In front of the escort convoy, outside a fur store that had been vandalized.

Furs were scattered all over the ground, many burned and torn to pieces, and an elderly woman sat slumped on the ground, clutching an ancient totem sculpture and murmuring prayers non-stop.

Footprints and filth soiled her Beast Robe, clearly the result of a recent beating, and by her side stood several young men and women dressed in traditional Northern Territory beast skin robes.

They surrounded the old woman, protecting her in the center, as they glared angrily at another group of youths clad in Yonette-style clothing.

The other group of youths was significantly larger.

They cradled high-quality furs obviously stolen from the shop and clustered around a Northern Territory youth, likely a noble, dressed in Yonette Noble attire, who looked proudly at the chaotic shop and the youths shielding the old woman.

"Gunnar, I'm going to say it again, return the goods you stole, compensate for the damages to the store, and apologize to Grandma Stella!"

In front of the youths, a girl holding a short sword and dressed as a Northern Territory pirate protected the old woman, and coldly addressed the smug noble youth.

The noble youth chuckled dismissively at the sight of the sword in the girl's hand, and said,

"Astrid, don't think just because you have a brave father that I wouldn't dare lay a hand on you."

With that, he gestured respectfully toward the direction of Winter Castle, pompously declaring,

"His Grace the Duke has decreed that all Subjects living in Winter Castle must renounce their ignorant Faith and convert to the grand Creator God."

"Those who are deluded and refuse to convert, Pagans, will not be protected by Winter Castle and will be forcibly expelled!"

He glanced contemptuously at the totem sculpture in the old lady's hands and sneered,

"This old fool still refuses to let go of her vain and delusory false beliefs, and we... are simply heeding His Grace the Duke's call to drive out these obstinate Pagans."

"Bullshit! The Duke's order was only aimed at the Transcendents; you bastards just set your sights on the store's furs, nothing but a bunch of pirates!"

"Ungrateful wretches, have you forgotten who it was that sold furs for the Forest Sea Tribe in Winter Castle, who brought you supplies?"

The girl shouted angrily.

Hearing her rebuke, the noble youth dressed as a Northerner looked somewhat uneasy.

Nevertheless, as the crowd of onlookers grew, he quickly regained his arrogance and proudly said,

"Of course, I remember the help previously from Stella's fur shop, but, all that is in the past now. In the face of the true Faith, these things amount to nothing."

The youth turned to look at the girl and chuckled,

"As for you, Astrid, I've heard your father has decided to accept His Grace the Duke's terms. What are you doing here, standing up for Pagans?"

"Could it be... you are also deluded and still believe in your ridiculous 'Savior'?"

"Ha ha ha ha ha..."

At the noble youth's taunting, the surrounding Northern youths burst into laughter.

"You... bastard!"

Enraged, the girl raised her short sword and charged at the noble youth.

The other youths were slightly taken aback and hastily called out:

"Stop her! Protect Young Master Gunnar!"

But the girl was quicker.

With a loud cry, Source Power surged within her, and she sent the charging youths flying one after another, pressing in on the noble youth.

It was clear that despite the noble youth's group having more people, none were a match for the girl.

"A Transcendent! She... she's a Transcendent!"

Feeling the power emanating from the girl, the flung youths let out a chorus of shocked cries.

Watching the girl charging at him, Gunnar, the noble youth, snorted coldly and drew his own Northern Territory short sword to engage in combat with Astrid.

"Clang!"

"Thud!"

The pair went back and forth.

Astrid didn't take a single step back.

Gunnar, on the other hand, retreated three or four steps before coming to a stop.

A streak of blood slowly appeared on the youth's face; Gunnar lifted his hand to dab at the blood on his cheek, his expression darkening instantly.

"Gunnar, this is the price you pay for discarding honor; your strength now can't even best a girl who has yet to enter the tier!"

Astrid taunted Gunnar with her sword pointed at him.

Gunnar's expression grew darker.

He narrowed his eyes, and the aura around him began to emanate danger.

However, at that moment, a gruff reprimand came from not too far away:

"What are you kids causing a ruckus about? With distinguished guests present, disperse at once!"

At the command, the youths turned their gaze collectively, and soon they saw the angry Isaac Cavalry, followed by Marquis Frankimir with a gloomy face.

"What happened?"

Marquis Frankimir's gaze swept over the store nearby and then the confronting youths and asked.

Immediately recognizing the identity of Marquis Frankimir, Gunnar lowered his sword and respectfully bowed, saying,

"Lord Marquis, I am Gunnar, son of the Great Chief of the Forest Sea Tribe. These members of the Free Tribe Alliance, obstinate Pagans, seek to protect the city's Pagans, resulting in a conflict against us..."

"Bullshit! It was clearly you who robbed the store and abused the citizens!"