Chapter 77: Lady Anne

Chapter 77: Lady Anne

"Kerry!"

On the way to Robert Manor, Karl called out to his friend, "Aren't you resting at home?"

His fiancee had not been found, and there was a high chance she had been harmed. Dana had granted him a few days of leave to rest.

The fact that she had approved his leave at this time showed her attitude towards her subordinates.

"Rest?"

Kerry turned around, his face filled with exhaustion, bloodshot eyes, and an overall appearance as if he had aged ten years in a short time.

He shook his head lightly, "Every time I close my eyes, I see Magi. Perhaps at Robert's manor, I can find some clues about her."

"If not..."

"I can avenge her!"

He had lost hope of rescuing his fiancee, and his voice was filled with hatred towards Robert.

He might not care about searching someone else's belongings, but the true culprit behind the disappearance case was something Kerry had to investigate.

"Oh!"

Karl sighed lightly and tried to persuade him, "My condolences."

"What about you?" Kerry asked casually, "You've never cared about these things before, but today you're volunteering to come along."

"Haha..." One of his colleagues laughed upon hearing this, "This is Robert we're talking about. Everyone in the city knows how wealthy he is. Finding something good would be worth several months of our wages."

"Who wouldn't want to come for something like this?"

It was common to receive some benefits from these searches, and as long as it wasn't excessive, it was usually tacitly approved by the commanding officer.

Robert's wealth was indeed well-known to everyone.

Karl smiled but remained silent.

He was indeed thinking of taking the opportunity to get something from Robert's manor, but not for money.

"Hmm?"

"Someone's there!"

The manor ahead was their destination, but at this moment, several City Guard soldiers were standing at the entrance.

Dana stepped forward.

"Halt!"

One of the soldiers raised his spear and blocked their path, "Sorry, this manor has been sealed by the City Guard. You should find another place."

"Sealed?" Dana's face turned grim, "Since when did the City Guard take charge of sealing someone else's manor?"

"Yes!"

"This is a matter for the Patrol Hall. Even if not, we have officers who could handle it. You should be guarding the city gates."

"..."

The officers from the Patrol Hall started to grumble.

They had come all this way to get some benefits, and now their destination was being forcefully occupied by others. How could they not be angry?

"This is a special situation. The entire city is under lockdown to prevent any accidents, and we've been ordered to guard this place."

The soldier stood his ground, "Apologies, everyone!"

He had clearly received instructions from his superior, and he wasn't budging even in the face of the Patrol Hall officers.

It was common knowledge that those who worked in the Patrol Hall were mostly from influential backgrounds, and they would never offend anyone without sufficient benefits.

"How dare you!"

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I'm going in, who's going to stop me?"

Seeing the lucrative opportunity right before their eyes being taken by others, the group abandoned their manners and pushed forward.

"What are you doing?"

A commanding voice rang out, and a robust figure emerged from the manor, frowning at the group, "What are you trying to do?"

Confronted by the question, the group hesitated, their expressions shifting.

"Roland!"

"The one from the Steven Clan..."

"What's he doing here?"

The group whispered among themselves, and Karl raised his eyebrows in surprise.

The newcomer was the eldest son of the Steven Clan from the royal city, and he had accompanied Baron Baro to Signo City.

Roland not only held a high status but was also a peak-level knight, rumored to be on the verge of being promoted to a Grand Knight.

He was still young, and with his potential, he was likely to become a legend among the younger generation.

"Knight Roland!"

Dana's eyes lit up, and she quickly stepped forward, "What are you doing here?"

"Dana," Roland smiled and bowed, "To prevent any Fire Thieves from Cologne hiding in Robert's manor, the Baron asked me to come and check."

"Hmm..."

"If you're interested, you can come in."

Roland had a favorable impression of this woman with her outstanding figure and appearance, especially since she was from the royal city.

Especially after hearing that Dana had become a knight, Roland didn't mind leaving a romantic impression in Signo City. He extended his hand and invited her in.

However, while Dana could enter, the others couldn't.

There were too many valuable items in Robert's manor, not only attracting the interest of the Patrol Hall, but also Baron Baro.

"This..."

Dana turned to look at her hesitant colleague, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly shook her head, "Never mind!"

"What a pity."

Roland sighed, "I wonder if Lady Dana has time tonight. I heard the Wim Opera House has a new performance."

"Really?" Dana was obviously intrigued, but instead of agreeing directly, she asked, "Where were you last night, Knight Roland?"

"This..." Roland's face changed slightly. He had spent the previous night with several noble ladies from the city, so he couldn't very well say that.

"Last night, I practiced my sword techniques as usual and went to sleep when I was tired."

"What?"

He joked, "Is Lady Dana interested in my nightlife?"

"No."

