After his meeting with General Fujimoto, Hikaru informed Briana and her family of his decision to depart from the city. Each member of Briana's family bid him farewell, and Briana herself extended an invitation for him to visit anytime. He packed all of his belongings into the large backpack he had bought before retiring for the night.

The next morning, Hikaru slung his hefty backpack over his shoulders. As he made his way to the checkpoint, he felt a pang of sadness seeing Lucretia's mournful expression at the Fonte residence gate. Following the General's advice, he approached the Windmore city southern checkpoint with confidence, presenting only his Bailey Citizenship card and breezing through without a hitch.

Outside Windmore city gate, Hikaru activated [Phoenix Wings] and soared toward Bailey kingdom using the map provided by the General. His increased stats allowed him to fly faster, making his journey feel shorter. He reached Bailey Kingdom in just about five hours with minimal effort.

After reaching the East Bailey Checkpoint, Hikaru presented his Bailey Citizenship card. As predicted by the General, the guards swiftly waved him through without batting an eyelid. Hikaru booked a room at a random hotel with a clear view of East Aristocratic Checkpoint, where he stayed to observe the flow and procedures for entering Bailey's first ring. Unlike Windmore, Bailey, being a capital city, has an Aristocratic Checkpoint to control access to its vital areas. Individuals are required to don a distinctive insignia symbolizing one of Bailey’s esteemed noble lineages, marking their affiliation with a prestigious household within the kingdom.

At the Aristocratic Checkpoint, the guards don't treat every insignia equally. Some Insignia holders are granted easier access, while others face more scrutiny. Hikaru planned to obtain an insignia that was frequently used and granted easier access, preferably one used by humans from the same Bamborean sub-race as him, just to be safe.

Hikaru peered through the window of his hotel room, carefully noting the insignias that granted easier access, particularly those commonly used by Bamborean humans. While doing so, he spotted a dwarf wearing a casual shirt with the Fujimoto insignia sewn onto the pocket, indicating her affiliation with General Fujimoto’s household. Quietly observing from his hotel room, Hikaru tracked her movements as she approached the Aristocratic Checkpoint. The guards ended up confiscating all of her belongings and shooing her away.

Hikaru thought to himself: ‘It seems the guards discriminate against the Fujimoto household due to General Fujimoto's fugitive status. So, I cannot use the shirt provided by him.’

Hikaru continued to note down the insignias throughout the day, taking breaks only for meals and a brief nap. As dusk approached, he lingered in the tavern located in the hotel lobby to observe the arriving guests. The hotel guests here were mostly wearing insignias associated with Bailey Noble households.

Hikaru thought to himself: ‘If the General's speculation is true, then most of these people are likely employees of Bailey Nobles who chose to book this hotel to avoid arriving at their employers' house late at night.’

Hikaru waited until late at night and spotted a drunken Bamborean with an insignia granting easier access to the checkpoint. He thought to himself: ‘Bingo, that's the person I'm looking for! If I can get into his room, I can steal one of his clothes!’

As the night wore on, Hikaru struck up a conversation with the man, plying him with more alcohol until he was completely wasted. Seizing the opportunity, Hikaru deftly pocketed the man's key, which conveniently revealed his room number. Hikaru then made his way to the man's room, swiftly acquiring a piece of clothing adorned with the noble insignia. Sneaking back to his own room, he stowed away his newfound prize. Before slipping away unnoticed, Hikaru returned the key to the still-unconscious man, leaving no trace of his nighttime escapade.

As the first light of dawn pierced the sky, Hikaru donned the stolen shirt and effortlessly breezed through the aristocratic checkpoint without being stopped by the guards. Hikaru then headed to the lake near the General’s residence on foot, as he still had plenty of time to spare. On the way there, he noticed that unlike the bustling streets of Bailey's second ring, the first ring was remarkably quiet, especially at dawn. Observing the residence from afar, he noticed the presence of Bailey military, just as the General predicted.

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Upon reaching his destination, Hikaru strolled around the lake until he came across a boulder. Following the General's instructions, he scanned the ground for a distinct embedded rock, identifying it by its unique shape and the hidden mechanism within. Using the key provided by the General, he unlocked the door hidden beneath the ground and proceeded further into a tunnel leading to General's chamber inside his residence. Once inside the chamber, he moved stealthily, aware of the guards patrolling the area, as he searched for the distinctive silver flask at the described location.

