Two Youths

The officer at the city gate watched Velin gallop toward him, sprang up from his chair, and roared at his men, "Quick, clear the passage! My lord is passing through here."

The few lounging soldiers snapped back to attention and hurriedly drove the commoners and merchants waiting to enter the city to one side, clearing the West City Gate.

Like the wind, Velin rode into the city.

After seeing his lord enter, the gate officer had the soldiers resume inspections and tax collection, then lay back down in his chair to bask in the sun.

After entering Silver Prosperity City, Velin briefly got his bearings and headed for his destination—the Security Department in the West City District.

Soon, an imposing and majestic building appeared before Velin. A guard stationed at the entrance stepped forward, took hold of Velin's mount, and led it to an Open Space nearby, where he brought out fine fodder to restore the horse's strength.

Velin paid no attention to this. He strode straight into the Security Department and had someone summon Beck, the Chief of Public Security.

A moment later, a burly Low-Silver Tier Warrior wearing half armor emerged from a room and saluted Velin, who was only Mid-Bronze Tier. "Young Master Velin, what are your orders?"

"Beck, I came into the city to handle something. I need to borrow a squad of Security Team soldiers from you."

Velin did not beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

After hearing this, Beck immediately called over a warrior and ordered, "Tell Ackerman, Captain of the Sixth Squad, to gather his men at once and assemble in the courtyard."

"Yes, my lord."

After thumping his chest in salute, the warrior immediately ran off.

A few minutes later, a squad of fifteen warriors in iron armor assembled in the courtyard.

A middle-aged man whose strength was close to Velin's stepped forward and thumped his chest in salute to Beck.

"My lord, Ackerman, Captain of the Sixth Squad, reporting for duty."

"Ackerman, from now on, follow Young Master Velin and assist him."

"Yes, my lord." Ackerman turned to Velin and respectfully said, "I await your orders, Young Master Velin."

Velin sized up the weathered warrior from head to toe and nodded in satisfaction. He then bid Chief of Public Security Beck farewell and led fifteen Security Department personnel, all professionals, toward a street in the West City District. He was preparing to crack down on the underworld—and make a little profit for himself while he was at it.

Inside a private residence in the West City District of Silver Prosperity City, several local gang members were conducting a deal with two Black-robed strangers.

"The goods you wanted are in this sack." The gang leader gestured for his subordinate to open the sack, revealing the two youths inside. One had a head of golden hair, while the other had silver hair.

The two Black-robed strangers exchanged glances. One stepped forward to inspect them, and after confirming everything was correct, the other tossed out a Cloth Bag. It hit the ground with the distinctive clink of Gold Coins.

One of the lackeys promptly stepped forward, picked it up, and respectfully placed it in his boss's hands.

"The deal ends here. Everyone, go your—"

Suddenly, the door of the residence was kicked open. A handsome Black-haired man burst inside with a Short Sword in hand and shouted, "There's a mole... no, everyone, drop your weapons! Don't move!"

The two groups that had just completed their deal looked at the uninvited intruder, picked up their weapons, and prepared to teach him a lesson.

Just then, the leading gang boss saw Ackerman following close behind and his expression changed drastically. He roared, "It's the Security Team! Run!"

The moment he finished speaking, the gang boss leaped through the window and fled without a second thought.

A shrill scream rang out from outside, turning the faces of the three gang members who had been about to move deathly pale. Trembling, they dropped their weapons, clasped their hands over their heads, and lay on the ground.

That had been their Elder Brother's scream. He was obviously dead now.

The two Black-robed strangers took several steps back and drew the sharp swords they carried, intending to resist to the end.

Seeing this, Velin waved for Ackerman not to interfere. He intended to deal with the two himself.

Gripping his Short Sword tightly, he used the cramped space in the room to dispatch the pair in just a few moves.

Standing nearby, Ackerman watched Velin's entire battle. It had been simple, direct, and utterly decisive, drawing a cry of admiration from him.

"Young Master Velin, excellent swordsmanship."

"You flatter me."

Velin shook the blood from his blade and sheathed it. He then walked over to the corpse of one of the Black Robes and removed the masks from both of them.

Who exactly were they, acting so mysteriously?

At the same time, Ackerman stepped forward curiously. When he saw the Black Clover Mark on the foreheads of the Black Robes, his expression changed drastically.

"Young Master Velin, these two bodies are connected to some important matters. Could you hand them over to us?"

"Take them if you want. This is what I came for."

Velin walked over to the sack and examined the two handsome youths. They matched the information he had received.

What surprised him was that both had Slave Marks on their foreheads.

Velin did not waste any more time. He picked up the two youths and left the place.

As he passed through the doorway, the Security Team soldiers looked at Velin carrying the two handsome youths and began whispering among themselves.

"Young Master Velin came all the way here. Could it be for these twin youths?"

"Probably. I heard some noble lords have..."

Ackerman walked out of the room, looked at his gossiping subordinates, and barked, "Shut up, all of you. Take these people back."

The men who had been about to continue their discussion immediately shut their mouths, lowered their heads, and went to work.

Meanwhile, Velin placed the two youths on his mount and swung himself into the saddle. Just as he was about to leave, Ackerman approached with a bag of Gold Coins and respectfully asked, "Young Master Velin, these are the confiscated Gold Coins. You..."

"You divide them among yourselves. I don't need them. Consider it compensation for the brothers' hard work."

"Thank you, Young Master Velin!" the other Security Team members said excitedly upon hearing this.

After returning to Windsor Castle, Velin put his mount back in the Stable, then carried the two youths to his room.

Along the way, the servants who saw Velin holding the two youths were greatly surprised, but none dared discuss it.

In the Castle, casually talking about the master's affairs was a good way to get oneself killed.

After entering his room, Velin placed the two youths on the bed. After waiting for a while and seeing no sign of either waking up, he turned and left, intending to visit Elder Miller first and seek advice on a good direction for development.

After a fairly long journey, Velin arrived at the entrance to the Underground Fortress. He handed his weapons to the guards at the door and, after being searched, was allowed to proceed underground.

He looked at the dim tunnel, its walls engraved with the names and deeds of Ex Family members who had made outstanding contributions.

As a family with a seven-hundred-year legacy, the Ex Family now possessed five counts, seventeen viscounts, and thirty-three barons.

Everything had its hierarchy. Velin's branch happened to be the main line of the Ex Family, while the other four counts headed branch lines. Together, they formed the vast Ex Family.

All these glorious achievements were thanks to the family precepts established by the Ex Family's founding generation, which had driven the entire family to keep forging ahead and attain its present glory.

Within the Ilia Kingdom, the power represented by the Ex Family was unquestionably first among count-level forces, even stronger than some marquis-level powers.

Because it had not yet met the requirement of an eight-hundred-year legacy, it could not be promoted to a marquis family within the Kingdom.

Of course, if the Ex Family produced a Legendary expert, it would automatically bypass this restriction and become an exalted ducal family.

After descending a mile-long staircase, Velin arrived at a brightly lit archive room. Seeing the old man beside it dozing off, Velin quietly approached and waited in silence for him to wake.