Chapter 240: Witch Hunting Corps

Falling Star City, Bui Tavern.

As the top tavern in Falling Star City, Bui Tavern was already bustling with patrons even before dusk.

Passing through the tightly shut doors, one could hear the raucous laughter and boisterous shouting from within.

Joseph had just served a dish to a table of guests and was turning to clean another messy table when the jingle of the entrance bell signaled the arrival of a new customer.

"Welcome!" Joseph instinctively called out. When he turned to look, he froze momentarily.

The newcomer was draped in a large gray robe that obscured their entire figure. Their face was concealed by a mask that covered most of it, leaving only their chin visible—a chin that appeared pallid under the warm light.

"A wizard, perhaps?" Joseph's first thought came to mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

While Falling Star City frequently saw the comings and goings of wizards—there were even reports of over a dozen wizards permanently stationed at the lord's manor—those lofty figures would never frequent a lively place like this.

"Probably some wizard fanatic imitating their attire," Joseph concluded. Working in the tavern had exposed him to all sorts of people, so he wasn't overly surprised. He promptly stepped forward to greet the newcomer.

"Please, have a seat inside. Our house's specialty malt beer is the pride of Falling Star City—brewed with the finest barley, it boasts a smooth taste and exquisite flavor. Would you like to try a glass?"

Guided by Joseph, the robed figure sat at a recently vacated table in a corner of the tavern. Flicking their finger, they tossed a silver coin that spun in the air before landing neatly in Joseph's hand.

"A glass of malt beer and a plate of lamb chops."

"Right away! Please wait a moment."

Joseph deftly caught the silver coin, beaming with gratitude as he scurried off.

Before long, a golden glass of malt beer and a plate of fragrant lamb chops were brought to the table.

"Enjoy your meal."

Joseph was about to leave when the robed figure stopped him.

"Wait. I have some questions for you."

Joseph turned back just in time to catch a glint of gold falling into his hand. He reflexively closed his fingers around it and gaped.

A gold coin!

Swallowing hard, Joseph clenched the coin tightly and broke into an even wider smile.

"Ask away, dear guest. If I know the answer, I'll tell you everything!"

"I heard there are quite a few wizard apprentices in Falling Star City. Is that true?"

"Yes," Joseph replied, scratching his head. "There are over a dozen stationed permanently at the lord's manor. Plus, traveling wizards often pass through. If you're lucky, you might even spot one riding a Black Rock Panther down the street."

"A Black Rock Panther?"

"It's a puppet, made by the wizards. Even the army uses plenty of Black Rock Panthers."

The robed figure nodded and changed the subject.

"Is it true that the Star Alliance has wizards?"

"Uh…" Joseph hesitated, scratching his head awkwardly. "Well, that's what people say. But honestly, we common folk can't tell the difference between a wizard and a wizard apprentice. To us, they're all important figures, so we just call them wizards. I'm afraid I can't give you a proper answer."

The robed figure nodded again without comment.

At that moment, the tavern door swung open with a bang, and a group of burly men barged in, loudly announcing their presence.

"Boss! The usual! Bring out the food and drinks!"

Their booming voices momentarily drowned out the din of the tavern.

Some patrons near the door turned to look, only to quickly avert their gazes after recognizing the newcomers.

The rest of the customers exchanged glances, a mix of apprehension and reverence in their eyes.

Even the tavern owner hurried out from the kitchen, wearing a welcoming smile.

"Ah, welcome, Master McCarthy! I heard your caravan arrived in the city earlier today and have been eagerly awaiting your visit. Please, this way!"

The robed figure observed the scene and turned to Joseph.

"Who are they?"

"They're guards for the Fire Fox Merchant Guild," Joseph explained, his tone tinged with both envy and longing.

"Is the Fire Fox Guild well-known?"

Joseph's expression turned incredulous. He looked at the robed figure as if they'd just asked whether the sky was blue.

Unable to fathom their ignorance, Joseph patiently explained, "The Fire Fox Merchant Guild is the largest guild in the Empire. Their shops and caravans span the entire nation. They're also the biggest among the Imperial Court's designated royal merchants."

"Legend has it that when the guild was just a fledgling business, they established connections with Emperor Ke Yi, the Empire's founding ruler. That friendship allowed them to rise to prominence, becoming the Empire's leading merchant guild."

"More than half of the magic-powered machines in Falling Star City were sold by the Fire Fox Guild."

"Magic-powered machines?" For the first time, the robed figure's indifferent tone betrayed a hint of curiosity. "What are those?"

Joseph's expression grew even more puzzled.

Not knowing about the Fire Fox Guild was one thing. But to be unaware of magic-powered machines?

