While Tavon worked diligently on his role as the bait, Adrian and the rest of Team Seahorse couldn't afford to sit idle. As Tavon frequented the taverns, expressing his interest in joining the Abyssal Order, the others seized the opportunity to gather information of their own.

Adrian, with his keen interest in expanding his skills as a warrior, had heard whispers about a certain individual living in Alveron.

It was said that this warrior, Garret, was once a Knight of the Draeger Family, even if at the lowest rank.

The fact that he had once been affiliated with the prestigious Draeger Family was enough to pique Adrian's curiosity.

Adrian knew that even a low-ranked Knight in a family like the Draeger must possess valuable knowledge and experience as a warrior.

So, one evening, while the sun cast long shadows on the bustling streets of Alveron, Adrian set out to meet this former Knight. He brought a sack of Gold Coins, well aware that such a meeting wouldn't be free.

After discreet inquiries, he found himself standing before Garret's humble dwelling, a small house at the edge of the city.

Knocking on the weathered door, he waited with anticipation.

The door creaked open, revealing a grumpy, middle-aged man with a rough demeanor. Garret squinted at Adrian and grumbled, "What do you want?"

Adrian cleared his throat, his voice steady, "I've heard that you were once a Knight of the Draeger Family. I'm interested in learning from your experiences and insights. I'm willing to pay for your guidance."

Garret's mood shifted almost instantly at the mention of payment.

Money had a way of altering people's attitudes.

He opened the door wider, allowing Adrian to enter, and said, "Well, if you're willing to pay, then come on in. Can't say I've had many visitors lately."

The interior of Garret's home was sparsely furnished, and the atmosphere carried a hint of melancholy. It was clear that this former Knight had seen better days. He motioned for Adrian to take a seat at a rickety table.

Adrian placed the sack of Gold Coins on the table, and Garret's eyes lit up at the sight of it. "Now, what do you want to know?" he asked, his demeanor transformed.

Adrian hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. "I'm particularly interested in enhancing my abilities as a warrior. It would be wonderful if you could teach me some combat techniques of the Draeger Family."

Garret's gruff exterior softened slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "I may have been a Knight once, but I can't teach you any Draeger Family techniques. They're closely guarded secrets, and I never rose high enough to learn them myself."

Adrian's heart sank for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Is there anything you can teach me, then? Perhaps some foundational skills or techniques that would help me become a better warrior?"

Garret scratched his beard in thought before nodding. "There's one technique that's common among many warrior families, including the Draeger. It's known as the Flowing River technique. This set of footwork skills not only enhances agility, balance, and precision but also allows you to harness your Battle Aura efficiently for movement."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Adrian's eyes lit up with anticipation. "That sounds perfect. I'm eager to learn how to integrate it with my Battle Aura."

Garret proceeded to teach Adrian the basics of the Flowing River technique, emphasizing its connection to Battle Aura. He explained that this footwork enabled a warrior to harness their Battle Aura for enhanced movement during battles, optimizing both offense and defense.

The training was rigorous, with Adrian practicing footwork patterns until they became second nature. Every step he took was aligned with the flow of his Battle Aura, allowing for a seamless fusion of technique and energy.

As hours turned into days, Adrian dedicated himself to mastering the Flowing River technique in harmony with his Battle Aura. It was physically demanding, requiring countless hours of practice and repetition.

Adrian's body ached, but he persevered, understanding that the knowledge he gained from a former Knight was invaluable, and that mastering the Flowing River technique would be a significant asset in his battles, be it for strategic movement, swift evasion, or optimizing his Battle Aura for combat.

While Adrian was immersed in his training, the rest of Team Seahorse was also busy gathering information about the Abyssal Order in Alveron City. What they discovered was both intriguing and concerning.

One evening, as they gathered to share their findings, Allan expressed his concerns, "It seems the Abyssal Order's presence here has drawn the attention of numerous parties. We're not alone in this pursuit. Government forces and rival guilds are all converging on Alveron."