After securing his prize, Hikaru tucked the flask into his hip pouch and retraced his steps through the tunnel. Unexpectedly, upon reaching the exit of the hidden door, Hikaru was met with a large gathering of Bailey military personnel, poised for his arrival.

The commander ordered the army to stand down before personally approaching Hikaru. Pointing his sword at him, he demanded: “Who are you? Show me your ID!”

As Hikaru assessed the situation, he pondered: 'Who is this young Bamborean man? Should I fly away and risk being attacked, or should I comply and truthfully explain what has transpired? Forget it, why should I risk becoming a Bailey fugitive for a psychotic General? Besides, perhaps the military could offer protection from that psycho if he decides to use me as one of his guinea pigs!’

Hikaru responded to the commander's question, saying: "Sorry, my bad. My name is Hikaru. Here is my identity card."

The commander took his identification and directed one of his subordinates to verify it, while another restrained him by chaining his hands behind his back and securing a metal leash to his collar. The army then led Hikaru to The Fujimoto residence through the front gate, with Hikaru being escorted to a dungeon beneath the basement

After some time, the guard fetched Hikaru and escorted him to one of the makeshift interrogation rooms on the first floor. Seated across from the Commander, who was currently pouring over a stack of files on the table, Hikaru braced himself for the impending interrogation as their gaze momentarily met.

The Commander wore his Aura Monocle to check on Hikaru and ask him some questions: “So, Hikaru, I presume? I've already read all your files. Now, tell me, why does a military trainee like you become Kaito's errand boy?”

Upon hearing the commander's question, Hikaru began weaving the same fabricated tale he had fed the General, recounting his supposed demise and how the General had taken an interest in him because of it. He concluded by painting himself as a victim forced to comply with the General's demands in order to survive, and then asked the commander for a pardon, explaining that he was forced by the circumstances to help the General.

The commander listened intently to Hikaru's story, carefully studying his expression for any signs of deception. Once Hikaru finished recounting his tale, the commander posed some pointed questions: “I can consider giving you a pardon, but before that, I heard you were detained by the Cathunter army. Tell me, how did you manage to escape? And how did Kaito manage to contact you?"

Hikaru once again fabricated another lie based on General Fujimoto's information about him and told the commander. He also recounted how a talking crow knocked on his window and told him that the General was summoning him. Then he described his meeting with the General, during which the General entrusted him with a mission to obtain a particular silver flask.

Hikaru's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to the commander. "Commander, how do you think General Fujimoto managed to track me down in enemy territory?"

The commander's expression hinted at some knowledge. "Hmm... it seems like Kaito might have employed the help of a witch. But enough speculation, let's see that flask."

Hikaru reached into his hip pouch and retrieved the silver flask, offering it to the commander. "Here's the flask I was instructed to retrieve."

The commander took the silver flask and instructed one of his subordinates to analyze it. While the analysis was underway in another room, the commander delved deeper into General Fujimoto's operations, focusing on the experiments that led to the activation of Hikaru's innate skill. Shortly after the analysis concluded, the subordinate whispered the results to him.

After thinking for a while, the commander told Hikaru: “Sorry, but this flask won't help us. It's embedded with Kaito's ID, which, like other IDs, is earthbound to its possessor. So, no luck getting a pardon from me based on that.”

Hikaru looked dejected upon hearing the commander's words. The commander glanced at the dejected Hikaru for a moment before offering a proposition: “Hey, how about this? If you manage to obtain the stolen artifact from Kaito and give it to me, not only will I pardon you, but I'll also grant you one wish within my capability”

Hikaru paused for a moment, grappling with the dilemma: ‘I can't simply refuse him, but how can I trust he'll hold up his end of the bargain?'

The commander noticed Hikaru's worried expression and reassured him, saying: “You don't need to worry, my friend. I am Clay Bailey, the crown prince of this kingdom. You can trust my word!”

Hikaru was startled upon learning the commander's identity. With a respectful bow, he replied: “Of course, Your Highness. I would never dream of refusing!”

Hikaru and Clay then proceeded to discuss all the details of their cooperation. After concluding their discussion, Clay cautioned Hikaru against wearing random Bailey noble insignia, as it could offend nobles. To avoid any potential issues, he provided Hikaru with several patches of Bailey Royal family insignia to sew onto his attire. Additionally, he returned the flask to Hikaru, accompanied by a stern warning not to disappoint him.