“Damn you, Mulder! You’ve really screwed me over this time.”
Axel gnashed his teeth as rage boiled inside him. Mulder’s betrayal hadn’t just implicated Axel’s sister, but it had also dragged Axel himself into the mess.
Mulder had climbed the ranks to assistant chief of the City Defenders in just a few years, and Axel had played a major role in backing him.
Now that this mess had blown up, Axel was right in the middle of it. No matter how he tried to explain, he was going to take the fall for it.
“Everyone, follow me! Let’s capture that traitor.”
After learning Mulder’s escape route, Axel waved his hand and led his enforcement team out at full speed.
He had already messed up by failing to capture Warrick, which was a serious lapse in duty. Now, with his brother-in-law openly rebelling against them, things had only gotten worse.
If Axel didn’t turn this situation around and bring those traitors to justice, his days as an enforcement team captain were numbered.
After a thorough search, he finally located the hideout where Mulder and his accomplices had been staying. But by the time they arrived, the place was already deserted. All that remained were a few bloodstained clothes.
“Keep searching. I don’t care if you have to tear this city apart-find them!”
After another dead end, Axel was growing increasingly frustrated and barked out a series of orders.
The enforcement team, City Defenders, and all the other guards sprang into action. They launched a full-scale search centered around the hideout.
Checkpoints were set up at every major route out of the outer city, with additional troops deployed.
Inside the castle, Austin stood in the courtyard. He gazed at the night sky, enjoying the peaceful moment alone.
The news of Warrick forcing his way through the checkpoint reached Austin not long ago. Without the effect of Tranqurin, capturing him would be challenging for the enforcement team. Now, their only chance was to rely on the Draken Guardians and Jaxon.
“Who’s there?”
Austin’s ears twitched as he suddenly sensed something. He turned and looked at the rooftop behind him.
Standing there was a figure clad in black.
The man was tall and imposing, with a subdued yet powerful presence. The darkness obscured his face, making it impossible to identify him.
Austin became vigilant, and his hand instinctively moved toward the hidden weapon at his waist.
Whoever that man was, he’d managed to infiltrate the castle, bypassing all the guards and sentries without raising an alarm. That alone spoke volumes about his skill.
Then, a familiar voice rang out.
“It’s me.”
The figure vanished from the rooftop in a blur. When he reappeared, he was standing directly in front of Austin. The shadows on his face receded, and it revealed a strikingly handsome face.
It was Dustin Rhys.
“Dustin?” Austin was startled for a moment. Then, his face lit up with joy. ” When did you get here? Why didn’t you give me a heads-up?”
“I came as soon as I got your message.”
Dustin skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. “What happened? Jovian just arrived in West Lucozia, and he hasn’t pissed anyone off. Why would someone want him dead?”
“Here’s what happened…”
Austin didn’t hide anything. He recounted everything in detail-from the moment Jovian set foot in the castle to the city-wide lockdown, leaving nothing out.
Dustin frowned, and his expression turned somber. “I never thought the officials in West Lucozia had sunk this low. It’s time for a major purge.”
“I am also responsible for Jovian’s death. If I had been more careful and sent someone to protect him, maybe the outcome would have been different.”
Austin sighed. His brother had entrusted him with this task, yet he had botched it. Now, the guilt gnawed at him.
“This isn’t your fault. Blame it on the people who think they’re above the law.”
Dustin’s eyes hardened with cold fury. He assumed that once he gave Austin a heads-up, Jovian’s trip would be uneventful. He never imagined that disaster would strike.
“Warrick is strong, and he had help. He’s still on the run, and catching him won’t be easy. But I’ll mobilize every available resource to track him down. Even if I have to chase him to the ends of the earth, I’ll bring him to justice,” Austin said firmly.
“Celestria is a big city, so hunting down a grandmaster-level martial artist like him won’t be easy. Instead of wasting time on a wild goose chase, why not lure him out?” Dustin suggested.
“Oh? Do you have a plan?” Austin asked, intrigued.
“Where do you think Warrick would go after fleeing Celestria?” Dustin asked.
“He’s spent most of his life in the city. All of his friends and family are in West Lucozia, so he doesn’t have many places to turn to,” Austin replied thoughtfully.
He continued, “Heading to Oakvale would be too risky since he wouldn’t escape pursuit there either. The north is too far, and the climate there is nothing like West Lucozia.
“Given his personality, he’d probably look for a place that’s both prosperous and secure-somewhere our influence can’t reach.”
Austin’s eyes suddenly widened in realization. “I get it now! His first choice would be to flee to Artea in Streuqua.”
“Exactly.” Dustin nodded. “The Hall of Gods in Artea has influence across the globe. They’ve definitely got spies planted in West Lucozia. If Warrick wants to seek refuge, they won’t turn down a grandmaster martial artist who is willing to pledge loyalty.”
Artea had always been at odds with Dragonmarsh, and it wasn’t far from West Lucozia.
From Warrick’s perspective, joining the Hall of Gods for protection would be the best option if he was backed into a corner.
