Under Gauss’s escort, the tiefling boy successfully slipped into the general store.
Gauss watched him pick through a pile of small trinkets and asked casually, “What’s your na?”
“Are you... speaking to , sir?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Drelai, my na is Drelai.”
Drelai glanced up at Gauss furtively. It was the first ti soone so high-ranking had taken the initiative to ask his na, and for a mont he felt oddly flattered.
“Short on money?”
Gauss saw him hovering over the cheapest secondhand cotton dolls and caught the look of hesitation on the boy’s face, so he spoke up.
One of the bunny dolls was fairly well made, and Gauss had noticed the boy pick it up and put it back down several tis.
“I’ll keep looking.” Drelai didn’t answer directly.
“Take this one.”
Gauss picked up the pale red doll himself.
“If you’re short, I’ll chip in.”
He didn’t say he’d pay the full amount. Although the money was nothing to him, since the boy was choosing a gift for soone else, simply handing it over whole could weaken the aning behind the gesture. That wouldn’t look right.
The boy hesitated for a mont.
In the end he nodded in agreent.
Mostly because he genuinely thought his sister would love the toy.
“Thank you very much.”
“Just don’t call an idiot next ti.”
Gauss waved a hand.
They went to the counter, wrapped it up, and paid.
Gauss covered the last fourteen copper coins to make up the difference for Drelai.
Watching the boy carry the carefully wrapped gift, Gauss’s mouth curved subtly upward.
Nice.
Sotis happiness can’t be asured by money.
The joy from a cheap secondhand toy would not be any less than that from an expensive piece of jewelry worth dozens or hundreds of gold.
“Thank you so much.”
“I’ll repay you soday if I can.”
“Mind telling your na?”
“Gauss.”
Drelai bowed deeply to Gauss.
“Go ho quickly.”
“Be careful the shopkeepers don’t catch you.”
At Gauss’s reminder, Drelai abandoned formalities, waved goodbye, and scampered off like a little fox, light-footed as he disappeared down the street.
Gauss watched him go, then the smile vanished quickly from his face.
His gaze slid subtly toward a spot on the street.
If he hadn’t been mistaken, the uncomfortable stare he’d felt ca from over there.
Although he appeared to be talking to Drelai, he had been distracted, keeping an eye on the street’s activity the whole ti.
Sure enough.
That feeling of being spied on wasn’t an illusion.
A shadow settled over his mood.
He hated being observed in secret.
“Was that you?”
His eyes locked onto a male figure who was quickly walking away with his back turned.
He wore plain linen clothes and carried a stack of newspapers.
Gauss moved after him at a brisk pace.
The street was crowded, but Gauss’s agility allowed him to weave through the flow of people with ease.
He seed to have a god’s-eye view; once he fixed on soone, escape was difficult.
He closed in on the news vendor rapidly.
“Is there guilt in your heart?”
Gauss could sense the man was obviously avoiding him.
Once the man realized Gauss had noticed him, he stopped pretending and bolted into a run.
“Move aside!”
“Make way, don’t delay our unloading!”
A caravan blocked Gauss’s path.
He vaulted forward, light and nimble like a swallow. His toe found a crate of packed goods and he vaulted over the wagon.
His body flickered through the crowd like an illusion.
Soon he was behind the suspect.
His palm landed gently on the man’s shoulder.
Just as he was about to speak, the man suddenly went limp.
The entire body slumped forward.
“!”
The suspect collapsed to the ground, a thick gush of blood spilling from his mouth.
It quickly stained the pavent beside his cheek.
“Ah!!!!!!”
“Soone’s dead!!!”
The crowd erupted with terrified screams.
Instinctive fear of death sent civilians scrambling away.
In no ti a clear “vacuum” opened around the corpse.
Only Gauss remained moving at the scene.
He squatted down and placed a finger lightly near the man’s nostrils.
“He’s dead.”
He shook his head.
Not long after, a patrol unit arrived and surrounded the scene.
“Drop your weapons, submit to inspection!”
Gauss calmly raised his empty hands to show he carried no weapons.
The soldiers circling him were armored to the teeth, but their bodies still trembled as if in a sieve.
“Was soone murdered?”
“Why?”
“He’s rather good-looking, isn’t he? Surely not him.”
“You’re wrong; pretty faces are often worse.”
The onlookers at a distance gathered their courage and began whispering speculations.
“Stand back! Everyone move back! Secure the scene!”
A firm, authoritative order ca from behind the soldiers.
People parted as a middle-aged officer with the captain insignia strode in wearing superior chainmail.
