"He might be Legendary-tier!"
Three Knights had joined forces, yet none stood a chance against him. Such prowess was already at the apex, even among Knights. And with a Legendary-tier inheritance, the power and terror it represented were even more formidable.
"Young Master," Fred said in a low voice, "I would advise against contact with the Foster family. If you wish to do business, you can find another route."
"If you wish to see Mrs. Annie..." He stroked his forehead and sighed. "We can think of another way."
Mrs. Annie’s charm was irresistible. It wasn’t just his own young master; even Fred himself had been captivated after a single glance.
Denis nodded. "As for Brey," he added, "I’m afraid we won’t be able to find him now, even if we try."
Carl waved both hands, his eyes cold as he struck down again and again, killing one guard after another with brutal force.
He continued until the remaining guards completely collapsed.
He stepped forward to Brey Foster, ready to bring down his mighty hand as usual.
"Wait a moment!" Carey suddenly spoke up, "Could you wait a moment?"
"Could I ask him one thing, and then you kill him?"
"Ugh!" The swordsman, looking exasperated, pulled him back and chastised in a low voice, "Have you lost your mind?"
That dark-armored giant cuts people down like mowing grass, his eyes devoid of any emotion—a veritable killing machine. Everyone else fled the tavern long ago, yet you’re rushing forward. What if you anger him...?
"Interesting." Carl turned his head to look at Carey.
This friend of his was usually timid and cautious. What had gotten into him today to make him act so boldly, so out of character? Despite his obvious fear, he had still mustered the courage to speak.
"All right!" He grabbed Brey and threw him over to Carey. "Make it quick."
As he spoke, Carl casually pulled a tablecloth from the rubble and began to gather anything of value in the room, focusing on coin pouches and weapons.
"Thank you!" Carey exclaimed with joy. "Thank you!"
"Speak!" he pinned Brey Foster down and demanded loudly, "Where have you put my Maggi?"
"Hmph!" Brey, his face pale, gritted his teeth and snorted.
Even though he knew he was likely doomed today, his gaze towards Carey remained full of contempt.
"You..." Carey raged, his fist slamming into the other man’s stomach, "Will you talk or not?"
"Tell me, where is my Maggi?"
"COUGH, COUGH..." The swordsman cleared his throat. He was surprised Carl had actually handed the man over to Carey to deal with. Then he said in a low voice, "That’s not how you question someone. Need help?"
"Ah!" Carey was startled, then nodded vigorously. "Yes."
With a low chuckle, the swordsman pulled out a sharp dagger and slowly approached Brey Foster.
Though the swordsman hadn’t spoken a word, the fear in Brey’s eyes grew deeper and deeper.
Sometimes, silent oppression can shatter a person’s spirit more effectively than a physical beating.
A group of uniformed officers and inspectors, led by Chief Inspector Goff, arrived at the scene. Dana and a few others accompanied them.
Surveying the scene, Goff’s expression turned extremely grim. The tavern had been reduced to ruins. Bodies were being carried out one by one and laid on the open ground outside.
Not a single body was intact. Most looked as if they had been smashed by a giant hammer, the flesh at their fatal wounds pulverized into a bloody pulp.
"Chief," Dana spoke softly, "a total of eleven people are dead, all from the Foster family, including Brey Foster."
"Hmm." Goff took a deep breath and spoke to the man who was kneeling and weeping before Brey’s body, "Cesar, my friend, please accept my condolences."
"We will definitely find the murderer and bring him to justice, so that young Brey will not have died in vain."
"Goff," Cesar Foster, the head of the Foster family, looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "Can I trust you?"
"Of course!" Goff’s expression was solemn. "This murderer acted with such brutality. We owe an explanation not just to you, but to all the citizens in town."
He emphasized again, "Even if the murderer is powerful, he cannot escape the punishment of the law!"
"It had better be so." Cesar lowered his head, his hands clenched tightly, his voice choked with emotion. "I need to take his body away."
"Of course." Goff stepped back and gestured. "That is your right."
"Inspector!" Carey pushed through the others and hurried to Dana.
"What are you doing?" Dana pulled him aside and chided softly, "Don’t you realize this incident could implicate your family? The Chief Inspector will want to question you later."
Carey had been present when the incident occurred, and some witnesses even claimed he had interacted with Brey shortly before his death. All signs pointed to Carey being a significant suspect. Of course, Dana knew her subordinate’s character. He was neither capable of committing such an atrocity, nor did he possess the means.
"Inspector," Carey didn’t explain, but said urgently, "Brey was secretly trafficking people, and my... a friend of mine was captured by him."
"She is currently being held in a warehouse in North City."
"Oh?" Dana raised an eyebrow, glanced back at the bodies at the scene, and waved her hand dismissively. "We can talk about it later."
"We can’t wait!" Carey exclaimed urgently. "They could move them at any moment! I don’t know what they’re using these people for, but no one Brey has captured has ever returned alive."
"Inspector... You have to help me."
"Understood." A human life was at stake. Dana’s expression turned grave. "I’ll take a few men and go check it out."
Cesar, holding his son’s body, headed for the carriage. As he moved away from the crowd, the grief on his face gradually disappeared, leaving only an icy coldness.
"Master," the butler spoke softly, "my deepest condolences."
"I only want to know," Cesar said in a deep voice, "was Brey’s death because someone discovered something?"