"No matter who its previous owner was, this Golden Four-leaf Clover in my possession was fairly bought with my own money from Wizard Bananka's Golden Anchor Auction House!"
At this moment, Mod was emphasizing something to Hart from the Law Enforcement Team.
His speech was not fast, but his tone was not as smooth or gentle as usual; it had taken on a measure of toughness and sharpness.
Indeed, Mod could not afford to worry too much.
He had scrimped and saved for decades just for this Magic Potion that could improve his aptitude.
More than ten thousand Magic Stones had emptied the savings he had accumulated over those years.
And now he was over fifty years old, he could not afford to lose this Magic Potion!
Upon hearing this, Hart's expression turned slightly angry.
Mod paused momentarily, slightly softening his tone as he continued:
"Of course, I trust the long-standing reputation of the Golden Anchor Auction House, as well as the Law Enforcement Team led by Wizard Bananka. My interests will surely not be harmed."
"Just the other day, I was praising the Golden Anchor Auction House and Law Enforcement Team to the manager of the Purple Balsam Trading Team.
As for the manager of the Cold Crow Trading Team who is currently on the island, I have also recommended the Golden Anchor Auction House to him on his previous visit."
Suppressing his impatience, Hart's frown relaxed, and he adopted a gentle smile as he said:
"Rest assured, I am simply carrying out my official duties. Wizard Bananka often instructs us to respect everyone's interests, and I won't forget that."
"I just hope you understand that, while you have paid Magic Stones, this Golden Four-leaf Clover belongs to the Haiya Chamber of Commerce, not to the thief.
Therefore, the Golden Four-leaf Clover must be temporarily seized."
"As for the Magic Stones, they cannot be returned to you immediately, I hope you can understand.
After all, most of the Magic Stones you paid have already been passed on to the thief by the Golden Anchor Auction House."
"We need to catch him and recover those Magic Stones in order to return them to you."
Mod's face darkened, ready to question.
But Hart preemptively continued:
"Of course, whether we can capture that thief or not, I will try to ensure that your interests are protected."
Mod's lips moved, but in the end, he sank back, devoid of further words.
He would rather have Hart angry at him than have Hart answer him so seriously.
He was a smart man.
Although Hart verbally promised to try to protect his interests,
Mod knew very well that it was nothing more than a perfunctory gesture.
But what could he do? He was only a Basic Level Apprentice.
The only thing special about him might be that he knew some people from working as a guide on the docks.
His face was grim, but his heart was not yet resigned.
How could he give up?
One could say he had spent the first fifty years of his life working hard for this Golden Four-leaf Clover.
And this Magic Potion that could improve his aptitude also determined the latter half of his life.
How could he possibly give up?
Hart noticed the unwillingness in Mod's eyes and slightly furrowed his brow.
When he had arrived, he had already investigated.
Mod was a native wizard of Bananka Island, with many friends due to his job, leading to a wide network of connections.
He wasn't just some easily bullied outsider.
Hart sighed softly to himself. His identity in the Law Enforcement Team brought both advantages and restrictions.
Otherwise, why would he need to treat someone like Mod, a Basic Level Wizard Apprentice, with such courtesy?
But Wizard Bananka valued the island's image to a demanding degree.
Dealing with a Basic Level Wizard Apprentice like Mod wasn't a problem.
But if it caused damage to the image of the Golden Anchor Auction House and the Law Enforcement Team...
He didn't want to risk that, not even a bit.
After all, it was known that long ago, the gangs of Bananka Island were all bloody thugs.
But now they were like docile sheep!
Those who didn't understand the rules had long since disappeared.
"Lord Hart," Mark from the Haiya Chamber of Commerce, who was standing nearby and had listened to their conversation, asked with the Golden Four-leaf Clover in hand, "What about this Golden Four-leaf Clover?"
"Store it properly for our Mod, keep it safe, and strive to capture the thief as soon as possible."
"Understood." Mark nodded in understanding and carefully put away the Golden Four-leaf Clover.
