’It seems they found him

’ Oliver thought.

The reason he had ordered Queen to spare Peter earlier was because he wanted to uncover the true culprit behind the attack against him.

’They’re just low-rank hunters. There’s no way they would suddenly try to kill someone without receiving orders from someone else.’ Oliver concluded.

Right now, Oliver’s eyes carefully scanned everyone in the crowd, observing their reactions one by one.

Back in his past life, before entering the management side of the mafia, he had interrogated countless people. Reading body language was something he was already familiar with.

’None of them look like the culprit... then who is it?’ Oliver wondered silently.

As tension and panic continued rising between the townspeople defending Oliver and those blaming him, a figure suddenly emerged from behind the crowd.

It was Robert.

"Everyone, calm down! Please, don’t panic. We’ll investigate the reason behind all of this," Robert said loudly, trying to calm the crowd.

"But... I’m sorry to say that there’s another urgent matter we need to discuss."

"You’re saying my husband’s death isn’t important?!" Theresa shouted angrily.

The wives of the other missing hunters immediately joined her in protest.

"No! No! That’s not what I mean!" Robert hurriedly waved his hands.

"What I’m trying to say is...ahh, just listen first!"

He took a deep breath before continuing.

"A noble from the House of Labre has challenged our town. If we lose this challenge or refuse to accept it, our town will be taken from us!"

The entire crowd was instantly shocked. One disaster after another had been striking their town over the past few weeks.

"What do you mean by that?" Arnulf asked with a frown.

"The Middleton Group from the city is planning a major project here. And it will affect not only our town, but the nearby towns as well." Robert explained.

"All of this is happening because of that kid! Ever since he failed the ritual, nothing but bad things have happened to us!" Theresa shouted angrily.

"Enough, Theresa! He’s just a child. How can you say something like that?" Josh argued back.

’Tch. Can this woman stop screaming already?’ Oliver thought irritably. Then, his eyes lowered slightly.

’It’s time to act.’

"Wuuu... wuuu... actually...I found Uncle Peter and Uncle Evans in the forest that day..."Oliver forced tears out as his voice trembled

"They suddenly pointed their weapons at me... and said they wanted to kill me... wuuu..."

"What?! Is this true, Oliver?" Arnulf’s eyes widened in shock.

He could hardly believe it. Never had he imagined that hunters who had completed countless quests together would attempt to murder a child.

Then, he suddenly remembered something Robert had told him earlier. Arnulf’s gaze instantly sharpened as he turned toward Robert.

"Robert! You were the last one talking to them before this happened. What exactly did you tell them?!" Arnulf shouted angrily.

Robert immediately flinched as everyone’s eyes turned toward him.

"So, it was him," Oliver muttered softly as killing intent flickering within his eyes.

"What are you talking about?! You can’t just accuse me without proof!" Robert shouted defensively.

Arnulf and several others immediately began moving toward him.

"Everyone, quiet!"

A powerful voice suddenly heard through the crowd. It was Nolan, the Guildmaster. The moment he spoke, the entire area fell silent.

"Please listen to me, the deaths of Peter and the others are truly regrettable. I promise I will find the person responsible for this. But right now, we need to focus on the danger approaching our town." Nolan said calmly.

"The Mayor has already informed me about the noble’s challenge. And tomorrow... I will fight that noble myself. However, I cannot guarantee that I will win."

"But Guildmaster, that noble is currently undefeated! And his monster is extremely strong," one of the hunters said nervously.

"Then who else will represent our town if not me? Do any of you have another name to suggest?" Nolan replied firmly.

Silence immediately filled the area as everyone lowered their heads. It was true. Other than Nolan, there was no one strong enough in Ashville to stand against an elite noble tamer.

’Who is this noble they’re talking about? Is he really that strong? I’d like to see that fight.’ Oliver wondered silently.

"Everyone may disperse now," Nolan announced. "I will bring Peter’s body to Old Man Muden so he can examine the cause of death. After that, we’ll arrange an honorary burial for him."

One by one, the townspeople slowly left and returned to their homes.

"Are you alright, my dear? Please don’t think too much about what Aunt Theresa said. She’s just very sad right now." Irmine asked gently as they traveled back home.

She softly rubbed Oliver’s hair while they rode on the Bovaryn.

"I’m alright, Mum," Oliver replied with a bright smile as he hugged her.

"Mum! Can I watch Uncle Nolan fight tomorrow? He said he’s going to fight a noble! I really want to see it!"

Irmine looked toward Arnulf before smiling warmly.

"Alright. We’ll go together with Tamera tomorrow."

"Yeah!" Oliver cheered excitedly.

But deep inside, he was even more eager than he showed. He could not wait to witness how nobles fought.

Little did he know that he had already fought one before.

---

Later that night, several tents were erected in the open field outside Ashville Town. Guards continuously patrolled the area, keeping watch throughout the night. At the center of the camp stood a much larger tent, with light glowing from inside.

"Do you have no appetite, Young Lord?" Emorim asked.

Inside the tent, he was having dinner together with Auron and Aria.

Auron merely played with the food on his plate, while Aria quietly ate hers little by little.

"Are you still thinking about the masked man?" Emorim asked after hearing about the twins’ battle earlier that day.

"If I don’t fight him again tomorrow, I won’t be satisfied! That mayor seriously thinks he can keep him hidden from me." Auron said as he tightly gripped the fork in his hand.

The unfinished battle with Oliver still burned within his mind.

"I don’t think he’ll appear tomorrow, he seemed like someone who acts on his own. Maybe he isn’t even from this town." Aria said calmly.

"If that’s really the case, then tomorrow, I’ll go all out and defeat their representative without mercy." Auron’s eyes sharpened.

---

The next morning, almost all of the townspeople gathered at the center of Ashville, where a large field was often used for festivals and important events.

At the center of the field, Nolan stood firmly with his arms crossed while silently waiting for his opponent to arrive.

Nearby, Oliver stood together with his family as his face filled with excitement.

A few minutes later, a luxurious carriage finally arrived. It was escorted by armored soldiers walking alongside it in perfect formation.

The convoy slowly came to a halt before Emorim stepped forward and opened the carriage door respectfully.

Two nobles then stepped out from inside. The moment Oliver saw their faces, his eyes widened instantly.

"What the hell?!"