Capture, Part One

Phil looked up at Sean in shock upon hearing his proposal. Alice, standing to one side, looked delighted, as if she wished she could immediately accept on behalf of her younger brother Phil.

Becoming Sean's Noble Servant would certainly cost them their freedom, but for the siblings, it was also an opportunity to completely change their fate. As for how to choose, that depended on Phil himself.

"Think carefully about my proposal. Give me your answer this evening..." With that, Sean rose to leave. Before opening the door, he turned to Alice and said, "I'll give you ten minutes to speak with your brother alone. I'll wait outside..." Then Sean left the Detention Room with Thor.

After a while, Alice and Phil emerged from the Detention Room together, their eyes red. Several prison guards immediately stepped forward and led Phil away. Seeing Alice's anxious expression, Sean reassured her, "Don't worry. I've already told them to take care of him..."

Upon hearing that, Alice quickly came before Sean. With respectful yet joyful emotion in her voice, she said, "Thank you, my lord. Thank you for giving my brother such an opportunity..." Then, somewhat bashfully, she explained, "I've already explained what happened before... He will definitely agree. He will... He won't disappoint you."

Sean waved a hand, cutting Alice off. He turned and left the prison with Thor, beckoning Alice to come along as well. As they walked, Sean suddenly turned to Alice and said, "Miss Alice, I have a job that may suit you. You can consider it too..." He had suddenly remembered that the residence he had purchased still lacked a caretaker, and he had also heard that Alice was not particularly safe in the slums.

"Ah... Thank you, my lord. May I ask what sort of job it is?" Caught off guard by Sean's words, Alice was somewhat flustered and instinctively asked.

"I have a residence in the West City District, and Thor is the only one living there now." Sean smiled, pointing at Torr beside him before continuing, "Obviously, Torr isn't very qualified for the job. I need someone to clean, cook, and manage the courtyard."

Torr was somewhat embarrassed by Sean's words. He usually even ate his meals at the Barracks. That said it all...

"Thank you, my lord... Thank you, my lord..." Unable to suppress her excitement, Alice repeated emotionally.

"You can move in once you've packed your personal belongings. I think Torr will be willing to help arrange it for you..." Sean smiled at her. Seeing Torr nod in understanding, he continued with a smile, "That way, you won't suffer some accident in the slums..."

"Besides, you can bring your younger brothers with you as well... The rooms are all empty anyway..." As Sean finished with a smile, he saw gratitude appear on Alice's face, along with the expression of someone secretly breathing a sigh of relief. Sean had made this decision solely because he wanted to do her a favor; he had no other intentions.

Soon, the three of them arrived outside the prison gates. Sean mounted his horse, intending to return to the Barracks and arrange the arrests. He told Torr to take Alice home and have her pack her luggage and other belongings so she could take up the position of caretaker at Sean's residence at any time.

After returning to the Barracks, Sean immediately headed to Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office. After Sergeant Jason announced him at the door, Sean entered Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office. Lieutenant Colonel Merkel was seated behind his desk, smiling and beckoning Sean over.

"My lord, I have come to report and seek your instructions," Sean said with a smile as he stood before the desk.

"You brat, cut that out. Sit down and have some tea..." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel laughed and scolded him. He even personally poured Sean a cup of tea and handed it over. Then, noticing Sean's somewhat serious expression, he asked with a smile, "What? Is something actually wrong...?"

Sean immediately gave Lieutenant Colonel Merkel a brief report on the young Phil and Boar Bill, who had extorted and coerced him into stealing. After a pause, he submitted his plan to arrest Boar Bill and his gang for approval. Finally, he grinned as he requested an additional company of soldiers for the operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Merkel was considering the pros and cons of the matter when he heard Sean's request for another company of soldiers. With a laugh, he scolded, "You brat, all you do is give me trouble. Fine... This afternoon, I'll have Jason take some men to find you."

Ever since Sean had joined the Garrison, he had often met and exchanged pleasantries with Lieutenant Colonel Merkel. They had also sparred more than once, so Lieutenant Colonel Merkel had gained a fairly comprehensive understanding of Sean. He especially approved of Sean's mature way of thinking and formidable knightly strength, which greatly increased Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's regard and indulgence toward him. Lieutenant Colonel Merkel had no doubt that, given Sean's cautious nature and formidable knightly strength, he would have a bright future in the Imperial Army.

