"There have been a lot of patrols on the road these past couple of days."
"Yes, there’s someone passing by every few days."
"Something big must have happened." In the face of the young man’s confusion, some of the older city residents offered their opinions.
Although they didn’t have specific channels of information, their rich experience made it easy for them to come to that conclusion.
"Da-da-da—"
A troop of cavalry quickly passed through the street along the fast lane.
The cold autumn wind brushed against their leather armor, making a whooshing sound of airflow.
"Stop!"
The captain quickly pulled the reins, dismounted, and then signaled the other team members to surround a residence.
"Bring everyone inside out!"
At his command, the well-equipped team members filed in.
It wasn’t long before the residents inside the house were dragged out one by one.
"Captain, what crime have we committed? Why are we being arrested?"
"There must be some misunderstanding!"
"Our family has been law-abiding citizens since my grandfather’s generation."
The captured residents, both men and women, cried and pleaded with tears and snot.
The captain, however, kept a stern face and ignored their tearful wails.
It was the mage beside him who shook his head.
"You know Quinn, right?"
The suddenly mentioned name caused the leading man’s face to change, but he quickly composed himself, restoring an innocent look.
"I don’t know him, sir."
The mage looked helpless when the man continued to deny it.
"Get in the carriage, everyone, gentlemen, and ladies."
They were quickly escorted into the carriage.
Once the capture was completed, the captain quietly discussed with the mage.
"Mage Jack, do you know why the higher-ups are launching a citywide crackdown on the Dragon Worship Sect this time?"
A hint of confusion flashed across the patrol captain’s face.
Even now, he was acting under orders but knew nothing of the details causing this turmoil.
The Dragon Worship Sect had been active in the mixed population of Flute Castle, but there hadn’t been any major actions from the higher-ups in recent years.
"Captain Kai, you better not ask. Knowing too much won’t do you any good."
Mage Jack didn’t answer directly.
Actually, even he didn’t have much detailed information about it, he just vaguely heard that the Dragon Worship Sect had provoked someone important this time.
Even the true power behind the city, the Hayes Viscount family, had to withdraw private troops to assist in the capture.
The glimpse through the tube revealed terrifying figures involved in the background.
"Sigh... It’s going to be busy these days."
Kai sighed.
It’s no wonder he was prying; the truth is the recent days were filled with panic.
He even heard that one or two of his colleagues, patrol sub-captains, were also arrested, said to have been involved with the Dragon Worship Sect in the background.
...
"Lord Gauss, you’ve woken up."
"Would you like some porridge?"
Gauss slowly opened his eyes to see a splendid, almost palace-like room of nobility.
Classical landscape paintings and sunny curtains gently danced in the breeze.
Four beautiful girls in maid uniforms, with their hands folded over their abdomens, quietly waited on either side of his bed. When they saw him regain consciousness, they immediately approached with concern.
"Where is this?"
Gauss glanced around his surroundings, a trace of confusion flashing across his face.
In his last memory, he was hit in the abdomen by that Dragon Priestess, then a wave of pain consumed his rationality.
He brushed aside the silk-like clothes, looked at his abdomen.
Indeed, his memory did not fail him; a slightly bluish-purple mark could be seen there, but the intense pain and blood-freezing coldness were long gone.
So, was he rescued?
"This is the Hayes family’s castle. Lord Pleos sent you here for recovery."
The maid respectfully answered, resolving the confusion in Gauss’s heart.
Indeed, Pleos had received his message and came to his rescue.
But why bring him here?
"How about my teammates? How is Aaliyah? The lady with blue hair, is she alright?"
He quickly inquired the maid about his teammates’ condition.
Though he was safe, he didn’t want anything to happen to his teammates.
"Lady Aaliyah’s condition has stabilized and is not seriously injured."
Gauss breathed a sigh of relief at these words.
As long as she was unharmed, whether or not she faced any adverse effects during her crucial level breakthrough at that time, he cared not at the moment.
He felt his body.
Unlike any previous severe injury, this time he felt full of energy, as if after a very satisfying long sleep.
Even... he vaguely felt that his physical condition was better than before the injury.
Like equipment fresh from the factory.
In the maids’ panicked support, Gauss threw aside the blanket and stepped on the soft fur carpet.
"Lord Gauss, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness, better rest in bed."
The blonde maid supported Gauss’s arm.
Gauss’s reasonably proportioned figure was heavier than she had imagined.
Fortunately, Gauss was only asleep too long. He quickly regained his balance and even helped the maid steady herself when she wavered from his weight.
"It’s alright, my body is fine, just taking a few steps."
Gauss waved his hand.
His body had no issues, so naturally, he wouldn’t continue to waste time lying in bed.
He was so perfectly healthy now.
He even had a feeling of an imminent breakthrough.
No... It might not just be an illusion.
His lips curled into a slight smile.
"Take me to see Aaliyah."