A Small Staff Officer

The secret talks and cooperation between [White Wolf] Bazel and Princess Oma Ymir had initially reached a preliminary understanding.

As for the minor scuffles on the second floor of the tavern, they didn't even catch the attention of the two important figures.

But no one expected that the Poison Gas Bomb on Rein would suddenly detonate.

Although this level of toxin posed little threat to top experts like them who had unlocked five gene chains, the explosion triggered a chain reaction.

Outside, the several top experts from the Oma Royal Concession, who were lying in wait for a signal, immediately noticed the abnormal explosion in the "Hyacinth Tavern."

According to intelligence, only the Princess and Bazel were having secret talks in that tavern.

They couldn't help but imagine that this strange explosion must have been caused by some unforeseen change.

Even though they hadn't seen the signal to act, they decided to move immediately.

The next moment, the auras of several lurking experts erupted, and they advanced rapidly.

For "Werewolves," a magical demi-human race with exceptionally keen danger perception, this commotion was like the sudden burst of the sun in the night sky, stinging their eyes.

With the sudden emergence of multiple top experts' auras, was the situation still unclear?

[White Wolf] Bazel felt that if he harbored any more hopes, he'd be a complete idiot!

Therefore, he decided to strike first.

The werewolf's perception allowed him to detect the commotion outside before Ymir. Just as Ymir was completely unprepared, he suddenly attacked, transforming into a werewolf and ambushing the Grand Princess of the Oma Empire.

This led to the exaggerated scene Rein witnessed, with more than half of the tavern being blown apart.

"Is this what the top experts who have unlocked five gene chains in this world are like? Terrifying."

Looking at the ruins before him, Rein's eyelids twitched violently.

The power of this single blow was equivalent to a man-portable rocket launcher from his previous life.

Rein also never expected that by sheer coincidence, in the very tavern where Piscis intended to harm him, he would encounter the leader of the phantom thief world's ceiling, the "White Wolf Bandit Group," [White Wolf] Bazel.

Even more coincidentally, he seemed to have inexplicably gotten caught up in some major event.

As expected, his luck after transmigrating was as bad as ever.

Rein had a look of utter despair and grumbled inwardly.

Thinking back carefully, weren't these two, the man and the woman, the suspicious customers from the corner of the shop earlier?

But he also felt curious. If this majestic silver giant wolf was Bazel, then who was the injured woman?

She must also be a top expert to have survived this blow without dying.

Rein didn't need to guess.

Soon, the identity of this woman was revealed.

In the blink of an eye after the explosion, several whooshing sounds were heard, and flashes of light appeared.

In another blink, Rein saw several people appear on the street near the tavern.

A greatsword knight clad in full heavy armor, an old man in black robes holding a staff, a cloaked man hiding his face, and a "tall, rich, and handsome" young man surrounded by several guards.

It wasn't that Rein recognized the young man, but rather that the guy's attire was too eye-catching, making it hard not to guess that his identity must be very noble.

The young man had dashing blond hair, blue eyes, and sword-like eyebrows. He wore a half-face gas mask made of pure gold. His high-quality leather boots were exquisitely crafted, and he wore an aristocratic black formal suit. The double-breasted pure gold buttons on his chest were all engraved with golden griffins.

Having the right to put the exclusive crest of the royal Spurglin family on his buttons, the young man's identity was not hard to guess.

"Someone from the Oma royalty?"

Seeing the blond man's attire, Rein guessed the identity of the newcomers, but his brow furrowed in an instant.

He wouldn't be surprised to encounter these people anywhere else.

But how did they end up at the phantom thieves' "Black Market Trade Fair"?

Walking into the tiger's den?

Even though these people looked like big shots, it wasn't as if they could boldly enter the bandits' stronghold!

Clearly, [White Wolf] Bazel thought the same.

Being schemed against on his own turf, could this silver wolf's temper tolerate it?

"Blackmoss, you old fellow actually came? I thought you'd die of old age in the Oma Imperial Capital."

Bazel saw the old man with the staff, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his wolf eyes.

After all, this man, who was as famous as himself as one of the "Top Ten Legendary Demon Hunters," [Enma] Blackmoss Zacharia, was the top expert in the field of elemental mages.

"Bazel, the last time we met was ten years ago. It seems your temper hasn't changed. You werewolves have long lives; it's truly an enviable talent."

Blackmoss's demonic energy surged, and from afar, his black mage robe looked like a raging hellfire, giving off a scorching, destructive aura even from a distance.

Bazel sneered and asked in a deep voice, "What, you couldn't settle it ten years ago, and you want to try again today?"

Hearing this, the court grand mage shook his head and calmly replied, "His Highness the First Prince wants to quell the banditry, and as his teacher, I naturally have to do my humble part, even if it costs this old bone."

"Heh?"

As if hearing something ridiculous, Bazel let out a cold snort.

At this moment, he finally glanced at the young man wearing a golden gas mask and said in an exaggerated tone, "Oh, look who it is? Prince Quentin Spurglin of Oma himself has arrived. Should I, Bazel, be honored?"

In the face of absolute strength, the noble status did not make Bazel pay any extra attention.

Hearing the contemptuous tone, the First Prince did not speak. His arrogant gaze seemed to make him feel that even talking to such a lowly bandit was an insult.

The atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment.

Just then, the man in the black robe beside Quentin took a step forward and said with a relaxed smile, "Lord Bazel, there's no need to stall. Your subordinates have arrived, but they won't be able to save you."

"Oh?"

His intentions being seen through, Bazel sneered, completely unconcerned.

Instead, a mocking expression appeared on his silver wolf face as he glanced at them, "Do you all really think you've got me cornered? Do you think my 'White Wolf Gang' and these hundreds of thousands of brothers are just for show?"

It wasn't that he was overconfident, but that it was the truth.

Even if the few people on the opposite side were top-tier enforcers of the Oma court, it would be impossible for them to kill him in a short amount of time.

But if a fight were to break out, would his "White Wolf Gang" brothers stand by and do nothing?

Did they really think these more than a hundred thousand ruthless bandits were made of clay?

"That... Lord Bazel, the reason we're talking so much is probably because our thoughts are aligned. We're actually waiting for your subordinates to come and support you."

The man in the black robe shrugged noncommittally, making no attempt to hide anything.

Then, in the most nonchalant tone, he uttered the most domineering sentence.

"After all, we originally planned to catch you all in one net today!"

What?!

Hearing this, Bazel's pupils constricted sharply, and he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

He looked left and right. Could it be that the Oma royal army's main force had surrounded them? That wasn't right... They chose this location by Storm Lake, which had open terrain. Even with a large army, it would be impossible to encircle them.

Where was this guy's confidence coming from?

He stared with his silver eyes at the black-robed man who had just "bragged" and asked cautiously, "Who are you, sir?"

The hood of the black-robed man's robe had always covered half his face, only revealing the slight upturn of his lips, carrying a hint of devilish charm. "I am Clemens F. Metternich, merely a small aide to His Highness Quentin. Nothing worth mentioning..."

Thanks to 'Mitu Shang Da Da', '160121142651246', and 'Feng Ling Shi Wu' for their generous support, thank you.