"I'm not underestimating you. I've heard of your 'Void-Splitting Mercenary Group'; I know you are strong. I say this only for your own good. I mean no slight!" Solomon glanced at Fern, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. If it weren't for the fact that these people seemed decent, and he didn't want them to suffer the same fate he had, he wouldn't have bothered concerning himself with their lives!

"You mean those two children are 'Royal Nobility'?" Charlotte proposed her guess. It was hardly surprising; besides this notion, she truly couldn't fathom what else could account for the two children!

Solomon gave Charlotte a strange look, not expecting her to arrive at such a conclusion!

"Whether those two children are nobles, I don't know. But one thing I am clear about: they are extremely strong!" A peculiar glint flashed in Solomon's eyes.

"You say those two kids are strong? Did I hear that right? You’re telling us not to provoke them based on that alone?" Havon couldn't help but laugh.

Solomon regarded Havon with the look one reserves for an idiot and said no more. Indeed, before he was thoroughly thrashed by Zhong Shenxiu, he too was such an idiot. This is what they call 'one learns through bitter experience.'

Charlotte also took Solomon's words lightly, believing he was exaggerating the danger. How powerful could two children possibly be? Furthermore, Charlotte had seen plenty of geniuses. She had even participated in the "Royal Grand Competition"; what formidable figures hadn't she encountered? How could a mere couple of children warrant her serious attention!

"My big brother Solomon isn't joking with you all; you haven't fought them directly, so you cannot comprehend how strong they truly are!" Laurent's expression was somewhat agitated; he still vividly recalled the sensation of being kicked into the air by Robin.

"You mean you've actually fought them before?" Toluo became interested, finding it hard to picture someone like Laurent engaging in combat with two mere children.

Laurent nodded, seemingly reluctant to dwell on the matter, and said no more.

"What was the final outcome?" Fern showed interest, his expression suggesting: 'Tell me you lost!'

Not only did they lose, but they were utterly crushed!

"No way!" Cecil couldn't help but exclaim, "You actually lost!?" Cecil knew Laurent well. Although Laurent hadn't said a word, the result was evident in his demeanor.

Neither Laurent nor Solomon offered a reply, which served as an admission. At this moment, both men looked as dejected as possible!

"Laurent, have you regressed? You can't even beat two kids?" Cecil teased, not having experienced the situation firsthand, so he couldn't possibly understand Laurent's feelings.

"Brother Cecil, I strongly advise you to keep as far away as possible when you meet those two children; whatever you do, do not provoke them!" Laurent adopted the tone of someone speaking from painful experience.

"Why? Are they demons or something?" Cecil couldn't help but laugh again.

"I think they are more terrifying than demons!"

Cecil forced a dry chuckle. He hadn't expected Laurent to look so utterly serious.

"Can you tell me more about those two children?" Charlotte displayed immense interest. Women are creatures inherently driven by curiosity, and Charlotte was no exception!

Laurent shifted his gaze to Charlotte, responding with a question instead of a direct answer: "I've heard of you from Big Brother Solomon; you are very strong!"

Charlotte smiled faintly, an expression that evoked the feeling of 'a blooming hibiscus curtain opening with a single smile,' causing Cecil, watching from the side, to pause momentarily.

"Your aptitude is excellent; you will definitely surpass me someday!" Charlotte stated calmly.

"Can you spar with me?" Laurent suddenly asked a shocking question, "In exchange, I will tell you where those two children are staying!" Laurent stared intently at Charlotte, his face set with unwavering resolve. In his pursuit of greater strength, he had become somewhat obsessed with combat.

Charlotte stared back just as intensely. After a full ten seconds, she finally spoke, "Are you sure? I don't go easy when I spar with someone!"

"I am sure! I couldn't ask for anything better!"

"Hey, hey, Laurent, you aren't serious, are you?" Cecil asked with some astonishment. He noticed that the Laurent before him was different from before; what could have caused such a dramatic change?

Solomon was also startled by Laurent's sudden decision. Sparring with the leader of the 'Void-Splitting Mercenary Group'—wasn't this practically asking for trouble? It was too late to stop it, as both parties had already taken their fighting stances!

Charlotte held her sword, projecting an aura that suggested, 'One woman guarding the pass, no army can break through!' Affected by this presence, Laurent unconsciously tightened his grip on the sword in his hand!

Is this the true aura emitted by a master? This feeling reminded Laurent of Austin!