Lily added, "This complicates our mission further. We have to be careful not to clash with these other groups. We don't want to expose ourselves prematurely."

Zelene nodded in agreement. "Our primary objective is to gather information discreetly. If we confront other factions openly, it could jeopardize our mission. So, remember that all of you need to stay cautious. Adrian, it’s time for you to put your training with Garret on hold. I want you and Lily to keep an eye on Tavon at all times."

“Alright, captain,” Adrian nodded his head, accepting the order readily.

Lily, sharing his determination, chimed in, "We'll definitely ensure Tavon's safety. My wind spells will blow away any scoundrels that dare to harm him."

It was at this moment that Selena reached out to Zelene using a small, ornate communication artifact known as a Voice Transmitting Stele.

"Captain," Selena began with a hushed tone, "I've got eyes on Tavon. He's been approached by some suspicious individuals near the market square."

Zelene's brows furrowed with concern, and she kept her voice low, "Stay on him, Selena. Do not engage. We're en route to your location. Keep your distance, and do not reveal yourself. We need to know who those people are and what they want."

Selena's voice carried a hint of worry. "Understood, Captain. I'll be vigilant."

Zelene turned her attention to the rest of the team. "Tavon might be in a delicate situation. We don't want to blow our cover, but we need to get there fast. So, stay close and listen to my orders. Don’t act suspiciously."

Everyone nodded upon hearing her orders.

Zelene signaled for her team to move quickly and silently through the lively streets of Alveron City, reuniting with Selena along the way.

They maintained their discreet pursuit of Tavon and the shady figures, their collective concern growing with each step.

When the group finally reached their destination, a hushed gasp of disbelief swept through the team.

It was Allan who broke the silence with a soft whisper, "No way... Is that a prison...? How can a prison be the hideout of the Abyssal Order? This must be a mistake!"

Zelene, her eyes narrowed in concentration, was quick to respond. "No, I've used my magic to analyze them. The heartbeats of those individuals leading Tavon are different from humans. Erratic, unstable. While it's not quite demonic, it's far from human."

Lily added her thoughts, her expression puzzled, "Could this mean the government of Alveron City is somehow supporting the Abyssal Order?"

Selena chimed in, disagreeing with the government theory, "No, it can't be the entire government. If that were the case, the news would have already reached the kingdom's intelligence agencies. It must be the work of an individual, someone in the higher-ups perhaps."

Allan suggested a plan, "Now that we have this information and we've discovered the Abyssal Order's hideout, isn't that enough progress? Let's focus on saving Tavon."

Before they could decide on their next course of action, Adrian, with a keen eye, pointed out a suspicious development. "Wait. I see someone in that building over there."

Zelene, who possessed the expertise of a Fifth Order Mage, shifted her attention and utilized a sound-enhancing magical spell.

This allowed her to focus on a specific location and hear sounds from a distance, particularly when she had an approximate location to concentrate her magic on.

In this case, Adrian had provided the critical location by pointing it out.

Zelene focused her sound attribute spell for a few minutes, beads of sweat forming on her brow. When she emerged from her concentrated state, her face carried a mix of concern and urgency. "...There are ten individuals in that building. They seem to be monitoring the prison using a specialized artifact. One of them is of Fifth Order Rank like me, and he detected my presence. He forcefully dispelled my spell and prevented me from find any further information."

Allan, curious about the sudden development, pondered aloud, "Who could these people be? Why are they observing the prison facility?"

Adrian was quick to offer a hypothesis, "Perhaps they're pursuing the Abyssal Order as well."

Lily swiftly agreed, "That's a plausible theory."

Selena contributed her insights, "It could be government operatives assigned to this matter, or possibly members of rival mercenary guilds with their own agenda to apprehend the Abyssal Order."

The possibilities were numerous, and Team Seahorse now faced not only the enigmatic Abyssal Order but also these shadowy figures with their mysterious intentions. The situation had grown more complex, and their next steps would require even more discretion and careful planning.

Well, it was at this juncture that Zelene made an important decision, “…Let’s go and meet them.”