Chapter 66: Chapter 66

The Lord's Manor at the center of Roland Town was the only building that could compare to the Adventurers' Association in terms of luxury, and some would argue it was even more extravagant.

Baron Rahl, the lord of Roland Town, came from a noble family with considerable wealth. After demonstrating decent magical talent, he gained the favor of Viscount Lawrence and became her prospective son-in-law. Such a person naturally wouldn't cut corners when building his own manor. Rumor had it that constructing this single Lord's Manor cost tens of thousands of gold coins!

It was currently morning, but Baron Rahl wasn't studying magic as usual, nor was he leisurely reclining in his chair enjoying massages from his maids.

This lord, who usually carried an aristocratic air and practically looked down his nose at everyone, now wore an ingratiating smile and stood rather stiffly beside his fiancée.

His noble-born fiancée—Yunis Lawrence, who was accustomed to arrogance and tyranny—also wore what she considered a friendly smile as she nodded respectfully to their distinguished guest.

The visitor wore a purple mage's robe with a wide-brimmed hat. She entered the reception room with complete composure, glancing briefly at the pair before her.

"You're Caroline's daughter?"

Her tone carried little respect for the viscountess, not out of arrogance but because she genuinely had the standing to do so.

As the magical genius who emerged only once in a century for the kingdom, Flora had become a mentor at the Doria Kingdom's National Magic Academy—the Saint Anthony Magic Academy—by the mere age of 21.

Such a figure commanded respect not just from viscounts, but even counts would have to treat her with deference.

This was exactly why Rahl was so nervous. He knew perfectly well that this woman hadn't come to their backwater town for vacation... but to demand answers!

"Yes, Lady Flora, may I ask—"

"Let's skip the pleasantries."

Flora felt nauseated seeing Caroline's affected mannerisms, recalling how just days ago she had ordered her guards to kill commoners who had been bumped into on the street.

"You should know perfectly well why I'm here."

Flora sat in a chair, tapping her fingers on the table. "A student from my class has gone missing in your town..."

The Saint Anthony Academy always emphasized the unity of knowledge and practice, not limiting itself to mere theoretical teaching. Beyond regular practical magic classes, after students completed their studies, they would be assigned a graduation project requiring them to venture into monster gathering areas like the Roland Forest for training.

This teaching method had proven quite effective. Many students successfully advanced to official mages during their training and subsequently demonstrated stronger practical combat skills than other mages in their professional careers.

While accidents could happen during such training, the academy had taken precautions. Besides repeatedly warning students not to venture too deep into monster territories, they also provided certain protective measures when students left campus. As long as students didn't deliberately seek death, they were generally safe.

This had indeed been the case—no accidents had occurred for over a decade.

But this time, something had gone wrong, and it involved someone from her class.

For Flora, who had just become an academy mentor, this was somewhat of a stain on her record, and many jealous individuals had seized upon it to criticize her. For origınal chapters go to Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Thus, Flora carried some resentment on this trip, especially since she already disliked nobles like the Lawrences with their notorious reputations.

When had Caroline ever been spoken to in such a tone? But constrained by the other's status, she could only force a smile and endure. "Regarding the disappearance of your academy's student, we deeply regret it. However, this was ultimately your academy's training strategy. Shouldn't the local lord be held responsible for accidents that occur?"

"I'm not blaming you for the incident itself..."

Flora spread her hands. "But after my student lost contact, I sent magical messages notifying you to assist in the investigation. According to kingdom regulations, this falls within your responsibilities. Yet ten full days passed without any response."

After arriving in this town, she discovered that this lord hadn't taken any measures—not even posting relevant tasks—and seemed to be deliberately suppressing related information behind the scenes. This was the true source of her anger.

Various signs suggested that her student might not have simply encountered an accident during adventure, but that other possibilities existed...

Baron Rahl wiped sweat from his forehead and forced an explanation: "Recently, goblin numbers have surged around town, so the guards have devoted most of their energy to suppressing them. We truly haven't had the capacity—"

Flora's voice grew colder. "But I heard that your town guards haven't entered the forest at all. Instead, you've been forcibly conscripting numerous innocent commoners to their deaths?"

"That... those are just rumors—"

"Not rumors. I witnessed it with my own eyes."

Flora slapped the table, staring directly at him. "Tell me, what are you so nervous about?"

Caroline narrowed her eyes. So it was her who posted that mission at the Adventurers' Association.

Flora hadn't arrived at the agreed time but had come to Roland Town several days early. Ridiculously, that fool Rahl had been completely unaware of her presence until she herself arrived!

This teaching method had proven quite effective. Many students successfully advanced to formal mage status during their training and subsequently demonstrated stronger practical combat skills than other mages in their professional careers.

She stopped Rahl from speaking, forcing an increasingly strained smile. "Regardless, this matter has nothing to do with Roland Town. If Lady Flora needs to investigate this, we can of course provide assistance. But without evidence, please refrain from making baseless speculation. As for other aspects of town affairs unrelated to this matter, we certainly don't need you meddling!"

The room temperature suddenly rose.

Flames coiled around Flora's body, and the desktop beneath her slender right hand visibly began to melt at a rapid pace.

But ultimately, she did nothing. She simply stood up and said calmly, "Even your mother wouldn't speak to me in that tone."

She turned and left the reception room. As she stepped through the doorway, Flora looked back one last time, giving her a deep look. "You'd better hope I don't find any evidence..."

As the figure receded into the distance, Rahl gasped for air like a drowning man finally rescued.

"Look at your pathetic appearance!"

Caroline frowned, looking at her fiancé with complete disgust.

"Caroline, what should we do next?"

Rahl didn't take offense, merely shrinking his neck and asking quietly.

"Don't call me by my first name directly!"

Caroline scolded him before continuing, "There's nothing to fear. Without evidence, she can't do anything to us. We just need to cooperate superficially... Haven't you already made arrangements? Let her discover what we want her to find."

"Even if there are suspicious aspects, we just need to keep her investigation focused on the periphery of the Roland Forest... Ultimately, this student's matter isn't important. But Mother's plan must not be exposed under any circumstances!"

Rahl stammered, somewhat afraid to look at her.