Yanan Calendar, November 20th, late night.
Neustadt City.
As usual, even deep into the night, the city remained bustling.
"However, if you look closely, it's probably a bit more desolate than usual," Colin thought to himself as he slowly walked out of the Transmission General Bureau.
When he paid for the Transmission Array in Merredith City, he had already learned that Neustadt City, like Merredith City, was also enforcing a curfew.
And similar to the other city, the main emphasis was on strict inspections for those entering the city; the rest was relatively lax.
For someone like him, using the Transmission Array to enter the city also required inspection, albeit slightly more relaxed, with registrations required only twice.
Once before taking the Transmission Array in Merredith City, and the other right after arriving in Neustadt City.
The night breeze carried a hint of cold.
What had been merely an early autumn chill in Nanao had become the biting cold wind of early winter upon arriving in Neustadt City.
The sisters Renee had already dressed in thick clothing in anticipation, and Nasi was no exception.
Standing on a street corner, Colin felt the cold wind brushing against his face, causing the loose strands of hair on his forehead to flutter.
He silently pondered where to go first.
Directly to his mentor's?
He looked up at the sky, then shook his head.
His mentor did not receive visitors after noon, as was the longstanding rule.
"It seems I've come back too early," Colin said with a light chuckle.
From the moment he left Nanao in the morning to start his return journey, he felt an inexplicable sense of urgency for no apparent reason.
It was this nameless urgency that drove him not to choose the more comfortable airship, but rather the more strenuous witchcraft flight, which saved only an hour or two.
Likewise, it was this feeling that prevented him from leaving immediately after seeing the curfew notice in Merredith City...
But now it appeared that he had overlooked the rule against entering Atbolde's estate after noon.
So, head home now?
Yet Colin shook his head again, silently hailing a public coach.
"Where may I take you?" asked the coachman politely.
"Wahpe District, Amforte Street."
...
"Are you sure it's Colin Leonard, the suspect target from the Tin Saint School?" asked Bulvo, frowning in his office at his partner.
"I'm certain," Keith nodded, adding, "We received word from the Transmission General Bureau. They've registered Colin Leonard's information — he returned from Merredith City via the Transmission Array about half an hour ago."
Bulvo paused, then asked, "Where is he now?"
"Not sure," Keith shook his head, "I've just learned this news myself."
Bulvo pressed his wrinkled forehead, speaking in a deliberate, methodical tone,
"Colin Leonard left Neustadt City more than half a month ago, allegedly to visit a friend in Merredith City. However, the authorities in Merredith City reported he didn't stay in the city.
As soon as he left the Transmission Array he hurriedly boarded an airship for the remote town of Sadi."
"And then, he disappeared without a trace."
At this point, he paused before adding dispassionately,
"Note that Sadi is the city in Meredith Kingdom closest to the Southern Sea Domain."
Keith nodded gravely, concluding, "He's a suspect of high interest."
"I think so too," muttered Bulvo, suddenly standing up and leading the way out.
...
Amforte Street.
A deep brown public coach came to a halt in front of a run-down three-story building.
"You guys go ahead... um, stay at the Blue Swan Inn."
Colin stepped off the coach and, after some thought, said to Renee who was still on board.
"Yes, Master," Renee nodded with some concern on her face.
"Don't worry, I'm just going to see Senior Marjorie. I'll come find you shortly," Colin reassured her with a smile.
This building, reminiscent of an inn, was where Marjorie stayed.
Of course, he only occupied one of the rooms, tucked away on the second floor.
Since he couldn't see Atbolde right now, visiting Senior Marjorie wasn't a bad idea.
Having been away from Neustadt City for a while, he now returned knowing nothing.
Perhaps the inexplicable sense of urgency in his heart was for this very reason.
He was eager to understand the current situation in Neustadt City.
"Giddy up!"
The coachman snapped the reins and the carriage moved away.
Colin exhaled a cloud of breath and quickly entered the building.
Without the illumination of a Bright Crystal, it was pitch black inside—a typical example of Neustadt's cheap housing.
Without using the Light Brightness Skill, relying on the faint light and the keen vision that came with being a First Rank Knight, Colin climbed the narrow staircase, walked through the dim corridor, and at last arrived at a corner room on the second floor.
"Knock, knock, knock."
He raised his hand and tapped lightly on the door.
The sound of his knuckles against the wooden door echoed far down the hallway.
Perhaps someone was startled awake; he could faintly hear other rooms rustling with the sound of bedding being moved.
However, there was not a stir of movement from the room in front of Colin—it was quiet... as if it were a graveyard.
His expression grew somber as he raised his hand to knock again.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
The dull sounds repeated rhythmically.
The large three-story building remained dead silent; this time, even the rustling of bedding from the other rooms had gone.
All that could be vaguely heard was a few tense breaths.
Colin's brows furrowed, he hesitated for a moment before his unease prompted him to wave his hand lightly.
The Detecting Three Abilities witchcraft penetrated the door like flowing water, surging forward.
Moments later, the feedback came—
Nothing.
There was no sign of life in the room, no Magic Power, no evil presence; it was just empty.
Colin glanced around, no longer hesitant, he grabbed the doorknob and gave it a gentle push.
Click.
Under the force of a First Rank Knight, the door, albeit equipped with basic witchcraft protection, was as fragile as foam and easily opened.
There was no sense of drama in the entire process.
But if one were to observe carefully, the faintly trembling wall beside it unreservedly demonstrated what kind of terrifying power belongs to a First Rank Knight.
Colin quickly swept his gaze inside.
No one was there.
He breathed a slight sigh of relief... at least it wasn't the terrible outcome he had imagined.
'But this late, where on earth could Senior Marjorie have gone?'
He frowned and slowly turned to walk back downstairs.
However, just then.
Tap, tap, tap—
Two rapid footsteps suddenly came from behind. Quick to flank him, one on each side, they trapped Colin in the middle.
"What is your relationship with the occupant of that room?" the hooded Wizard on the right asked in a low voice.
Perhaps feeling that they had Colin under control, his tone was slightly relaxed.
Colin did not rush to retaliate.
At this distance, it was precisely where he, as a First Rank Knight, was strongest, and before he had pushed the door open, he had already cast a Steel Temperature Resistance Field upon himself.
He first looked the Wizards up and down.
Both Wizards were clad in black Wizard Robes, with hoods covering their heads so that their faces couldn't be seen, but the crests they bore made it clear to Colin who they were.
"Who are you."
But he still asked calmly.
"Don't play dumb. Don't you recognize the crest of the Hidosh Family?" the Wizard on the left, with a raspy voice, said sharply.
"Looks like he needs to be taught a lesson," hissed the Wizard on the right. He nodded at his companion, seemingly about to extend his hand to subdue Colin.
Whoosh!
Both men reached out their arms, a pale yellow glow twining around their forearms.
From their stance, it appeared to be a witchcraft with paralyzing and strengthening effects.
However, in the next moment, the two Wizards felt as if they had grabbed onto a mountain; despite their witchcraft-augmented strength, they could not budge him in the slightest.
"Not good!" Finally realizing they had met their match, the Wizards quickly released their grip and retreated.
But it was too late.
Colin made no movements, not even turning around.
Yet the two Wizards stood frozen in place as if struck by lightning, their faces plastered with fear, as if they had come across some unknown, mysterious creature!
The Knight Aura can be as a punishing thorn that commands respect or as a violent thunderstorm that incites terror!
On the other hand, it was only now that Colin calmly turned around and watched them, calmly asking:
"Tell me, why are you lurking here?"