Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 780 - 131: The Refugee Problem

Ethan felt that he hadn't come at a good time.

When they entered the city gate, they discovered that the entire city was shrouded in an extremely oppressive atmosphere. Fortunately, Chief Blake, the city's security officer, gave Ethan a chance to explain. Upon learning that Ethan had come here via a teleportation ceremony from another world, his expression became exceedingly peculiar.

"A few days ago, people here were still celebrating."

That afternoon, Lindong gathered enough information from the street, and the cause of all this was obvious — Great Summoner Haitia had died. She was found dead in the basement of her home, pierced through the heart by a sword, clean and swift. By the time the servants arrived, Haitia was long gone, and the killer had already vanished.

However, some residents witnessed Haitia being stopped on the street by a group of people dressed as ragged refugees, whom she then brought to her residence.

Now, these refugees are missing. The Security Office in Gear City has already posted a wanted notice all over the streets based on descriptions provided by concerned citizens. This morning, a caravan passing through Riverside Town brought back terrible news — when they attempted to resupply at the once peaceful and quiet town, they found only a deep pit in place of the town.

"It seems that followers disguised as refugees have approached, and the sense of crisis is still too weak."

It was clear that Ilya's character was quite different from Solan's. Upon hearing the news of Haitia's death, she didn't seem to feel even a moment of sadness for Haitia, "This shows that the Demon King's forces haven't been completely eradicated. We must take this news back to the Imperial Capital."

"Teacher..."

Ethan lowered his voice, leaned in close to Lindong, and whispered, "When will the aftereffects of the hypnotism end?"

He was starting to find it unbearable. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Especially when Solan always had a face of a hot-blooded youth, and spoke with the unique mannerisms of the Imperial Capital's young lady at the end of his sentences.

"I don't know."

Lindong shook her head innocently. She hardly hoped Solan would recover soon. Ethan's reaction to those lady mannerisms was just too amusing, "Now, to leave the city, you must apply for an exit pass."

Normally, just a word from a brave hero would be enough for no one to dare obstruct them, but the situation now is somewhat delicate.

Under Rowena's hypnotism influence, Solan considered himself to be Ilya, with his identity transformed to female. Although Chief Blake gave them the opportunity to explain, until Solan returned to normal, they had to remain in Gear City under supervision — after all, these were all Ethan's claims, and the Security Office needed to ensure Ethan and Lindong were not hostile towards the hero.

"I just went around asking on the street, and found out there's no teleportation array set up between the cities of Silver Radiance Empire. Only a few mages can master the teleportation spell, and Holy Mage Ilya is one of them. We could stay a few more days in Gear City."

While wandering the streets, Lindong also caught some interesting news, "Other Shore has been here too, but she may have already boarded the airship to the Imperial Capital."

Red long hair, a heroic appearance.

Such characteristics are very rare in Silver Radiance Empire, especially when Gear City's residents mentioned that a girl with an appetite rivaling a monster had swept through the city a few days ago, and even attended a banquet hosted by Baron Fulin. Lindong almost confirmed that the glutton they talked about was Other Shore.

And the morning after Other Shore left, Great Summoner Haitia was assassinated in her own home.

Lindong suspected this was no coincidence.

Chief Blake mentioned that Haitia only had one piercing wound caused by a sharp weapon, and no sounds of fighting came from the mansion's basement, suggesting Haitia was probably killed with a single blow. This tactic does not match the style of the Demon King's followers.

As Knight Commander of the Imperial Capital, Other Shore usually employs subduing methods, unless she had a compelling reason to slay Haitia.

The three booked a room at a hotel in Gear City.

Perhaps due to the lingering effects of the hypnotism, Solan's mental state seemed somewhat listless. He fell asleep as soon as he entered his room. Lindong decided to go out and gather some more news on the streets, as she detected a familiar scent in this seemingly prosperous city.

That putrid smell, like the Silver Radiance Empire during Julius's reign.

When the two went downstairs, the atmosphere on the hotel's first floor had already become somewhat unusual.

The sound of conversations disappeared, leaving only a deathly silence. The hotel owner's face was strange, with an expression as if he wanted to speak but couldn't. However, when he knocked at the door where the Firearms Team suddenly entered alongside a middle-aged man in lavish clothing, he swallowed all his words.

This was definitely not something he could get involved in.

He could only glance at Lindong apologetically when Baron Fulin inquired whether Ethan and the others were staying here, to which he gave a definite answer.

After that, Baron Fulin, like a plague, stayed on the hotel's first floor with his Firearms Team, never leaving.

The rotten one looked at Lindong coming down from the stairs and was instantly dazzled.

As rumored, with rare silver-white waist-length hair and eyes like rubies, he couldn't help but want to immediately claim this beauty for himself.

But soon, he noticed the young man behind Lindong.

After some observation, he found the latter's slender arms and legs, likely an outsider refugee, not a concern.