Mark naturally knew what Old John thought of him.

But Mark didn't care. He smiled and turned around.

"Huh! Finally out of this golden cage!" Enzo walked beside Mark, stretching his sturdy dwarf arms vigorously, making cracking sounds with his joints, his face showing undisguised relief and excitement. "I've been pretending for these days, and my old bones are almost rusted! The air outside is so comfortable and free! Don't you agree, Anna?"

He looked at the elf girl beside him.

Anna's steps were light, as if she was strolling in the woods.

A fresh scent naturally lingered around her, as if drawing in the fragrance of the plants and trees outside the manor, neutralizing the last trace of the dull incense from the old manor in the air.

She smiled and nodded when she heard that, her emerald eyes looking into the distance: "Well, we have rested long enough in King Karl's City, it's time to continue the adventure."

"Mmm~" Little Mmm, whose body had shrunk in size, jumped happily on Mark's broad shoulders, making a joyful resonance.

As Mark's team left the depressing manor environment, it seemed to become more lively, and the light at the base of its wings flickered with its mood.

The last person to come out was Monica Bellucci.

She was at the end of the group. Her long burgundy hair was not neatly tied up like it was in the manor, but was casually draped over her shoulders, gently blowing in the cool breeze brought with it the morning dew.

He was no longer wearing the dark blue velvet morning robe that represented Bellucci's authority, but had changed into a dark gray adventurer's outfit that was easy to move in, outlining his tall and powerful figure.

Her steps were not fast, but extremely firm.

Every step on the stone pavement outside the manor seemed to break free from an invisible shackle.

The sunlight fell into her eyes, and deep in her eyes there was only a sense of ease and relief.

Past hatreds, heavy family responsibilities, the constraints of aristocratic etiquette... were all left behind along with the huge and silent manor behind him.

Her back was still straight, but she was no longer carrying anything, but just... herself.

"Let's go." Monica's voice was low, but it reached her companions clearly in the morning breeze, carrying an unprecedented calmness and determination. "Bellucci's past is over. Our adventure continues."

Mark grinned and waved his hand vigorously towards the distant horizon. "That's right! The sky is high and the birds fly freely! Brothers, next stop is to make money! No, it's to defeat the orcs! Let's go!"

Enzo let out a strange cry, picked up his warhammer and quickly followed.

Anna smiled and quickened her pace, blending into the morning light ahead along with Xiao Mu's light.

Monica turned around one last time and took a deep look at the old manor that carried her past.

There was no lingering affection in his eyes, only a complete farewell.

Then, she turned around without hesitation, her long wine-red hair drawing a smooth arc in the air, and she took a step forward, firmly catching up with Mark and the others.

Gradually disappearing into the depths of the forest morning light leading to freedom and adventure.

As he watched the backs of Monica and Mark's team disappear on the cobblestone road outside the manor, the shadows by the study window seemed to become thicker.

At this moment, the air around Ying Yi rippled like water, and a figure "emerged" from it without any warning...

A tall and slender woman, wearing a neatly tailored dark purple leather armor, with powerful curves, appeared beside Ying Yi.

She has long dark red hair that jumps like flames, casually tied behind her head, revealing a profile with clear lines and a bit of wild beauty.

The most eye-catching thing was her amber eyes, which were now filled with a lazy and insightful smile as she looked in the direction where Monica left with interest.

Ying Yi was not at all surprised by this person's appearance. Even her posture did not change. She only tilted the two dim lights slightly towards her, questioning with a familiar tone:

"Have you grown bold? You don't even bother to hide your true appearance and magical aura?"

The red-haired young woman chuckled softly, and her laughter sounded like the colliding of wind chimes, crisp and with a hint of cynicism.

Her eyes followed the figures that were about to disappear on the cobblestone road outside the window.

"Seeing these little ones," the red-haired young woman retracted her gaze to the family nameplate in Yingyi's hand, and a meaningful smile curved her lips. "Especially when that young lady finally threw away that hot 'captain's hat'... I feel like the day when the legendary chessboard is completely overturned isn't far off."

She stretched her body, as if a beast trapped in a cage for a long time finally smelled the breath of freedom.

"I've been stuck in this damn place for too long. It's time to get some fresh air and see if the 'air' outside is really that fresh."

Her amber eyes flashed with a cunning and powerful light. She turned to Yingyi and invited him with a hint of provocation: "Little Shadow, do you want to come with us? Let's breathe some different air?"

The shadow under Yingyi's hood moved, and seemed to make an extremely slight sound, like a sigh or a sneer.

His cold eyes took one last look at Monica's back as she disappeared at the end of the road, and then returned to silence again, like an eternal rock.

"No." He refused decisively, his voice hoarse and firm. "The shadow will only stay where it belongs."

He tightened his grip, holding the dark contract nameplate tightly, and his figure silently merged back into the deep shadow beside the fireplace as if he had never appeared.

The red-haired young woman curled her lips, not surprised at Yingyi's stubbornness.

She took a last look out the window at the end of the empty cobblestone road. The morning light was dim, the mist was gradually dissipating, and the wind leading to freedom in the distance seemed to be blowing slowly.

She stretched herself lazily, and her slender and agile figure twisted and fluctuated in the air, like a reflection in the water, disappearing in an instant.

Only a faint, sharp breath like burning pine needles remained, which was soon completely swallowed up by the silent air of the manor.

Outside the manor's heavy oak gate, a winding stone path passes through the ancient oak forest and disappears into the distance shrouded in morning mist.

Monica took a deep breath of the fresh, moist forest air, mixed with the scent of soil and grass, completely isolating herself from the old manor behind her that symbolized power, responsibility, and endless calculations.

In front, Mark turned around, gave her a signature priest-like hearty smile, and waved vigorously.

The corners of her lips, which had been frozen for a long time, finally slowly rose up in a slight arc.

The morning breeze blew her wine-red hair and completely blew away the last trace of the haze in her eyes called "Master of the Bellucci Family".

The wind of freedom once again blows clearly across my cheeks.

Next stop, Lore Swamp, here they come!