The next day, in the backyard of the Patrol Station, two men stood several meters apart. Clad in loose robes with white cloth wrapped around their wrists, each gripped a wooden sword and eyed the other warily.

“Patrol Chief, your reflexes have dulled. Your movements are always a beat slower than mine,” the Warden said.

“I haven’t slipped—it’s your speed that’s increased,” the Patrol Chief replied, shifting his stance cautiously while keeping his eyes on the Warden. “Warden, what’s gotten into you? You’ve always hated combat training. How did you improve so much? After that boy left… are you worried the inmates might get out of hand?”

At those words, the Warden’s fierce posture instantly collapsed. He even tossed his wooden sword aside carelessly.

The Patrol Chief blinked in surprise and lowered his guard. “What’s wrong?”

Wiping sweat from his brow, the Warden sighed and sank onto a nearby bench. “You said I can’t control the inmates? Heh. They’ve been *too* obedient.”

Frowning, the Patrol Chief sat at the other end of the bench. After a few steady breaths, he asked, “Then why the sigh?”

“It’s *because* they’re unnaturally well-behaved that I’m uneasy. You might not believe this…” The Warden glanced around, then leaned close and whispered, “Yesterday, I deliberately ‘left’ the keys by a cell door to test them. Guess what happened?”

“Obviously they didn’t escape. Or you wouldn’t be sitting here calmly.”

“This morning during inspection—they burst into tears at the sight of the keys! When I asked why, they said it reminded them of the days when Su Hong led them!”

The Patrol Chief’s face froze into a rigid frown, eyes slanting slightly toward the Warden with sheer bewilderment.

The Warden exhaled deeply and shook his head. “At first, I feared Su Hong’s strength. But now I see—his true terror isn’t power. It’s his utterly mesmerizing charm. Ten times… no, *far more* than ten times scarier.”

Leaning back, the Patrol Chief felt a pang of regret. He’d missed meeting that eerie boy, all because he’d feared being implicated. Still, he’d heard the boy’s Spirit Cards were wildly popular in town. Maybe a visit to Lia’s restaurant would offer a chance…

Just then, two soldiers entered the yard, escorting a small group.

The Patrol Chief recognized one instantly and stood. “Chris? What brings you here?”

Chris bowed respectfully, then signaled his servants to open the wooden crate they carried. The moment the lid cracked open, golden light spilled out uncontrollably.

“Tokens of appreciation for the Patrol Station,” Chris said smoothly. “Lately, unverified assassins of unknown origin seem to have arrived in Azara Town. Rumor says they’re targeting someone at a small restaurant. Oh—and since Lia once served here, they apparently have no quarrel with her.”

The Patrol Chief understood perfectly. Another “request.” The Chris Guild held top-tier influence; this wasn’t the first time. Refusal wouldn’t stop Chris—he’d act covertly anyway. A persistent nuisance.

But what stunned him most: Chris was targeting someone *at Lia’s restaurant*?!

Not Lia herself. Her grandfather posed no threat to Chris. Then…

His face paled. *There’s someone else there right now!* The very figure they’d just been discussing—the terrifying one!

“Chris, you—!”

Chris faltered at the Patrol Chief’s horrified expression, confusion flickering across his face.

The Patrol Chief opened his mouth to warn him—how untouchable, how dangerous that boy was—but the words died in his throat. Admit the entire Patrol Station, even the prisoners, had been tamed by a teenager for over a week? Unthinkable humiliation.

“Chris,” he said carefully, “this matter is complicated. I can’t say much. But heed this warning: some people—even if unrelated to me—you must not touch. Or you will regret it.”

Chris lowered his gaze, eyes shifting slightly as he processed the words.

*No link to the Patrol Chief… yet untouchable? Protected by someone powerful?*

*No—if a patron existed, Chris wouldn’t get a chance to act. Why warn of regret **after** moving?*

Σ(ﾟДﾟ；≡；ﾟдﾟ)

*Ah!* *That guy must have crossed someone immensely powerful—someone who’s claimed the right to kill him personally! That’s why no one else may interfere!*

*Send a butler to observe discreetly. If someone else eliminates him… perfect.*