After completing the transaction, Lynn left the auction house and prepared to hurry back to the family.
As the family's pillar and its strongest fighter, being absent while the family faced a crisis inevitably made him uneasy.
A round trip would take a full week, and he had no idea how things were going at home.
Just as Lynn was about to head for the city gate, the steward of the City Lord's Residence hurried after him from behind.
"Lord Lynn, please wait." The steward jogged up to him and bowed slightly.
"The City Lord said he would host another banquet at the residence tonight. Several lords will be staying behind. What do you think...?"
"Please thank the City Lord for me," Lynn said. "I've been away from home for several days already. I don't know what's happening there, so I need to return as soon as possible."
The steward did not press him and said with a smile, "Then I won't delay you, my lord. The next time you come to White Stone City, feel free to visit the residence."
Lynn nodded and strode out through the city gate.
He followed the main road for three li before turning into the forest beside the road.
After only a few steps, he saw the Gale Wolf lying beneath an old tree, its head resting on its front paws and its ears drooping.
Its originally bluish-gray fur was caked with mud, and its ribs stood out one by one. When it saw Lynn approach, it struggled to lift its head.
"You're still alive." Lynn walked over and crouched down.
The Gale Wolf let out an extremely low whine from its throat.
It had not moved a single step over the past three days. It had neither eaten nor drunk, and its