"Check that side! Make sure you check all the luggage and the identification papers everyone is carrying as well. We cannot afford to make a mistake."

The guards spread across everywhere and checked thoroughly for the culprits of the kidnapping incident.

It would not have been so bad if the recipients of this behavior were not the nobles who came here to participate and see the competition.

This felt humiliating for them, but they could not question it. After all, Duke Lockhart's guards were searching for their belongings.

People had reviewees, but they could not open their mouths to speak up, their helplessness adding to the tense atmosphere.

However, among these happenings, one group was more vocal about their displeasure than anyone else. And those were the guards from Duke Lukewater's household.

Daidus watched with hollow eyes as his guards clashed with the other Duke's forces over his luggage being checked, the tension palpable in the air.

He could not argue for this because he understood the grave situation. But everyone else around him thought this was a mistake and too huge an insult to ignore.

'What a waste of breath this is. Can't they all just be quiet and follow the investigation? It can't be that serious of a thing to argue about. Even I am not complaining, and this argument is about me.'

Daidus clutched his head as he looked at his people.

He had tried to speak up before, but the fighting had drowned out his voice. In the end, all he could do was sit down and let these people finish.

Before the fight could get worse, someone gasped, and the young Duke looked up to see the guards escorting the kidnapped people back to the surface.

Among them was a familiar mother-son duo who looked like they had seen better days. But he was not the only familiar face among the people.

As more and more kids were rescued, more and more people from the competition began to show up.

Most of them were commoners who never had a chance to defend themselves and saw this competition as their only salvation.

No one could describe their condition, as most kids could not stand up now.

Daidus felt his food coming back up, and many noble kids behind him vomited out of pure shock at what they saw.

"W-What happened…what is this? Why are some of these people so beaten up?"

Someone asked, but no one answered him. After all, nothing could be said about what was happening.

"Please stay away from here. This area needs to be rechecked for criminals, and people are being rescued every second. We need all the space we can for this."

A guard asked, and people began to step back in shock.

Daidus also did that before he remembered why he had been standing here in the first place.

"Ah, Layla and her maid! Did you find them? Layla is another participant who made it to the finals. But I think she was kidnapped as well and-"

Daidus felt out of breath sooner than he would have liked.

He had not eaten for about a day, and it was beginning to take a toll on him. But the thought of putting food in his mouth felt odd, and he did not want to do it.

"What are you asking about…ah, her-! Yeah, she's fine, kid! I think I know who you are talking about. But you don't need to worry! Lady Layla informed us about what happened and about this kidnapping ring.

According to our intelligence network, Lady Layla is fine and will return here shortly. You can talk to her them."

The guard did not finish speaking when he watched Daidus walk away.

The future, like Duke Lukewater, was too fast and agile. And if his face were too red, the guard would not say anything.

...

"Lady Layla, may we ask what we are doing back here? We have already achieved our goal here, right? There is no need for us to be back here."

Mary asked as she looked at her lady with a surprised expression.

After all, Layla was not one to get hung up on useless matters like these, and she was especially not one to drag things out.

There was no reason for her to be back here already.

But here she was, not only back but also considering something to do here.

"I wouldn't have come back here if this place had no value. But I did see some people here whom I can use in the future. I would like to make acquaintances with them if possible. The future Duke Lukewater can be especially handy if I connect with him."

From what Layla could tell, that kid seemed interested in Layla's abilities. She could use it to make a connection that would last.

She was a little busy thinking, and she did not notice anyone glaring at her with a curious expression on their face.

Layla only realized that something was wrong when she felt a sharp weapon heading her way, and Mary pulled her out of its reach seconds before it touched her neck.

At the same time, Raziel blocked the weapon with a sword Mary had given him, and he made a quick move to counterattack.

"Priestess Cana, stop your attack. How often have I told you not to attack before we confirm our suspicions? You will get us in trouble one of these days."

The lady dressed in a long, flowing white and black cloak stepped back without hesitation.

But despite her ease of backing away, her eyes continued to be hostile as they looked at Layla and her companions.

Layla hesitated to speak up, but her confidence and posture did not change.

She was not going to show her attackers any of her weak side.

Finally, the man who spoke to the sister showed himself. He looked like a young man in his last 20s, but the aura he had around him made him feel older. Layla felt that this man was not who she thought he was.