The news of Carl being robbed caused ripples, neither large nor small, within the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce. After all, his status was there for all to see.

He was the Great Elder of the Chamber of Commerce.

Stronger than Lula, the head of the Chamber of Commerce.

There were even rumors that he was the number one expert in Jiliu City!

For others, being robbed might be a trifle not worth mentioning, but for Carl, the manager responsible for patrols had to come forward and account for it.

"Rest assured, Elder. I will arrange for increased patrols in your area and ensure no one sneaks in again," the Chamber of Commerce manager said with a solemn expression. "If anyone steals again, catch them and kill them on the spot!"

"Hmm." Carl nodded, his expression unchanging. "Be more diligent in the future. We'll let it go this time."

"You may leave." He waved his hand.

"Yes!" The Chamber of Commerce manager bowed his head in acknowledgment and slowly backed out of the room.

The theft, of course, was something Carl had intentionally allowed.

I wonder if Quincy will be able to resist. Being a Great Knight, surely he wouldn't want to miss becoming a Legend?

For some time now, I've intentionally or unintentionally leaked that the improvement of my strength was due to external aid. I also hid the item and, moreover, created opportunities for him to discover it as if by chance.

Since Quincy dared to steal, he would likely attempt it. But just to be safe, I'll need to select a few more targets.

Carl sat down at the dining table, lost in thought.

Now that he had figured out a method to connect Divine Domain Fragments with the outside world, he naturally wanted to find subjects for his experiments. Incidentally, he also wanted to see if he could use this method to become a Legend.

Quincy was one of the targets he had chosen, although Sea God Hawke or Conni would be more suitable.

However, Hawke was too composed, and Conni too cautious; neither would so easily trust a book documenting an Evil God. Especially Conni. Given his knowledge of the mystical and various divinities, he might see through the 'book's' fabrication.

As for the Holy Knights Brown and Lula, one was a devotee of the Moon Goddess, and the other had been a Great Knight for too short a time; neither met the requirements.

Caviar was a fashionable delicacy among the upper echelons of Freedom Port. Served with soft bread, delectable pastries, and a glass of captivating flounder-aroma wine, it constituted an exquisite breakfast.

"Elder." Belle set down the food, bowed, and stepped back. "It is our failure to safeguard the house that allowed someone to steal from the study. Please, Elder, punish us."

She was the cook and managed logistics for this courtyard estate, and also one of those who had fled from Black City to Freedom Port years ago. She had been hired by Ayala to work here.

"It has nothing to do with you." Carl picked up the bread, spread it with caviar, and began to savor it slowly. "Ayala is very meticulous in her duties. This theft was just an accident, and you shouldn't worry about it."

"Just continue as normal."

"Hmm..." He paused, then continued, "Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've seen Ayala. What has she been busy with lately?"

Belle replied, "There are many tasks involved in establishing the city, and Ayala has much to manage, so she has been quite busy recently. Things should ease up after a while."

Hmm? Although her tone was steady and her expression natural, as if she were merely answering a perfectly ordinary question, an Advanced Wizard Apprentice's perception could discern not only a person's outward demeanor but also the emotional fluctuations within their heart: Panic! Unease!

THUMP!

Carl's brow furrowed. He put down the bread in his hand. "I don't like being lied to. Considering our past association, I'll give you one more chance to answer."

"Where is Ayala?"

His voice was still calm, but the innate intimidation from his Abyss Creature bloodline carried an invisible pressure.

Fear Aura!

THUD!

Belle's face turned pale. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor. Extreme panic left her eyes vacant and her mind a complete blank.

"Elder." She trembled, her voice hoarse, "Ayala... Ayala... she's contracted dropsy!"

Hmm? Carl's expression changed.

The door creaked open.

In the pitch-black room, Ayala soaked in a large wooden barrel filled with water, her eyes lifeless. She leaned against the wooden barrel, her long hair fanned out on the water's surface. Even when she heard the sound, she showed no reaction. It was as if she had lost her life force.

"Ayala."

?

The familiar voice made Ayala's body shiver, and she twisted her stiff neck to look towards the approaching figure. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Uncle!"

"Hmm." Carl approached, reaching out to gently stroke Ayala's head.

Dropsy! And it was already in the middle to late stages.

Which meant this girl had known she had dropsy for at least the past ten days, yet had not told him. Could it be she intended to depart this world silently, all alone?

"Uncle..." Ayala looked down, her voice choked with sobs. "I'm not afraid to die."

"It's just that... the thought of never seeing you again, of everything becoming unknown... that still frightens me."

"It's okay, it's okay." Carl bent down and gently embraced her, whispering to comfort her, "Nothing will happen."

Ayala broke down, crying uncontrollably.

She truly wasn't afraid of death itself, but she was reluctant to leave the living. Living held too many beautiful things. And to die meant to lose everything. She would never see the person before her again, never hear that familiar voice, and even her memories would be lost.

All the apprehension and unease she had suppressed in her heart since learning she had dropsy were now released with her tears.

After a long while, Carl took out a book from his cloak, pondered for a moment, and then placed it beside Ayala. "When you've calmed down, try the methods written here, and remember not to tell anyone else."

Ayala looked up. A glimmer of hope quietly surfaced in her empty, lifeless eyes.

Prayers! Rituals?

Having been by Carl's side for so long, Ayala had learned all sorts of knowledge and naturally understood what this implied.

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