Dana smiled awkwardly and shifted her gaze to the broadsword hanging at his waist, thinking aloud, "I heard that Knight Roland's sword techniques are exceptional and related to the sacred sword techniques of the Vatican?"

"Not bad." Roland stood tall and proud, "Our Steven Clan's founding ancestor was a Sacred Knight of the Ferro Empire hundreds of years ago."

During the Empire's undivided era, some special legendary knights were bestowed the title of Sacred Knight.

Their status was comparable to the Grand Dukes of the current kingdoms, and perhaps even surpassed them.

Nowadays, the Sacred Knights are no longer present in the various kingdoms, and only within the Vatican can one find a similar title.

The fact that the Steven Clan's ancestor was a Sacred Knight is indeed something to be proud of.

"Hmm..." Dana nodded, "I wonder if I'll have the chance to witness a knight's sword technique."

"It's simple." Roland said, "After we finish searching this manor, Miss Dana can come to me anytime. I'm always available."

"Thank you." Dana bowed slightly, "I'll definitely pay a visit when I have the time."

She waved her hand, "Let's go!"

As they moved away from the manor and out of sight, the group began to grumble.

"Damn it!"

"This should have been our Patrol Hall's responsibility. Why are these outsiders meddling?"

"Exactly!"

"They just want to guard against the Fire Thief of Kolon and keep us out of the manor."

"..."

"Enough!" Dana frowned and sternly said, "Regardless of who's in charge, as long as they can ensure safety, you all should keep your mouths shut."

"Yes, ma'am."

The group responded, but their expressions remained slightly resentful despite their brief replies.

"Commander." Kerry suddenly spoke up, "You must have taken a liking to Knight Roland, right? I heard that his private life is quite questionable."

"..." Dana's face darkened, "Shut up!"

"Kerry, you don't understand." Someone laughed, "The Commander suspects that the mysterious person from last night is him because there are only a few experts in the city."

"And..."

"Knight Roland uses a broadsword, just like the mysterious person."

"So the mysterious person uses a broadsword?" Kerry scoffed, "Karl also uses a broadsword!"

The group fell silent for a moment.

Then, everyone burst into laughter, and even Dana couldn't help but smile, finding the joke quite amusing.

How could Karl be the mysterious person?

That individual possessed the strength of a Grand Knight and had many mystical abilities, while Karl was just a fallen noble.

"It's not just because of the weapon."

Dana explained, "Last night, the mysterious person displayed a sword technique similar to the Sacred Sword Technique of the Vatican, which happens to be the inheritance of the Roland family."

"I also suspect it's him."

The mysterious person had saved Dana's life in a critical moment, so it was natural for her to feel grateful and develop a favorable impression of Roland, who was a suspect.

"Yes." Someone spoke up, "The mysterious person appeared after Knight Roland arrived in Signo City, so it's highly likely to be him."

"Why would he hide his identity if it's him?" Someone raised a doubt.

"Who knows!"

"Maybe it's not even him!"

The group whispered among themselves.

"Alright."

Dana waved her hand, "Robert has several other estates besides this manor. Those who are willing to follow, come with me."

"For those who aren't..."

"Return to the Patrol Hall!"

The colleagues from the Patrol Hall had decent backgrounds, as they could even joke with their commander.

The atmosphere was pleasant,

But their efficiency in handling matters was not high.

The group briefly discussed, and most of them left on their own, while a few continued to follow Dana.

Karl did not leave.

Perhaps the other estates also held records of Robert's research in witchcraft, and it wouldn't be a waste to check them out.

At the manor's entrance,

Roland stroked his chin, deep in thought.

He could sense Dana's interest in him, and regardless of the reason, it could help advance their relationship.

"Not bad."

"What a pity!"

He stretched his muscles and said,

"My goal is Princess Duna of Sack. Playing with other women is fine, but don't get too attached."

"The third one!"

Kerry looked at the manor before him and was speechless, "How many gold coins did Robert accumulate? Where did he get the money to buy so many estates?"

"Let's go!"

Karl patted his shoulder,

"When you have money, you can also buy places like this."

"Forget it!" Kerry shook his head, "Such luxurious estates are beyond my reach in this lifetime. Why don't you head to the study first?"

"Yes, sir."

Karl took a step forward,

"Robert's collection of books is quite interesting."

"Huh!" Kerry looked at him with a complicated expression, "The old you couldn't even sit through a bard's performance, and now you like reading books? I find that hard to imagine."

"If it weren't for the blessing of the church priest, I'd suspect that your soul has been stolen by something."

Karl shook his head upon hearing this, but he had to admit that the other's guess was somewhat true.

He,

Had indeed become a different person!

As Adolf had said, wizards were a type of existence that pursued knowledge and truth.

Every apprentice wizard would have their own private library.

