Henry had heard about the guards of Poppy City. But they were in Virtue City right now.
He wasn't sure if it still applied, but the guards of a city consisted of magi. The city paid them to protect and appease any conflict that arose.
The eleven guards surrounded Henry and Felicia, as well as the unconscious men and the two students who helped. They used the staffs in their hands and pointed at the crowd to intimidate them away.
The crowd parted, and a big area was left in the middle.
"What happened here?!" the leader asked with a shout. His furious gaze was on Henry.
He wore thick, black armor with signs of magic circuit patterns on its surface. It appeared intimidating and beautiful at the same time. Additionally, he held a blood-colored staff in his hand.
Altogether, his gear gave off an overbearing aura.
"They ambushed me."
"Ambush?"
The leader was stunned and looked at the seven unconscious men. Each was covered with layers of black clothing to conceal their appearance. It was impossible to guess their identities.
He glanced at the crowd and comprehended that Henry was not lying.
"Men, send these seven for execution! Under Virtue City's laws, no student of the Royal Magic Academy shall be ambushed!"
The leader of the guards didn't hold back with his order. The group of ten guards with him saluted by putting their closed right fists on their left chests and then took one of the ambushers each.
"You three, get testimonies!" He ordered the three who had no ambusher to drag. "You two and those two students, follow me!"
The leader pointed at Henry and Felicia. Likewise, the two students who helped earlier followed.
The duo looked at each other and decided to follow. This city guard seemed to be well-respected and strict.
He headed to the City Hall beside the City Guild.
Once inside, he entered a spacious room with the four of them.
"My name is East. I'm the Captain assigned to that part of the city. Wait here. I will investigate this and give a proper response to the academy!"
East promptly left.
Henry and Felicia were left with the two other students.
"Henry…" one of them spoke, a bit shy.
The other had a cold gaze as he looked at Henry. He didn't seem like the person who just tried to help them.
"I only helped you two because you're also students of the academy," he said.
Henry nodded his head. "You shouldn't have involved yourselves. We would have gotten it."
Felicia agreed with Henry's words.
"Hmph."
The cold man was tall and had a bit of muscle. He ignored them after hearing what Henry's said.
"Uhhh… I helped because… I thought we from the academy should look after each other…"
This person was short and a bit skinny. He wore the green robe of the academy and showed an innocent and shy expression on his face.
"It's fine then."
Henry sighed. Their reasons were noble. Therefore, he couldn't become angry at them. Otherwise, that would be unreasonable.
Silence took over the whole room. No one spoke, and the wait became unbearable for the shy student as he started fidgeting.
After twenty minutes, the door opened.
East walked into the room, looking angry at something.
"Only one of the ambushers was maintained alive. The others instantly killed themselves once they woke up!" East revealed with anger.
"What happened to him?" Henry asked, his pupils constricting.
It was unmistakable that someone schemed to kill him. As for who, he had no idea. He could not think of anyone who had the desire.
"We tortured the information out of him. He's from the Center Empire! They dared send people to assassinate a student of the academy…"
East gripped his right hand tightly. His anger was so great his eyes became bloodshot.
(Center Empire? Someone from the Center Empire wants to kill me already?)
Henry was stunned. He instantly realized this didn't involve him. He was only a pawn that had to be removed from the board!
The conflict was starting. The Empire showed signs of weakening, so another empire probed by sending assassins to ambush him.
As for why he was chosen, it was blatant. He took the limelight of the academy. He was a celebrity, and everyone expected him to do well in the following Imperial Magus Gathering.
(The Empire is becoming less safe…)
Henry realized the crux of this matter. The ship was sinking, and water was trying to get in.
"This matter will be elevated to the Empire as soon as possible! Please fill out these forms. It will be presented to the Empire."
East gave them blank sheets of paper and had them write their account of what had happened. Henry and Felicia complied.
After almost half an hour, they all finished writing. East took their papers and let them go.
The duo walked out of the City Hall with awful faces. They were both angry at the Center Empire.
The two other students left. The shy one seemed to want to say something but was ultimately too shy and left.
"I think I remember their appearances, Master."
"Who are they?"
Henry was surprised.
"They were in the store when we bought the white staff…"
Felicia recalled the two men who wore black clothing. They appeared to be in incognito, which wasn't odd. But in reality, they were assassins biding their time.
(Then why didn't they follow us to the village?)
Henry was confused. It was the perfect time for an ambush, yet they waited for them to return and did it in the middle of the crowd.
It was an enigma.
"Are we still—" Henry covered her mouth and prevented her from continuing.
"Shush."
He could guess what she would say, and he didn't want others to overhear it. He subtly glanced at his surroundings and saw a few people who were near enough to hear.
Felicia understood and shut her mouth. They returned to the academy at a quick pace.
At the peak of the afternoon, they arrived at their apartment.