Chapter 108: Chapter 96: The 2 Women Stay, the Others Feed the Fish

The team included over twenty Ability Users from the Earth, Metal, Fire, Wood, and Wind Elements. They were all, however, only First Level.

It was a large group, comprised entirely of Ability Users, yet the only one who truly caught Flora Bloom’s attention was Hugh Warren.

The first time they met, Flora Bloom had known he was a Wind Ability User, and only at the First Level. But seeing him again, she could clearly sense his Wind Ability had reached the Second Level. To upgrade his Wind Ability to the Second Level in such a short time... he was certainly a talented individual.

Flora Bloom was curious, though. ’My group has no conflict of interest with them, nor do we pose any threat. Are they really just here to capture Cynthia Grant?’

It wasn’t just Hugh Warren. Behind him, Evan was also at the front of the group, staring at Flora Bloom’s party. But when his gaze fell on Cynthia Grant, a strange expression flickered across his face.

The two groups faced off on the concrete ground beneath the lighthouse. At first, Flora Bloom had assumed Hugh Warren wanted to capture Cynthia Grant for the reason Cynthia had just mentioned—that she had saved Milton Adler. But the moment the opposing group’s leader opened his mouth, Flora learned the real reason.

"Well, well, looks like I brought my team to the right place. Two such delicate little beauties, all in one spot. I, Mason Adler, must have some damn good fortune!"

The speaker was the pale-faced man with the unsteady gait. He looked to be in his early twenties, but his words made not only Flora Bloom’s group but even people on Hugh Warren’s team frown.

A glance at Hugh Warren revealed eyes full of inner conflict. When he looked at Cynthia Grant, his expression was overwhelmingly one of pained reluctance.

Flora Bloom pushed Cynthia Grant, who was holding Caleb, behind her. ’This Hugh Warren,’ she thought, ’he might have some so-called familial affection or other feelings for Cynthia Grant, but as long as he chooses to stand on the opposite side, there’s no need for him to waste time pretending to be conflicted.’

The same went for Evan.

So, his story about luring his father away to find Milton Adler that day must have been a lie. The truth was that he had joined forces with Hugh Warren to stir up trouble and sow discord between Milton Adler and Sherman Lynch among the base’s factions.

At this point, what was there left for Flora Bloom, Caleb Bloom, and the others not to understand? All the recent events in the base were connected to Hugh Warren, and the one pulling the strings behind it all was this flamboyant young man standing before them.

What they hadn’t anticipated, however, was that Flora Bloom’s appearance had completely disrupted their plans. Hugh Warren had originally assumed that when Cynthia Grant learned Milton Adler had usurped Sherman Lynch’s authority, she would cause a reckless scene and end up being imprisoned by Milton Adler. That way, after Hugh launched his own attack with a squad of Ability Users to seize control of the base, he could still ensure Cynthia’s life was spared.

But somehow, this Flora Bloom had managed to keep Cynthia Grant safe. Not only that, she had joined the flour mill mission, and her entire convoy had returned, mission accomplished, without a single scratch.

If Hugh Warren’s own reluctance to act against Cynthia Grant had led to their plot being discovered early, allowing Milton Adler to escape with injuries, then Flora Bloom’s appearance was an unpredictable variable with consequences they couldn’t possibly foresee.

Hugh Warren had always been cautious. Anyone capable of impressing Milton Adler was not to be underestimated. Moreover, at this moment, he seemed to be the only one in his group who had noticed something strange. Cynthia Grant, who had been injured, now had a clean face, save for a small trace of blood. In fact, she looked even more energetic than she had before she was hurt.

’What’s going on?’

"Young Master Mason, there’s something strange about them. We need to be careful."

Mason Adler’s expression suddenly turned cold at Hugh Warren’s words. He shot him a look. "Oh, I think it’s strange too. Otherwise, why would a single Wood Ability User manage to escape from so many of you?"

Hugh Warren’s face fell. "Young Master Mason, Cynthia Grant is already a Second Level Wood Ability User. A typical First Level ability is no match for her."

"Is that so? Then what about you? I’ve seen the power of your Second Level Wind Ability with my own eyes. Are you saying you couldn’t handle her either?" Mason Adler’s question left Hugh Warren speechless. In his heart, he didn’t want Cynthia Grant to get hurt.

