Chapter 256 Half-way Ou (1/2)
”Reporting, Sir! We have sealed off the entire marketplace!”
A fully-armored soldier reported by the door.
Klautz sulked, placed the teacup on the table, and gazed at the smiling man sitting opposite him. The man with long, brown hair was clad in an eye-grabbing armor, had unswerving determination on his face, and a ghastly, ugly scar that had extended all the way from his forehead to his chin.
”Great, pass this message on. We must capture them, understood?”
”Yes!'
The soldier saluted and ran off. City owner Klautz stared at the man before him. He exercised his fingers and let out a sneer while sitting back on the couch.
”Never did I expect that the Vice Commander of the South Warzone would be so panicky over a few mercenaries… If outsiders knew about this, they would surely laugh their heads off. Wouldn't they, Lord Ron? You come to my turf for whatever reason and demand to capture some people. Do you even put Paphield in your eyes?”
”I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion, Sir Klautz.”
The soldier named Ron revealed a pacifying smile and gestured with his hand. Then, he narrowed his eyes and revealed an enigmatic look while Klautz snorted in disapproval. Although Klautz didn't have a good impression of these Southerners who were obviously up to no good, he couldn't do much as his current forces weren't stronger than theirs.
Ron and his men arrived at Deep Stone City during noon the day before. Initially, Klautz was puzzled because as far as he remembered, this place was under the administrative region of the Southern Warzone. Then, he realised that these people had a hidden agenda because, according to Ron, their intelligence reported that a wanted criminal of the Southern Warzone was seen in this area and they were here to capture him. Furthermore, they had even put in a request for Klautz's permission. This was entirely unnecessary because if the military wanted to capture someone, since when did they need to seek permission with the area's administrative officer?
Klautz wasn't that concerned about the people they were looking to capture, especially when the excuses and reasoning of these people were full of loopholes and completely nonsensical. Did they even need the Vice Commander of the Southern Warzone to personally lead a team of elite soldiers to capture wanted criminals? Could it be that the wanted criminals were Necromancers? For the Vice Commander to even notify Klautz about this capture was already honorable enough for someone of his status.
Besides, they had even brazenly ordered him to assist in sealing off the area. Did they really treat him as a nobody? However, as an administrative officer of a territory, Klautz definitely wasn't so foolish as to fall out with these soldiers. Now that the situation in Paphield wasn't stable, he didn't want to cause any more problems. However, this meant that Klautz could only act according to what the soldiers wanted. In fact, before they initiated the capture, Klautz had secretly sent his men to investigate their targets. If they were any normal human beings, then he would act as though he didn't know anything about it. But if they were some troublesome people, then…
At this moment, a bright reflection flashed in the corner of Klautz's eyes. He remained calm and collected. Then, he stood up with a smile and bowed to Ron.
”Sorry for the inconvenience, Lord Ron. I have some official businesses to attend to… Please pardon me.”
Klautz stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He approached the balcony on the other end of the hallway, where an old man dressed as a housekeeper kept the mirror in his hand. The old man turned around and greeted Klautz with a polite bow.
”Sir Klautz.”
”Do you know who is their target?” Klautz asked softly while the old man nodded.
”Yes, Sir. Based on what I've gathered from the marketplace, those knights were trying to capture three young ladies.”
”Three young ladies?”
Klautz was stunned.
”Do you know who are they?”
”Yes, Sir. They are members of the Starlight mercenary group. Miss Lize Noir, Miss Anne Viroga, and also another young lady, whom I'm not sure of her identity.”
”The Starlight mercenary group?”
Klautz sulked instantly.
”Are you sure that those men were going for them?”
”Yes, Sir. I'm sure. Many have also witnessed the struggles between the knights and the three young ladies.”
”… Gosh!”
Klautz gritted his teeth and spun around in circles anxiously. Then, he came to a halt and took in a deep breath. He said to the old housekeeper in a firm tone.
”Go! Find a team of elites right now and get them to enter the marketplace to rescue the three young ladies! Also, see if the leader of the Starlight mercenary group is back! Go now!”
”Yes!”
Although the old housekeeper didn't know why Klautz became so tense, he abided by his order and left instantly. Glancing at the old housekeeper's distant silhouette, Klautz felt a numbing sensation on his scalp. He recollected his thoughts for a moment and returned to the room with a stern expression.
”Oh?”
Ron laid down the tea cup on the table and smiled.
”Is anything wrong, Sir Klautz?”