[Just moments after Sharon had left with Charley to meet up with Seline, but before Sharon could locate Lars and inform him that his friend had been rescued]A procession of riders without their mounts was convening on this Lower Market District branch of the City Guard as well.
A group of desert raiders walking awkwardly and in stunned awe, following their old leader who was fawning over their new leader - Lars.
They were in shock over many things since they"d arrived in this city.
First of all, their numbers had been whittled down from a grand 200 plus members to now only less than 20 in the aftermath of the devil invasion!
Secondly, they had a new boss all of a sudden!
But thirdly and most of all...
Their new boss had just devoured their 15 mounts in a matter of minutes!
He had conjured flames and instantly cooked their Sar"peh - though cook might not be the right word, more like charred the still-living animals black in a flash - then literally inhaled the flesh, so fast had he eaten the mounts clean! And within mere minutes, there was only a pile of bones and unwanted parts left where the Sar"peh had been before!
But though the men could not understand what was going on, they had grown accustomed to just following Byrus" instructions. After all, over all these years, he had led them from glory to glory and to greater and greater heights. They trusted their leader to make the right choices.
At least they hoped this was the right decision...
Because right now they were faced with the fourth shock in a short period of time - they were headed for the City Guard"s local branch here in the Lower Market District to conduct a prison break!
The group of 16 people arrived in front of the City Guard"s premises and were met with frowns of displeasure from the men standing guard outside.
The five chattering guardsmen quietened down as they studied the new arrivals, a group of 14 men in cloaks, one beautiful loli that stirred up their loins, and one youth...
Who they recognised!
Their eyes widened and their mouths curled into an amused sneer as they saw one of their "Wanted" men right in front of them - the golden-haired youth, Lars!
And it just so happened that the one on guard duty today as punishment for failing to retrieve his target was Private Lyam! As the only officer among the guardsmen, he was in charge and quickly signalled to his men with his eyebrows to go and get the boss and bring backup!
One of the men nodded hastily and took off, running past the entrance gate and into the inner building of the City Guard premises to fetch their superior - it looked like trouble was brewing, especially with the boy"s Grandmaster-level master around!
Private Lyam mustered up his courage and kept his confident but now slightly shaky grin plastered on his face as he was soon surrounded by a threatening line-up of burly men who were sneering at him in return.
He faced them, looking at the raiders" faces one by one, then stared at Sand Crab Byrus who was obviously (in his eyes) their leader, waiting for him to state his reason for coming.
But to his surprise, it was Lars who spoke.
"Good evening, Mr City Guard soldier sir! I believe we"ve met before but not had the pleasure of introducing ourselves! I"m Lars, the man you wish to apprehend! And how about yourself, what is your good name...?"
Lars showed the manners of a perfect gentleman, etiquette that would shame even most minor n.o.bles as he bowed slightly while speaking to Private Lyam. But Lyam frowned deeply as he felt that the boy was trying to threaten him sarcastically.
And so his face turned black and he was about to lash out at the boy when he suddenly remembered...
He and his 3 Adept-level guardsmen were currently surrounded by a bloodthirsty mob; one which was led by 4 powerhouses all staring daggers at him with murderous gazes in their eyes!
So he stuttered slightly as whatever insults or rebuke he had prepared dissipated like smoke and he shakily answered, "G-good d-d-d-day to y-y-y-y-you, s-s-s-sir! My, my, my, my, my name is L-Lyam!"
Lars smiled cheerfully, showing off a disposition that would warm even the coldest heart on a summer"s day - but an expression that at this moment only struck dread in Lyam"s soul!
"Just what kind of monster have I antagonised??? Have I become the borrowed knife and run a fool"s errand, used as a sacrificial lamb in some high-up n.o.bles game of thrones???" Lyam sobbed internally as he returned a tentative smile to Lars" radiant one!
"Well, my good Lelyam, interesting name you have there by the way, I"m here to retrieve my friend from your good safekeeping!" It wasn"t clear if it was intentional, but Lars" words made Lyam"s face burn with shame as the boy poked a jab at his stuttering speech. Lyam tried to calm his shaking chest but could only make his fearful trembling slightly less violent.