Afterward, Sean and Lieutenant Colonel Merkel drank tea while chatting about other matters. The atmosphere was relaxed, and time passed slowly. It was not until lunch was approaching that Sean smiled and took his leave.

The main reason Sean had gone after Boar Bill, whom no one had ever seen, was to make him take the blame. If anyone investigated the matter later, Sean could simply identify him as the mastermind. Of course, Sean also knew that Lieutenant Colonel Merkel had arranged for Sergeant Jason to lead the men assisting him because he hoped Jason's extensive experience would help Sean successfully complete the arrests.

This showed Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's concern and care for Sean. Sean clearly understood that it was because of his promising and bright future. In any world, there was no love or hate without reason; behind it all lay only interests. The noble class of this world had perfected the art of exchanging benefits, and Sean had been born as one of them. He had to master it as well, so that he could obtain greater power within the Empire's system.

Sean, as a transmigrator, naturally lacked a sense of security. Only by constantly strengthening his own power and influence could he truly protect himself. He could gain strength by his own efforts, but influence could only be obtained through the existing system.

In his previous life, Sean had read many novels. He deeply despised those protagonists who were clearly still weak, yet jumped around and shouted about defying the heavens, practically wanting to announce it to the world. He considered such behavior idiotic. In any world, when one lacked the strength to change the rules, one could only try to adapt to them and integrate into them. Before that, any unconventional or provocative behavior would be met with extremely brutal suppression. In serious cases, it could even endanger one's own life and the lives of one's friends and family. In Sean's view, that was exceedingly unwise. He shook his head, putting an end to his wandering thoughts.

After lunch, Sean found Sergeant Donnie. He told him that he and the company soldiers were needed for the gang arrest operation, and ordered him to lead two squads of soldiers in closely monitoring the gang members who needed to be arrested.

At three in the afternoon, Sergeant Donnie took Sean's signed orders and led twenty soldiers from two squads out of the Barracks. According to the plan, he would first go to the prison to bring out young Phil, then use Phil's guidance to identify the targets' locations in advance.

Naturally, Boar Bill and his subordinates could be considered minor influential figures in the slums. Soldiers had long possessed a certain understanding of them, and some had even dealt with important members of their gang.

Sergeant Jason specifically sought out several such soldiers and came early to help Sean refine the arrest plan. Then, following Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's orders, he led a company of soldiers to rendezvous with Sean.

At four in the afternoon, Sean led fully armed soldiers toward the slums in South City, with Torr and Sergeant Jason at his side. Most people on the streets were civilians returning home. Seeing Sean's large force pass by, they hurriedly moved to the roadside in fear.

The slums of Linshui City were roughly the same as those of other cities. The moment one entered, one was greeted by a nauseating stench. The chaotic, narrow streets were muddy and filthy; all manner of rubbish floated in the roadside sewage pits, while the densely packed alleys were havens for trash and excrement. Looking around, Sean saw low, dilapidated wooden houses scattered unevenly throughout the slums.

Sean quickly found the soldiers who had been deployed in advance. After receiving a report from a soldier dressed as an ordinary civilian, Sean learned that Boar Bill had taken more than ten subordinates to young Phil's home. He was likely going there to extort and blackmail him. Most of his other subordinates were in their hideout, a two-story house near the docks.

"Sergeant Jason, take a company of soldiers and strike directly at their hideout... Make sure none of them escape..." Sean ordered Sergeant Jason, who was beside him. After a pause, he added, "I'll take the remaining soldiers to arrest their leader."

"Yes, sir," Sergeant Jason answered immediately. Then he added, "Sir, please be careful..."

"Mm... I will. Once you reach the location, have Sergeant Donnie assist you," Sean said, nodding to show that he understood.

Afterward, Sergeant Jason led a company of soldiers away from Sean and the remaining troops, and each group headed for its target. Sean had the soldier who had reported to him earlier lead the way to young Phil's home.

Meanwhile, Boar Bill and his dozen or so thugs had blocked the entrance to Phil's home. Boar Bill shouted arrogantly, "You little brat Phil, do you think you can run away? Believe it or not, I'll break your legs..." As he spoke, he glared threateningly at Phil, whose face was filled with resentment. Then he looked Alice up and down with a strange gaze. Even though she wore plain, shabby clothing, she still appeared fresh and refined. When she felt his undisguised lecherous stare, chills suddenly ran through Alice's body.