Chapter 337: I Leave It To You
Feeling that they wouldn't need to act in the upcoming matters, the atmosphere at the table instantly became cheerful.
After all, in Alvin and the others' view, they only needed to hand the Count over to Master Serie. Once the true mastermind was interrogated, it would be time for Master Serie and Lord Rhodes to forcefully punish all the petty villains.
And they only needed to stand in the back as cheerleaders.
Having figured this out, Alvin and the others stopped worrying about the gazes of pedestrians and instead began arguing over which dish on the table was more delicious.
However, this brief joy didn't last long. Suddenly, a magic circle appeared beside Flamme, emitting a soft glow and accompanied by a slight vibration.
It was a magical message—a spell Rhodes had invented.
Flamme probed it with her spiritual power to read the information. Moments later, her expression became very strange.
Alvin keenly caught the change in Flamme's expression. The unease he had just suppressed resurfaced. He probed tentatively, "Senior Sister Flamme... is there news from the Association?"
Flamme dispersed the magic circle, her gaze sweeping over her junior brothers and sisters. In the steadiest tone possible, she said, "It is a message from Master Serie. A new mission... has arrived."
"Another... another mission?!" Alvin's voice nearly cracked, feeling the expression on his face crumbling.
Not just him—Legolas, Thea, and the others also revealed looks of disbelief.
They had just experienced a perilous battle last night. If not for Flamme's timely intervention, they might have died there. Their nerves hadn't even fully relaxed yet, and now a new mission was lashing at them like a whip?
"Teacher demands that we..." Flamme ignored their wails and announced the mission content directly. "Capture two Counts. The list has been given to me. The process is similar to last time, but with one key difference: after capture, do not bring them back to the Magic Association. Instead, escort them directly to the Imperial Palace and hand them over to His Majesty, Emperor Fidel, for disposal."
This requirement made Flamme frown slightly as she pondered internally.
Why hand them over to Fidel?
According to the two teachers' style, enemies who dared to target them were usually dealt with personally; they rarely acted through others.
Just then, Frieren, who had been sitting quietly beside her, leaned in slightly. In a voice only the two of them could hear, she whispered, "Master, could it be... that Lord Serie and Lord Rhodes have reached a tacit understanding with the Emperor? Handing over the nobles involved in this matter to the Royal Family to handle?"
Frieren's words instantly reminded Flamme.
The more she thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
Yes, with the teachers' capabilities, they couldn't just consider simple revenge. After all, the nominal highest authority in this capital was the Emperor.
Moreover, considering he was the descendant of the Holy King Norne, the two teachers would give him some face and not make things too ugly.
Therefore, handing these culprits over to Fidel to handle was a wise choice.
It was also a disguised form of support for him, and the handed-over nobles would become perfect tools for Fidel to kill the chicken to warn the monkey.
"I see... as expected of Teacher!" Flamme understood instantly, deeply admiring the two teachers' layout.
As expected of Master Rhodes, whom I like the most!
As expected of Master Serie, whom I respect the most!
They even considered this point?
However, Alvin and the others sitting opposite her didn't have her analytical ability or open-mindedness. After hearing the new mission content, their faces collapsed instantly, looking ready to cry.
"No way... again?!" Doc couldn't help but wail, his voice full of despair. "We haven't even rested for half a day!"
"Can... can't we change people?" Thea complained in a small voice. "Just relying on us..."
Alvin also had a mournful face, frantically complaining internally: What kind of small fries are we? The five of us combined probably can't even beat a seasoned Second-Class Mage. What right do we have to constantly charge into dangerous missions clearly involving numerous powerful existences?
Seeing their faces looking like they were at a funeral, Flamme offered rare comfort. "Relax. I am here. Your lives won't be in danger. Moreover, this should be an important tempering from Teacher for you. Although the process is dangerous, it will have immeasurable benefits for your future growth."
Alvin and the others weren't fools. Hearing Flamme say this, they naturally realized the intention behind it.
But they still couldn't help wanting to complain: Can't the tempering be something appropriate for our current strength? Like clearing out some low-level monsters or deciphering a few complex spells?
Starting off by kidnapping powerful Imperial Counts, fighting strong guards, and acting under the gaze of the entire city—this difficulty is completely hell-level! Seriously over the syllabus, okay?!
However, Flamme clearly didn't give them more time to complain or digest their emotions.
She tapped the table, pulling everyone's attention back. "The mission has been assigned. There is no room for bargaining. Hurry up."
Just then, Frieren spoke up again, offering a kind reminder. "You had best pay attention to your surroundings. Since we entered the restaurant, there has been more than one group of people monitoring us. They are still here now."
It turned out that although their group had been subjected to countless gazes of curiosity or awe due to last night's events, Frieren keenly sensed that some of the attention was distinctly different.
Their gazes lingered longer and carried clear purpose. Moreover, although these people disguised themselves as passersby or ordinary citizens, their postures and the occasional aura they leaked were completely incompatible with true ordinary people.
Flamme had actually sensed the existence of these watchers long ago.
But she hadn't planned to point it out immediately. Instead, she wanted to see how long it would take for Alvin and the others to discover these people on their own—this was also a test.
However, Frieren's kind reminder disrupted her arrangement. She glanced at her apprentice but said nothing, tacitly accepting it.
With Frieren's clear hint, Alvin and the others shivered internally. They immediately focused, observing their surroundings carefully.
Soon, they successively discovered the watchers disguised in the crowd.
"These guys... could they be sent by those nobles to monitor us?" Alvin lowered his voice, his expression ugly.
Flamme nodded, confirming his guess. "High probability. Your action last night was like poking a hornet's nest directly. After those nobles reacted, they naturally increased their vigilance and tried to grasp our movements."
Legolas couldn't help but complain, "These people are really fast!" His face was full of disbelief. "Isn't the information transmission and reaction speed of this entire capital a bit too exaggerated? We kidnapped a Count last night, and by noon today, not only does the whole city know, but these nobles have already united to send people to tail us? Don't they need to discuss it first?"
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