Captured

A wizard apprentice's mental power was so slight that it could not leave the body. Only at higher levels could it extend as far as objects touched by one's limbs. Thus, a wizard apprentice's combat strength was pitifully low.

However, wizards had never focused on the physical body or combat to begin with. It was perfectly normal for beginner and intermediate apprentices to possess no fighting power.

Wizards focused on comprehending nature and uncovering its laws; combat was merely incidental.

After thinking these matters over, Dole relaxed and began putting away his tools. Once everything was ready, it was time for breakfast.

Chief Steward Harley was not around that morning. After Dole and the others finished eating, they each went to their assigned tasks, which had already been distributed the day before.

A squad of detectives and city guards stormed into the smithy through the entrance. At their head was Chief Dis, the man responsible for this district. He swept his gaze over everyone forging iron, then looked toward Dole, who was helping Verek.

He pointed at Dole, his face expressionless. "Arrest him."

Everyone in the smithy immediately stopped what they were doing, unable to make sense of what was happening. Verek swiftly stepped forward and blocked the passage by the forge, saying loudly, "Chief, please wait. Whatever this is about, let's discuss it after our manager Harley returns."

The detectives and city guards paid no heed to Verek's obstruction. They closed in from all directions and surrounded Dole.

How could Dole not know what was going on by now? This was surely Aoduo and his son pulling strings again. They wanted him dead. The moment he saw the chief and Fele, his heart sank.

He shouted, "May I ask, Chief, what crime have I committed?"

Dis gave a cold snort. "You are suspected of assaulting and crippling another person. Isn't that charge enough? That's enough talk. Take him away."

Dole immediately panicked. If they caught him, would there be any coming back from it? He darted out to the side at once, trying to flee into the distance.

Once someone entered the police station, wasn't it whatever they said it was? That was a bloody lesson countless people had learned.

But his attempt to escape was futile. Before long, four or five detectives had hemmed him into a tiny encirclement.

One detective threw a punch at his head. Dole tilted his head aside, and the blow landed on his shoulder, knocking him stumbling. Then the others rushed him all at once—some seized his arms, others pinned his legs—and quickly subdued and shackled him.

The surrounding smiths all crowded forward and encircled the detectives and city guards. They recognized Fele; after all, this was not his first visit. This fellow had come specifically to make trouble for Dole.

Ha was absent, and there was no one to speak for them. They could only use this method to express their protest. They knew Dis was the man in charge of security in this district, as well as a detective with exceptional skills. They only dared to surround them, not go too far.

Dis snorted and shoved aside two Level One smiths blocking his way.

"What are you doing? What are you doing, trying to rebel? We're merely carrying out official duties. If this kid has done nothing wrong, he'll naturally be released. What are you afraid of?"

The smiths wanted to say more, but before Dis, they clearly lacked confidence.

They still had to earn their living here. Offending Dis was plainly unwise.

The shop clerk Firi was panicking as well. Seeing the situation, he immediately bolted outside to find Manager Harley.

Dole was swiftly taken away.

The police station was located in the city center, right beside the municipal administration building. It had its own separate office area within a five-story building. The station's basement was the prison, where all kinds of criminals were held. After entering the first floor and descending into the basement, one found cell after cell beyond the entrance.

As Dole was led in through the main doors, he trembled with fear, his face gray with despair. Countless thoughts raced through his mind. Having come here, he had essentially lost all ability to resist. He had always heard how dark this place was, but only after truly arriving did he realize he was so afraid that he did not know what to do.

The basement was enormous, spanning three full levels. Along the way, he saw countless cells.

When they saw a newcomer brought in, the prisoners stood by their doors. Some whistled, while others said things that made one's hair stand on end.

Dole was soon brought to a solitary cell. The floor was covered in scattered straw, and some places even had feces on them. Dark brown bloodstains covered the ground, and the air reeked of filth. His hands were shackled, and he was quickly thrown inside. Then the iron door slammed shut with a bang, and a thick iron chain was hung across it and locked.