"No matter. It’s better this way, with both little beauties here. When we make our move, make sure you don’t hurt them. Especially the one on the left."

Everyone’s eyes followed Mason Adler’s pointed finger. He was indicating Flora Bloom.

Both Hugh Warren and Evan knew a little about Flora Bloom. She was a Water Ability User whom Milton Adler had personally appointed to lead the flour mill mission. She had led over thirty soldiers to complete the task and returned unscathed. Afterward, she had single-handedly killed three Korean guests and a First Level Water Ability User in her search for her brother.

Although they had only seen the aftermath, her track record was staggering. For an Ability User—especially a girl who looked so fragile—to pull off such feats was bound to raise suspicions.

No one among them, including Hugh Warren, knew the true extent of Flora Bloom’s power. The only one who might have had an inkling, Milton Adler, was now in hiding, location unknown.

Mason Adler’s gaze on Flora Bloom was brimming with undisguised possessiveness. It was like a physical shackle, a look that conveyed his desire to lock her away in his own personal cage that very instant.

Flora Bloom’s expression remained impassive under his gaze, but inwardly, she was utterly repulsed.

She ignored the man’s lecherous stare, turning instead to Hugh Warren. A natural, sweet smile graced her lips as she pretended not to know their purpose, asking pointedly.

"Hugh Warren, what’s with the huge entourage so early in the morning? Did something happen at the base? Did someone else go missing?" Flora Bloom’s feigned ignorance caught Hugh Warren off guard. Before he could respond, Mason Adler cut in.

"No one’s missing from the base, little beauty. I, on the other hand, am short a couple of playthings to warm my bed. As long as you and Cynthia Grant stick with me, you’ll live a life of luxury. I won’t treat you poorly. As for everything else," he glanced at Hugh Warren and Evan behind him and said dismissively, "don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. Just follow me, and I’ll guarantee your safety in this base." He then turned his gaze to Cynthia Grant.

"Cynthia, you see? Even though you’re not in Argent anymore, we still managed to meet in a place like Azuregard City. It must be fate."

"Pah! So you’ve been the one pulling the strings behind all this! Shameless!" Cynthia Grant poked her head out to glare at Mason Adler before quickly ducking back behind Flora Bloom.

It was as if Cynthia Grant’s look of disgust had physically wounded him. His face slowly darkened, and though a faint smile remained on his lips, the sharp glint in his eyes as he stared at her held a hidden trace of cruelty.

’This man looks like a hedonistic playboy, but the murderous intent and cruelty in his eyes are very real. To have his killing intent sparked by a single sentence from Cynthia... he clearly can’t handle being provoked.’

"Since you won’t submit quietly, then so be it. Hugh Warren, seize them all. Except for the two little beauties—throw the rest into the sea to feed the sharks. Cynthia Grant, you might have slipped through my fingers in Argent, but there’s no hero coming to save the damsel in distress here. Isn’t that right, Hugh Warren?" Mason Adler’s question was pointedly directed at Hugh Warren, who gritted his teeth and lowered his head.

"Yes."

"Heh, very good. Then you’ll be the one to go capture Cynthia Grant and deliver her to me personally. As for this other little beauty, I’ll capture her myself. We need to... get better acquainted."

Hugh Warren frowned and raised his head, deliberately avoiding looking in Cynthia Grant’s direction. All emotion—all conflict—had vanished from his eyes. He had come this far; there was no other choice.

"Go," he commanded his men. "Seize them. Bring the two girls here."

The moment Hugh Warren gave the order, Evan directed ten men to step out from behind Mason Adler and advance on Flora Bloom’s position. The ten Ability Users surrounded Flora’s group of seven, while Evan watched their every move with extreme caution.

He had to be careful. When he had returned from his own mission and learned that Flora Bloom’s group hadn’t died, he had tried to find out what happened, but no one could tell him how they had survived. He was desperate to know why. How could Flora Bloom, who had been surrounded by zombies in a hopeless situation, have returned not only completely unscathed but also earlier than them?

His own group, by contrast, had suffered devastating casualties on the journey back; only he, Holly, and Sienna Kensington had made it. Now, of all the people who had set out on that mission with him, only he and Cynthia Grant were still alive.

Yet Flora Bloom’s group was completely unharmed. It was bizarre. He had to be on his guard now, in case they had some other tricks up their sleeves.