Chapter 278: No Longer a Guest

A few seconds passed as they stared at each other. Then more figures arrived from both sides, but since the elves were fewer in number, they were surrounded by City Lord Asad and Imperial Knight’s subordinates.

"...Ok."

The elf, Lariel, finally realizing the severity of the situation, ordered his men to stand down.

"You made the right choice." The armored knight spoke and then turned toward Soren. His eyes landed on Ethea on his arms and then shifted to the large panther still standing in front of them in a protective manner. "You too. Please, unsummon your bond."

Soren nodded and asked Malakor to get inside.

Malakor’s clones dissolved first, fading into the darkness one by one. The original lingered a bit longer, throwing a deep look at the elf before merging with Soren’s shadow.

"Thank you for your cooperation." The armored knight nodded to Soren. "However, you’ll still have to follow us for further questioning. I hope you understand."

"...Yes. I would like to get a clear understanding of the situation too." Soren replied after giving the elf a cold look. "I also want them to pay the appropriate price for their attack. Not only us, but the other innocent people almost ended up losing their lives because of them."

"..." The knight stared at Soren for a moment. "We will decide on that after learning the truth. But be assured, we definitely won’t ignore their actions. Now please follow us. All of you."

He gestured to his subordinates to ’escort’ them while he walked toward Lariel himself. "Follow me."

As for City Lord Asad, he came over to Soren’s side. "Please, follow me."

Soren nodded, a little surprised by the polite tone.

’...He must have recognized me.’ He guessed. After all, Emperors could easily distinguish mana and see through ordinary disguises.

As they leaped into the night sky, Soren looked at the man. "Thank you for your help, Sir."

"I was just doing my job." City Lord Asad merely smiled. "But receiving thanks from our Savior sure feels nice."

’I was right.’ Soren shook his head. "You are flattering me too much. All I did was cook."

"You don’t have to be modest," City Lord Asad laughed. "But... I was really disappointed to hear about your departure."

"...You knew?" Soren raised a brow.

"Yes. I investigated you through Branch President Doran after the semi-final and learned it from him." City Lord Asad answered. "I initially wanted to meet you and ask you to stay, but he insisted I shouldn’t, saying it would be disrespectful to interfere with your private life and decision."

"...I see." Soren nodded. "Then, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, but if it is about the current situation, then we don’t have enough info either." City Lord Asad said with a bitter smile. "However, we managed to find out that Chef Nuelia had been kidnapped."

"...So I was right," Soren muttered. Then he realized how much of a problem it would cause for the City Lord. He said it himself. This was his city, and she was kidnapped right under his nose. But... ’They must be at least at the 7th circle to be able to kidnap her... After all, she was at the late stage of the 6th circle. But who could they be? Her own enemies or...’

Soren fell into deep thought, but a moment later, he shook his head. There would be time to figure that out later. Right now, there was something more important to focus on.

’Ethea, are you feeling ok?’ He sent the thought through their bond, his voice gentle. ’We’re safe for now. Just hold on a little longer.’

’Don’t worry. Nothing happened to me.’ Ethea reassured him. ’But what about you?’

’I am fine too.’ Soren replied as he really didn’t have to fight. Then he connected to his other bond. ’Malakor, you didn’t get hurt, right?’

’...No, Master.’

’Good. Rest and recover your strength for now.’

’Understood.’

Then he turned his attention back to Ethea and discussed the situation with her.

Meanwhile, City Lord Asad also became lost in his own thoughts. His usual easygoing attitude had long faded.

’...’ Even though he looked composed, there was a tension in his shoulders that hadn’t been there before.

He was the protector of this city, and something like this had happened during the biggest event of the year. The weight of that failure pressed down on him. Because it would not only affect the city but might also end up staining the relationship between elves and humanity.

’If I catch the culprits, I will give them hell for ruining the festival and putting my people in danger.’ He clasped his hands behind his back. A moment later, he threw a glance at Soren and squinted. ’Although it doesn’t seem like he is involved, I’ll keep an eye on him.’

His suspicion wasn’t without proof. Soren was too calm for someone who was attacked by a group of powerful people, including a literal Emperor. Maybe because he had a magic beast of equal strength, but it still didn’t add up.

’I hope he isn’t involved, though...’

He really didn’t want Bagdad’s Savior to turn out to be a villain in disguise.

’Time will tell us...’

He sighed and kept flying, and soon they reached their destination. The others also arrived not long after.

City Lord Asad led them inside.

The building was larger than it looked from outside, and the guards posted at the entrance watched them pass without a word. Asad guided them through a long hallway and into a meeting room where a long table had already been prepared.

Soren set Ethea down gently into a chair beside him before taking his own seat. Across from them, the elven representatives sat stiffly, their eyes fixed on Soren with open hostility. The armored knight and City Lord Asad took their places at opposite ends of the table, while a few other officials stood near the walls.

The armored knight was the first to speak. "Lord Asad and I have already dispatched people to search for Chef Nuelia. Every exit from the city is being monitored, and the festival grounds are being swept as we speak."

They paused, letting the words settle.

"Now, we are going to talk about what happened tonight. Both sides will present their version of events, and we will determine how to proceed." Their gaze shifted to the elves, then to Soren. "Let’s begin."