Robert stayed in different estates each night to facilitate his reading, and each estate had a study room.

The books varied only slightly in size.

"Found it!"

Karl smiled and took several thick books from the bookshelf, carefully wrapping them with a long rope.

"6◇9◇Book◇Bar"

"Hmm..."

"Manuscript?"

This study was likely a place Robert frequented, filled with various books on wizardry knowledge and a manuscript.

Karl flipped through the pages, unintentionally immersing himself in its contents.

Unlike the books with their complex outlines and detailed introductions, the manuscript better reflected a person's thoughts.

It was like a crystallization of wisdom!

"Wizardry is interconnected. After mastering a Zero-Ring Spell, practicing similar types of wizardry accelerates progress and makes it easier to enter the field."

"Meditation techniques are the key to breakthroughs..."

"The essence of a Stone Golem is its Stone Core, and although it's part of the bloodline wizardry tradition, it also falls under the Earth Magic category."

"Practicing Earth Magic and meditation techniques will expedite the training of a Stone Golem, and vice versa."

"Knowledge..."

"Choosing the path of a bloodline wizard requires extensive research into magical and legendary creatures' experiences. I initially took the wrong path."

"Too late!"

"Abandoning the path of a bloodline wizard and switching to Earth Magic will make further progress extremely challenging."

"The knowledge of nurturing Spider Maids can indeed provide me with a wealth of information, accelerating my progress as a bloodline wizard. I wonder if the God Messenger can offer similar knowledge, but I really don't want to see her."

"She's a lunatic!"

"Her?"

Karl slightly frowned as he read the manuscript.

According to the manuscript, Robert seemed to have another God Messenger, and he was terrified of her.

"Meditation is the key!"

Raising his head, Karl gently rubbed his temples.

"It's over. The meditation technique I've been practicing is the Deep Sea Meditation, which belongs to the Natural School's water system and has no connection with the Flame Mark."

"If I had trained in fire-based meditation techniques, the power of the Flame Mark would undoubtedly be stronger."

"The Minor Force Field Spell belongs to the Force Field Wizardry, and the Arcane Missile is a branch of Wizardry..."

"No wonder they say I'm an accidental wizard, as the wizardry I've trained is not systematic and indeed quite chaotic."

Robert himself had taken detours, and if given the choice, he would definitely choose the Earth Magic wizardry tradition.

Alas.

Once embarked on the path of wizardry, it's extremely difficult to make adjustments, requiring a significant amount of time and energy.

Meditation techniques, tricks, Zero-Ring Spells, and First-Level Spells of the same system not only have cumulative power but also make breakthroughs easier.

Karl sighed:

"Why didn't Sister tell me about this?"

This was an unfair accusation towards Xibei'er, as she herself didn't understand these aspects of knowledge.

The knowledgeable person wasn't around.

Moreover, no one knew that within just one year, Karl had mastered several Zero-Ring Spells.

"Water System!"

"Hmm..."

Karl contemplated:

"I have a Fragment of the Divine Domain, so even if I practice wizardry from different systems, it won't be too troublesome to construct them. Taking a slight detour won't affect my progress, but I need a complete tradition to become a full-fledged wizard."

"Hmm..."

"Free Harbor is right next to the Endless Sea, where there's no shortage of unique creatures, and it's also part of the water system. If I can find a powerful water-based legendary creature, I might be able to continue on the path of a bloodline wizard..."

"Karl!"

A shout interrupted his thoughts.

"Come here!"

"Oh!"

Karl snapped back to reality and put away the manuscript.

...

This manor was clearly special, containing not only Robert's handwritten manuscripts but also other items.

Several women, covered in wounds, emerged from a secret room in the manor's basement, supported as they climbed into a carriage.

These women were the missing girls from the city, held captive in the manor's basement secret room for Robert's pleasure and brutal abuse.

Not just Robert.

Sometimes, they were also used to entertain others, rewarding Fire Thieves.

When necessary, they were even used to make potions to gain the favor of certain officials and nobles.

In the eyes of some, these girls were not their peers but mere playthings.

Furthermore,

The food supply, however, did not include Ke Li's fiancee, indicating that she had indeed been killed.

"Beast!"

Even though Dai Na strictly adhered to the knight's code, upon witnessing the scene of captivity, she couldn't hold back her anger and cursed:

"This man deserves death!"

"Karl."

"Yes, sir." Karl stepped forward.

"Please escort Lady Anne." Dai Na lowered her voice:

"Keep it discreet."

Lady Anne?

Karl was surprised and looked towards the carriage.

Just then, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing a delicate half-face and translucent skin.

Was she also held captive in the manor? Lady Anne, known as the beauty of Signo City, was the dream date of countless men.

