Valerian, The Legendary

Chapter 331: Gwen’s Shock.

**The new book: Chalice Of Blood, is out now. Please give it a read and spare some comments and thoughts. Do support my WSA venture.***

Valerian carried the little girl, and after a brief farewell to the people, the three people came out of the settlement. Gwen said, "I have a mount. It can carry us all."

As she spoke, a flying beast landed a few meters away. Valerian smiled and said, "How about you take Vali with you? She has never been on a flying mount before. I will ride Anne. She would not like to enter the magic beast pouch."

Gwen was surprised, but she nodded. Valerie took a few words of consolation before she got on the back of the flying mount. The warrior nun said, "This one is called Sese."

Valerie nodded and gently touched the fur on the bird’s back. She exclaimed, "It is so fluffy."

Gwen smiled and patted the bird’s head. Sese understood the signal, flapping its wing. He flew high in the sky. Valerian got on Anne’s back and swished the rein. The mare took the cue, and she moved.

Gwen was paying attention to Valerian and was surprised that he could keep up with the bird. Valerie pouted when she looked over the bird’s shoulder and mumbled, "He never had Anne run this fast with me. Cheater."

The nun behind her did not know what to say. She was a senior warrior with considerable skills. However, when she found a Dryad almost doubting himself because this little girl obliterated him in a game, she wondered how the scene would have played out.

Not only that, but Valerie was even peeking at the things below from such a height without any fear. This was enough to tell Gwen that this child was not as simple as she seemed to be.

Gwen asked, "Valerie, how long have you known Valerian?"

Valerie cast Gwen a gaze, and after some thought, she said, "A few months. Why?"

Gwen shook her head and spoke with a smile, "Just want to know you both better."

Valerie nodded and said, "I know how to do that. Big brother taught me how to introduce myself."

Gwen had an amused expression and said, "Go on."

Valerie replied, "I am Valerie, a distinct child. I am four years old and like to play tag, eat and sleep."

Her voice was sweet, and her gaze was innocent. Gwen could not help but smile ear to ear at her. The warrior nun then focused on what Valerie had just said; she mentioned her origins, which surprised Gwen. She asked, "Valerie, how are you distinct?"

The little girl asked, "Huh?"

Then seemingly, she recalled something and shook her silver hair for Gwen to see after taking off the Cornette. The latter spotted two cat ears hidden inside the hair neatly. Surprised, she asked, "This disguise is fine, but how do you mask your special fragrance?"

The distinct people had a special fragrance about themselves, and it could not be hidden. Valerie shrugged and said, "That must be what big brother did. He cast a charm on my habit. It does not smell anymore. He said I can be a little careless when I am out now."

Gwen nodded in a daze and then looked down to find Valerian still riding with them. Then she asked, "What about Valerian? Can you introduce him to me?"

The little girl nodded and said, "A big brother is a warm person, he is very kind to others, but he does not like to show it. Also, he is very diligent and works hard. He can cook, use multiple magic elements, and is very strong. He told me that he was a Magnum Magister. Also, he can make magic artifacts."

Gwen was shocked, she could not take in so many things at once, but she had no other choice. She chose to jump into this topic so that face slaps would hurt even more.

She was certainly older than Valerian, but that young man below was a magnum magister and then looked at her. She thought being a grade seven warrior was a good thing. As she was thinking about this all, she heard a whistle.

Then, without her command, the bird descended, and she frowned. Valerie smiled and said, "Big brother can also talk to animals."

Gwen could not help but say, "Is he a distinct as well?"

Valerie shook her head and said, "He is a human."

...

Valerian approached the bird and said, "I picked up a few track marks on the way. The bandits said their gang would raid five villages at a time and gather the children at a common place before smuggling them to the big settlement down south. The place he indicated was a valley not far from here. So I think it is better to approach on foot."

Gwen nodded, and Valerie walked over to the side and stood with Anne. Valerian saw this and smiled as he complimented the girl, "How smart of you."

Valerie smiled and swung her head from side to side. Gwen agreed with the suggestion and wanted to ask Valerian something when the young man drew a magic circle around Anne and Valerie. He said, "You are not to get out of this circle until we return, okay?"

The two beings nodded at the same time. Valerian nodded and turned around to go and explore the valley where the said gang of bandits was gathered. Gwen was worried about the little girl, but she noticed that after Valerian was done carving the magic circle, she could not see both of them.

Valerian gazed at her and said, "Do not worry. They will be safe. I have cast defense spells in the surroundings if anyone other than us comes here."

The warrior nun nodded, and Valerian asked, "You are a warrior, right?"

Gwen nodded, and the young monk asked, "What is your weapon of preference?"

The nun replied, "Spear."

She took out a foldable spear from her waist stash. Valerian glanced at the weapon and shook his head, "This will not work. I will lend you mine."

The young man took a spear from his magic pouch. The silver spear was one of his refined weapons in the Clar-awk realm. It was a wave-layered weapon. The warrior nun was surprised and said, "How can I?"

Valerian smiled and said, "We work as a team, so do not hesitate. If you perform better, it will only help me in the mission."

Gwen accepted the spear with gratitude and was in awe, looking at the quality of the weapon. This was the best weapon she had ever held. The Temple of Mercy had no business to support itself and thrived on charity.

For Valerian, this was nothing. He did not have any scruples in handing out such things to the people useful to him. Yes, he was not a saint. He was helping Gwen because she could be of use to his cause.

...

The two people hid behind the trees watching the torchlight flicker in the valley. This was indeed the hideout for the gang of bandits. Valerian was watching everything with his eyes narrowed. Gwen asked, "I think that over there is the entrance?"

Valerian replied, "Channel your battle aura through your eyes."

Surprised, Gwen said, "I do not have the battle aura condensed yet."

The young man said, "When you fight, you must feel something transparent augmenting your body, right?"

Gwen nodded, and the young man said, "That transparent thing originates inside your body. You can channel it through your eyes if you try."

This remark surprised Gwen. She had recently stepped into grade seven and did not have much knowledge. However, she did not know if she should prioritize this practice over the mission in this situation.

Valerian replied, "You should calm down. The settlement does not have all the bandits gathered yet. I can see things very clearly in this place."

Gwen hesitated but finally placed her trust in his words and began to follow his instructions. Valerian told her everything he knew, "The battle aura is just like mana. It flows through every shred of your body. You must focus and gradually manipulate it to channel through your eyes."

After an hour, Gwen found the scenery to change significantly. The entire world was visible to her in red shades. She was in awe and said, "I can see everything as clear as day, only with a red tint."

Valerian nodded and said, "Now, look at the valley."

Turning her gaze, Gwen found that the bandit movement was not as high as expected. Valerian did not say much and silently waited. In the night, the two people looked toward the settlement’s entrance. Valerian said, "Oh, there they are."

Gwen cast a gaze at Valerian. She could sense the excitement in his voice. She mumbled, "A monk should stay calm."

Valerian replied, "If a Knight of Mercy does not feel any rage when they see these children being treated like some commodity, then what is the point of being called a knight."

Gwen opened her eyes wide and realized that it was not excitement but rage that Valerian was suppressing.