Morning had finally arrived in Hazelbrow City. The citizens slowly began leaving their homes and heading toward their daily work. Stalls and markets were gradually erected along the streets while carriages continuously moved throughout the city roads.

Meanwhile, in the center of the city, inside the mayor’s mansion, Lord Bolton was currently enjoying breakfast together with his family inside the dining room.

Fresh bread covered with jam and warm waffles were their usual morning meals. Several maids stood quietly at the side, ready to serve at any moment.

Suddenly, loud commotion erupted from outside the dining room, immediately ruining the peaceful atmosphere. Lord Bolton frowned in annoyance.

"What is all that noise this early in the morning?!" Someone go check it." He snapped.

One of the maids quickly nodded and walked toward the door.

Bang!!

However, before she could even touch the handle, the door was violently kicked open. A group of soldiers wearing yellow armor immediately stormed into the room and surrounded Lord Bolton with their blades pointed directly at him. Bolton’s wives instantly pulled their children close in fear.

"What the hell are you doing?! Do you fools realize you’re standing inside the residence of the mayor of this city?! Have all of you grown tired of keeping your heads attached to your necks?!" Bolton roared furiously as his face turned red with anger while veins bulged across his forehead.

"We are placing you under arrest as the primary suspect behind the illegal monster trade operating within this city. We ask that you come with us peacefully and without resistance." Raeburn stated firmly.

"Suspect in illegal trading?" Bolton sneered mockingly.

"Do you even have proof? And more importantly, do you actually possess the authority and warrant required to charge me?"

Within the Kingdom of Cyden, nobles were governed under a completely different legal system compared to commoners. While commoners followed the standard laws of the kingdom, nobles possessed special protections based on rank and status.

To officially arrest or convict a noble, authorization was required from another noble of at least one rank higher. For example, a Baron required approval from a Count. A Count required authorization from a Marquis. And so forth.

Because of this system, many nobles frequently escaped punishment for their crimes through connections and alliances with higher-ranking nobles.

Bolton sneered confidently, believing he could easily escape the situation. But he was wrong.

"You are under arrest under the authority of Count Tristan Van Labre, Count of Oaken."

A cold female voice suddenly heard. Bolton’s expression instantly changed in shock as Aria stepped forward from behind the soldiers and stood directly before him. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I am exercising the authority granted to me as the second heir of House Labre. My father has entrusted me with full authority regarding this matter. Therefore, my words represent the direct authority of the Count himself."

She then raised the official seal of House Labre toward Bolton.

Bolton became completely speechless after seeing the seal. It was unquestionably authentic. Left with no other choice, he reluctantly followed the soldiers and was escorted toward a carriage outside.

However, the moment he stepped inside, his eyes widened in shock. Lord Chabot and Lord Wigan were already sitting there under guard.

"Y-You two are here too...?" Bolton asked in disbelief.

"Looks like Helton sold us out. We’re finished." Wigan said with darkened face.

"I already warned both of you not to work with him. That man was suspicious from the very beginning." Chabot said angrily

"Then where is he now? Did they capture him already?" Bolton quickly asked.

"It seems they still don’t know Helton is involved. That bastard is extremely good at hiding his identity. But if I end up getting punished, I’ll make sure he goes to hell together with us." Chabot’s face twisted with fury.

---

Helton was currently inside a room within his mansion. The entire place was in complete disarray. Broken bottles littered the floor while overturned furniture and scattered objects filled the room. Even the walls were stained red from wine he had angrily thrown earlier.

Helton grabbed another bottle before taking a large gulp from it and wiping his mouth roughly afterward.

"Everything is ruined. Everything! It’s all because of that damned boy! I’ll make sure he dies by my hands one day. I’ll rebuild everything from the beginning, and after that, I’ll hunt him down." He slowly calmed himself before taking another drink.

"For now, I just need to lay low for a while. I’m certain I didn’t leave behind any evidence pointing toward me. Those three idiot nobles will probably mention my name eventually. But without proof, they have absolutely nothing to charge me with. Hehehe..." Helton laughed softly.

As Helton continued drinking, sudden knocks echoed from outside the door.

"What do you want?! Didn’t I already say not to disturb me?! Get lost!" Helton shouted angrily.

"B-But, my lord, there are people asking to meet you. And they’re already inside your office room."

"Then throw them out!" Helton frowned in irritation.

"T-They said they are... the Apostles."

The moment he heard the word ’Apostles’, Helton instantly froze. His expression changed completely. He knew exactly who they were.

Without wasting another second, he immediately stood up and walked toward the door. After opening it, he stopped beside the terrified maid before whispering urgently.

"Get everyone out of this mansion immediately. Bring my wife and children far away from here. Now!"

The maid immediately bowed repeatedly in panic before running quickly through the hallway.

Helton slowly walked toward his office room. For some reason, the hallway felt unusually long today. Each step he took felt heavier than before. Soon, he finally arrived before the office door.

His hand slowly grabbed the doorknob. Helton took a deep breath before pushing the door open. Inside the room, he saw them.

The Apostles.

One of them was a woman calmly sitting on the sofa at the center of the room. She possessed long pitch-black hair and dark eyes completely devoid of light, as though no emotion existed within them.

Meanwhile, another figure stood silently before Helton’s desk. He had an unusually tall and thin body. An eyeless mask completely covered his face while a hood concealed most of his head.

Both of them wore the black and white robes, Robes of Light and Darkness, the symbolic robes worn only by the Apostles.

"It seems you have failed, Helton." The woman slowly turned her head toward him as she spoke. Her expression was completely cold and emotionless.

The pressure from her gaze alone was enough to make Helton’s back drenched in sweat. If looks alone could kill someone, Helton felt he would already be dead by now.