A Record-Breaking Night

Leaving behind the coachman who was excitedly chattering about the biggest record in five years, the three of them dashed toward the docks.

Most of the ships were docked, with only a few showing lights from within—likely sailors passing the time with card games.

Shirone and his group focused their search on taverns that stayed open late into the night.

Almost everyone looked like gang members, but in reality, most were just sailors.

"Can we really find them like this?"

"We can. At least one of them will be here."

After persistently searching through the taverns, Shirone finally came across a familiar face in a small alehouse.

At first, he didn't recognize them because of their swollen faces, but there they were—Jis's companions, the street hustlers who had been with him, drinking at a table.

"Hey, over there! Those two—it's them, right?"

"That's right. Leave this to me."

Rian cracked his knuckles and strode forward.

In situations like this, intimidation often worked better than actual skill.

"Hey, you two. You remember me, don't you?"

"What the—? You picking a fight? I'm in a terrible mood right now, so—Ugh!"

One of the boys, slurring his words, turned to snarl but immediately froze upon recognizing Rian.

Rian's size alone was intimidating, but what truly sent chills down their spines was something else.

They knew why Jis had been beaten by Falcoa.

"Uh, uh… Well…"

Their panicked expressions said it all.

It meant there was definitely something going on, but Rian didn't let his expression give anything away.

"I already know. I know everything. So let's have a little chat somewhere quiet. You see, I get violent in crowded places but become very gentle in private. What do you think?"

Jis's friend glanced at his companion.

The moment their eyes met, they didn't need to say a word.

They bolted toward the exit.

"Damn it! Run!"

They ran like mad, pounding their feet against the ground.

But no matter how fast they ran, their feet didn't touch anything.

'What the—? What's happening? Am I drunk?'

Only then did they realize—their legs were dangling in the air.

"I'll give you one last chance. Do you want to come quietly, or do you want me to plant you headfirst into the ground right here?"

Rian held one person in each hand, lifting them effortlessly while fully extending his arms, showing off his sheer strength.

"Hiiik!"

Jis's friends trembled at the overwhelming force—something beyond mere strength, closer to monstrous power.

"We'll go! We'll go, so please, don't use force!"

The rest was easy.

Rian dragged them over to the breakwater and got them to talk.

"So, you're saying Falcoa ordered you to bring Amy to him?"

"Yes! Jis got beaten to a pulp! We nearly died too! You really don't want to mess with Falcoa. That guy's a total maniac!"

"Every maniac I've punched has ended up coming to their senses. Where did you take Amy?"

"We… we really don't know! Please believe us!"

"Really? Then I'll ask your friend. Looks like one of you is giving up your chance to live."

Applying interrogation techniques he had learned at the swordsmanship academy, Rian pressured them further, making them shudder in fear.

"We really don't know! But we have a guess!"

Shirone and Tess approached, and Rian let go of their collars.

"Where is it? Spit it out!"

"T-The… the palace!"

"Palace? What the hell are you talking about?"

"It's the name of a tavern! The biggest one in Galliant! Any carriage can take you there! Just—please—don't tell them we told you! We'll be dead!"

Rian had no time to respond. Shirone and Tess had already taken off running.

As they left the harbor, a carriage came into view—the same one that had brought them here.

"Coachman! Hey, coachman!"

The coachman, who had been smoking his pipe in the cargo seat, turned his head.

"Oh? Done with sightseeing already? You run fast, so I suppose you sightsee fast too! Hahaha!"

"Mister, we need to leave! Now! It's urgent!"

"Of course it's urgent. Youth always is! Hop on!"

Shifting from the cargo seat, the coachman urged the horses forward even before turning back to them.

With the wind roaring around them, his voice naturally grew louder.

"Alright! Where to this time?"

Shirone, Rian, and Tess shouted in unison.

"The Palace!"

The Palace.

A four-story tavern grand enough to deserve such a name. From outside, magic crystal lights illuminated the interior like daylight, and the lavish decor shimmered brightly.

"Let's go."

As Shirone's group stepped forward, the expected happened—a bouncer blocked their way at the entrance.

"Hey, you can't bring weapons in he—Ugh!"

Rian grabbed the bouncer by the throat, shoved him inside, and slammed him into the floor.

"Guhh!"

By the time the bouncer came to his senses, Shirone's group had already vanished into the tavern.

The moment they opened the inner doors, a wave of loud music crashed over them.

Drunken revelers danced wildly, while profanities and vulgar jokes filled the air, unable to escape past the thick walls.

Tess wrinkled her nose.

Galliant Island was peaceful by day, but once the sun set, it turned into a storm of unchecked desires.

"Is Amy really in a place like this? There are too many people. And what's with those outfits? Don't they feel embarrassed?"

Shirone agreed.

"This isn't the kind of place Amy would like. The question is—why did she listen to Jis? Stay alert. We won't be able to rely on security here."

If what Marsha had said was true, this place was tied to the island's self-governing authorities in some way.

After failing to find Amy on the first floor, they moved up to the second.

The atmosphere changed entirely. The air reeked of smoke, and a brutal gambling den had taken over the space.

The third floor was lined with iron doors leading to private rooms, while the fourth floor was the VIP section.

Rian sighed.

"This isn't going to be easy. She's not in the main hall or the gambling den. Searching the third floor means breaking into every room, and the fourth floor is swarming with guards."

It was time to make a choice.

Either they would politely ask for permission to search room by room…

Or they would cause enough trouble to flush everyone out.

Of course, they chose the latter.

Now that they knew why Amy had been taken, there was no need to play nice.