CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55 – DOOMSTY CITY

"You will live here!" said Velrisa.

The Sirens were surprised to see their new home. They stared at Velrisa for a long time, still waiting for confirmation that this was truly their place. It wasn’t a joke or anything like that, but Velrisa didn’t say a word. Instead, she frowned in confusion. She was puzzled by why the Sirens didn’t immediately move from their spot.

"What is it?" asked Velrisa.

"Are you sure we can stay here?" asked the Siren Queen.

"Why shouldn’t you stay here?" Velrisa replied with another question.

The Queen fell silent. She couldn’t answer that. She only scratched her head, confused. In the end, they jumped into the river before them. At that moment, their wrinkled bodies began to regain youth and vitality. Their eyes turned blue, and they spontaneously began to sing—but this time, their song was different.

It was incredibly beautiful. Velrisa was astonished, her mind becoming calm and peaceful. Without realizing it, a smile appeared on her lips.

"Do you like this place?" Velrisa asked.

The Sirens nodded. "Of course."

Moments later, they rose from the water again, bowed deeply, and immediately expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you, miss!" they said in unison.

Velrisa shook her head. "You don’t need to thank me, because everything I did was with Lord Crowne’s approval. If you want to express gratitude, tell him when he comes here later."

The Sirens exchanged looks and nodded afterward. "Yes, we will do that."

Velrisa smiled once more. After that, she left the place. She wanted to return to where she lived. Meanwhile, the Sirens began their new life in their new home—a clear river connected to a cool waterfall. The place was vast, and many rocks surrounded it, perfect for them to rest and bask.

Their new life in this place had begun.

**

Elsewhere, Crowne was almost at Doomsty City. He looked outside and saw a long line of people waiting to enter the city. He would have to wait for hours—at least five, perhaps. Inspections were being carried out by the guards. Something had happened in Doomsty City a few days ago.

Crowne closed his eyes, trying to rest for an hour, but when he woke up, the carriage was still in the exact same spot. It hadn’t moved an inch.

Crowne fell silent, scratching his head. "What on earth is going on?" he muttered.

"It seems there’s a commotion at the front gate," said the coachman.

Crowne got down from the carriage, squinting his eyes. He couldn’t see clearly what was happening, but from a distance, he could make out a crowd near the entrance. Maybe what the coachman said was true. Crowne clicked his tongue in frustration because his time would be delayed. He had to wait even longer to enter Doomsty City.

Crowne exhaled deeply. "Damn it. This will take a lot of time."

He scratched his head again, not knowing what to do to get inside faster. When he turned around, he saw there were still many people in line. Not just a dozen, but more than twenty lines stretching behind him. Crowne sighed again. There was no other choice. He had to wait there.

"This is really troublesome," he said quietly.

**

Inside the capital—or more precisely, the residence of Doomsty City’s governor—several important figures had gathered. They were seated at the same table, discussing something serious. Their faces were tense and grim, for the incident had truly shocked them. It had never happened before.

The one who was killed wasn’t just anyone but one of Doomsty City’s main generals—a warrior of tremendous strength.

Logically speaking, anyone capable of killing such a general must be even stronger. Moreover, when the body was found, the general’s head had been pierced and placed in the city square. His body, however, was still missing.

"Do you have any leads?" asked Delon.

No one answered that question. The search had already been carried out. The city gates had been tightly guarded, and investigations were conducted by multiple groups, including members of the Adventurer’s Guild, but the results were fruitless.

"I think the culprit has already escaped," said Evans.

Evans was the head of the Adventurer’s Guild branch in Doomsty City. He was responsible for managing the guild there. Despite being only twenty-seven years old, he was the youngest guild master ever appointed.

He was rather laid-back and didn’t seem too concerned about this incident. His attention was focused elsewhere—on finding a way to defeat the sea monster that had been terrorizing the fishermen. Evans never liked nobles or anyone of that sort.

Delon turned to Evans, narrowing his eyes. "Why do you think that?" he asked.

"It’s been days, and we’ve found nothing. That’s already proof that the killer isn’t in this city anymore," Evans replied. After answering, he stood up. "If that’s all you wanted to discuss, I’m leaving," he said while waving his right hand lazily.

He walked toward the exit, but before he could leave, two soldiers crossed their spears to block his path.

Evans shot a sharp glare at Delon, his eyes filled with killing intent. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"Sit down! I did not permit you to leave this room," Delon ordered.

Evans smirked. "Oh, how impressive you’ve become, Delon. Just because you’re a noble, you think you can boss me around? Have you forgotten that the Adventurer’s Guild and the Everon Kingdom are equals? We’re not under your control. Let me go, or you’ll regret it!" he warned.

Delon clenched his fists, anger rising. The situation was already unstable, and there was a real chance that the next target of the murderer would be him.

Of course, Delon wouldn’t allow that to happen, which was why he wanted to find and execute the culprit as soon as possible. But that was easier said than done.

"Why are you quiet, Delon? Still not letting me go?"

A second later, a staff appeared in Evans’s hand, and mana began to surge through it. If Delon didn’t step aside, Evans would force his way out through violence.

"Let him go!" Delon shouted.

Evans instantly put his weapon away, then continued walking. When he was outside, he turned back toward Delon and smiled—a smile of victory.

"From today on, never come to me again. I won’t help you anymore," said Delon firmly.

Instead of being intimidated, Evans laughed and smiled even wider. He pointed his staff at Delon. At the same time, the soldiers raised their weapons, ready to strike, but Delon quickly stopped them.

"Let him go!" he commanded.

Evans left the place. "See you later, royal lapdogs!" he mocked.