"Thank you for the offer, Mr. Killian, but I can't accept such a precious gift." Dahlia got over her surprise and became upset again. She hadn't even repaid Gavin for his earlier kindness, so how could she accept his Panax root?"Ms. Nicholson, a Panax root is meant to cure sickness anyway. I don't need it for now. So you might as well use it to save someone's life. Think of it as an act of kindness." Gavin smiled. "But—" Florence cut Dahlia off before she could refuse again. "Dahlia, you should accept it. You can always repay the favor later."Florence kept looking at Gavin eagerly. "She's right, Dahlia. Saving a life is much more important. Without this Panax root, what are we going to do about Sir Regulus?" Julie advised. "But …" Dahlia was at a loss for words. It would be difficult to repay the favor, but she had no choice but to accept the gift since Regulus' life was at stake. "Ms. Nicholson, if you want to thank me, I do have a favor to ask," Gavin suddenly said. "
"I'm just stating the truth. It's always better to be careful," Dustin replied calmly."Dustin, Mr. Killian isn't that kind of person," Dahlia retorted firmly, unhappy to hear Dustin talking bad about her savior. "Do you really know him well enough? Besides his name, what else do you know about him?" Dustin asked back. "I—" Dahlia was taken aback. When she came to her senses, she immediately declared. "Anyway, Mr. Killian isn't a bad person. You better not judge him with a petty mindset!""Petty?" Dustin chuckled unhumorously. "You're right. I am petty. And since you seem to believe him so much, this petty man will take his leave now. Goodbye." Dustin turned around."Dustin, stop right—" He left before Dahlia could stop him. "Let him leave! What the hell is wrong with him? We just said a few words!" Florence scoffed."Yeah. Mr. Killian is a thousand times better than a petty man like him!" Julie snorted. "That's enough! He's gone now, so stop talking about this!" Dahlia
Dustin didn't resist as he was dragged into the car. He was blindfolded, and a hood was placed over his head to ensure he couldn't see anything. That was the start of a long, shaky drive. Dustin could tell that they had driven out of the city, so these enforcers were definitely not from the investigation bureau. After some time, when Dustin began to feel sleepy, the car finally stopped. The doors opened, and the metallic stench of blood pierced his nose. He could also smell the disgusting scent of rotting flesh."Where are we, sir?" Dustin asked curiously. "Shut your mouth and get in!" The man beside him snapped as he dragged Dustin forward. They passed through several checkpoints and heavy iron gates before riding an elevator that kept going deeper underground. After a while, the elevator came to a halt with a clang. Different noises instantly surrounded Dustin—cries, wails, shouts, and laughter. There was also a nasty, damp stench. The man took the hood off Dustin's he
The same went for everyone else. At first, their eyes had been filled with hostility. However, after hearing Dustin's answer, they smiled welcomingly at him. "If you had done an evil deed, you'd be dead by now. Fortunately, you were just avenging your wife, so you're a real man!""It seems like Shadow Gang will have a new member!"Everyone in the cell studied Dustin carefully. Although they didn't seem happy to see him, they didn't seem as hostile anymore. "What are you guys talking about?" Dustin was confused. "Over here, there are all sorts of guilds and gangs. Ours is Shadow Gang. Our rule is simple: settle scores fairly. You can kill your enemies, but you can't hurt innocent people. If you're caught, you'll be heavily punished." The bald man grinned. "He's right. We might not be good people, but at least we're honorable men who won't allow others to hurt innocent people!" The other men agreed.Dustin was surprised. It seemed like not everyone here was evil. "You're one
"Azkaban?" Dustin was alert when he heard the name. Azkaban was known throughout Balerno. Rumors had it that the inmates here were either extremely wicked or caused great harm to the country. And there were all sorts of criminals–assassins, despised martial artists, bloodthirsty maniacs, and more. The prison had one rule: once you entered the place, there was no way out. Unlike other prisons where inmates who performed well would be given chances to reduce their sentences, the inmates here only had two choices. They could either stay here for the rest of their lives or die. Therefore, no one has ever left or escaped the place. This was also the place where Duane Welch had been sent to. "Do you understand the seriousness of the situation now?" The older man asked, concerned. "This place is a different world. Everything on the outside no longer has anything to do with you now.""Is there no way to get out?" Dustin questioned. "Get out? How?" The older man shook his head wi
"It's me." Dustin stepped forward. The well-dressed, portly man gave him a look over and asked, "Do you understand the rules in here yet?""What rules?" Dustin asked. "Everyone needs to get a beating when they first arrive. Naturally, I'm the one who determines how heavy the beating will be. Got it?" The well-dressed, portly man made a point to tap his baton. "So, you want money?" Dustin raised an eyebrow. "Smart boy!" The other man nodded, pleased. "My men and I have to take care of trash like you every day. So we deserve that much, don't we?" He rubbed his fingers greedily. "Sorry. I don't have any money." Dustin shook his head."You don't have any money?" The well-dressed, portly man frowned and snapped, "Then write a letter to your family to ask for money! Your punishment will be lighter the more you pay.""I come from a poor family. We don't have any money." Dustin shrugged. "Fuck, you're just a hobo! What a waste of my time!" the well-dressed, portly man spat.
