Alaric and his group returned to the count’s study. As did Therin and Ruben. However, aside from the count, his faithful bodyguard, Captain Farrow, and Sir Baldwin, three more people were present.
The most prominent of them all - a middle-aged man adorned in luxurious robes with intricate gold embroidery - sat opposite the count. A chain with a sun emblem dangled around his neck, and a look of self-importance gleamed in his eyes.
It appeared the man regarded himself as an equal to the count. That must be Bishop Drevon.
A tall, imposing figure in red armor bearing the sigil of a blazing sun flanked his side like a personal bodyguard. He maintained a permanent smirk etched into his face and shared the same condescending eyes as the Bishop.
The final figure lingered near Captain Farrow, conversing in hushed tones. He wore armored clothing with a silver-and-gold imperial sigil. His face remained impassive, but Alaric could sense that he suppressed a great deal of anger.
And, judging by his body language, it was directed at the Bishop and his bodyguard. That must be the imperial city guard Captain Kael.
“Approach, all of you, and take these,” The count called out to all the children and handed each of them a protective amulet.
Apparently, the city was funding the cost of these precious amulets, which would provide some type of defense against attacks. How well these would function, Alaric couldn’t tell. He had never experimented with protective amulets before.
When the count finished introducing the strangers, Alaric discovered that the figure in red armor was the captain of the ‘City Watch of the Flame’ — Captain Fernandes.
Sir Baldwin reiterated the plan to ensure there was no confusion and entrusted Therin with the forbidden ingredients — Widow’s Veil, Stilled Hemlock Sap, and Shade Lotus Petal — carefully preserved in a large pouch.
“The Church alone can handle this mess,” The Bishop sneered. “No need to involve kids,” he motioned towards the kids, “And the city guards.” He glared at city guard captain Kael.
“With all due respect, Drevon,” The count met his gaze. “We’ve only informed you as a courtesy. The primary obligation to apprehend the criminals rests on the shoulders of the city guards.”
He raised a hand to silence the Bishop when he attempted to interrupt. “And, the kids are crucial for the success of this sting operation,” he exhaled deeply. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have allowed them in such danger.”
“But these kids will botch up the plan for sure,” protested Fernandes, furrowing his brows as he scrutinized them.
“You are more than welcome to withdraw from this operation if you don’t enjoy babysitting,” retorted Kael.
Suddenly, a mild argument erupted. The city guard captain and his rival Fernandes clearly despised each other. The kids began sweating. Alaric chuckled.
He relished the show. It appeared the head butler enjoyed the show as well.
The count raised his voice slightly and put a stop to the arguments once and for all. The Bishop and Fernandes clearly detested being commanded by a non-church member but they had to suppress their pride.
They didn’t have full authority on this matter and had to reluctantly agree to their terms.
Alaric shook his head. He couldn’t envision how this plan could unfold without any trouble.
***
There was a world of difference between devising a sting operation and executing it. It was evident in the expressions and the body language of all the kids as they navigated the dim, narrow alley in the slums.
Shadows clung to the walls of abandoned buildings, and the faint smell of damp rot permeated the air. This is the perfect hiding spot. No wonder they chose this place.
Alaric and his group trailed after Therin and Ruben, who navigated the way and guided them to the exchange spot of the criminal dealer. All of them wore somber expressions and even Alaric was on high alert.
However, he wasn’t nervous at all. In fact, he was looking forward to letting loose. After all, two whole groups of military powers were covertly lying in ambush for the criminals. And, they possessed the protective amulet.
He was more concerned about the criminals escaping before they had a chance to capture them.
Therin and Ruben halted as a figure emerged from around a bend in the alley. He was tall and strolled with a casual gait, his hands in his pockets and a smoke dangling from his mouth.
As Alaric and his group approached closer, he detected the lean muscles under his arms and the predatory gleam in his eyes.
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Therin approached the dealer and initiated a conversation. The dealer ignored Therin and fixed his sharp gaze on Alaric and his group, inspecting each of them slowly, as if committing every detail to his memory.
When his gaze reached Alaric, both of them held their stare as if engaging in a silent duel. Alaric smirked, and the dealer arched his eyebrows. Then, gradually, he unveiled a smile as well. It seemed like the dealer possessed a playful personality.
He interrupted Therin mid-sentence and clapped him on the back, attempting to steer him away to another corner. Therin refused and gestured toward Alaric’s group.
Rowan retrieved the pouch with the forbidden ingredients and shook it in his direction. All of them eagerly awaited Therin and Ruben’s approach to make a run for it. The soldiers would charge in at that moment.
However, the dealer trailed Therin and Ruben as they advanced toward their group. This is going to be a problem. They would need to divert the dealer from their trail somehow so that the soldiers could charge in.
Unfortunately, the captain of the ‘City Watch of the Flame’ had a different plan. Apparently, he deemed an early assault worthwhile even though it jeopardized the lives of the kids. Captain Fernandes roared as tens of church soldiers swarmed the alleyway.
