CHAPTER 60: THE SUCCESSFUL RESCUE

Several people walking past the Melati inn were startled when a group of Town Guards stormed into the run-down establishment.

Shouts echoed from inside, and those who dared peek through the cracks were shocked to see the innkeeper and several of his staff already subdued on the floor.

But that was nothing compared to what came next.

Their jaws dropped as the guards escorted a well-dressed man—clearly a noble—out of the building, followed by several stunning men with delicate features, their bodies modestly wrapped in blankets as they stumbled out into the alley.

"I knew there was something off about that place. They managed to stay open despite barely having any guests."

"Yeah. Turns out they’ve been fooling us all along."

"This has got to be another illegal slave trade, right?"

"Why are nobles always obsessed with doing shady stuff, even though they have so much money?"

"Maybe even nobles are afraid of spending too much."

As the whispers spread like wildfire through the narrow alleyway, another figure stepped out from the inn. Gara, clutching a blanket tightly around his frame, emerged with uncertain steps.

The alley was grimy and tucked away, hardly the kind of place one would expect to hide a luxurious room used by nobles for their immoral games.

At the alley’s mouth, a carriage stood ready.

"We’re heading to Suruta Village," Tristan said, addressing his team. "You drive the carriage. Bring a squad along and guard them the entire trip."

"Yes, Captain!" replied a tall young man with a prominent scar slicing through one of his thick brows.

Tristan turned to Gara, his gaze suddenly soft and fatherly. "Take care of yourself. If anything happens, come straight to the Town Guard barracks. You’re always welcome there."

Gara gave a small, distracted nod. Something about this stranger—this Town Guard captain who shouldn’t know him at all—felt oddly familiar. Unlike Mayor Danan’s calculated kindness. But Gara wasn’t going to question it.

"Liner Gara," Mayor Danan added with a wide, sincere smile. "I’ve been told something may have hindered you from joining your initial Liner mission. Don’t worry. Take your time. Once you’re ready, the entire town will support you in completing your task and we’ll make sure you won’t fall behind your fellow Liners."

"Thank you, Mayor Danan," Gara replied, his voice faint, as if coming from far away.

The group bound for Suruta Village climbed into the carriage and soon departed under tight guard.

Grandpa Jaya, too, was among them. He needed to return to the village and handle the mess Satyo had stirred up, then return later to town to follow up on his son’s case.

Inside the carriage, a small white squirrel peeked out from Wina’s cloth pouch and leapt into Gara’s lap, rubbing its soft fur against the uninjured hand of its favorite human.

Gara gently petted the creature, then looked around at the others riding with him. His mother sat nearby, along with two others, people who hadn’t been in his plan.

Madha and Grandpa Jaya had never been part of it. Meanwhile, Langga, the one who should’ve been here, was nowhere to be found.

"What happened, Mom?" he asked quietly.

Wina sighed and began explaining how she met Madha and Grandpa Jaya, and the surprising truth: Langga had already returned to the capital two months ago, just a week after the awakening ceremony.

He lied to me? Gara seethed inwardly. Good thing I never counted on him to take responsibility for my child. He just used me, never intending to repay anything.

As Gara’s thoughts swirled, Wina continued her tale. "Once we figured out where you were, we headed to the Town Guard barracks near the gate. Madha happened to know one of the guards there—his name’s Juno—so we were able to speak to the vice-captain directly. He’s the one driving the carriage now."

"The vice-captain personally contacted the captain, who was on leave today, and also reached out to Mayor Danan. After those two joined us, we all headed to the Melati Inn, just as that little white squirrel reappeared."

"With the guards subduing the inn’s staff and that noble’s henchmen—and thanks to the squirrel leading the way—we were able to rescue you all in time."

She paused for breath, finally done recounting their rescue.

Gara gave a small nod. He understood more or less. Though a few questions still lingered in his mind.

Like, why would the captain of the town guard give up his precious time off just to handle this matter personally? And why did that same captain act so friendly and familiar with him?

The first question could be explained as pure dedication, a captain so devoted to his job that he’d sacrifice his own rest. Or maybe there was some unspoken tension between him and the noble from earlier, especially considering how terrified that noble had looked in the captain’s presence.

But the second question... he had no answer for that. If it had anything to do with his Talent, Max Charm, it didn’t make sense. He had never met the captain before.

Wina didn’t seem interested in offering any explanations either.

And now, the side effect of numbing salve she’d applied to his wound earlier was kicking in. One of its known was drowsiness.

His eyelids grew heavier by the second, until finally, Gara dozed off. His head resting gently on Madha’s soft shoulder.

Madha, for his part, did his best to keep Gara comfortable. He occasionally adjusted the blanket, making sure that the beautiful body underneath—dressed only in something light and sensual—wasn’t seen by anyone else. He had taken it upon himself to protect him.

Truth be told, he wasn’t too happy with the presence of the elf sitting across from them. The man hadn’t taken his eyes off Gara’s peaceful, sleeping face for even a moment.

If they weren’t in the company of others, Madha would’ve gouged the elf’s eyes out.

He suspected the elf only looked fragile and harmless. Deep down, he was probably no different from any other man—someone who would be drawn to Gara’s charm and beauty with greedy intentions.

Madha let out a loud huff. If he ever found out the elf had tried anything with Gara...

Well. There would be no mercy.

...