Chapter 60: Search

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Search

"Lord Baron, I’ll personally lead a team right now and bring back that bastard Lanwo and his two accomplices."

Olay vowed to Baron Kels.

Baron Kels nodded gravely. "You must bring them back. And remember, I need them alive. There are things I must confirm with them..."

The Baron’s grim tone made both Bamos and Olay furrow their brows.

"Lord Baron, are you worried that..."

Olay’s eyes narrowed, seeming to guess the Baron’s thoughts. His already grim expression grew even more severe.

Realization dawned on Bamos, and he turned sharply to look at Baron Kels.

"That’s right... I do have that concern," Baron Kels said, his voice laced with ice. "It’s been a long time since a noble was assassinated. This attempt not only came dangerously close to succeeding, but they also had collaborators inside the manor. Whoever orchestrated this is no simple figure. Under normal circumstances, it might be one thing, but now, at a critical moment of escalating friction between our two nations, one must think deeper."

"Lanwo could very well be acting on orders from the Wata Duchy."

Baron Kels voiced his deepest worry to Olay and Bamos.

That was why the fugitive Lanwo and his accomplices had to be captured.

"I’ll go organize the manhunt immediately."

Olay understood the gravity of the situation. Without further hesitation, he walked straight out the door.

"Father..."

Bamos’s eyes were filled with worry, both for his father’s safety and for the future of Diamond Town.

If it was confirmed that the Wata Duchy was behind this assassination attempt, Diamond Town could be drawn into the flames of war between the two nations. Count Lumbar might still control vast territories after the war, but a minor noble like Baron Kels could very well be wiped out in the conflict.

"First, send a report to Count Lumbar about the attempt on my life, and make sure to include our suspicions."

At this point, there was no room for carelessness. Even if their suspicions were wrong, they couldn’t afford to do nothing.

"Understood."

Bamos nodded and turned to leave.

Baron Kels sighed, his face etched with weariness.

...

Olay walked out of the tower room to find three squads of the Personal Guard already assembled below.

Among the First Squad, he saw Vili.

After exchanging a brief glance with Vili, Olay shouted to all the men, "You’re already aware of the assassination attempt on the Lord Baron. Half an hour ago, the Guards completely sealed off Diamond Town. The three assassins escaped, but it’s impossible for them to have left town. Effective immediately, the entire Personal Guard Team will begin a sweeping search. Streets, residences, shops—don’t miss a single potential hiding spot!"

"If you find anyone suspicious, apprehend them on the spot—no need to confirm their identity. If anyone tries to obstruct the search, break their legs! Remember, we want them alive. Don’t kill them!"

Olay added, "Also, be on the lookout for one man in particular: Lanwo. He’s the main perpetrator of this assassination. If you encounter him, arrest him on sight!"

As Olay finished speaking, a jolt went through every member of the Personal Guard Team. They instantly understood the gravity of the situation.

Lanwo... He was a key figure in the Baron’s Personal Guard, and he had turned traitor to assassinate the Baron.

Although they didn’t know the full story, they all knew this situation was incredibly complex.

"Move out!"

At Olay’s command, the Personal Guard Team immediately dispersed.

Olay took a deep breath, the weight on his heart growing heavier.

Baron Kels hadn’t blamed him, but Olay couldn’t ignore the vicious nature of this attack and its consequences. As the head of the Personal Guard Team, he had to take full responsibility for a core member attempting to assassinate the Baron. And if the Lord Baron’s suspicions were correct, the situation was about to become far more serious.

Lanwo and his accomplices had to be captured. For Olay, it was a chance to atone. For Diamond Town, it was the key to ensuring its future safety.

’I hope we’re successful...’

Olay mounted his warhorse, lance in hand, and personally joined the search.

「The streets of Diamond Town.」

"Does every team know its assigned search area?"

Morion, captain of the First Squad, grimly addressed his team leaders.

"Understood."

Once he had their confirmation, Morion gave the order to begin the manhunt.

The First Squad was composed of thirty men, split into six teams with five men each. Morion led one team himself, with the other team leaders taking charge of the rest.

"Vili, are you sure you want to follow me? Don’t you need to be by Captain Olay’s side?"

Morion looked at Vili beside him. Since Vili hadn’t belonged to any squad before, he had chosen to stick with Morion.

This put unspoken pressure on Morion. In his eyes, Vili might be Captain Olay’s student, but he was too young and lacked any real combat or pursuit experience. If Vili got hurt or met with an accident during the manhunt, Morion knew he would be the one to take the fall.

"No need. For now, you can consider me one of your men, Captain Morion."

Vili answered firmly.

He knew that Olay was under immense pressure right now, and sticking by his side wouldn’t help at all.

"Alright then."

Since Vili insisted, Morion found it hard to refuse.

"According to the assignments, we’ll search the residences on Third Street first."

Morion had dismounted and was proceeding on foot with his team.

Under Morion’s lead, the six-man team hurried toward Third Street.

"Open up!"

Morion pounded heavily on the door of the first house on the street.

A frightened voice called from inside: "Who is it?"

"Cut the crap and open up!"

With a look of impatience, Morion simply lifted his foot and kicked the door in.

The ordinary door was no match for Morion’s strength and splintered inward.

Morion led Vili and the others as they all flooded into the house.

A bare-chested young man emerged from an inner room, his face full of fear. "Sirs..."

"Shut up and get out of the way!"

Morion shoved the man aside, all traces of his earlier politeness toward Vili now gone.

He was anxious, too. If they didn’t catch their man tonight, he, as captain of the First Squad, would surely bear the brunt of Captain Olay’s fury.

"Search!"

Morion roared.

The guards began to ransack the house, turning over chests and cupboards. They ignored the woman in the back room, their methods brutally rough.

Vili frowned slightly but said nothing. He followed beside Morion, checking all the places where someone might be hiding.

"Nothing."

After finishing the search, the team members reported back to Morion.

"Next house!"

Morion led his men away.

They left the young man and his family standing terrified in their home, staring at the ruined door and trembling uncontrollably.