The Herb King

At noon time, Lord Julius finally arrived together with Lord Harold and Madam Antonette. All three of them had sullen faces as they entered the clinic.

When Leric saw their dark expressions, he furrowed his eyebrows and wondered what could have happened to them.

"We apologize for coming late, Sir Aethelwolf. Something came up along the road and it took a lot of our time." Lord Julius said as he forced out a smile.

"What happened?" Leric asked in a low voice. He suddenly thought about the bandit scouts who had been monitoring them in the last few days. Could it be them?

Samira walked towards them and also asked what was going on.

Lord Julius turned his gaze to Harold and said. "Explain it to them..."

Lord Harold nodded his head and sighed as he recounted what happened to them earlier.

"We were supposed to be here early in the morning, but we sensed a few people following our carriage. Although they didn't reveal any malicious intentions, I decided to walk out of the carriage and interrogate them. I couldn't allow them to spy on us. However, when I came near them, those people suddenly attacked me together!"

Hearing this, Samira frowned and looked worriedly at her family. Luckily, nothing happened to them.

"It appears that they are the same people who are monitoring us in the last few days. I have noticed them since we came back to Dominion District. I believe that they should be from the Northern Viper Group..." Leric said in a stern voice.

Lord Harold nodded his head. "That's right. I interrogated some of them and after a long while, they told me that they are scouts sent by the leader of the Northern Viper Group. If what you said is right, then those guys have been eyeing our Reynolds Household for a long time!"

The Northern Viper Group is a group of bandits that suddenly appeared in the empire out of nowhere. Upon their arrival, they caused all sorts of crime and spread fear throughout the empire. The Imperial Family even sent a kill order for the whole group, but only the lowest-ranking members of the bandit group are captured until today and they still had no idea what is the goal of those brigands.

Leric also had no information about them. "I think we should inform His Majesty about this. It would be dangerous if those people are left to do anything they want."

The Northern Viper Group is a dangerous band of criminals. Leric wouldn't be able to have a good sleep each night, knowing that a malicious bandit group is hiding in the dark. The only option left for them is to inform the Imperial Family about this. Hopefully, they would send their elite soldiers to investigate the matter.

Lord Harold nodded his head in agreement. "We will go to His Majesty's temporary mansion and tell him about this."

"They must have come here because of me!" Samira muttered coldly. It was already known that the leader of the bandit group has been eyeing her for a long time. They just ignored them and thought that it was merely the wishful thinking of a lowly bandit. However, the group has shown strong power!

Leric didn't say anything, but he was worried for her safety. She was now working for him so he has a responsibility to protect her while she was in his care, but how can he protect her against a large bandit group when he is only a Level 2 Esper? From the looks of it, he has to increase his strength earlier than planned.

"Let's talk about this matter later. The three of you can take a rest on the third floor. The patient rooms there are still empty. Samira, go and stay with your family. We can handle the situation here."

"Alright." Samira nodded her head.

Lord Harold sighed when he saw the solemn expression on Leric's face. "I'm so sorry for telling you such bad news during your opening day, Sir Aethelwolf." He muttered with an apologetic look.

Leric shook his head. "It's not your fault, Lord Harold." He then went silent and thought about what type of pills he should refine to increase his strength in a short amount of time.

Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Samira immediately brought her family to the third floor and chatted with them about the matter.

When they left, Leric entered into deep thinking. "I have already consumed a pill that elevated my strength to Level 2 Esper. Even if I eat more pills that can promote my strength, I would only reach Level 4 at most. Man, why is leveling so difficult?" Leric muttered in dissatisfaction, but if someone hears him, they would surely bash his head in anger. Eat pills and reach Level 4? It was the dream of many, but Leric was still dissatisfied about it.

"The efficiency of these pills will become lower if I consume them all together, but I have no time to hesitate." He then called Skylar and gave her a list of herbs and other materials. All of which were ingredients to refine the pills that could enhance his strength!

Leric wasn't worried that his foundation would become unstable since he has the Status Screen.

"Be careful and you should ask Reed to go with you." Leric suggested as he solemnly stared at Skylar.

Skylar nodded her head when she saw how serious he was. She also felt warm in her heart after knowing that he was worried about his safety. "Yes, Sir Aethelwolf."

"Good! You may leave." Leric sent him off and he didn't turn his gaze away from her until seeing that she left with Reed.

Leric gave her a huge amount of gold coins. It should be enough to purchase all the herbs he needs. It was a good thing that the clinic earned an astronomical sum on its first opening day or this would have been impossible.