Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 380 Malon's Mission

As Grimruk made his ultimate gamble far away, in another part of Sepra, events of equal importance were unfolding in the bustling kingdom of Renam.

Renam Kingdom

was one of the largest and most prosperous kingdoms in the Southwest Region, renowned for its vibrant trade in spices and exotic goods. Nestled between the coastlines and fertile lands, the kingdom thrived due to its strategic position in the trade routes. Renam was a merchant kingdom through and through—its streets always bustling with merchants from across the world. From the lowest peddlers to the highest nobility, Renam had a flourishing economy, and to say it was thriving would be an understatement. It controlled major trade lines across the region, and nearly everything that passed through the Southwest region went through Renam.

Merchants from different kingdoms sought deals here, and the kingdom prided itself on a robust infrastructure. In fact, its military might wasn't based solely on its number of soldiers but on the network of deals with mercenary groups, saints, and two formidable

demigod rank

figures, who protected the kingdom's vital trade interests. These powerful figures helped maintain peace and stability, ensuring that Renam remained a dominant force in trade across the continent.

In this thriving kingdom, five men in white robes made their entrance through the gates. No one really paid attention to them amidst the flow of people—merchants, travelers, adventurers, and warriors alike all crossed the city's gates daily, and these five appeared no different. Their presence was unnoticed by the bustling crowd.

The five men, however, had no interest in the marketplace. They moved swiftly and with purpose, heading straight to the Adventurers' Guild. There were no detours, no sightseeing, just a direct path. When they arrived, they stood out in the guild's large, ornate hall.

The leader of the group, an elf named

Malon

, stepped forward to the counter. He was one of the strongest shock troops of the sanctuary, known for his deadly proficiency with dual chakrams. Malon approached the adventurer's attendant and, in a calm voice, requested missions.

"This is a place of discipline and growth, isn't it?"

The crowd fell silent, confused by his words. Malon turned his head slightly, addressing them all. "You laugh at someone trying to improve themselves. Why? Does the failure of one make you all feel superior? Does mocking others' attempts make you better warriors?" His voice carried weight, each word piercing through the crowd.

The spectators were stunned into silence, their jeers dying on their lips. Malon's words hit hard, the truth sinking in. He wasn't there to belittle anyone, but the girl beside him was giving it her all, and these onlookers had the audacity to mock her.

"How dare you mock people trying to improve themselves, especially in a place like this. Do you all not have shame?" Malon added, his voice steady, yet there was an undertone of reprimand that made the crowd uneasy. The jeers stopped completely.

Before anyone could respond, two figures emerged from the crowd, their robes marking them as individuals of higher status. One was a young man with neatly combed hair, and the other, a woman with long, flowing locks, carried herself with an air of arrogance.

The man stepped forward first, bowing politely. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Reolus, of the House of Valios, a prestigious clan with a long history in this kingdom." His tone was respectful, though his eyes held a glint of amusement at the spectacle unfolding before him.

The woman, however, scoffed as she glanced at Malon and his companions. "So, these are the ones we were paired with?" she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I checked your clan. Such a low-ranking group... don't waste my time. I'm from the Celanar Clan, and I'm just here to finish this mission quickly. You can all sit back while I handle things."

Malon remained calm, his expression unchanging despite the arrogance directed at him. As he listened to her words, he thought to himself, '

What a lovely day it would be to nap by the riverbanks of the sanctuary.'

He said nothing, only nodding in acknowledgment, and gestured for his team to prepare. The mission awaited them—a hunt for a beast that required all their strength, and despite the tension with these new additions to their team, the job needed to be done.

All across the kingdom of Renam, and in various other kingdoms and empires, the shock troops and sanctuary warriors were out completing similar missions, elevating the rank and status of the Hope Clan, one mission at a time.