"How the interrogation going Lambert? Did he talk?" Arnulf asked. He was currently standing outside one of the rooms in the Tamer Guild, waiting for the interrogation process to finish.

"Surprisingly, he cooperated. Here’s the information I got from him. I never thought the trafficking network was this vast." Lambert handed over a piece of paper filled with writing.

Arnulf took the paper and quickly scanned through it. His expression gradually darkening.

"Good job, Lambert. I’ll go and meet the Baron. He needs to know about this." Arnulf then immediately made his way down the corridor.

A few days later, a noble carriage arrived in front of the Overheart residence, bearing the emblem of the Delpech noble family. From within, Baron Eustach Delpech stepped down gracefully, accompanied by two armored guards.

"Baron, why did you come here personally? You only needed to send an envoy to meet me. There was no need for you to trouble yourself," Arnulf said respectfully.

Ever since Arnulf became the mayor, his relationship with Eustach had grown considerably closer. Unlike Robert, Arnulf was someone the Baron genuinely enjoyed working with. Not only was Arnulf efficient and honest, but he also had the trust of the townspeople. In fact, Eustach himself had appointed Arnulf as mayor after countless citizens requested his appointment.

Eustach let out a light chuckle as he adjusted his gloves.

"If it were something trivial, I would’ve sent an envoy. But this matter is important." His expression soon turned serious.

"The information you uncovered about the trafficking network has already reached Count Tristan Vas Labre. Several noble houses are involved in this illegal activities, and some of them are far more dangerous than we expected."

Arnulf’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So it’s that serious."

"It is. And because of that, I can only trust a handful of people right now. You are one of them."

Arnulf then invited Eustach into his house. Irmine quickly prepared some food and drinks for the guest.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps heard from the stairs as Oliver walked down.

"Baron, how are you?" Oliver asked while giving a slight bow.

"Ahhh, Oliver! Right on time! You’ve grown so tall already. And quite handsome too. Come, sit here for a while." Eustach smiled warmly.

"Does Oliver also need to hear this?" Arnulf asked.

"Yes. The matter I want to discuss is also related to him." Eustach replied.

Arnulf was slightly surprised by Eustach’s answer.

After drinking a sip of drinks, Eustach start to talk.

"After you sent the letter to me, the other Barons and I held a discussion among ourselves. After that, we met with the Count and explained everything. The Count then decided to create a special force consisting of the five brightest individuals, one from each barony. And I decided to choose Oliver as our representative after everything he has done for our barony over the past three years as a tamer."

"A special force?" Arnulf and Oliver muttered at the same time.

"Yes. The Count decided that the best way to fight this group is to move silently and ambush them. Besides, a small group makes movement much easier."

"But there are still other members of the Five Scorpions protecting them. Is it wise to send Oliver there?" Arnulf asked with a worried expression.

"Hahaha. Weren’t you the one who said Oliver defeated one of the Five Scorpions members before? I don’t think this is too different." Eustach laughed lightly.

"But don’t worry. The Count will also send a Rank-S hunter from his side to lead the group as well."

"Is that so? Then that is very good to hear. So, Oliver? What is your answer? Do you want to go?"

"Of course, Father! This is the first time I’ll ever leave this barony. I also want to see new places and meet talented tamers from the other baronies." Oliver’s eyes shined brightly with excitement.

Since his system had already awakened, this opportunity had come at the perfect time. This was his chance to explore the outside world.

"Sigh. Then it is decided. When will the force depart, Baron?" Arnulf asked.

"The Count wishes to strike quickly. So, the day after tomorrow, a carriage will come here to pick Oliver up and bring him to the City of Hazelbrow." Eustach explained.

"Please make the appropriate preparations before that."

Baron Eustach then stayed for a while longer and continued chatting with them before finally departing. Before leaving, he wished Oliver good luck and hoped that he could make the barony proud.

"If Oliver performs well, maybe more funds will be given to our barony, hehehe." Eustach whispered to Arnulf, who could only smile awkwardly in response. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Oliver then immediately began making preparations. Ever since becoming a tamer, he had always handled his dungeon preparations by himself. He smiled a little as he remembered how Tamera used to always help him prepare before entering dungeons.

"Where are we going? You prepared quite a lot." Husk asked curiously.

"We’re going to Hazelbrow City. I’ve been longing to go there. They said the steak cooked with hazelnut there is the best dish in the city. I can’t wait to try it." Oliver swallowed his saliva excitedly.

Even Husk instinctively did the same.

"But are we only going there to eat?"

"No. We’re going to take down the head of an illegal trafficking network there. And most likely, we’ll face another member of the Five Scorpions as well. It will be very interesting." Oliver smiled widely.

"Hmm, I don’t know why, but I think you’ve started to become a battle-maniac, kid."

"No, I don’t!"

"Yes, you do!"

Two days later, a carriage arrived in front of their house. Oliver hugged his parents before waving goodbye to them.

Suddenly, Irmine’s expression started to turn gloomy.

"Why do you look sad, Irmine?" Arnulf asked gently.

"This is the first time he has gone so far away from us since he was born. I... I’m afraid. One day, what if he learns about everything and decides to leave us? I’m scared." Irmine started to cry softly.

"Don’t worry, honey. He was still born from your womb, and you were the one who breastfed him. Of course, you are still his mother." Arnulf comforted her.

The two parents were actually hiding a huge secret about Oliver, one that could shake their family to its core one day.