"HOHOHO, Rostellum, how are you going to explain these stones?" Mayor Babasha asked directly as he entered Rostellum's office.
"With my humble knowledge and lack of experience, I failed to comprehend the mysteries of the stones and ended up embarrassing myself in Liuli City!"
Great Witch Biggs was quite impressed by Rostellum's response. After all, she was the one who brought these stones, and Rostellum could have easily placed the blame on her.
"HOHOHO, I like your rascal spirit. You admit your mistakes faster than anyone else!" The mayor strolled around the office, speaking in a leisurely manner.
Rostellum cautiously watched every corner of the office. He was surprised to find that the chair Lord Babasha usually occupied was now taken by a hulking, unfamiliar figure. Beside this figure stood three other strangers.
These newcomers didn't look like Politicians. Their bearing was more like that of Deputy Court Chief Estev, who stood beside Babasha. They seemed to be Fighters...
Moreover, Babasha's entourage had brought four boxes. Babasha had already revealed the contents of one, but what lay within the other three was still a mystery.
From Phil's brief earlier response, Rostellum had already guessed part of their purpose: they were likely here to search for Governor Rostov's son.
"You've received a letter from the Association of Adventurers not long ago, haven't you?" The mayor's question confirmed Rostellum's guess.
"Yes, Mayor. I've already assigned my men and they're in place. Any Adventurers passing through will be well taken care of!" His guess had been right. Rostellum felt a stone lift from his heart.
"Is that so? Then tell me, what's the name of Governor Rostov's son?"
"This..." A bucket of cold water seemed to pour over Rostellum's head, leaving him chilled and utterly miserable.
"HOHO, let's get back to the stones. You're good at disposing of ill-gotten gains, but do you know the origin of these stones?"
"Please enlighten me, Your Lordship!"
"HOHOHO, let your servant explain this matter. That Phil..."
Mayor Babasha was about to have Phil recount what happened with these stones in Liuli City when a powerful, resonant voice interrupted him.
"Mayor, Young Master Hustace is missing. We shouldn't waste precious time!"
The speaker was the hulking stranger seated in the chair. He clenched his fists, his expression grim. "These stones are imitations of Young Master Hustace's Rain Crystal Stones. Each one bears Hustace's mark, which no one else can replicate."
Damn it! So that old hag Biggs provided fakes, and they've caused me so much trouble... Rostellum's mind was peculiar; his first thought always revolved around gold bars...
Mayor Babasha's expression was not good at all after being interrupted. His normally ruddy face now had a purplish hue.
Seeing Babasha's state, Rostellum inwardly snickered. He knew Lord Babasha was suppressing his anger, an anger that was about to turn him into a purple eggplant from holding it in.
The stranger continued in a serious tone, "Mayor, did you bring us all this way just to show us this? How does this help find the Young Master? It's a complete waste of time! Minister Fran's route ends in Liuli City. Minister Fran placed great trust in you, yet you managed to lose the Young Master in your own jurisdiction! How laughable is that? The urgent dispatch from the Association of Adventurers was sent nearly seven days ago! Where are your measures? Your plans? Are you just going to lead us brothers around aimlessly now?"
Babasha was rendered speechless, his earlier arrogant demeanor completely deflated. If no one intervened soon, Mayor Babasha might very well choke to death on his suppressed fury.
Rostellum, relishing the drama and not minding if things escalated, remained indifferent.
It was the silent Estev who suddenly made a move.
Estev rubbed his hands, and with a SNAP, all three boxes sprang open.
"Mercy, Your Lordship! Mercy!" A series of pleas for mercy echoed through the office as the boxes opened.
The three boxes, astonishingly, held three people. Estev squinted, bowing to the stranger in the chair. "Lord Goding, these three Crows were scheming after Young Master Hustace's stones. I happened to capture them. Perhaps we can extract some clues about the Young Master's whereabouts from them."
The stranger called Goding was taken aback. He wasn't surprised by Estev's audacity but was stunned by his sheer power!
To open three boxes simultaneously and, at the same time, rip the gags from the mouths of three captives—what incredible Spirit Sensing ability that required!
Even he, an Ally of the Governor, could at most achieve defense through obstacles after activating his Environment Sensing Skills. Yet this Deputy Court Chief of the Court of Guards had already reached the profound level of striking targets through obstacles!
"My Lord!"
"Hmm?" Goding was roused from his awestruck reverie by his subordinate.
"Oh, right, right! Pry the information from these damned Crows' mouths!" Mayor Babasha, his predicament alleviated, regained his mayoral composure.
"Your Lordship, spare us! We've told you everything we know! Spare us, Your Lordship..."
The three Crows were bound tightly, their bodies contorted and crammed into the boxes.
"These three Crows are from out of town, and they were only seeking information related to the stones. Furthermore, the buyer for this stone-related information is also an upper-class individual from outside the region!" Estev reported calmly.
Rostellum grew increasingly bewildered. What did any of this have to do with him? The Young Master went missing in Liuli City, so why come to Gaga County? And what was the connection to the stones...?
This is bad! Rostellum suddenly sensed something was amiss.
"Lord Goding should be aware that when Fighters activate their Environment Sensing Skills, they can perceive unusual auras in their surroundings, like killing intent. If Young Master Hustace's stones were to fall into the hands of a High Rank Hunter, and that Hunter activated their Secret Sensing Skills... do I even need to elaborate on how tracking would then work?"
Goding couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. These Rain Crystal Stone replicas were personally crafted by the Young Master; no one else would possess them. If they fell into the hands of a High Rank Hunter, then the Young Master's safety...
Unimaginable!
"There are no High Rank Hunters in Liuli City!" Lord Babasha sighed, his voice laced with a mixture of regret and relief.
"Fortunately, Deputy Court Chief, you intercepted these stones!" Goding's heart pounded in his chest with relief.
"Lord Goding, these stones surfaced in Gaga County. While Liuli City may not have High Rank Hunters, it boasts an outstanding Court of Guards! By following the clues, we've arrived at the very place where the events transpired!" Mayor Babasha declared, his voice rising as he fixed his gaze on Rostellum.
Rostellum wiped the sweat from his brow. His earlier amusement at the drama had vanished completely. The dreadful business had finally landed on his doorstep—Babasha was finally passing the buck to him!
"Your Lordship, these stones were handed over by Witch Biggs. She claimed they came from a young man professing to be an Adventurer!" Rostellum already loathed Biggs to his very core...
"What does that young man look like!" Goding rose from his chair.
"Um, he's quite tall, and rather handsome!" Biggs piped up, squeezing out from among the assembled people and answering timidly.
"That must be Young Master Hustace!" Goding said excitedly, "Where is he now?"
"My Lord, that young man could also be the culprit," Estev reminded, his tone still unhurried.
"Regardless, this fellow Rostellum now needs to find a way to bring that young man back!" Babasha declared. "Once he's brought back, some of these problems will naturally be resolved!"
"Furthermore, Mayor Babasha and I have another plan we hope Lord Goding will consider," Estev added, still unhurried. "After all, two of the Crows I engaged earlier managed to escape. I intend to capture them as well, so as to provide you, My Lord, with more comprehensive information."