How would it appear here?

After a brief moment of confusion, Karina cautiously stepped forward, made sure there was no danger, and knelt down to check the mermaid girl's injuries.

The girl's breath was faint, and she had multiple wounds on her body caused by sharp weapons, which were still bleeding.

When she saw Karina, her eyes were filled with fear and pleading.

"Save... help me..."

After saying that, he fell into a coma.

"Let's help her."

Karina turned around and asked Ron and the others for their opinions.

"Take her to the nearby town."

Ron nodded.

His current team of warriors can handle ranged, melee, and aerial combat, but they're still missing a healer.

Keltia and Karina only know some basic healing magic. As for advanced healing magic, one needs a strong affinity for life to learn it.

It's time to find a wet nurse.

"Stop! Hand over the person!"

Just as Karina picked up the person and was about to walk back, a fierce voice came from afar.

Immediately afterwards, five or six people rushed out from the direction the mermaid girl had come from.

They wore uniform leather armor and wore crossed silver short swords as insignia on their chests, the emblem of a mercenary group.

"They are from the Silver Blade Mercenary Group."

Gangji stepped forward and stood in front of the crowd.

Its massive size immediately put considerable pressure on the mercenaries on the other side.

But the other side wasn't afraid of trouble either.

Because they are backed by the Silver Blade Mercenary Group.

The world's number one mercenary group.

“I don’t care who you are, put her down. This woman is our Silver Blade’s target.”

The leader, a scarred mercenary, coldly threatened.

"What did she do? Why are you hunting down an injured girl?"

Karina frowned and asked.

"This has nothing to do with you. If you know what's good for you, get out of the way, or don't blame us for being impolite!"

Another mercenary shouted.

"How can you be so polite?"

Gangji's massive fists collided in front of his chest, the force of the punch sending his opponent flying backward.

The Silver Blade Mercenary Group is indeed the world's number one mercenary group, but these few small fry in front of them are not enough to scare them.

Sensing the powerful aura emanating from Gangji, the Silverblade mercenaries' expressions changed.

Looking at the people behind them, they all seemed like troublemakers, especially the man with long red hair, whose eyes seemed to look at trash.

The mercenaries exchanged glances, realizing they'd messed up.

"Well, let's wait and see."

The scarred mercenary snorted coldly, left behind a harsh remark, and then departed with his men.

"Let's go too."

Watching the Silver Blade Mercenaries walk away and disappear, Ron looked at the mermaid girl in Karina's hand and said.

The future incarnation says that the event will occur when he comes to Tianhai North Island. Is this related to the mermaid girl?
Let's find a town first and revive the person.

"Let me do it."

Gratoni looked at the mermaid girl in Karina's hands and smiled kindly. He loved helping weak and helpless girls.

"Gangji, thank you for your help."

Karina handed the mermaid girl in her arms to Gangji.

"give it to me."

Gangji took the mermaid girl from Kailina and held her firmly in his arms.

Gratoni's cheek twitched; he felt his teammates were too prejudiced against him.

"Go this way, there's a small town."

Karina took out a map and used it as a navigation tool.

More than half an hour later.

According to the map, they arrived at a nearby border town.

The town isn't particularly bustling, but it has a fairly complete range of necessary facilities.

The group found a hotel to stay in and then split up to explore.

Gangji stayed home, Karina went to fetch the town's doctor to treat the mermaid girl, and Keltia went to prepare necessities for the rest of the journey.

Gratoni... well, he's gone to find the weak and helpless beautiful girl.

Ron, on the other hand, went to the town's underground tavern, which was often the most well-informed place.

It seems there's a plot twist in the Star Empire that he's unaware of, and he needs to find out more.

After a few cups of ale and some gold coins, the tavern owner and information broker started talking.

"Young man, you must be from out of town? You've come at a really bad time; things haven't been peaceful in the empire lately."

The boss said in a low voice.

"What's wrong with things?"

"The old emperor passed away a few months ago, and the throne has remained vacant ever since."

"why?"

Ron asked.

"What else could it be? Of course, it's because no one is willing to submit to anyone else. In the capital, the princes are fighting tooth and nail for the throne."

The boss said.

"After a month of relative calm, they've recently started making some big moves again."

"Is it about the mermaid's heart?"

Ron asked.

"It seems you've heard some of the news too."

"That's what the boss said."

"I've only heard a little bit about it, and I don't know why they're looking for the Mermaid Heart."

