One-Eyed Monster

Igor led the group toward the brightly lit tavern.

The light was glaring, clearly indicating someone lived there, and judging by the brightness, it was more than just one person.

”We can find a bed to have a good rest there, and then we’ll head to Luona,” Igor said to Stan Sol, clearly knowing where Stan Sol was headed.

”Hmm!” Stan Sol replied with difficulty, having been resting quietly along the way, not speaking to others. He had to conserve his strength for more formidable challenges once they reached Luona.

Throughout the journey, Stan Sol’s speech had become increasingly labored, evidencing the frequent times he had pushed himself beyond his limits.

Initially sparring with Estev, he sustained no injuries, though Estev hadn’t used his full strength.

Later, the battle with Baharo on the mountain was slightly taxing, but it didn’t push him to extremes.

Subsequent fights with the Alchemy Workshop group and the avatars of Wizard Reed had somewhat taxed his limits, and multiple uses of teleportation spells had greatly diminished his speech capabilities. Now, speaking a complete sentence was arduous.

What he needed now was not just rest, but a thorough rest.

Preferably uninterrupted by anyone nearby.

Yet as they neared the light, thorns suddenly sprouted from the ground, followed by a barrage of arrows landing near them.

”Watch out!” Igor shouted as Qi Liu and Young Master Hustace crouched in fright, except for Stan Sol and the Great Witch, who were unfazed.

”It’s just a warning. They’re not aiming to kill. It looks like the guards from the Administrative Office or Court of Guards,” the Great Witch observed, quickly understanding the intent behind the display.

”Uh...” Igor, new to the world, clearly didn’t understand these things.

”Look at the pattern on the arrow. It doesn’t seem to be from Liuli City...”

”It’s the Luona Capital’s emblem—these must be League Guards from Luona!” Qi Liu’s sharp eyes quickly recognized the emblem on the arrow, which was no ordinary pattern but the official emblem, suggesting the presence of the Lord Governor’s personal guards.

”Huh?” Igor felt uneasy, questioning why the League Guards from Luona were here.

At this point, Stan Sol grew tense, slowly moving next to Young Master Hustace, knowing why these guards were here.

It was clear these guards had come for this young nobleman...

Stan Sol knew well. He would not relinquish his bargaining chip in the negotiation with these guards.

Judging by the warning, one of the guards must be a Wizard wielding the Natural Force to summon such thorns.

”Who goes there?” A voice called from the light, clearly questioning Igor and his group.

”Uh... We just want a place to stay...” Igor said, puzzled as to why a group of administrative guards now occupied the foot of Guru Mountain. What happened to the friendly folks from before?

”State your names!” The guards disregarded Igor’s words; they only wanted the answers they sought.

”Open your eyes wide and see who this is!” But Qi Liu remained composed upon recognizing the emblem.

His words silenced the guards.

Soon, the door at the light creaked open, and a disheveled figure stumbled out, crying as he ran, ”Young Master, Young Master, you’re finally back! I was worried sick!”

No one sympathized with the figure, and it seemed some guards even let out disdainful snorts, displaying their unfriendly attitude toward him.

The figure, frightened by Stan Sol’s sudden flames, retreated.

Stan Sol’s flames surged forward, blocking the figure’s path and forcing him back as the fiery light illuminated his complex expression, part joyous and part weary, though predominantly weary.

”I...” The figure tried to speak but was deterred by the advancing flames.

”Is it Guard Goding?” Hustace asked weakly, his voice lacking energy.

”It’s me, it’s me!” Guard Goding was surprised Hustace remembered him, speaking in agitated confusion.

”Sol Brothers, let him come. He’s an unfortunate fellow, badly tricked by us,” Hustace felt some guilt toward Goding, aware of the ridicule and questioning he must have endured among the guards.

Stan Sol didn’t wish to yield, showing no signs of relaxing. Watching from the side, Igor understood Stan Sol’s intent.

Igor hurried to Stan Sol’s side, ”Withdraw your magic, Sol. Hustace will handle this.”

Stan Sol, trusting Igor, glanced at the weary Hustace and extinguished the flames.

Then Guard Goding stumbled over, clinging to Hustace’s leg, crying sorrowfully.

The cries were pitifully mournful, unsettling Igor and the others.

Soon after, the tavern doors gradually opened, and under the escort of the guards, Igor and company entered the tavern.

Inside was the Lubin Tavern, now serving as the Administrative Office’s temporary base, housing not only Luona’s League Guards but also personnel from the Liuli City Court of Guards. Their gathering wasn’t solely due to Hustace, but also because of the previous murder case at the foot of Guru Mountain.

The deceased, being the city’s mayor, drew significant attention from the Administrative Office.

Not only did Liuli City send guards, but Luona sent some as well.

Of course, the Administrative Office had other agendas linked with Guru Mountain’s secrets.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have rushed to Guru Mountain, especially with such elite forces...

The city’s Administrative Office was already discussing important matters in the tavern when the arrival of a Saint-Robed Wizard with a few youths at the mountain’s base surprised them, adding to their headaches.

Not to mention the trouble brought by Young Master Hustace alone.

Now they were unsure where to focus.

Should they escort Hustace back, or continue investigating the secret?

Upon their arrival, they were repeatedly instructed that both tasks held equal importance. Now that they’re combined, what should they do?