Anto’s Escape and the Market Uproar

“Anto! Are you back!”

As Anto emerged from the sewer, the residents of the surrounding slum immediately gathered around him.

They had sensed significant commotion within the sewer but not a single person had dared to venture forth to investigate.

“The problem has been resolved,” Anto stated, lifting his head.

His youthful face possessed a beauty uncharacteristic of a boy.

He spoke, then extended a crucifix.

“This is…”

“The priest remained inside until the very end,” Anto murmured.

“I have collected all his other belongings. Please bury this.

If you truly wish to honor him, simply erect a monument behind the church.

Inscribe his name and other details upon it.”

“…”

“He was a good man,” Anto declared in that moment.

“He shouldn’t simply fade into obscurity.”

Having spoken, Anto slowly walked away.

The matters here were now settled.

The council members from the border and other relevant parties would likely handle the rest.

After resolving this situation and preparing his belongings, he knew it was time to depart.

He wasn’t ready to be found just yet; it wasn’t the right moment.

“I’m leaving these herbs here; all of you must consume them over the next few days,” Anto announced, opening his bag and leaving the remedies.

“They will protect you from the miasma drifting over from the forest.

Guards, you will need them as well.”

“What is your origin?” a guard suddenly inquired.

Anto turned with composure, then replied with a smile,

“Merely a simple shepherd boy, with a rudimentary understanding of medicine.”

After his words, he departed the slum and returned to the market.

His preparations were nearly complete.

He had initially intended to leave the books for the priest, but now, he could only choose to find a place to bury them.

“Ah, this is truly…” Anto muttered, beginning to pack up his stall at the market.

Suddenly, a towering figure appeared before him, causing him to freeze in surprise before he looked up.

“May I help you? I have nothing left to sell, and I’m about to leave.”

“You don’t need to leave here,” the tall figure before him abruptly stated.

Anto sensed that something was amiss, yet his realization came too late.

“After what you did to our casino, you dare return to Lindes? You truly have some nerve, Alchemist Anto!”

A fierce aura emanated from the man’s face.

Immediately, the surrounding individuals revealed the clubs they held.

“You killed my brother.

We intended to make you pay with your life, for our casino is not one that a mere villager like you can provoke.

However, we are not unreasonable people; we wish to have a proper discussion with you.

So, would you be so kind as to grace us with your presence for a cup of tea?”

The man before him was undoubtedly the owner of the Lindes casino.

Earlier, when Anto had gone to the casino to retrieve someone, he had employed some common tricks, leading to the manager’s gruesome demise in his soundproof office.

Now, at this very moment, his adversary had come seeking him out.

“So, your idea of a ‘discussion’ involves threatening people with clubs?”

Anto showed no particular panic at this moment, for panic would be useless now that they had tracked him down.

Since it served no purpose, it was better to face them calmly.

“We have no choice, after all, our opponent is an alchemist highly skilled in poisons; we can’t simply approach without caution, can we?”

As the man spoke, Anto began to consider his options.

His recent use of Holy Flame (TL Note: A magical ability that produces a special type of flame) had already left him somewhat fatigued.

He had used it both yesterday and today, a consecutive exertion.

Although he had rested in between, he was undoubtedly still very tired.

In this state, being someone not naturally adept at close combat, he was essentially at their mercy.

Moreover, and most crucially, according to Eric’s experiments and his own, Holy Flame was devastating against dark creatures but posed little threat to ordinary humans; its temperature was even lower than regular fire.

“Can you… spare me?”

Under these circumstances, Anto predictably chose to feign weakness.

“He… he wanted to force me into submission, I truly had no other choice but to…”

He spoke, suddenly curling into a ball, then began to sob uncontrollably.

The men were dumbfounded, but a hint of amusement flickered in their eyes.

“What’s the point of this act? Is this for our benefit? Whatever you have to say, save it until we get there.

What good is talking now?”

As the man spoke, he reached out to seize Anto.

At that very instant, a hand suddenly gripped his outstretched arm.

At that moment, Anto covered his face, yet a smile played on his lips.

Indeed, this was all an act, though not one intended for them, but rather for…

“What are you doing?” The man froze, for beside him, a knight in armor spoke thus:

“If you intend to lay hands on such an innocent, lovely, and vulnerable girl, then you should be aware that there’s a group of courageous gentlemen here.”

“We will not allow thugs in this city to bully a young girl right under our noses!”

Because Lindes had entered a state of war preparedness, the city was filled with many foreign soldiers and mercenaries.

These individuals were gathering in the market.

While many present were indeed sent by the casino, many others were not.

And at this moment, Anto’s advantage lay in this very fact—

“They kidnapped my brother and tried to force me into prostitution at the casino!”

Anto untied his ponytail, allowing his golden hair to cascade down.

With tears streaming down her face, the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl cried out, sorrowfully proclaiming,

“When I refused, I escaped, and you pursued me here… Must you truly drive me to my death before you’ll relent! You villains! I… I…”

As the maiden wept before them, more and more people gathered.

Soon, swayed by her words, they quickly fixed their target.

“You… this isn’t…”

The leader attempted to speak further, but the knight before him was already regarding the man with utter contempt.

Then, clenching his fist, he delivered a forceful blow directly to the man’s forehead.

“Damn it! I can’t stand spineless cowards like you who bully women! ‘Scum’ isn’t even strong enough to describe you bastards who prey on men and women alike!”

“Hit them! Hit them hard! Cripple these scoundrels who make girls cry!”

“Charge! Go, big brothers in armor!”

“No… Ugh! Waaah! Stop! Aaaah!”

Screams and shouts rose and fell.

Amidst the clamor, Anto calmly gathered his belongings, then, with a smile, departed the market.