No wonder there had been no news of her recently; she had been confined to this manor all along.

Although she was known for her promiscuity, it still wouldn't look good if it got out, so Dai Na arranged for her to be escorted.

The reason for choosing Karl was simple.

He was about to leave Signo City, so even if any rumors spread, no one would care.

"Yes."

Karl nodded and boarded the carriage.

The carriage was spacious, and Lady Anne, wrapped in a long robe, huddled in the corner, silent and shrouded.

The wheels turned, and the carriage slowly left the manor.

"Click!"

Karl lit the oil lamp, covered it with a lampshade, and after sitting down across from her, he took out a book to read.

In the dim light, a pair of curious eyes could be vaguely seen.

"Karl?"

"Hmm?"

Karl was startled and looked up.

"Do you know me?"

"Yes."

Lady Anne nodded slowly. Perhaps due to being confined for so long, her voice was a little hoarse:

"I've heard people mention your name."

"Really?" Karl furrowed his brows.

"I'm just an ordinary patrol officer. How could someone as noble as you know about me?"

There didn't seem to be any connection between them, and he didn't think he was worthy of her attention.

"Noble?" Lady Anne whispered, and as she moved closer, a faint, delicate fragrance wafted over.

"I'm just a weak woman without a husband or anyone to rely on."

Karl instinctively shifted to the side.

"What's wrong?" Lady Anne looked up, her clear, transparent eyes brimming with unshed tears, and her voice carried a hint of sorrow.

"Do you despise me?"

"No." Karl shook his head.

"It's just... I'm not used to having someone this close to me."

"Really?" Lady Anne blinked, a hint of envy in her voice.

"You men are so fortunate. You can be strong on your own, but we women need someone to rely on."

She leaned closer again.

What was this woman up to? Karl's lips felt dry.

The exquisite features and clear eyes right before him seemed to have a magical allure, causing his heart to race.

The woman before him had a perfect figure that was almost criminal, yet her face was pure and innocent, creating a stark contrast that easily aroused a man's protective instincts.

"You must have heard the stories about me, right?" Lady Anne said as she slowly lowered her head, her soft hair covering her cheeks.

"Is it embarrassing?"

"No." Karl spoke without thinking.

"You don't need to care about what others say, my lady."

Hmm?

Something's not right!

How could I have said that?

Karl's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly activated his breathing and meditation techniques to calm his racing heart.

"You don't care?"

Lady Anne shook her head lightly.

"How could I not care?"

"In this world, everyone wants to live as they please. Since I've chosen this life, I must also bear the consequences."

"Yes." Karl nodded.

"You see things clearly, my lady."

"That's one way to look at it, but people are different." Lady Anne brushed her hair aside, revealing her cheeks, and her eyes held a lost look.

"My mother was a prostitute, and I was born due to an accident. My father never cared about us."

"My mother passed away early, and I claimed to be the daughter of a wealthy merchant, but in reality, I was just their servant."

"And not even a free servant!"

A bitter smile crossed her face, perhaps remembering the past, and her eyes held a hint of longing.

"I envied my sister's new clothes and toys, so I wanted them too. Is that wrong?"

"No." Karl nodded.

Something's not right!

This woman is not right!

"I was born into a humble background, without education, without perspective, and without friends. I couldn't get what I wanted." Lady Anne sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

"Fortunately, the gods took pity on me and gave me a beautiful appearance. I used it to get what I wanted. Is that wrong?"

"..." Karl remained silent.

"I know you look down on me, but it doesn't matter. You were born into nobility, and some things come naturally to you." Lady Anne spoke.

"I can't do that!"

"I have to fight and take what I want."

"You nobles can command people and change women at will. Why can't I?"

"Why are you considered charming and attractive when you do these things, while I'm called lowly and despicable?"

"My lady." Karl spoke softly.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Heh..." Lady Anne chuckled, and her body leaned closer again, her long robe slowly slipping off.

"I realized at a young age that I needed to find someone to rely on, or others would take advantage of me. They might gossip, but they wouldn't dare touch me."

"I married the Count to find a protector..."

"Karl!"

Under the long robe, her curvaceous body was fully exposed.

"I want you to be my protector."

"My lady." Karl's eyes narrowed.

"I want to get off this carriage."

"Get off?" Lady Anne giggled.

"Don't be afraid!"

She moved even closer, her voice becoming more alluring.

"I know what you want, and I know what you lack. If you stay with me, you can have everything you desire."

"Like..."

"Robert!"

Karl's heart skipped a beat.

"Lady Anne!" At that moment, Dana's voice came from outside, and the carriage came to a stop.

"My lady!"

Dana opened the carriage door and stepped in, looking at the two of them, almost stuck together, with a hint of surprise.

It seemed the door hadn't been locked after all.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end