Even remote villages had started using magic-powered machines. Was this person living under a rock?

Suppressing his thoughts, Joseph explained, "Magic-powered machines are devices that run on lesser magic stones to produce powerful energy. Things like magic carriages, airships, and cannons are made using these machines."

"The nobles call it 'sub-magic technology.' Sounds fancy, doesn't it?"

"I see," the robed figure murmured thoughtfully.

Bang!

A mug slammed onto a table nearby, spilling golden liquid onto Joseph's sleeve and leaving damp spots on the robed figure's chest.

"Hey, kid! My buddies and I want this table. Beat it!"

The speaker was a burly man with a rugged face, his triangular eyes glaring at the robed figure. Behind him, four or five others wore mocking grins, their eyes brimming with hostility as they sized up the solitary patron.

Joseph, seasoned in such matters, immediately understood the situation. A quick scan confirmed his suspicion: the tavern was packed, and this table—occupied by just one person—stood out conspicuously.

Cursing himself for his oversight, Joseph recalled placing the robed figure at a table instead of the counter due to their mysterious aura.

Before Joseph could mediate, the robed figure spoke in a low, commanding voice.

"Leave."

The single word carried such weight that the burly men turned without protest and exited the tavern in a daze.

Joseph was dumbfounded, watching the scene unfold. By the time the men vanished, he swallowed hard and glanced at the robed figure with newfound awe.

This guest wasn't just anyone—they were a powerful wizard!

The past years had seen countless rogue wizard apprentices fall at the hands of the Star Alliance's enforcement squads.

The primary requirement for joining the enforcement squad was to be a third-tier wizard apprentice.

At this moment, the two members of the squad confronting the robed figure were both third-tier wizard apprentices.

They had previously taken down numerous rogue wizard apprentices together without a single failure. Thus, they were as confident as ever about this mission.

But in the next moment, they were left stunned.

The two spells they cast hit the robed figure, but instead of dealing damage, the attacks disappeared as if sinking into the ocean without causing even a ripple.

"What's going on?!"

Both of them wore expressions of utter shock.

Before they could react, the robed figure raised both hands. Two lightning bolts burst forth, slicing through the night like arrows, striking the two enforcers with precision.

In an instant, faint popping sounds echoed as their defensive force fields and energy particle barriers were instantly shattered. The electricity coursed through their bodies like serpents, immobilizing them.

Thud!

Both men collapsed to the ground, their bodies paralyzed. It took a long while before they managed to recover.

When they looked up again, the robed figure had vanished.

"What kind of spell was that?"

"That wasn't a spell—it was pure energy particle manipulation!"

"How is that possible?!"

Using only energy particle manipulation to incapacitate two third-tier wizard apprentices in an instant was something only a wizard could accomplish.

Could it be that the robed figure was actually a wizard?

Realizing the severity of the situation, one of them immediately pulled out a book. Upon opening it, countless thin rays of light emerged from the pages, intertwining to form the holographic image of a middle-aged man.

"What happened?" the man asked in a grave tone.

"We failed to capture the target," one of the enforcers admitted, quickly recounting the events.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man also sensed that something was amiss. He promptly ordered, "Return immediately. This target is beyond our squad's capability. I'll request reinforcements from above."

With that, the hologram dissipated.

The two enforcers exchanged wry smiles.

"We didn't expect such a troublesome target. Who is this person, and where did they come from?"

"Doesn't matter where they're from. Since their life signature has been recorded by the Eye of the Stars, they won't escape, even if they run to the ends of the earth!"

Meanwhile, after incapacitating the two enforcers, the robed figure wasted no time leaving Falling Star City. They avoided the main roads and headed into a secluded forest.

"Star Alliance…"

"I didn't expect this plane to already be under the control of a wizarding faction. And judging by the scale, it seems quite substantial. Even in a random city, there are two third-tier wizard apprentices."

"Looks like I'll have to find a place to lay low for a while."

Just as this thought crossed their mind, the robed figure abruptly halted.

In the shadowy, crisscrossed forest ahead, two tall and slender figures slowly emerged.

Under the moonlight, their identical, exquisitely beautiful faces and nearly indistinguishable, curvaceous figures became clearly visible.

"Who are you?" the robed figure demanded in a stern voice.

Unlike the previous two opponents, these two women gave off an extremely dangerous vibe, immediately putting the robed figure on high alert.

"Star Alliance Witch-Hunting Corps," said the woman on the left.

"Surrender," the woman on the right followed up.

The robed figure's eye twitched.

What was going on?

How had the Star Alliance so quickly pinpointed their location and dispatched people here?

Their operational efficiency was simply terrifying!

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