Following the escape route he had memorized, he dodged left and right, moving as fast as his feet could carry him.

He first smashed the butt of his gun into the Dwarf in front, knocking him unconscious, then kicked over a soldier lunging at him from behind. Without firing a single shot, he swiftly made his way outside the Black Forest Tavern.

Jack chattered on about ’Brother L’s peerless martial arts’ and how ’his little brother was depending on him’, while dodging and weaving behind Baron, until he bumped into the back of the Dragon Knight.

"Brother L?" Jack asked, surprised.

"Look around," Baron said grimly. "I expected this, but my dear cousin sure is fast."

Soldiers and followers were lined up around the tavern, and at their head stood none other than Soron Constantin, clad in a Mage Robe.

Soron ignored Baron and the shirtless Jack behind him, stating flatly:

"We received a report that someone was causing trouble at the Black Forest Tavern. I never expected it to be you two."

"I wonder what brings a commissioner from Westminster Cathedral to a small city like Plains today. Could it be news of more Taboo Items?"

He had immediately noticed the Holding Rings on Baron’s and Jack’s fingers, which represented Westminster Cathedral.

Jack stepped forward. "You know we’re Westminster Commissioners on a mission. Now get out of our way."

"Insolent!" The Attendant who had whipped Baron earlier in the day also stepped forward. "How dare you be so disrespectful in front of Young Master Soron!"

Just then, the Dwarf Captain and his soldiers emerged from the Black Forest Tavern. He immediately slid to his knees before Soron’s horse and pointed at Baron.

"Young Master Soron! These two attacked me in the tavern for no reason..."

Before he could finish, Baron sent him flying with a kick. Soron’s Attendant reflexively raised his whip, but before the word "Insolent" could leave his lips, Baron snatched the whip and lashed him across the face, leaving two massive, crossed, bloody marks.

The followers and Dwarf soldiers roared in unison and drew their swords. Soron narrowed his eyes. Baron remained unmoved, staring directly at his nominal cousin and said in a low voice:

"We are A Level containment commissioners from Westminster Cathedral. We possess the highest authority for containment enforcement, granted by the Prole Court to Westminster, and are permitted to act as we see fit during missions."

"Are you, the Constantine Family, willing to stand up for a Dwarf and an Attendant, and in doing so, make an enemy of Westminster Cathedral... or rather, the entire legal system of the Prole Court?"

Soron subconsciously averted his gaze, but then snorted coldly. "Westminster Cathedral’s containment commissioners are far too lawless."

’It’s working...’

Baron said calmly, "We have no intention of offending the Constantine Clan. This is all for the sake of containment. Please let us pass, Mr. Soron."

He glanced around at the surrounding soldiers. "If you are unwilling, I don’t mind taking this matter to court."

Soron was silent for a moment, then waved his hand to let them pass. But as Baron brushed past him, he said coolly, "I will report this matter to the Prole Court."

"Governor Howard Davis once said," Baron paused, "that whatever happens, he will take full responsibility."

After Baron and Jack were a good distance away, the Dwarf Captain was helped up from the ground by the followers. Soron looked at him. "You said he attacked you. The people from Westminster Cathedral must have had a reason. What did he take from you?"

The Dwarf Captain said, "He didn’t take anything. If I had to say, it’s that he wanted to steal my woman!"

"Who?"

"Miss Cuicui!"

"Who’s that?" Soron frowned. He didn’t think those misers from Westminster Cathedral would be willing to spend money at a brothel.

"She’s Zophie’s mistress. After all this time, she’s finally on the auction block..."

Before the Dwarf Captain could finish, he was sent flying by a horse’s hoof. Soron leaped off his mount and rushed straight for the inner hall.

’Zophie... Zophie...’

’I have a theory,’ he thought, ’and I need to confirm it. Now.’

...

Meanwhile, in an unseen corner, once they confirmed Soron and his men were out of sight, Jack and Baron started running for their lives.

Jack, panting as he ran, said, "Brother Constantine, how come I didn’t know?"

"Didn’t know what?"

"About that enforcement authority you mentioned."

"It’s good that you didn’t know," Baron said. "I made it up."

Jack’s jaw dropped. After a long moment, he managed to squeeze out a single word: "Savage!"

...

After leaving the Black Forest Tavern, a grim-faced Soron Constantin immediately contacted his father, Eugene Constantin.

On the other end of the line, Eugene was silent for a moment before ordering Soron to gather his men and rush to Ben Mountain. He himself would go to inform the court that Baron Constantin might still be alive.

The call ended. A cold glint flashed in Soron Constantin’s eyes. He viciously whipped the Attendant by his side several times to vent his frustration.

"Baron Constantin,"

He touched his remaining eye, grinding his teeth in his mind. ’You despicable Bloodless... you actually dared to come back!’

Years ago, his other eye had been gouged out by an enraged boy, forcing him to now use a glass eye to feign having two perfectly fine eyes.

He had sworn to make that boy pay. Now, the chance had finally arrived!

He immediately gave the order: "The lions! Release the lions from Lake Castle for me!"