Everyone was shocked by what just happened.The prison officers in Azkaban were far from ordinary. They were all powerful and highly skilled. Otherwise, they couldn't stand up to the evil criminals inside.No one would have expected that Dustin could have beaten these elite fighters up so quickly. It was truly frightening. Of course, more than shock, they felt fear.There were all sorts of experts in Azkaban, even Grandmaster martial artists. Beating up the prison officer would catch the mastermind's attention.When that happened, the consequences would be unspeakable!After returning to his senses, the well-dressed, portly man began yelling, "Punk, you really have big balls! How dare you touch me?!" It wasn't like nobody had challenged his authority before, but they had all ended up tortured to the brink of death."So what?" Dustin said with a calm expression."For beating me, your punishment is now doubled! If you don't stop right now, not even God can save you!" the man y
There was a crisp clap.The portly man's face became disfigured from the force. His big body instantly flew dozens of feet away, crashing heavily into the jail cell. He immediately lost consciousness.His nose and mouth were off-center, his face was contorted, and he had even lost a few teeth. He looked like an absolute mess.The others' expressions changed when they saw the well-dressed, portly man lying on the floor like a log. "Oh no!" Although he wasn't powerful, he was the warden's actual brother-in-law.Hitting him was equivalent to insulting the warden. At this point, death would be a better option."Young man, you're really in trouble this time!" Cornelius looked worried."You—you—you psycho! Get it in your head—we're the Shadow Gang, not the Loony Gang!" the bald, muscular man said in dismay."We're done for. Now that you've hit the prison officer, we're all going down with you!" Everyone was stricken with panic.They thought that they'd gotten an ordinary new member
At that moment, Percival truly panicked. Earlier, he had only worried about being implicated. But now, faced with such a serious accusation, he was completely caught off guard."Hmph! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare deny it? Do you want me to torture the truth out of you?" Austin barked."Your Highness, I'm innocent!" Percival was so terrified he was on the verge of tears. He raised his hand and swore, "If I had anything to do with Jovian's death, may I be damned for eternity.""If swearing oaths proved innocence, we wouldn't need an enforcement team," Austin said coldly. "Out of respect for your years of service to West Lucozia, I'll give you a chance to come clean and receive a lighter sentence. Tell the truth now, or I'll throw you into Grimhold Keep."At the mention of Grimhold Keep, Percival began to shake uncontrollably. Tears and snot ran down his face as he wailed, "Your Highness, I swear I didn't do anything. Who's the bastard making up these accusations?
Ten minutes later, Warrick was escorted out of Room A1 again.Axel's demeanor had completely changed since their first meeting, and he had become unusually warm."Sir Prescott, Lord Austin has concluded the investigation. It turns out this matter has nothing to do with you. We made a mistake earlier, and I apologize for any offense caused." He smiled apologetically and spoke with a humble tone."Hm?" Seeing the fawning expression on Axel's face, Warrick raised an eyebrow and looked surprised. Just moments ago, the two sides had been at each other's throats. What had caused such a sudden change?"Did you really investigate it thoroughly?" Warrick asked tentatively."Of course! According to our findings, Jovian's disappearance was the result of a personal vendetta from his enemies in Oakvale," Axel said with a straight face.He continued, "He was a tyrant and always stirring up trouble everywhere he went. He got what was coming to him. Lord Austin only launched the investigation
"After you, Sir Prescott." With one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, Axel's other hand gestured toward the door."Hmph!" Warrick shot a cold glance at Axel's subtle movement and then turned to leave the meeting room.Even if Austin had his suspicions, Warrick knew he couldn't do anything to him without concrete evidence.Axel escorted Warrick back to Room A1. After closing the door, he went to Room A2 and led Huxley to the meeting room."Your Highness, it is my privilege to stand before you." Huxley entered the meeting room with a respectful salute."Mr. Thatcher, please take a seat." Austin's face remained neutral as he gestured for Huxley to sit, then motioned for Axel to pour him a cup of tea."Do you know why I've summoned you here today?" Austin spoke calmly, and his words carried the same probing tone as earlier."Is it about Jovian's disappearance?" Huxley asked in return."Oh? It seems you're quick on the uptake." Austin raised an eyebrow. "In that case, g
