In the Clark family mansion.
The tiger-striped lion cat halted in front of a square pond blooming with lotuses, a place where no one would think to venture further.
Yet, the cat stepped onto the water and began to walk into it.
After a few steps, it suddenly leaped up, seemingly grabbing onto something like a pole in the air, and agilely climbed upwards.
The pond, now surrounded by the armored guards and City Guard, was also the focus of the Clark family members, who looked on with grim expressions.
"So that's it!" Aaron, realizing the trick, raised his eyebrows and stepped forward, only to find himself unexpectedly stepping into the water, soaking his shoes.
At this moment, the tiger-striped lion cat, perched in mid-air, let out a subtle purr towards a certain point in space.
Suddenly, the air rippled like water waves.
"Meow!" The cat leaped down from mid-air, landing steadily on the ground, and then with another jump, returned to Nathan's arms.
As the rippling air shattered like a broken mirror, a two-story pavilion appeared before everyone.
This ancient-styled pavilion exuded an aura of timelessness.
Though small, occupying only a few dozen square meters, its grey-painted walls were not ordinary.
One could faintly discern magical array patterns on them, indicating its extraordinary nature.
Nathan circled the small pavilion, noting its lack of windows and only a closed door at the front.
"May I ask, Clan Leader Alex, is Wales hiding in there?"
Nathan chuckled sarcastically at Alex, "Or perhaps you'd like to go in and invite Wales out? Otherwise, I might just set fire to the building!"
Alex hesitated slightly, then nodded, "I can go in and check... But whether Wales is inside, I can't guarantee that!"
With that, he stepped towards the entrance of the pavilion and walked in.
As time slowly passed, there was no sound from Alex since he entered.
Nathan gently stroked the tiger-striped lion cat, and seeing no particular reaction from it, he wasn't worried about Wales escaping.
Meanwhile, Alex paced back and forth anxiously in a dim room within the small pavilion.
The narrow space featured a magic array drawn on the floor with an unknown pigment.
Dark red, viscous liquid slowly flowed through the grooves of the array, and countless skulls were stacked upon the walls around the room.
At the center of the magic array sat a tall, blonde middle-aged man with a recent trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, as if he had just endured great pain.
This man was Wales, his normally robust frame now appearing somewhat stooped.
The assassination at noon, which he was almost certain would kill Nathan, had been thwarted by a portal that transported him blocks away.
And now, hiding within the family's arcane magic barrier, which was exceedingly secretive, he had still been discovered.
Moreover, the magic array here was broken, all of which filled his heart with panic.
"When will the Public Security Bureau arrive? And what about Tig? Wasn't everything already arranged with him? Did you promise him about Lia?" Wales began to grow restless.
"Uncle, don't worry about it. I have my own plans for these matters. If they storm in here, you just try your best to fight your way out. As long as they don't capture you, he won't have another chance after today."
Just then, a flurry of footsteps sounded from outside, as if a large group of people had arrived.
"The Public Security Bureau is here!" Alex's eyelids twitched, and he hurriedly moved towards the entrance.
In front of the Clark family's pavilion, Aaron glanced at Nathan and hesitated, "My lord, shall I lead the men in there?"
"No rush. You just hold the fort here. After all, Wales is a level 4 elementalist, and it's too dangerous for you to go in."
In this world, a considerable gap existed between warriors and magi of the same level, especially elementalists skilled in close-range combat who did not fear being surrounded.
Nathan checked the time.
It was nearing dusk, and they had been there for almost half an hour.
The news must have spread by now, and some people were likely getting restless.
After a moment, a flurry of footsteps approached from outside the gate.
A squad of armored guards rushed into the mansion, quickly heading towards the pond.
The leader, a middle-aged military officer with a bearded face, pushed through the crowd and coldly said, "Lord Nathan, capturing fugitives is the responsibility of the Public Security Bureau. When did it become your personal affair?"
"Oh, Lord Homer, perfect timing!" Nathan spread his hands, feigning difficulty, "The Clark family is deliberately harboring a fugitive, and now that I've tracked him here, they are stalling. It seems our public security forces lack some vigor these days. How about I stand aside and you assert your authority?"
Nathan and Lord Homer from the Public Security Bureau had been old partners, often raiding houses together over the past half year, enjoying a pleasant cooperation.
Thus, Nathan spoke without reserve.
However, he hadn't expected Homer to be the first to arrive today.
It seemed he was quite connected to the Clark family.
"Lord Nathan jests. You remind me, you're here to arrest someone without an official warrant, aren't you? There might be a slight oversight here, not quite in line with imperial law."
The words caused a stir among the armored guards below.
What's going on? There seemed to be some discord between the two lords.
"Very well," Nathan said, pulling out a document from his coat – a warrant already stamped with the official seal.
This made Homer frown and whisper, "Nathan, my friend, it's not too late to back down now."
Both men stood at the edge of the pond, Homer with a grave expression, Nathan appearing disdainful, waving his hand dismissively, "I am a man who seeks immediate retribution. No need for more words, Brother Homer!"
Just then, Alex emerged from the pavilion, hastily approaching Homer,
"Lord Homer, your presence at the Clark family in these times, we'll be forever grateful for your decision today. You know, our family has faced misfortune, producing a black sheep..."
"Stalling again?" Nathan scoffed.
It seemed these people were still holding onto hope, waiting for his dismissal.
Let them wait and see who has the last laugh.
Indeed, before Nathan could question Alex, Deputy Chief Tig of the Intelligence Bureau rushed over with a team, brandishing a document and shouting from a distance, "Nathan, you are dismissed!"
"Everyone stand back!" As Tig and his men approached Nathan, he flung the document at him, "Arrest this man!"
Nathan narrowed his eyes at this development.
The words of his mentor couldn't have been in vain, and if his dismissal were true, why would it have been delayed until now?
"Lord Nathan, please don't make this difficult for your subordinates!" Two armored guards approached him.
"There's no need for difficulty," Nathan sneered, "Tig is falsely conveying orders, with ulterior motives. Arrest him!"
"Hmm?"
Nathan suddenly realized that none of his men, who had come with him, were moving at his command.
Aaron spread his hands apologetically, "My lord, please understand! We all have families, how dare we openly defy the orders of a superior!"
Hearing this, Tig burst into laughter, "Nathan, still so arrogant?"
Nathan found the situation absurd.
He was eighty percent sure Tig's dismissal document was a fake.
But at such a moment, whether it was true or not was just a matter of declaration.
The purpose was served by merely stating it.
Realizing this, he pointed towards the distance, "Tig, weren't you asking about Miss Lia? Look over there..."
Tig, following Nathan's gesture, looked in that direction, as did the confused crowd.
Seizing the opportunity, Nathan suddenly charged at Tig!
His level 3 elementalist's signature spell, Flame Shield, activated!
Instantly, fierce flames erupted in front of Nathan, the air twisting with crackling sounds.
"You!" Tig's eyes widened in shock.
As a level 3 warrior, his reaction was swift, and he quickly stepped back.
But at that moment, a burst of red light exploded from Nathan's hand, and a blade made of fire spun and shot out!
"You dare to kill me!" Tig roared in anger, but the next moment, the whistling Flame Blade pierced through his back.
Tig screamed, falling to the ground as his body caught fire from the wound.