Solomon stared blankly at the two, forgetting to caution Laurent to be careful!

"Hey, is our captain really going all out? Will that kid be instantly defeated?" one of the mercenaries murmured quietly. However, his voice carried to Cecil’s ears, causing a look of anxiety and concern to cross Cecil's face.

"Don't worry. Our captain won't actually harm him!" Fern quickly reassured Cecil, noticing his worry.

At this moment, Charlotte's expression in the arena was perfectly calm, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

"Are you ready?" Laurent couldn't help but ask, though this was largely a way to bolster his own courage.

Charlotte nodded lightly and said, "You may attack."

Laurent was now committed; he knew that if he didn't attack first, he stood no chance of winning, and even if he did strike first, the odds of victory were infinitesimally close to zero! Nevertheless, he had to take the gamble, seeking to gain something from the inevitable failure. With this thought, Laurent pushed his battle aura to its maximum and charged forward with his sword, his aggressive momentum suggesting he intended to settle the outcome with this single strike.

Facing the charging Laurent, Charlotte remained placid, but a trace of admiration flickered in her eyes. Faster than thought, Laurent's swift sword descended in a powerful chop. Just at that moment, Charlotte lightly raised her own sword and met the blow with a casual block.

With a crisp clang, Laurent’s longsword nearly flew from his grasp, and he himself involuntarily retreated several steps before regaining his footing.

This... what kind of power was that? Laurent was astonished, for he could clearly discern that Charlotte had used less than a third of her strength to parry his strike. Although it was just a fleeting clash of weapons, the gulf in strength between the two was immediately apparent. This would be a sparring match whose outcome was already decided; a battle without question!

Laurent briefly flexed his slightly numb arm, regained his composure, and attacked again. This time, however, Charlotte did not stand idle; she charged forward as well. As the saying goes, in a contest between two, the stronger prevails. With a muffled thud, Laurent's body was swept by the flat of Charlotte's blade, sending him flying backward.

"Whoa!"

Seeing Laurent sent flying, Solomon was first stunned, then reacted instantly, rushing toward him. "Laurent, are you alright?"

Laurent spat out the dirt from his mouth and struggled to stand, saying hoarsely, "I'm fine!" Hearing Laurent speak, Solomon was somewhat relieved, realizing Charlotte had intentionally held back! It was hard to fathom that Laurent, who could exchange dozens of blows with him, couldn't withstand a single move from her. If there was a gap between them, it was far too wide!

The next person to relax was Cecil, but his expression was still somewhat dazed. He hadn't expected the demure-looking Charlotte to possess such astonishing power. Was this what they meant by 'appearances can be deceiving'?!

After a short rest, Laurent's complexion finally returned to normal.

"Can you tell us now?" Charlotte offered an apologetic smile.

"You are truly strong," Laurent coughed, taking another deep breath before continuing, "But I still advise you: try your best not to provoke those two children. Their strength far exceeds your imagination."

Whether guided by fate or sheer curiosity, Charlotte asked, "Who do you think is stronger between me and those two children?"

Laurent looked directly at her and finally replied, "I regret to inform you that you are not their match yet!"

This time, it was Charlotte's turn to be stunned. She observed the subtle shifts in Laurent's expression, considering how credible his words might be!

Laurent didn't wish to dwell on the matter further and quickly gave Charlotte the precise location of Zhong Shenxiu's small courtyard. As Charlotte prepared to take her leave, Laurent called her back. He cautioned her, "Absolutely do not say that I told you!" Seeing Laurent's anxious expression, Charlotte understood and nodded, growing even more eager to discover what made those two children so exceptional!

Upon returning to 'Gulu City,' Cecil had intended to find another excuse to follow them, but Charlotte cut him short with a single sentence.

"Mr. Cecil, thank you so much for today; we shall take our leave here!" Having no recourse, Cecil could only watch as Charlotte and her companions disappeared around the corner of the street.

However, Charlotte and her group did not return to the small courtyard they had rented. Instead, they proceeded directly to the address Laurent had given them, arriving before Zhong Shenxiu's small courtyard.

Charlotte knocked on the gate, but received no response. She pushed gently, and the gate swung open!

"Is anyone home?" Charlotte inquired as she stepped inside. The others followed closely behind her.

Just as Charlotte took her fifth step, her body suddenly swayed, and she nearly fell, forcing her to quickly pull her foot back in alarm.

What... what was happening here?