"Hey? Why are there so many city guards this morning?" Aaliyah noticed the soldiers’ figures.
Each of them moved swiftly, as if carrying out a mission, clearly not just performing a simple daily patrol.
"Under the ’Sen City Security Ordinance’ and based on eyewitness testimony, we are arresting you for suspected involvement in last month’s violent robbery at the conch shell shop! Surrender peacefully!"
The restrained man, taller than the average adult male, exhibited some physical traits indicative of Sea Race descent.
He struggled fiercely, letting out a hoarse, low growl, "Let go of me!"
Surrounding pedestrians and vendors stopped to watch, murmuring among themselves.
Some showed sympathy, while others recoiled in disgust and fear, silently stepping back a few paces.
Gauss and his group happened to pass by, slowing their mounts to take in the scene more carefully.
"So many city guards are dispatched just to arrest someone..." Aaliyah realized.
"The atmosphere feels overly tense," Serdur commented.
Due to his lineage, he seemed more sensitive to such incidents.
Gauss glanced over everyone, including the stern-faced, efficient soldiers who not only carried regular swords and shields but also had special tools hanging from their belts.
Clearly, both their abilities and equipment labeled them as the elite within the city guard.
Soon, as the man was cuffed, he lost his strength to struggle, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he was ushered onto a carriage.
"These savages should all be rounded up."
"Recently, a few Sea folks have been acting crazy. My neighbor got drunk a few nights ago, bumped into one, and got beaten twice, now his eye sockets are swollen."
"These Sea folks are sick, bloodline disease, some go mad when older. I say City Hall should round them all up and drive them out of our city."
"Actually, some Sea folks are quite nice, just a few deranged ones among them..."
The surrounding citizens applauded and cheered at such remarks.
Listening to their conversation, Gauss found himself at a loss for words.
If what these residents said was true — that those with Sea Race lineage were mentally unstable and had a severe tendency for violence — then the fear, exclusion, and even hatred from some city residents would be understandable.
"If only everyone could live together in harmony." Aaliyah shook her head.
Gauss sighed.
Alas...
He realized more profoundly that he was just an ordinary adventurer.
At least for now, he didn’t have the capability to change anything.
He’s no savior; all he can do is take one step at a time, complete missions, and strive to defeat more monsters.
"Let’s go."
As Gauss and the others continued their journey.
They encountered several other arrest scenes.
Without exception, the suspects were the "Sea folks" mentioned by the citizens.
The scenes were quite similar; the fully armed city guards subdued them, cuffed them, and then escorted them into specially designed prison wagons.
Gauss eventually couldn’t resist asking an elderly vendor, who seemed amicable enough, about the situation.
And finally, he unraveled the sequence of events.
It turned out that in the past few months, there had been numerous incidents in the city involving individuals with Sea Race descent, either acting alone or banding together to attack people aggressively.
A while ago it had caused quite a stir, resulting in a batch of arrests.
The current arrests were likely those "who slipped through the net."
The old vendor sighed.
"At first, everyone thought it was just a few isolated conflicts, but these incidents kept increasing. When they go berserk, they’re completely different from their current calm demeanor, frighteningly strong, and lose all reason. The temple physicians diagnosed it, saying it’s a hidden risk in the Sea folks’ bloodline, impossible to cure."
"So it’s only been these recent months?" Gauss focused on the overlooked detail.
"It happened before, but not as frequently. Some say it might be a new disease transmitted among the Sea folks."
Gauss and his three teammates exchanged glances.
"If it’s a bloodline risk, it’s indeed difficult to treat," Serdur sighed.
Arriving at the Eastern District Adventurer’s Guild headquarters.
Gauss walked into the building.
The number of adventurers today was significantly fewer compared to his previous visits.
Reaching the second floor, he submitted a commission.
He also purchased a spellbook for the 1st-level Spell ’Comprehend Languages.’
He needed to master this spell to decipher the words on that questionable "treasure map."
Since he was already there.
After greeting Aaliyah and the other three, he followed the guidance of the staff and proceeded to the third floor.
"Adelle is here today as well."
Arriving at her office-slash-training room, Gauss knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
However, to his surprise, the voice inside wasn’t Adelle’s but another unfamiliar female voice.
Gauss pushed the door open.
He saw two figures in training attire leaning against the training equipment, engaged in conversation.
"Gauss, how did the commission go?" Adelle looked up towards the door, noticed it was Gauss, and casually asked.
"There was a bit of an unexpected incident, but it turned out fine." Gauss didn’t elaborate.
His gaze, however, turned to the woman beside her.
She was the most robust "woman" Gauss had ever seen.
To what extent, you ask?
In front of her, Gauss looked like a "skinny dog."
She stood a head taller than Gauss, with wide shoulders and a thick back, her muscular physique flowing seamlessly as if every inch of muscle held explosive strength.
Her ordinary training outfit was stretched tightly, outlining a powerful silhouette.
But surprisingly, she wasn’t too unattractive.
Or, if you focused solely on her face, ignoring those muscles and her towering stature, she could even be described as beautifully exquisite.
What a contradictory person....
"Who is this?" Gauss looked at Adelle.
"Let me introduce you to Rachel, the president of our East District Guild."
So it’s her?
Gauss was naturally familiar with the name.
But it was the first time he met her in person.
"Rachel, this is Gauss, the genius you wanted to meet some time ago."
Adelle quickly introduced them to each other.
"Hello."
"Hello, President Rachel."
Rachel extended her hand.
Gauss stepped forward to give her a light handshake.
He found that her hand was very large, almost easily able to envelop his hand completely.
To be honest, as a man standing beside her, it required a lot of psychological pressure.
What a fierce woman.
Rachel showed a faint smile.
Looking at her beautiful, demure face, Gauss was momentarily entranced.
This was too bizarre.
He couldn’t help but think of a term from his previous life—muscle Barbie.
"Your muscle definition is nice, but you’re a bit short and a bit thin."
"Young man, you need to eat more, you’re eating too little."
Even though Gauss’s muscles were covered by a broad robe, Rachel seemed to have noticed his muscle strength at first glance and was still somewhat dissatisfied.
"Let’s work out together sometime, I’ll train you."
"Uh... okay." Gauss was a bit embarrassed.
Is it possible that compared to ordinary people, he’s already extremely strong?
As for diet, this was the first time someone told him he "ate too little."
He even started suspecting whether he was really malnourished.
"Why not now? I could guide you a bit."
Facing Gauss’s polite response,
Rachel suddenly seemed intrigued.
She placed her hand on Gauss’s shoulder and excitedly said.
Gauss instinctively froze.
It was like being seized by some powerful beast; his body reacted instinctively.
Though unclear of her exact level, she seemed... quite strong?
He turned to look at Adelle,
finding her winking and nodding at him.
After hesitating for a moment, he agreed.
In Sen City, there was one main guild and three branches of the Adventurer’s Guild.
In other words, the woman before him was roughly within the top 4 of the adventurer system in Sen City.
Even counting those possible vice-presidents in the main guild,
she was unlikely to fall out of the top six.
She was probably the strongest professional he had encountered up close!
"Relax, I won’t eat you."
Upon Gauss’s agreement, she pulled Gauss along toward a certain direction of the training ground.
Gauss was easily carried like a little chicken to the destination.
Looking at Adelle’s playful gaze from the side, he really wanted to say, "Boss, spare me some dignity."
His greatest relief at the moment was that Aaliyah and the others hadn’t followed, otherwise his majestic leader image would have been utterly destroyed.