His features were rugged, a thick mustache frad his mouth, and his eyes swept the scene sharply.
The fallen man, the blood on the ground, and Gauss standing calm in the center with his hands raised.
He motioned for his troops to lower their weapons slightly, though the periter was not removed.
“I’m Alec, captain of the Second Patrol Squad, Third Battalion of the Southern City Guard.”
“Were you the first to discover this? Or...”
His gaze shifted between the corpse and Gauss.
“He wasn’t killed by , but I was chasing him. By the ti I caught up, he’d already gone. It appears he poisoned himself.”
“The whole thing happened fast, but soone might have seen part of it—saw him run and chase.”
Gauss spoke matter-of-factly.
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the raven that had been following him had vanished from overhead.
It had likely gone to report to the others. Although Eck had followed Aria to rest, the crow underlings the raven left behind were still loyally trailing Gauss’s group.
Captain Alec glanced and signaled a soldier, who hurried into the jittery crowd to question them quietly.
Alec himself crouched, put on gloves, and began examining the body.
He flipped the dead man’s eyelids, checked dilated pupils, and sniffed at the blood around the mouth and nose. His brow tightened imdiately.
“He died from a toxin in his mouth.”
“There was a poison sac hidden in a false tooth.”
He rose and brushed dust from his hands. His look toward Gauss softened from direct suspicion to inquisitiveness.
“A potent toxin, fast-acting. Like... the kind used to silence soone after a failed mission or to prevent capture.” He paused and looked at Gauss. “Who are you? Why were you following him?”
“Gauss, an ordinary adventurer.”
“I followed him because I thought he was tailing . I wanted to question him. Once he noticed , he ran. The rest you’ve seen.”
Gauss appeared relaxed, but his alertness was still quiet and present.
It seed the patrol captain was not aligned with the dead man. The captain’s examination cleared Gauss of being a killer, and the crowd’s panic subsided.
“Mr. Gauss, although you don’t seem to be the murderer, this involves a death and the circumstances are suspicious. By procedure, you must co to the guard post for a detailed statent.”
Just as Captain Alec finished, a soldier examining the body called him over.
“Captain, co take a look.”
Gauss and Alec turned to the corpse.
The man’s shirt had been removed. Near the chest was a black tattoo in the shape of an abstract, coiled dragon sigil—simple lines but exuding a malevolent aura.
“The Dragon Worshipers!!”
Alec’s face went grave.
This was a notorious organization.
Not only had they been behind nurous shocking incidents for nearly a thousand years, but their actions continued to affect ordinary life.
They disguised themselves as tax collectors, lord’s troops, and caravans to pillage villages and human settlents. They kidnapped civilians and deeply engaged in the slave trade.
They wielded forbidden rites, desecrated corpses, altered living beings, and created horrific liches.
In their doctrine, the world’s perfect order was to kneel under the Dragon Mother’s rule, with humans reduced to assets, servants, and food for dragons.
Any rational human should despise the Dragon Worshipers utterly.
Yet their roots ran deep; their adherents corrupted nobles, soldiers, and clergy with wealth, pleasures, and desires. They were like roots beneath a giant tree, drawing nutrients in tangled fashion.
“Carefully collect the body. Seal all belongings. Deliver everything directly to the Special Cases Investigation Office.” He lowered his voice to instruct his subordinate.
After issuing orders, he turned to Gauss.
“Mr. Gauss, for reasons unknown, it seems the Dragon Worshipers have taken an interest in you.”
At the ntion of that cult, a thoughtful glint passed through Gauss’s eyes.
Although he’d never encountered the organization or its mbers before, their na alone explained why they might target him.
Beyond the presence of his red drake Hephaestus, he himself had deep ties to dragons. They loved researching and collecting anything about dragons—capturing sacrifices, experinting on living specins, performing dark rites.
While he didn’t know how they’d learned about him, objectively he understood why he’d be an ideal subject.
He had a human body but dragon-like strength and bloodline; he spoke Draconic, had begun to digest special magic gems like dragons, and possessed unique magical talents...
Even so, understanding their motive didn’t an Gauss felt comfortable.
Objectively, the Dragon Worshipers were like sewer rats—loathso—but they were powerful. They were organized, had clear channels for growth, vast wealth, global reach across human and monster realms, and collaborated with many evil groups.
Anyone targeted by them would be troubled.
And, given the tailing he’d already noticed in Lincrest Town, the group had clearly kept an eye on him for so ti before today.
At worst, perhaps he’d been noticed by a small flier within the cult; at best, was the Mother of Chromatic Dragons, Tiamat, interested in him?
