It's so hard being a hero!

You have a point.

She picked up the cup and took a sip.

"But we didn't know any of this before. The Earl's report only mentioned that the spider monsters attacked the miners and captured the militia. He didn't mention the complexity of the terrain. As for Miss Sophia, we only received the news on the way."

Drummond adjusted his glasses and interjected.

"So he only saw that his mine was gone, but he didn't see that Miss Sophia saved many lives."

Bart snorted.

"That Count Vlad only has money in his eyes."

He picked up a piece of toast and took a big bite.

Melanie gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"If I don't play the victim, how could the Empire possibly help me so easily?"

At this point, her gaze towards Sophia changed.

"You're a twelve-year-old girl, and you dared to go into a spider's nest all by yourself and actually rescued someone. To be honest, I really admire you."

Sofia was a little embarrassed by the praise.

"Haha, it's not that exaggerated. I just felt that if it should be done, then it should be done."

Samira put down her cup, a hint of approval flashing in her deep red eyes.

"Miss Sophia."

She suddenly spoke, her tone softer than before.

"Are you really only twelve years old this year?"

"Really, why would I lie to you?"

Sophia rolled her eyes.

Samira's lips curled up slightly; it was the first time Sophia had seen her smile that day.

"With such insight and courage at the age of twelve, his future is limitless."

Sophia chuckled.

"You flatter me, I'm just an ordinary person."

Upon hearing this, Bart spat out the bread he was eating.

"You're an ordinary person?"

His eyes widened.

"You beat Melanie and me senseless, and you call yourself an ordinary person?"

Sophia shrugged.

"That's because you were letting me win."

"We didn't give you any leeway."

Melanie rolled her eyes.

"We really can't beat you. Your combat experience is too rich; you don't seem like a twelve-year-old at all."

These words made Sophia's heart skip a beat, but she showed no reaction on her face, only a smile.

"Perhaps it's a talent."

Drummond looked at Sophia with a meaningful look in his eyes.

"Miss Sophia."

"Ok?"

"You just said that you only do what you think is right, regardless of what others think?"

"Correct."

Sophia nodded.

"So do you really think that humans and monsters can coexist peacefully?"

This question left Sofia silent for a long while.

"I do not know."

She answered honestly, "But I think we can at least try to reduce the pointless killing. Monsters also have their own survival instincts and their own territorial awareness, just like people. If someone breaks into your house, you will kick them out."

"Of course, I'm not saying we should coexist peacefully with all monsters. Monsters that attack humans should be killed, but why can't we let those that don't actively attack humans go?"

Samira remained silent for a long time after hearing this.

Then she picked up her glass and raised it towards Sofia.

"Miss Sophia, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Sophia paused for a moment, then picked up her water glass and clinked it against hers.

"In return."

The campfire burned in the night, sparks drifting into the night sky and disappearing into the darkness.

Chapter 56 Swordsmanship Sparring

As Sofia finished the last sip of soup and prepared to return to the carriage to rest, Samira, who was sitting opposite her, suddenly stood up.

“Um, Miss Sophia.”

Sofia looked up at Samira with a puzzled expression.

"what happened?"

"I'd like to have a friendly spar with you."

Samira spoke very directly, without any beating around the bush.

Sophia paused for a moment, then put down the soup bowl and wiped her mouth.

"A sparring match? Now?"

"Yes, right now."

Samira walked around the campfire, stood in front of her, and looked down at her.

“I watched very carefully when you made your move at the Earl’s mansion the day before yesterday.”

Sophia raised an eyebrow.

"and then?"

"Your magic is indeed very strong, but your swordsmanship is more impressive to me."

Samira's gaze fell on the magic sword at Sophia's waist.

"You must have more than one teacher behind you, right?"

Sophia's heart skipped a beat.

She certainly didn't have a second teacher; her swordsmanship was all honed through her own practice in her previous life.

But I can't say that.

"Well, it is."

Sophia gave a vague reply.

"That's right."

Samira nodded, her tone serious.

"Your swordsmanship style is very mature, unlike what one would expect at your age."

Sophia gave an awkward smile and didn't reply.

"So, I'd like to spar with you on swordsmanship."

Samira continued.

"We will only compete in swordsmanship and sword skills, not in strength. I will suppress my strength to the bronze level, to be on the same level as you."

She paused.

"Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you."

Sophia looked at her, remained silent for two seconds, and then grinned.

"Yes, of course I'm willing."

She stood up and dusted herself off.

"I love sparring with people the most."

That's not an understatement, but Sofia certainly has the right to say it.

Her swordsmanship was earned with her life in her previous life. She fought for three years on the border of the Demon Realm. Although she was defeated by Lilith, she had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood before that.

When it comes to swordsmanship among those of the same skill level, she has never been afraid of anyone.

"it is good."

Samira's lips curled up slightly.

"Let's go to the riverbank then, there's plenty of open space there."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the riverbank below the camp.

The others also got up and followed; who doesn't love watching a show?

Before long, a crowd had gathered around the riverbank.

Samira stood in the center of the open space, her right hand resting on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

She wasn't wearing the dark red full-body armor, but only a black bodysuit, revealing her tall, curvaceous figure.

"I'm ready."