CHAPTER 96: ETHAN’S MESSAGE

The more he witnessed an incident in Velastra, the more Leonard became convinced that this free trade city needed a change.

Velastra claimed to be a free trade city. But with death looming everywhere, even stemming from minor disputes. Then this ain’t a free trade city.

Instead, it was just hell in disguise!

A hell where the poor suffered without a voice speaking for them.

And a heavenly place for the rich where they enjoy everything without the worries of any repercussions from the city’s laws.

’After this meeting, I should make a plan to head toward the slum to see the truth.’ Leonard decided at this moment. There was also one main aspect that had always been in his mind since his departure from the capital.

The berserk werewolf.

Where and how did the werewolf become berserk?

According to the investigation, Slave Merchant Gerald’s previous stop was precisely Velastra before arriving at the capital.

In other words, whatever happened to his slaves must have been done in Velastra.

Curtis informed him that a berserk state was extremely difficult to deal with.

The former even claimed that it could take at least a minimum of 3 fourth circle mages to cooperate. If the consumer were someone even deadlier than the werewolf slave, then the outcome would be a disaster.

While Leonard was contemplating the matter, a person suddenly emerged from the interior.

Their presence quickly caught the guards by surprise as they hurriedly saluted by placing their right hand on their left chest.

"What brings you over here, Mister Ethan?" The guard who signaled the killing of the loud-mouthed merchant quickly rushed to his side and inquired softly. Needless to say, they were afraid that they would be punished in accordance with the Merchant Guild’s law.

’Damn it, were we still too late to resolve the issues?’ The guard sweated profusely. ’Why is Mr. Ethan here? Could it be that the incident had reached Lord Wesley’s ears?’

Ethan was a well-known, trusted aide of Wesley and always acted on the latter’s orders. Therefore, it was hard to not imagine that he might lose his life when the incident occurred right at the entrance of the Merchant Guild.

A gold ranked merchant being smeared at by a regular merchant was something that nobody would ever dream of happening.

Yet precisely such a situation occurred under his inspection!

How could he not panic internally?

Even though he had swiftly eliminated the regular merchant who spouted such nonsense, he reckoned it still wouldn’t be enough to pacify the higher-ups.

Meanwhile, Ethan glanced at the guard with a confused expression.

"Who are you?" Ethan asked.

The guard smiled awkwardly when he heard the question. "I’m Bryant, a guard assigned for the inspection in the line."

"Oh, then carry on with your duty," Ethan said coolly. He had no recollection of the name Bryant.

Without any recollection, it simply meant the latter was of no significance.

There was no need to waste his precious time on a nobody!

As Ethan walked past Bryant, the latter suppressed their emotion and saluted.

Although Bryant was a guard and could command the regular merchants here, his power was actually very limited.

The feeling of being disregarded wasn’t great, but at the very least, he managed to keep his life intact.

’Seems like Mr. Ethan was here to retrieve the gold ranked merchant. Good thing I acted fast enough! Otherwise, I would have really died.’ Bryant thought to himself.

His eyes trailed toward Ethan, who halted his steps a little bit away from Leonard.

The nearby merchants were also curious about his presence. But as soon as Ethan gave them a single glance, they hurriedly retracted their eyesight and feigned deafness.

Shortly after warning them to not be nosy, Ethan returned his focus on Leonard.

"I have come to retrieve you, Sir Vincent." He calmly said, devoid of the earlier tone of usage on Bryant.

"You are?" Leonard raised an eyebrow.

"Sir Vincent, this person is Mister Ethan, a trusted aide of Lord Wesley." Before Ethan could even respond, Bryant took the lead and hurriedly informed Leonard.

"Hoh, Lord Wesley really put me in a predicament. Such a spotlight is hard to receive." Leonard casually joked.

"Please," Ethan ignored the joke and gestured with his hand.

He also made sure to glance at Caroline and said, "Lord Wesley also informed me to say he’s happy to see Researcher Caroline in the Merchant Guild. If your research is lacking any funding, you are always welcome to meet with the Lord."

Upon hearing that, Caroline smiled sweetly in response.

"I must thank Lord Wesley for the gesture in that case. But I doubt I would be lacking any when the facility is filled with funding." She cleverly rejected the suggestion.

Unbothered by the rejection, Ethan simply nodded and proceeded to be the guide for them.

’What a mess.’ Leonard wasn’t appreciative of Wesley’s shrewdness.

What appeared to be simple guidance was actually a warning message being sent across to everyone.

He was being eyed, so tread carefully when interacting with him.

To clarify, he was going to be ostracized in the upcoming meeting because of a single factor: fear.

What humans feared wasn’t the danger they had to face. Instead, they feared the unknown.

The unknown, one that you could never guess or predict would happen, was often what caused many to make the wrong decision.

Take a look at Bryant!

He suffered from the fear of the unknown because he didn’t know if he was going to be retaliated against later on for his late action.

Even his attempt to cozy up with Leonard by introducing Ethan could be seen as his fear taking over his rationality.

But after Ethan finished his statement, the fear in Braynt’s look toward Leonard appeared to have decreased substantially.

His prestige status had taken a critical hit, with the situation favoring Wesley and his vast influence among others.

’Well, at least now I know this isn’t a crucifixion trial against me.’ Leonard was relieved that Wesley actually made such a move. It lifted the heavy boulder that was pressing on him.