Clearly, Hart in front of him had changed his mind.
It seemed that out of some consideration, he had decided not to take Mod's Golden Four-leaf Clover directly and instead continue his pursuit of the thief.
Mark let out a small sigh in his heart as he remembered what had happened yesterday.
Yesterday, when the three of them were chatting at the Golden Anchor Auction House.
After viewing the portrait, the white-robed auctioneer Ali had told them that he too had seen the person depicted. He had inadvertently revealed that the target was the owner of the Golden Four-leaf Clover that had been auctioned off yesterday.
Finally, Ali had curiously turned to ask him—
"Why does the Haiya Gang want to apprehend this man?"
Just as he was about to answer truthfully, Hart on the side had preempted him, saying,
"It's because he stole a Magic Potion from the Haiya Chamber of Commerce!"
Then he turned back, winked at him, and said with a smile,
"You agree, right, Mark?"
Without a doubt, he had ultimately concurred with Hart's statement.
There was nothing complicated about that.
The target had killed two of their Haiya Gang's members and was already their intended mark.
Now that they discovered he was in possession of a treasure, it was just icing on the cake.
He just regretted letting Hart know.
This mean that the Haiya Chamber of Commerce would inevitably have to share a portion with him, reducing his own commission.
"Mark, the task of searching for the target still requires your Haiya Chamber of Commerce to take great pains," Hart said to him with a smile.
He then leaned in a little closer and whispered softly,
"After all, if I were to seek help from the Law Enforcement Team, we would unavoidably have to share with others.
This way, the Haiya Gang would undoubtedly receive even less, you understand."
"Yes... as far as I know, the gang has already intensified the search for the target," Mark quickly replied.
In his heart, he was increasingly regretting agreeing to do Hart a little favor yesterday.
Hart smiled, then added, "I'm not taking it without giving something back. If there's any need for the Law Enforcement Team to step in, just call me."
As he said this, his tone shifted, full of confidence,
"That target is just a Wizard from out of town, isolated and powerless. As long as we find him and keep a tight lid on things, isn't he at our mercy?"
Mark nodded.
If the Haiya Gang were to undertake it, they might not be able to guarantee complete success, but with Hart from the Law Enforcement Team added...
That target would definitely not escape from the palm of their hands.
"By the way."
At this moment, Hart seemed to remember something and, pointing at Mod next to him, suddenly said to Mark,
"Mark, get the portrait out for Mod to have a look."
He turned his head and said to Mod with a smile,
"Considering the people we've dealt with, the two of us together might not have met as many as you have. Perhaps you've come across that thief before."
Mod took the portrait and unfolded it.
His pupils contracted slightly, and he was about to speak.
But then, a familiar voice came from the side.
"It looks like you're looking for me?"
Colin walked towards them, no longer disguising his face, appearing directly in front of Hart and Mark.
Hart looked at Colin and couldn't help but be startled, rarely at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, Mark, who didn't think too much of it, looked at Colin with a surprised smile and shouted,
"You dare to fall into the trap yourself, thief who stole the Golden Four-leaf Clover from our Haiya Chamber of Commerce?"
"Oh," Colin said with a faint smile, "how do you prove that the Golden Four-leaf Clover is yours, not mine?"
Mark heard this childish retort and revealed a mocking smile on his face, continuing,
"How do you then prove that the Golden Four-leaf Clover is yours, not the Haiya Chamber of Commerce's?"
He sneered inwardly, ready to watch Colin struggle to prove his point.
Only to let Colin realize that it was all in vain.
But he didn't get to hear Colin's argumentative words.
Instead, he heard Colin continue,
"Since we can't agree and neither of us can prove our case..."
"The gentleman here is from the Law Enforcement Team, right? Why don't we just let the Law Enforcement Team investigate thoroughly and clear up the truth of the matter?"
Mark was taken aback, but then he sneered again.
The Wizard before him, from who knows where, was so naive and foolish.
"Fine," he said without hesitation. "Let the officer from the Law Enforcement Team decide."