The enforcement team worked with remarkable efficiency. Within an hour, Huxley, Warrick, and Percival had been brought back to the castle.Per Austin's instructions, Axel made sure the three met briefly upon arrival, though they were given no opportunity to speak to one another. Afterward, they were taken to separate rooms and were guarded individually.Due to their status, the enforcement team treated them with respect, offering them tea and wine. However, they weren't allowed to leave their rooms and had to wait for Austin to summon them.Warrick was confined to Room A1, Huxley to Room A2, and Percival to Room A3. Their rooms were right next to each other, separated only by thin walls. If they stepped out, they would see one another, but none of them knew how close they were.This, of course, was all part of Austin's plan. He knew that extracting the truth from these three cunning foxes would require unconventional tactics.…Inside Room A1, Warrick sat calmly, sipping his te
"Hm?"Even Warrick frowned at the news.The royal enforcement team was rarely mobilized. When they did, it was always for something monumental. The question was, did a minor figure like Jovian Ballard really warrant such attention from Austin?"Mr. Thatcher, are you sure the royal enforcement team has been mobilized? And it's because of Jovian?" Warrick asked skeptically."Of course I'm sure," Huxley replied with a grave expression. "I've just received orders from above. The enforcement team captain will be taking over my duties temporarily. From now on, they'll have full control over the city's defense and investigative operations.""That's strange. Why would Lord Austin go to such lengths for someone so insignificant?" Warrick was confused, his brow furrowing.According to his intel, this was the first time Jovian and Austin had even met. Even if they had crossed paths before, it shouldn't have been enough to justify deploying the enforcement team.It seemed Warrick had undere
The next morning, after breakfast at the West Lucozian castle, Austin tried calling Jovian. However, his calls went unanswered. After several attempts, he still couldn't get through."Huh?" Austin was puzzled. They had made plans the previous day to head to Oakvale that day. Why was Jovian suddenly unreachable? Had he stood Austin up?After thinking it over, he found that unlikely. He and Jovian had gotten along well and even called each other brothers. On top of that, they had promised to travel together and watch out for one another.If Jovian had an urgent matter that required him to leave West Lucozia, he would have at least given Austin a heads-up. Jovian wouldn't just disappear without a word."Could something have happened to him?" Austin's unease grew. He quickly summoned his trusted aide. "Go find out where Jovian is. Report back to me as soon as you have any information.""Yes, Your Highness," the aide replied before hurrying off.Austin poured himself a cup of tea
A dull sound echoed through the air.Jovian's body shuddered. Blood streamed from his eyes, ears, and nose as he crumpled to the ground, lifeless. He was dead. After fighting to his last breath, he had chosen the only honorable way out.The scene had left even the assassins, who were no strangers to bloodshed, momentarily stunned. Taking one's own life so decisively wasn't something just anyone could do. Even the lowest of creatures had the instinct to cling to life, let alone a human being."This guy… He's ruthless," Ronan muttered, and his face darkened.Warrick had given strict orders to capture Jovian alive, but now he was dead. Now, Ronan had no way to deliver. If he had known it would come to this, he would have personally intervened to kill Jovian first."What now, boss?" one of the assassins asked."Clean up the scene," Ronan ordered. "I'll take the body back myself." With that, he hoisted Jovian's body onto his shoulder, tossed it into the vehicle, and drove off.…W
The sounds of battle echoed under the streetlights. Shouts of pain mixed with the clash of weapons could be heard. Five figures were locked in a deadly struggle, and blood splattered across the ground.The fight raged for nearly half an hour until the noise gradually subsided. The five figures lay motionless in pools of blood.Under the dim glow of the streetlights, three of the black-clad assassins were confirmed dead. One's neck was snapped, another's chest pierced, and the last had bled out from a fatal wound.Jovian and Boston were in no better condition.Boston was soaked in blood. His body was riddled with deep cuts, some so severe they exposed the bone beneath.Jovian wasn't much better. His abdomen and shoulder were slashed. His right arm had been severed, and he was left in a pitiful state.Boston coughed. After taking down the last assassin, he collapsed to the ground. He gasped for air as blood poured from his mouth. His chest and abdomen were torn open, and his orga
"Jovian, listen to me. West Lucozia's trouble runs deep. You won't be able to handle it. You need to get out of there," Boston urged.When Jovian remained silent, Boston couldn't hide his growing concern. After all, they were comrades, and he didn't want to see his friend die on the street."You're right. I'm not afraid if they come at me head-on. What worries me is if they come at me from behind."After hesitating for a moment, Jovian nodded. "Alright, Boston. Take me back to the hotel. I'll pack my things.""Now that's more like it." Boston sighed in relief. "As they say, there's always a chance as long as you're alive. The most important thing is to stay safe.""Thanks, man. I'll buy you a drink next time." Jovian smiled.Without Boston's constant advice, Jovian might have taken a chance. But if things went south, he'd regret it too late.Back at the hotel, Jovian wasted no time. He packed quickly, then hopped into Boston's car to head to the airport. With the burden lifted,