Unexpected Arrest

The auction house's representatives have arrived. An elderly man in dark robes stepped forward. He was accompanied by two other older men and two armored mercenaries. 

"This is not Guild territory." He firmly stated. "I demand an explanation. You must give me a view or we will not let go of this matter."

The squad leader sneered. "We have a warrant," he said, holding up a signed parchment. The guild branch head's seal and signature were clearly on the parchment. 

"This is from the branch leader himself."

The representative's expression stiffened.

"The guild does not control .."

He was cut off immediately. "The guild controls everything in Redwood Town." 

A murmur passed through the crowd. 

The Auction House had power. But not military strength.

The guild here truly controlled all. They had the human resources, the weapons, and the numbers. 

Helpless, the representatives could do nothing. He signed and shook his head. 

One by one, the attendees were forced through the checkpoint.

Feng Ye remained still. He watched carefully. 

The searches continued.

It was pure daylight robbery. Well, in this case, it was night time so, nighttime robbery. Patrons were robbed in public, and their valuables were confiscated under the guise of regulation.

Then, a figure in a hooded cloak moved forward. Something about this individual caught Feng Ye's attention. It seemed familiar. 

The way this hooded individual walked and carried themself felt familiar. She brushed by.

Feng Ye caught a glimpse of her face beneath the hood. 

Anne.

This reminded him of an old, well-known Chinese proverb: "You can wear out iron shoes searching in vain, only to find what you seek without lifting a finger." 

This moment perfectly encapsulated that saying. Feng Ye didn't need to scour the heavens or dig through the earth. The person he was searching for was right before his eyes. 

Feng Ye's eyes narrowed. 

She was alone. Her party was not with her.

The guild enforcers noticed her immediately. One of them stepped in front of her. 

"Remove the cloak." 

Anne didn't move. 

"You don't have the authority for this." She replied with a calm and sharp voice.

Feng Ye heard her voice and it was unmistakable. It was the same Anne. Anne the mage.

The enforcer grinned. 

"We have a warrant." He referenced the parchment held by the squad leader.

Anne scoffed.

"I've seen real guild warrants before." She said confidently. 

"This one? It's fake."

Murmurs could be heard from the auction attendees. A few nodded in agreement.

The enforcer's grin disappeared. He exchanged a brief glance with the squad leader. Only Feng Ye noticed it as everyone was focused on what Anne had to say.

Anne continued. "I know exactly how far a Guild Branch's jurisdiction extends. And I know exactly when a Branch Leader is overstepping his bounds."

Her voice carried. More people turned to watch. The enforcer's expression darkened.

"You talk too much." The enforcer shoved Anne. 

Anne stumbled back slightly before she regained her footing. Her cloak slipped from her head. Her face was now fully exposed to the crowd.

Everyone noted her appearance.

Several merchants stiffened. A few adventurers glanced at one another. 

"The guild won't protect you once headquarters hears about this." 

All the enforcers laughed. "Headquarters isn't here. This is Redwood Town." 

His hand reached forward to grab her. Anne grabbed his hand and turned her body rapidly elbowing the enforcer.

The enforcer staggered back. Immediately, two other enforcers rushed her at once. Anne lashed out. 

A spell slowly flickered at her fingertips.

Too slow. She was quickly overwhelmed and surrounded by the enforcers. One slammed a fist against her stomach. 

She fell to the ground while gasping for air. A boot pressed against her shoulder. 

The two enforcers, one on each side, immediately grabbed her arms and forced her up on her feet.

The squad leader finally stepped forward. He intentionally stepped over slowly and tilted his head.

"You're a smart girl. Yet here you are." His voice was low. Almost amused.

Anne didn't speak.

"Headquarters can't do anything. They have their own concerns." The squad leader chuckles. 

His eyes traced her form, taking his time.

"You're strong." A grin slowly spread on his face. With a teasing voice, he adds. "I like that."

A heavy hand rested on her shoulder. 

"Unfortunately, we are in different camps. What a waste of potential."

Anne stared at him coldly. 

The squad leader leaned in slightly and in a low voice where only the both of them could hear comments in a teasing tone. 

"Maybe we can work something out." 

Anne clenched her jaw.

"Go to h*ll."

"Now, now… you're a feisty one. We'll see if you can keep this strong attitude." His fingers graze her chin.

Anne's eyes burn with anger. 

"Get your hands off me!" She tried to yank herself away, but the enforcers on both sides held her tightly.

He nodded to the two enforcers on either side of Anne.

"Take her."

Anne looked up. She scanned the audience. Her eyes flicked to Feng Ye. For a brief moment, they locked gazes.

A silent message. A plea? A calculated request? Or perhaps, just a final glance before disappearing?

Feng Ye remained silent while gazing at her. He had a choice here. However, was it worth it? 

Feng Ye's mind raced. 

This was real life. He didn't have a cheat. He wasn't overpowered. He was outnumbered and this was in the public. This wasn't some story where the protagonist could sweep in and overpower everyone effortlessly.

This was reality. A struggle brewed within his mind.

Helping her makes no sense. 

Logically, it made no sense for him to stick his neck out and risk everything. He had to wrap his trial. Anne was hotheaded in this situation and was a fool to stand up to the enforcers. She shouldn't have provoked them. It was stupid to call out their fake warrant so openly.

This wasn't his fight. He's an outsider, a drifter passing through. His focus is on the trial. Clear it and try to go home.

This was her problem. Not his. He had no obligation to step in.

 His best move was to turn away. 

To pretend he didn't see anything.

However, Feng Ye still had morals and his humanity with him. He didn't lose those. His humanity is urging him to fight and help. 

He wasn't blind. He saw how they looked at her. The squad leader's grin. The way his hand lingered too long on her shoulder.

The way the enforcers laughed like she was already broken. 

Anne was strong, but at this time, she was alone. 

He imagined the next few hours, the next few days.

What would happen once they dragged her away? 

Would she still be Anne by the time they were done with her?

The seesaw battle of what to do next continued.

Logic screamed that it wasn't his fight while morality urged him that it was.

Logic reasons that it was hard to win against them, but morality continues to urge him to stand up for what's right. What would make him different from all the other indifferent selfish individuals? 

Logic warns that helping will just put a target on his back. Morality taunts that he was already on thin ice and had a target ever since he had met with Flora.

Feng Ye clenched his fists. D*mn it. 

His brain and logic were correct, however, deep down his heart refused to listen. Was this the person that he wanted to become? Indifferent.

Feng Ye sighed. He had to make a choice. He rapidly came to three immediate problems.

Direct confrontation is foolish. Enforcers at the scene outnumbered him and this public space was not the best place to expose himself.

If Anne was taken, finding her again would be difficult.

The enforcer was blinded by lust, he had to redirect him fast.