Although Tiamat’s power had been limited and one of the Dragon Worshipers’ ultimate goals was to return Tiamat to the material plane, she was still a god—weak by divine standards but strong in essence.
The lake god te who sheltered him earlier was no match for such an evil dragon queen.
“Mr. Gauss—Mr. Gauss.”
A voice by his ear snapped him back from his thoughts.
Realizing Gauss had been distracted, Captain Alec continued, “Please co with us and register.”
“All right.”
A soldier brought a horse; Gauss mounted and followed them to the guard post.
...
“Thank you for cooperating with our work.”
After carefully recording the morning’s events in detail, the official responsible for registration shook Gauss’s hand solemnly.
“May I leave now?”
“Of course, you’re free to go.”
Gauss pushed open the door.
An unexpected figure leaned against the wall outside.
Though shrouded in a hooded gray robe, Gauss recognized him at a glance.
“Lord Praelius, what brings you here?”
It was the tiefling paladin who had arranged to et him yesterday.
“Shh.”
Praelius signaled for silence.
Gauss noticed only he could perceive Praelius; others in the registration corridor seed unaware of his presence.
Gauss followed him into a quiet room.
“I ca to apologize.”
“Huh?”
Gauss was puzzled.
Praelius’s face showed genuine remorse.
“I thought asking the Golden Eagle Family to discreetly arrange our eting yesterday would be enough, but evidently news leaked anyway.”
Gauss listened silently.
“From our intelligence, the disappearance of tieflings seems to be the work of Dragon Worshiper cultists.”
“Of course, we don’t yet have direct proof.”
“But they must have used special channels to learn of my contact with you, which is why they sent people to monitor you this morning.”
Praelius spoke gravely.
He hadn’t expected such headstrong action from the normally careful Dragon Worshipers regarding Gauss.
Even if Gauss wouldn’t have known without Praelius telling him, Praelius couldn’t in good conscience keep silent. After informing his n that Gauss might be in trouble, he rushed to confirm Gauss’s safety personally.
“This city is no longer entirely safe for you. If you need, I can arrange for your exit from the city.”
“Most of the Dragon Worshipers in town likely think you’re assisting . If you leave, they may cease harassing you.”
Gauss looked Praelius in the eye and inwardly pieced things together.
Praelius had misunderstood. Gauss suspected the cult’s focus on him had nothing to do with the secret eting; rather, it stemd from Gauss’s own nature.
But he couldn’t reveal personal reasons, so he could only smile wryly.
He knew that even if he left this city, Dragon Worshipers from other towns would tail him, as in Lincrest Town—unless his powerful Sturdy Scale Bloodline and dragon-linked abilities were stripped away, they would pursue him like sharks sensing blood.
“The Dragon Worshipers watching probably have nothing to do with yesterday.”
“No need to trouble yourself.”
Gauss waved a hand and took a deep breath, as if deciding sothing.
When Praelius thought Gauss didn’t grasp the gravity, Gauss surprised him by announcing, “Lord Praelius, I’ll accept the investigation commission you ntioned yesterday.”
Gauss spoke seriously.
The decision seed sudden but wasn’t.
Since Praelius thought the tiefling disappearances were tied to the Dragon Worshipers and the cult already had eyes on Gauss, he might as well take the commission and take the initiative.
At least this way he could obtain information and support from Praelius and secure a commission reward.
The Dragon Worshipers were terrifying as a continent-wide entity, but in any single town their power was less overwhelming, hence their reliance on secrecy.
What Gauss lacked was intelligence.
He sensed that as his talents and bloodline strengthened, endless entanglents with this evil church awaited him.
His bloodline could strengthen further; in fact, his next planned upgrade was to raise his talent to the Outstanding purple tier: Sturdy Scale Bloodline.
That was already part of his plan.
He would not abandon this power just because the cult noticed him.
He possessed the Adventurer’s Manual and other formidable strengths, and he was not afraid to confront a furtive organization.
Praelius fell silent for a mont, his expression complex. After a sigh, he nodded.
Since Gauss had been noticed, aside from leaving the city, accepting the commission was the second-best option.
But unlike his private plea yesterday, this ti Praelius felt a weighty responsibility. Yesterday he had secretly asked Gauss as a favor, believing Gauss wouldn’t attract much attention. Now the situation had changed.
If anything happened to Gauss, it would be Praelius’s responsibility for recklessly involving this extraordinary talent.
“In that case, I’ll do all I can to keep you safe, at least within Longdi Fort’s jurisdiction.”
Praelius inhaled and solemnly assured Gauss. His strength was no boast; within the vast Longdi Fort region, few could surpass him.
