After breakfast, Samuel and Nina went to retrieve their mounts. They met the family again, and this time, Samuel offered them numerous tips before finally departing with their animals.Their journey back home was mostly smooth, interrupted only by a few skirmishes with demonic beasts, none of which amounted to any significant trouble.Finally, they reached Egean City. The guard stationed at the entrance was, surprisingly, the same one they had encountered on their first day."We meet again, sir," the guard chuckled, quickly recognizing Samuel.Samuel nodded in acknowledgment but did not pay him any more attention than was necessary. Unlike the last time they had met, Samuel now owned a house in Egean and even possessed a certain status, though it seemed the guard was unaware of that fact.They entered the city and, instead of finding a stable to board their mounts, rode straight to the new mansion Samuel had purchased shortly before leaving for the Bahamas.Meanwhile, Azarath was care

"You… You are not afraid of my father? You really are new here, aren't you?""What is happening here?" Three elderly men entered."Is that the President and the Vice President?""And Elder Feng. Look, Elder Feng is here too. For the three of them to be together… the new guy is in real trouble." The crowd whispered among themselves, feeling sorry for Samuel for having gotten into such a situation."Grandmaster Alchemist Sam, what happened here? I hope these children did not offend you?" President Philip asked as he stepped forward."Grandmaster Sam," Vice President Maximus and Elder Feng greeted respectfully."This guy here obstructed me from reading, and then he blocked my path when I got annoyed and tried to leave. He even threatened me, saying his father is a higher-up who would have me thrown out," Samuel explained, pointing at Clayton's son.The young man was utterly confused. A Grandmaster Alchemist? That was impossible, right? The people in the library were equally shocked. They

"My son's arm was cut off by a lawless man, and he even stole a large sum of money from him that was meant for a development project in the small village at Egean. All of this happened in front of witnesses. Now, when I sent the city guards to arrest him, they returned and reported that he possessed the City Lord’s insignia. What is the meaning of that?"The City Lord allowed him to finish without interruption. When Eduardo stopped speaking, the City Lord looked up at him, his face expressionless."Do you think it was merely the insignia that prevented his arrest? The insignia was just a token I gave him on a whim to support his authority. You know quite well that with his current authority, he can resist arrest, right?" The City Lord stared at him intently."It is alright, I am not blaming you for anything. I came here for you to issue an order for his arrest," Eduardo demanded."I will not," the City Lord stated firmly.Eduardo frowned. "And why not?""Because we have not heard from

"Threatening me with death will change nothing. Go ahead and prove it if you can, or apologize to me in front of everyone right now, and I will let the matter go." Eduardo stood his ground.Unexpectedly, Samuel suddenly grabbed his hand."You... what are you doing? Release my hand immediately!" he protested. "You declared in front of everyone that you would prove I am from the Urgaba. What are you trying to do now?""Proving it," Samuel smirked. He placed the ring on Eduardo’s finger and then released him.At first, Eduardo felt nothing and was about to scold him again, but then a cold sensation seeped from the ring into his body, reaching his heart. The moment it made contact, the black heart reacted violently."What is this? What have you done to me?" Eduardo was alarmed, but the black heart responded even faster.It spread its energy throughout his body, and soon Eduardo’s body began twitching violently. The next moment, he transformed into a terrifying, vile black monster.The Cit

"If it is so dangerous, why do you not leave with us?" she insisted stubbornly.Samuel felt a deep sense of urgency. He could no longer entertain this argument, so he did something he had not wanted to do."Leave now, Nina. Go to Nork City and wait for me." This time, he used his authority in their connection as master and servant.Nina looked at him in disbelief. A tear escaped her eye, but she wiped it away immediately and put on a brave front."Yes, master." She saluted and left.Samuel felt regret, but even if time were reversed, he would still make the same choice. If he were alone, no matter the threat coming, he might still have a chance to escape. But if they remained, he might face the painful choice of staying and perishing with them or abandoning them.Even he was not sure whether he would choose to perish with them.He watched her leave with Azarath. She did not look back, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her struggle.Samuel sighed and continued on his way. He rushed