Ron said.

The boss glanced around, then beckoned to Luo An, signaling him to come closer.

"I heard that the royal family discovered an incredible treasure in the ruins of the divine kingdom, but they need the heart of a mermaid to obtain it."

"Whichever prince can obtain that treasure first will be able to surpass the other princes and become the next emperor."

"So now, the forces under the princes are desperately searching for the Mermaid Heart. Even the Silver Blade Mercenary Group, ranked first in the empire, and the Rose Mercenary Group, ranked second, have gotten involved."

The boss tried his best to keep his voice down.

After all, discussing matters concerning the royal family in private is a serious matter.

Meanwhile, members of the two major mercenary groups are likely scattered in every corner.

Including this underground pub.

Ron seemed to be deep in thought after listening to his boss's words.

really.

This is yet another plot development that deviates from the original work.

In the original work, the princes of the Star Empire were vying for power, but the Mermaid Heart was not involved, nor was there any so-called extraordinary treasure.

This has gone astray again, leading those spendthrift sons of the Star Empire to set their sights on the Mermaid Heart.

"What is the current situation of the merfolk on Tianhai North Island?"

Ron recalled the mermaid girl he had rescued in the border forest and asked.

"It's chaotic. The empire demanded to examine the bodies of every merman, but the merman's powerful warriors refused. Now, the empire's powerful warriors are fighting against the merman's powerful warriors."

"Many mermaids have fled from Tianhai North Island. So, young man, are you interested in mermaids?"

The boss said with an expression that said, "I have the channels."

"Not for now, but I'll come to you if I need anything."

Ron stood up, put down two gold coins, and turned to leave the underground tavern.

It seems that the mermaid girl rescued in the border forest escaped from Tianhai North Island.

However, we need to know the specifics from him.

Return to your hotel room.

Ron told Kertia and the others what he had found out.

Upon hearing this, Kertia frowned deeply.

More and more people want to take the mermaid's heart, which is very disadvantageous for her.

"Does the Star Empire dare to compete with the three major Vatican Churches for the Heart of the Mermaid?"

Steel Road.

"What's there to be afraid of? They'll do anything for power and status, and besides, the Mermaid Heart doesn't belong to the three major churches."

Grattoni returned at some point.

"I think this matter requires the intervention of the central bishops of the three major Vatican cities."

Ron pondered for a moment.

Otherwise, it would be questionable whether they could successfully enter Tianhai North Island.

I originally wanted the Star Empire to help me find the Mermaid Heart, but now I'm just glad they're not causing any trouble.

“I will inform Bishop Kevin.”

Kertia nodded.

"Shall we visit the lord next?"

Gangji asked.

"go."

Ron said.

It's no secret that the heroes have come to the Star Empire; they probably already know they're here.

At that moment, the mermaid girl on the bed suddenly let out a soft groan.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes.

When she saw the people gathered around the bed, she was startled and curled up. Then, after seeing the bandaged wounds on her body, she slowly remembered what had happened in the forest.

Did you save me?

The mermaid girl asked timidly.

"Yes."

Karina looked at the mermaid girl with a gentle smile.

"Thank... thank you for saving me."

The mermaid girl bowed her head and thanked her.

Her voice was soft, with an ethereal quality unique to mermaids.

"Don't be afraid, you're safe now. Can you tell us your name?"

"Kelina asked."

“Luna”.

"Luna, can you tell us why the Silver Blade Mercenary Group is hunting you down?"

"I don't know. My family just sent me to Tianhai North Island for refuge, and then they came out and said I had a mermaid's heart and wanted to capture me. I don't have that at all. I'm just an ordinary mermaid..."

She started to cry, feeling wronged.

Karina reached out and pulled the mermaid girl into her arms, gently comforting her.

Once the mermaid girl had calmed down, the group was about to ask about the current situation on Tianhai North Island.

boom!
Suddenly, the wooden door to the hotel room was kicked open from the outside, sending splinters flying.

Ron and the others turned around to look.

A tall, thin middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of the Silver Blade Mercenary Group stood at the door.

He carried a pair of gleaming curved swords at his waist, exuding a fierce killing intent that far surpassed that of the previous henchmen.

Eighth-tier expert!
"So it was you who snatched people from the Silver Blade Mercenary Group?"

A powerful sense of oppression instantly enveloped the entire room.

(End of this chapter)