Arresting People

The old mage stroked his beard. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I won't be able to catch anyone if I go with you?"

"That's not what I mean. If this really involves the local lord or the military, an Association elder's status carries more deterrent force."

Janvito did not say much more. "Go on, but don't forget to send someone back with word."

"Alright, let's go."

The group adjusted its lineup. Wu Heng, Tapani, and the others left and headed for the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate.

On the battleship.

The Fifth Princess stood on the deck, her arms resting against the railing as she looked toward Netarei City. Her long golden hair flowed loose in the wind.

She had been away from the Yeke Kingdom for several months.

Now that she had returned, she had never expected Netarei City—the city that had once been the most prosperous and controlled the kingdom's primary maritime trade—to have become like this.

It was like a city of death, bleak and lifeless.

She did not know what Treasure Island had been like in the past, but the current Netarei City was certainly no match for Treasure Island.

One was becoming increasingly prosperous, while the other was steadily declining.

They were heading in completely opposite directions.

"Could it really be connected to Netarei City?" the Fifth Princess muttered.

She had absolute admiration and trust for Island Master Wu Heng.

Yet she still worried that the investigation would truly uncover connections to Netarei City's officials.

If that were true, then the rot had reached the roots. It would be beyond saving.

"Brittany, what are you doing?" Philippa approached from behind with some fruit in hand, then looked into the distance as well.

"Looking at the scenery."

Philippa handed her a piece of