"Y-yes s-sir! R-right this w-way s-sir!" He stood at attention and gave a sharp salute to Lars, then when he saw that his sentry team was still standing there in a daze and not following his actions, he swiftly kicked them in the s.h.i.+ns or slapped them on the heads and roared out for them to follow him!
"How dare you twerps disrespect Mr Lars! Come on! Show the proper respect to a n.o.ble guest! On 3, follow me! 1, 2, 3, salute!"
And so Lars was led into the City Guard premises - along with Byrus, l.u.s.t, Viyash and Adron - to look for Lars" buddy Charley.
* * * * *
"Mr Lars! Mr Lars! Ahh, I"m so glad to be able to finally meet you!"
Upon entering the compound, Lars was guided to a guest room with comfortable looking arm chairs and a couple of long couches. The room was large enough to fit about 12 people. He was asked to sit down, but he continued standing and stared at Private Lyam coldly to indiciate his displeasure at being made to wait.
And Lars was just about to go wild and level the entire building when he heard someone call out loudly.
When he turned to see who had just arrived, Lars was met by a rotund and sweaty middle-aged man who was dressed in the military-esque attire of the City Guard, but looked like he had not exercised for at least a decade.
The man hurriedly waddled over to greet Lars and shake his hand, though Lars made sure to surround his own palm in a thin layer of mana to avoid touching the greasy man"s hand! Even then, Lars grimaced as he felt disgusted at even using his mana to touch the surely bacterifilled man"s skin!
"I am Major Myner, officer in charge of this branch of the City Guard! Mr Lars, I heard the news from my useless men, what a pity, what a pity! We were led astray and misdirected by malicious information from those Trenel b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! Why else would we even dare to inconvenience someone so honourable and big-hearted such as Mr Lars? Why, if I could find those b.l.o.o.d.y scoundrels who work for the Trenels right now, I"d toss them into prison and throw away the key! Along with those useless fellas who had eyes but could not recognise Mount Tai! Perhaps they were even bribed by the Trenels into committing these vile crimes and false accusing you!"
The little boss of this Lower Market District City Guard branch office was very verbose and full of bl.u.s.ter. He was also eloquent enough to deflect all the blame away from himself or the City Guard as a whole and only pin the blame on the hand that carried out the orders, Private Lyam!
In fact, he was right now making a show of glowering angrily at the poor Private who was just a lackey following instructions, but Lars ignored that and coughed in displeasure before speaking tersely.
"Ahem, let me just get straight to the point. Release Charley right now and I"ll not make life difficult for you. That"s all I have to say."
"Yes, yes! Yes sir! Yes Mr Lars, certainly and right away! Go on! What are you buffoons waiting for! Don"t you see that Mr Lars is a busy man not to be trifled with! HURRY UP AND GET THE BOY OUT HERE RIGHT NOW OR I"LL FLOG YOUR DEAD BODIES IN FRONT OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS! GO!!!" The snivelling Major Myner nodded obsequiously and kept bowing to Lars as he agreed enthusiastically, then roared fiercely at the guardsmen who jumped at his words and ran off to carry out his instructions.
After that, the sharp Major repeatedly attempted to make small talk and ask questions to identify Lars" background, but was rebuffed by the taciturn and uncooperative youth. Lars had no mood to engage in friendly banter with a vile and scheming man such as him!
Seeing that Lars was not willing to divulge any information about himself, Major Myner instead launched into a long and colourful story about his ill.u.s.trious war adventures to the North of the Northpoint border - a highly questionable story full of scenes of himself defeating hundreds of beastmen alone and rescuing countless damsels in distress who (according to him) threw themselves at him!
But as he was speaking, a guardsman scurried over and leaned down to whisper something in the Major"s ear under Lars" watchful eyes.
And the Major"s expression slowly turned from that of a charming, smiling host into one of abject horror when he heard the words: "Charley is gone - already sold."
As Myner"s eyes bulged almost out of their sockets, he looked at his subordinates face in shocked disbelief as if asking the man to please tell him it was all a lie - but the guardsman could only solemnly gulp and nod.
It was not a joke nor a mistake - Charley was already missing, sold to a buyer of unknown origins!
Major Myner began to sway shakily as he slowly turned back to the smiling tiger before him, Lars who was already at the ends of his patience.
He gulped and opened his mouth but did not know what to say that would not enrage his guest!
How was he going to explain himself out of this situation??!