The dealer sneered and released an ear-splitting howl, summoning countless hidden allies to surge from the concealed corners of the laneways and rooftops. Then, he morphed into a grizzly werewolf.
A beastman? Here? He surveyed the surroundings and pinpointed countless werewolves clashing with the Church soldiers.
Apparently, the dealer wasn’t as defenseless as they all had assumed. In fact, Alaric now suspected that the dealer had anticipated the plan all along and was merely toying with them. Otherwise, why would he have so many allies poised for an ambush?
Alaric and his group bolted for their lives but found themselves caught between the two factions battling. Captain Fernandes unleashed fire-based area attacks to subdue the leader, showing complete disregard for the children’s safety.
In fact, a tornado of fire nearly engulfed their entire group. Fortunately, the protective amulets activated and cloaked each of them in a shimmering green barrier, shielding them from being incinerated.
Muscle-headed idiot! Who made him a captain?
Fortunately, it seemed Captain Kael was far more dependable. Although he arrived a bit late to the rescue with his soldiers, he personally conjured a barrier of gale that warded off other werewolves attempting to attack them.
“Kids, retreat to that corner,” Kael commanded and pointed towards a section where a group of city guards stood ready for them.
However, before they could reach the location, a burning building collapsed and obstructed their path.
The dealer and Fernandes were going all out. Kael entered the fray.
However, instead of coordinating with Kael to apprehend the criminal, Fernandes focused solely on trying to kill the enemy. He was completely ignoring the plan.
Fernandes hurled waves of fire with his sword strikes while Kael generated tornadoes that shredded through entire buildings. The dealer sustained multiple injuries, blood seeping from his wounds. His abdomen bore a vicious gash, courtesy of Kael.
Unable to contend with both of them simultaneously, the dealer lunged at their group, targeting the children. He sought a hostage to ensure his escape. No, the dealer didn’t target the children; he pounced on Alaric.
“Alaric, look out,” his friends yelled. Alaric attempted to dodge his grasp but the dealer seized him by the arms. He was much quicker.
Apparently, the dealer either considered him the easiest target or harbored some personal grudge. Perhaps he didn’t like the way Alaric smirked at him earlier without cowering.
Wrong choice. Alaric resolved to bide his time and strike when the opportunity arose.
“Stop, or I'll kill this kid,” the dealer bellowed. Fernandes prepared an attack as if not giving a damn. He was unwilling to sacrifice his chance to slay the criminal and claim glory. However, Kael blocked him with an outstretched arm.
“Release the child and surrender,” Kael growled. “There is no escape,” he indicated the surrounding area where countless werewolves lay dead or wounded alongside an equal number of soldiers. “We don’t want to kill you.”
The dealer glared at Fernandes and sneered, “Hah…all lies.” He pivoted to Alaric with a cruel look.
However, he didn’t find the fear in his eyes as he had anticipated. Instead, he encountered the same smirk etched onto his face.
Alaric channeled a significant portion of his root chakra, activated [Zen Flow], maximized the output of his mana gauntlet lance, and drove it into the wounded abdomen of the dealer.
The enemy was a werewolf, yes, but it wasn’t a mere beast or animal. It was a person. Still, there was no hesitation in Alaric as he plunged the mana gauntlet lance and ripped his abdomen to shreds.
Alaric broke free, and it seemed the dealer would be incapacitated for a while. Plenty of time to apprehend him now.
However, Alaric sensed the scorching heat of a massive fireball hurtling toward him, threatening to consume them both.
He was exhausted. The last attack had sapped much of his strength, but he wasn’t finished yet. However, a shimmering green barrier enveloped him just as the fireball detonated in his vicinity. Kael had shielded him.
The fireball raged on the spot, obliterating several buildings, but Alaric remained unscathed. Fortunately, his friends were all out of harm's way. Once the dust settled, all he could spot was charred ruins.
The criminal dealer was gone — he had managed to flee.
“Why the hell would you do something so reckless?” shouted Kael.
Fernandes merely shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. “Just doing my duty to eliminate criminals.”
“That wasn’t the plan, and you know it,” Kael retorted. “You ruined everything.”
Fernandes scowled and spat on the ground. His message was clear - the church operated on its terms, regardless of the consequences.
A vein pulsed on Kael’s temple, but he exhaled sharply, choosing to let the matter slide for now. He stepped toward Alaric, as did his friends. Alaric could discern a glimmer of respect in his eyes.
“What you did there was impressive,” said Kael. “I don’t know how you managed to unleash such a powerful attack and hurt a Tier 3 cultivator.”
“The man was already wounded,” Alaric replied with a shrug. “And he recovered quickly.”
There was truth in his statement. He had only managed to harm the enemy because he was already gravely injured. And even that was just enough to buy him time to escape.
However, what impressed Kael wasn’t Alaric’s strength but his ability to remain composed under pressure and seize an opportunity to escape.
Alaric scanned the area mired with destruction and chaos. Although the enemy leader had escaped, perhaps they could salvage something out of this mess. It would take a while to take stock of the area. Meanwhile, he began to heal his wounds.