The two detectives said nothing and simply walked away.

Dis had not come in. Clearly, arresting him had never been any great matter.

Dole's mind was in utter turmoil.

He did not know whether Ha would come save him. Now, Ha was the only person he could count on.

Soon, he heard movement outside. He looked out, and the instant he saw who had come, his face went pale.

The newcomers were Carmen, Dis, and Fele. Behind Dis stood Sam and Aoduo, seated in a wheelchair.

"Bring him out. Take him to the interrogation room."

Dis gave the order to the two officers beside him, then smiled at Sam. "A kid like this looks stubborn, but one beating will make him behave. We'll draw up a statement later. Once he signs and presses his seal, he can be sent to prison."

Sam stared at Dole, his expression filled with hatred. "It'd be best to kill this brat outright. I want to watch him die."

Aoduo sat in his wheelchair, his face twisted as he glared at Dole with a savage expression. "Haha, so you have a day like this too, kid. In a moment, I'll beat him to death with my own hands."

"Why beat him to death? If he dies, how will that ease the hatred in your heart? We should beat him for a few more days." Fele and Carmen egged them on from the side.

At those words, Dole's mind went blank. The police and bandits were one family—truly one family. He could already imagine the future awaiting him. Ha, hurry and show up. If you don't come soon, I'm finished.

The two detectives quickly opened the door and dragged Dole out. Dole struggled a few times, and with the strength of a beginner warrior, he made the two detectives unable to keep their footing.

At that moment, Carmen stepped forward with a club in hand and struck Dole in the chest.

Dole collapsed in agony. Then the two men hauled him up and transferred him to the interrogation room.

There was a cross in the interrogation room, and Dole was soon tied to it.

Dis and the others stood before the cross. He waved the two officers away, casually picked up a barbed whip from nearby, and handed it to Sam with a cold smile. "He's yours. Remember, don't beat him to death."

Sam took the whip, a vicious grin curling across his lips. "I know the measure. I've done plenty of this at Bianchi Mine."

Dis nodded. "You have half an hour. If I'm not mistaken, Harley from Old Ke Smithy will be here soon. That kid is the smithy's contracted blacksmith—they won't give up on this."

"Who cares what kind of contracted blacksmith he is? As long as that kid lives, I won't have peace of mind." Sam's mindset had clearly twisted. His own son had been crippled—wasn't he supposed to be angry?

Aoduo was even more excited now. That damned piece of trash—he shouted abuse at Dole.

Dole's chest ached so badly he could no longer speak. Carmen's blow had nearly knocked him unconscious. Listening to their conversation, he had already foreseen the fate awaiting him. Despair filled his vision.

After speaking, Dis quickly left. Only Aoduo and his son, along with Carmen, remained in the interrogation room.

A cigarette hung from Carmen's mouth as he looked at Dole, a faint smile curling his lips. "This kid thinks Old Ke Smithy is protecting him, so there's nothing I can do. Old Ke Smithy may belong to the city lord's family, but you're just a lowly blacksmith."

Sam gripped a whip and casually snapped it a few times, producing sharp cracks. The anger in his heart rapidly mounted. That damned bastard has cost me three gold coins altogether. Damn him.

"Thank you, Captain Carmen and Captain Fele. Once this is over, I'll invite you to that place." A strange look appeared on his face.

Carmen raised his brows and chuckled. "You do know how to behave. Then I'll be going. Remember, you may only use the whip. Nothing else." He was afraid the two would beat Dole to death, making it difficult for him to explain himself. After all, Harley from Old Ke Smithy still needed to be dealt with.

"I only came along to watch. Chief Dis is the one with the real tricks." Fele chuckled, utterly unconcerned. A kid from the slums had caused such trouble for them; it already made him seem somewhat incompetent.

Dole gritted his teeth and glared at Aoduo and Sam. Thinking of what was about to happen to him, and of the related things he had read about in books, he silently swore that if he got out, he would definitely get rid of both father and son.