Zarek had been on the move the moment he was transported into the veiled dimension, searching frantically for James and Thalia.
Because of how speedily he was moving, multiple opportunities he could have obtained were passed up. To him, there was nothing more important than claiming what is his.
Half an hour into his search, he stumbled upon a group of men all dressed in adventurer's gear yet Zarek could tell they were knights from their mannerisms.
He slowed down to a stop to not get noticed. However, he couldn't wait to make out what they were discussing. Something told him it was bound to be important.
'Let's get closer.'
Looking around, he spotted a tall tree that had many branches he could perch on as well as provide cover. With expert movements, he quickly approached the tree and climbed to one of the branches.
Up there, he was able to listen in on what they were saying.
"We've searched all around and even asked a couple of other people, but no one has come across James. Even before the opening of the grounds, no one saw him in the nearby towns and villages."
A man reported in a manner that showed that he was reporting to his superior. However, what Zarek was intrigued by was the mention of James.
'Are they referring to the James I know or a different person entirely.'
He narrowed his eyes wanting to learn more before making a conclusion.
"What about his profile? Has the news of his search reached the people?"
Feryn Moonshrowd, a man with dark hair and piercing eyes who looked to be in his thirties, asked with a serious expression. Their mission was simple: find James and, if possible, capture him. If not, they had the go-ahead to eliminate him, at least from public eyes.
They couldn't kill the person the kingdom claimed to be searching for in order to protect him from a powerful enemy, after all.
"Yes, ca-… Of course. Some people have already heard the news but haven't come across him."
Another person replied, catching himself before he called out the leader's title and name.
"Hm… The mission still stands, but you are at liberty to seek out treasures for the Lord. Remember-…"
Feryn suddenly stopped talking and remained quiet. He made no moves that showed that something was wrong either.
'Someone's here.'
He could tell because of the gaze he felt. Initially, he had thought it was his nerves acting up. But the sensation continued to grow the more time passed.
"C-Feryn, what's wrong?"
One of his men asked what was on everyone's mind. One moment he was instructing them, then the next, he stopped speaking entirely.
Suddenly, the men watched as Feryn disappeared from where he stood.
...
Zarek was still not sure if the person they spoke about was the same James he despised.
'Maybe just asking them should be enough. Hm… only if I had my Sunbound badge.'
Unfortunately, seeking your own fortune had nothing to do with the organization he was a part of.
He narrowed his eyes on the one who was clearly the leader yet was pretending otherwise. He didn't their secrecy since he was only interested in James.
Then, the leader stopped speaking out of nowhere and Zarek smiled a little. He knew he was made, but he had no intention of running. After all, he was already planning to approach them.
'Let's see what you're capable of…'
His hand moved to the sword on his side and got ready to respond to whatever the leader was about to do.
'There!'
He pinpointed where the leader was going to appear, and the moment he spotted him, he reacted.
Feryn appeared right beside Zarek moments after he disappeared from his previous position. With his sword in hand, he lunged forward, aiming directly at Zarek's side.
But his target wasn't going to be easy as the moment he appeared, his target reacted and parried his sword followed by a riposte that momentarily surprised Feryn.
However, he wasn't the captain of his squad for nothing. His experience in sword fighting was not for show.
Zarek's counter aimed for Feryn's neck, slashing his sword as it cut through the air to claim his head.
It was a killing move, but Zarek did not care. He only needed one person for the information he wanted. Anyone else was just an extra.
Feryn's eyes were locked on the sword coming towards his neck with a composed expression; there was no hint of fear or panic on his face.
His eyes flared with mana and engulfed his body in a thick ward of light that deflected the sword strike.
All this happened in the span of a few seconds before Feryn's men could even respond.
"Captain!"
They exclaimed in panic and quickly drew their swords, preparing to join him.
"Stand down!"
Feryn ordered as he backed off and landed on another branch a few meters away from Zarek.
'He's no amateur; he knows exactly what he's doing.'
Feryn narrowed his eyes at Zarek's smirking figure with his sword held defensively.
"Who are you and why were you spying on us?"
Feryn questioned with a frown, and though his sword was relaxed in his hand, his guard was still up.
"Now you're being civilized?"
Zarek sneered at Feryn's attempt to dispel the tension around them. And while he knew he was outnumbered, he wasn't worried. He had his own life-saving cards after all.
His eyes darted around observing the men that were creating a parameter around them. He scoffed at their actions before returning his gaze to Feryn.
"Tell you what, I'm interested in the person you were talking about. This James fella since I've encountered one recently."
He spoke with a carefree expression as if he was in no danger whatsoever.
Feryn's eyes widened when he heard what Zarek said, then his eyes narrowed.
"Are you sure of what you're saying?"
"I wouldn't have stuck around as whatever you guys were up to was no concern of mine. All I want to know is who this James fella is and if he's the same one know."
Feryn stared at him for a bit longer before he gestured for one of his men to bring out a profile of James.
He took the poster and showed it to Zarek.
"This is James Allan. Son of the late Duke Thaddeus Allan of the Varrenwood Duchy in the Solene Kingdom."
He observed the expression of Zarek to see if there was a hint that would prove his words to be true and he got it.
Zarek gritted his teeth seeing the face he had come to despise. However, what shocked him a bit was the identity of James.
'A duke, huh? No wonder he had that authoritative air around him. Still…'
He gritted his teeth in anger just staring at the profile. He wanted nothing more than to carve his insides out for stealing Thalia from him.
Feryn had already confirmed from his expression that Zarek recognized him. Now he just waited for the man to speak.
'We're finally close.'
"Oh, I know him alright."
His voice came out with a bit of mockery.
"But what I want to know is what you intend to do once you find him. I have a bit of conflict with him after all…"
Even if they were from the Solene Kingdom, he wasn't willing to back down. In this domain, everything goes and even if they wanted to come after him outside, they'd be dealing with the Order of the Sunbound.
And the Order was no joke. They protected their own as the protectors of Veloria, they had to have security to carry out their duties.
This was where his confidence came from and why he wasn't willing to compromise on his desire.
Feryn watched to see if there was any hint of deceit but couldn't find any.
'He's anger is genuine. We could use him.'
The thought brought a small smile to his face that disappeared just as quickly.
"He's wanted by the kingdom for something I can't disclose."
He disclosed.
"I see… Is there an order for his death or do you want him captured?"
Just to be sure, he needed to make things clear.
"Alive, but if not possible, …."
He didn't continue as his silence was all the information he needed. This brought a smile to his face.
"That's good. However, if you're searching for him with that face, you're out of luck. But I'm guessing you already knew that."
Feryn remained quiet and waited for him to finish. He already knew that as it was the most obvious thing to do when on the run.
Zarek raised his left hand as he channelled his mana and a bright light reminiscent of the sun glowed from his palm, swirling to produce an image.
The action caused Feryn and his men to frown with concern. While light magic was available on the market to buy, the spell was mostly used by the people of Subound.
'Sunbound. That can't be good.'
He suddenly felt like this was a bad idea before he recalled where they were.
'Still…'
"Don't sweat the small stuff."
He grinned in excitement seeing their fearful expression, knowing that the organization he was part of shook anyone who had any ill intent towards them.
"This is the face he uses, at least since the last time I saw him. And it just happens that I was searching for him."
Feryn and his men burned the image of James's new look on their retinas.
'Finally…'
What was left was to see if they could collaborate to find him.