No matter how much Loren pleaded, the doors of the Viscount's mansion slammed shut.
After that, Loren's desperate screams abruptly ceased.
Clearly, Loren realized that Viscount Gasco was serious this time.
He had truly abandoned him over a mere eighty thousand gold coins.
But Loren no longer had the energy to dwell on anything else.
The other merchants from the guild had already surrounded him.
"Steward Loren, right?"
"You really have quite the appetite!"
Seeing the merchants closing in, Loren's eyes were filled with despair.
These merchants had traveled far and wide and were all trained warriors.
Even the weakest among them were at least third-level fighters.
And Loren, as the steward of Viscount Gasco's mansion, spent his days managing the vast estate. Where would he find time to train?
Even if he had some past strength, decades of neglect had eroded it.
"Wait, I still have money…"
"Hah? Steward Loren, do you think we care about your little stash?"
"Wait!"
Just as the merchants were preparing to strike Loren, the white-haired elder spoke.
While the merchants surrounded Loren, the elder had gathered all the coins Gasco had tossed to the ground and placed them back into a gray money pouch.
"This is Viscount Gasco's estate. We cannot act here."
"Take him away. Once we are out of here, we'll make sure to avenge Guild President Netron properly."
"Understood."
The merchants nodded.
Indeed, no matter how much Loren deserved it, he was still the Viscount's steward. Although he had been dismissed, attacking him right in front of the mansion would be disrespectful to Viscount Gasco.
Following the elder's suggestion, two of the stronger merchants approached Loren, each taking one of his arms and lifting him up.
"Please, Steward Loren."
Inside the mansion, Gasco did not move away. He stood behind the gates, listening to the conversation outside.
Once the merchants had carried Loren away, Gasco waved his hand, and a squad of guards quickly formed in front of him.
"Viscount Gasco."
"Hmm. Lyle, Steward Loren has just gone missing, and along with him, the twenty thousand gold coins from the treasury."
"I suspect Loren colluded with outsiders to steal from the Viscount's mansion."
"Take a squad and bring Loren and his accomplices back to me."
"Remember, I want them dead."
"Yes, Viscount Gasco."
…
"I see… the mysteries of the soul are truly intoxicating."
In his secluded chamber in Locke City, the Grand Duke Locke opened his eyes, excitement practically spilling from them.
Using "sorrow" as a trigger, he could now sense other emotions within his own soul.
This meant that Locke's mastery over the soul had improved significantly.
Most notably, he felt a qualitative increase in his control over spiritual power.
Entering a state of "Heaven and Human Unity," Locke could now perceive the emotions of everyone in the mansion.
That maid is anxious; that guard is angry; the children playing in the courtyard are carefree…
Through this perception, Locke could easily judge a person's state from the emotions expressed by their soul, even though it was not true "mind-reading."
What surprised Locke even more was that his ability to sense "emotions" surpassed the awareness he had in his previous "Heaven and Human Unity" state.
This meant that, in some way, Locke's soul power had exceeded the embryonic spiritual awareness typical of even the Sanctuary state.
Suddenly, Locke paused.
Exiting the "Heaven and Human Unity" state, he opened the training chamber door.
This time, he did not conceal himself.
The guards at the door immediately noticed him.
"Lord Locke, you've emerged from seclusion?"
"I shall report to Lord Cole immediately, please…"
The two guards bowed quickly. One guard's words were abruptly cut off when the other lightly tapped him.
"Lord Locke, please forgive him; this one is new…"
Hearing this, the first guard paled in terror.
He immediately dropped to his knees, bowing and crying, "I am guilty! I am guilty!"
Though Lord Cole had governed Locke City for decades, the territory was called Locke Domain.
The city was called Locke City.
This mansion was called Locke Mansion.
Its master was the Grand Duke Locke!
Yet this guard had referred to Lord Cole as if he were the master of Locke City, intending to wait for Cole's summons instead of Locke's.
Even without being in the "Heaven and Human Unity" state, Locke could sense the guard's fear due to his mastery over the soul.
"All right, rise."
Locke had never cared much for such things. To him, strength was the greatest guarantee of survival.
Titles and status were merely derivatives of power.
When one is strong, authority and status come effortlessly.
But if one indulges in the pleasures of power while neglecting strength, it is all an illusion.
Encountering someone stronger, who decides to make you part of their enjoyment, and everything you have is instantly gone.
Locke had no interest in the petty schemes of these guards.
After letting the kneeling guard rise, Locke ignored him and walked along the corridor toward the direction where he had sensed Cole.
This time, Locke did not hide his aura. By the time he reached the audience hall, Cole, sensing him, was already coming toward him.
"Big brother, you've emerged from seclusion."
Cole's face was full of joy, happy to see Locke.
However, Locke did not sense any "happiness" or "joy" in Cole's soul.
Instead, there were more emotions of "fear," "anxiety," and "worry."
(End of Chapter)
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