If not for certain constraints, he would not need to intervene via others.
Gauss raised an eyebrow at the unexpected boon.
At least within Longdi Fort, he now had strong protection.
He could feel the volcano-like power beneath Praelius’s calm exterior.
Praelius was certainly stronger—by a large margin.
“Take this.”
Praelius handed Gauss a golden bracelet.
“What is it?”
“A locator. Wear it and I’ll know your city position. If you’re in danger, channel mana into it and I’ll co as fast as I can.”
Gauss took it, used Identify Spell subtly, and then slipped it onto his wrist.
“I have one matter to attend to now, so I’ll be off.”
“I’ll send people with follow-up intel and commission details.”
Praelius left in haste.
Gauss sat quietly for a mont after his departure, then stepped out of the guard post.
Outside the post, Arbenia, Shadow, and Serlandul had gathered. They had received word from the raven following Gauss and had arrived here.
Not only would Gauss receive raven reports if they were in trouble, but the birds would also alert him if they needed help. These seemingly insignificant ravens provided far more value in the city than one might expect.
“Captain, are you alright?”
“Lord Gauss, if you’d co out any later I was ready to barge in.” Arbenia’s great axe sat at her side; she was clearly not joking.
Shadow said nothing, but those expressive, almost-speaking eyes tracked Gauss closely, curious why he’d been summoned here.
“Let’s walk while we talk.”
Gauss didn’t want to stay near the guard post.
After they’d put distance between themselves and the post, he told them what had happened.
“The Dragon Worshipers?”
“This is a problem.”
“They’ve set their sights on . It’s probably tied to my...”
Gauss didn’t finish, but everyone present understood the implication.
Dragons...
A symbol of power intimately connected to their captain, Gauss.
“How dare they set their sights on Lord Gauss! I’ll take their heads.”
The Dragon Worshipers were public enemies, and now they were targeting Gauss with perverse intentions. The team’s hatred of the cult flared.
Having spent so much ti together, each mber respected Gauss deeply. Without him the party would fall apart.
At this mont, the cult beca their common nesis.
They all supported Gauss taking the commission; whatever the enemy planned, they would oppose it.
“However—”
Shadow, while everyone else was riled, suddenly thought of sothing else.
“What about Aria?”
Putting Aria’s situation aside, she was Gauss’s teammate and had gone out of the city alone. She was traveling with the red drake Hephaestus.
Gauss had intended to act as her bodyguard, but now she was a potential target and prize.
The Dragon Worshipers actively sought to convert old or unique dragons into dracoliches and were keen to transform drakes, wyverns, and bipedal dragons to bolster their forces.
“This is bad.”
Gauss’s jaw tightened.
“We need to head out and find Aria.”
Though Aria’s breakthrough was urgent, the adventurers put safety first.
“Let’s go!”
“I know exactly where she is.”
Everyone knew this was not the mont to delay. They mounted and rode toward the gate Aria had used to leave the city.
A tiefling who’d received orders stood not far behind Gauss, staring blankly at the hurried departure.
“Huh?”
“Why is he in such a rush? Where’s he going?”
“I haven’t handed over the intel yet!”
He hesitated; sothing about Gauss’s expression earlier had seed off.
“Never mind, report to Lord Praelius first.”
Across the city, shadowy forces that had been hidden began to stir as Gauss’s party set out.
“Faster!”
The ostrich mounts ran the road like the wind.
Gauss, an experienced rider, pushed his mount to full speed.
Though his Fly spell offered a quick burst, over long distances a mount was more reliable.
“Caw!!”
Not long after leaving the city, a tiny black dot in the distance rapidly expanded in the sky.
Gauss tilted his head up.
“It’s Eck.”
A cold sinking feeling spread through him.
What he feared had happened.
Eck, who had been with Aria, would not leave her at such a critical breakthrough unless sothing had gone wrong and the raven needed to call for help.
“Enemies! Monsters! Many of them!”
“The drake can’t fly.”
Eck landed and emitted a dry, urgent warning.
“Speed up!”
Gauss’s breath grew harsh as he channeled mana into the golden ring on his wrist.
The small party raced across the plains like an arrow.
In hindsight, Gauss thought the little bird he’d noticed that morning was likely a pawn ant to delay him.
Dragon Worshipers.
Whatever else, the na was now fixed firmly in his mind.
“I only wanted to be a monster slayer, why must they force this on ?”
An unnad fire rose in his chest. His irises tinged gold and his breathing grew quietly hot, like the stirring of dragonly wrath.
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