When the administrator mentioned the name "Allen Watson," Amber Xu could somewhat predict what had transpired.
The Ryan Empire was even more ruthless than he had anticipated. What could have been solved with a mere bribe was instead met with the most drastic of measures.
That James Watson, the editor-in-chief, truly seemed indifferent to his son's fate.
The orc bartender, upon hearing the question, was about to respond, but his eyes involuntarily darted toward Amber Xu.
The young administrator, perceptive as ever, immediately noticed this and turned to Amber Xu. "It seems you are also involved. Come, you drink too."
With that, the administrator placed two more vials of magical potions on the bar.
The administrator spoke with an air of absolute authority, as if there were no room for negotiation whatsoever.
In Alchemy City, an administrator represented absolute truth, with no space for contradiction.
The Headless One chuckled, turning to Amber Xu. "Diga, my friend, do you need a hand?"
Upon hearing this, the administrator sneered, "You wish to resist? Fine by me—I'll lock you up, and that will save me the trouble of interrogating you. I can go back to my experiments."
With a single sentence, he had effectively declared an arrest, offering no explanation, no chance for anyone to argue. He immediately commanded his golem automatons to approach Amber Xu and the Headless One.
The massive golems, hissing steam with each step, moved towards them, their hands reaching for the Headless One.
These golems were incredibly strong, capable of crushing even rock with ease.
The tavern patrons hastily backed away, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
The administrator was pleased with their reaction. In Alchemy City, the words of alchemists were law. To live here, one had no choice but to obey their commands.
Those without even a basic understanding of alchemy were nothing more than parasites in the city. Just as the Ryan Empire despised heretics, Alchemy City looked down on those who came here seeking a livelihood—"lower class" as they saw them.
In the administrator's eyes, the Headless One was just a shabby, down-and-out adventurer. His audacity to speak disrespectfully would naturally lead to imprisonment.
However, the outcome was entirely different from what he had expected.
The golem's steel arm reached for the Headless One's shoulder, attempting to subdue him. Yet, it was as though the golem was trying to move a mountain—the mechanical core emitted a deafening hum, but the Headless One remained completely still.
The Headless One sneered, "Is that it? I wouldn't even call that a massage."
The administrator's eyes widened. He hadn't seen any magic being used, yet this golem, capable of twisting steel, was unable to move a mere man?
Amber Xu sighed. Initially, he didn't want to escalate things, but now that they had attacked his guest, there was no room for compromise. How could he continue to maintain his reputation at the Mourning Poets' Society otherwise?
Two bolts of lightning shot from Amber Xu's hand, striking the golems. The automatons trembled violently, emitting thick clouds of black smoke.
Instantly, both golems were rendered useless, leaving the young administrator startled.
These were Alchemy City's finest creations, known for their high resistance to magic. How could they have been so easily disabled?
"You actually dare to resist?!" the administrator shouted. "You are openly defying the laws of Alchemy City! Cease your unlawful actions, and I may consider a lighter punishment. Otherwise, you will face severe consequences. Do you really intend to go up against the entire city?"
At this point, only Alchemy City's power could offer him any solace, and he hoped the threat of its authority would intimidate the two men.
But Amber Xu, calm as ever, took out a badge and placed it before the administrator.
"This... this is...?" The administrator's eyes widened, and he quickly dropped to his knees before Amber Xu, panic evident in his voice. "My deepest apologies. I acted rashly. Please, forgive me, honored sir."
The Headless One was taken aback. "Oh? My friend, you're a man of rank in Alchemy City?"
Amber Xu shook his head. "No, this is an Outstanding Scholar badge. I've contributed several alchemical formulas to Alchemy City. It's an honorary title."
The Headless One was puzzled. "Not a man of power, so why would he be afraid of you?"
"In Alchemy City, knowledge trumps race, faith, and law. Aside from the Alchemist Council, no one has the right to pass judgment on an Outstanding Scholar. With a letter of recommendation, I could ensure that this administrator could never join any alchemy lab, effectively ruining his career. Unfortunately, this badge is more symbolic than anything else; it's hard to leverage."
Upon hearing this, the Headless One couldn't help but exclaim, "That's even more twisted than the beliefs of the religious fanatics in Ryan!"
Amber Xu nodded. Both religious discrimination and professional elitism were equally perverse.
The female orc tavern owner, who had been nervously watching from the side, hurried over to the Headless One, her voice filled with concern. "Gareth, how's your arm?"
Amber Xu, observing the female orc as she fussed over the Headless One's arm, couldn't quite tell if she was genuinely worried or just taking the opportunity for a little touch.
Ignoring the melodrama, Amber Xu took the lie-detection potion and addressed the administrator. "Drink this. I have some questions for you."
The administrator hesitated as he stared at the potion vial.
"You must be well aware that if I kill you now, I could easily absolve myself by writing a couple of papers for Alchemy City," Amber Xu said casually.
Though somewhat exaggerated—after all, only a paper published in *Legendary Spells* could truly absolve him—Amber Xu had no intention of killing the administrator. The cost of acquiring the data for such papers was far too high to simply give away to Alchemy City.
But the administrator didn't know that. He only understood that what Amber Xu had said was true—the papers of an Outstanding Scholar were indeed far more valuable than the life of any administrator.
Defeated, the administrator drank the lie-detection potion, his face twisting in distaste at the bitter taste.
Once Amber Xu confirmed the potion had taken effect, he asked, "What diplomatic order has the Ryan Empire issued that requires an administrator to investigate the whereabouts of this Saint Paladin?"
"I don't know much," the administrator responded. "But I've heard that this Allen Watson is the son of the highest judge of the Ryan Empire. So, the empire not only issued diplomatic orders for us to assist in the investigation of his disappearance, but they've also sent a diplomatic mission, which is currently on its way to Alchemy City. Their instructions are clear: they must find Allen Watson—alive or dead."
"A diplomatic mission? Is the highest judge himself coming?" Amber Xu pressed.
"No, not him personally. But the mission is highly important, led by the Inquisitor Knights, who report directly to the High Court, second only to the Emperor's Imperial Guard. Several council members are already involved, and they've dispatched numerous administrators to search for him. I'm merely one of them."
"The Inquisitor Knights? Gareth, have you heard of them?" Amber Xu turned to the Headless One.
The Headless One, enjoying the orc woman's massage, shook his head. "Never heard of them. The only force I know from Ryan is the Emperor's Imperial Guard."
"Well then," Amber Xu turned back to the administrator, "You can stop searching. Tell the council that Allen Watson is in my hands. If they want to talk, let them send someone to see me."
Amber Xu had no intention of hiding. He had already swindled Allen Watson out of five thousand gold coins, and that Paladin had also participated as a mercenary in a previous battle. There was no way to keep that a secret. Since that was the case, it would be better to negotiate directly with Alchemy City.
James Watson, the old man, had clearly refused to pay up, but perhaps Allen Watson could be sold to Alchemy City to recover some of the losses.
To Amber Xu, the highest judge's son was just another prisoner, but to Alchemy City, he might prove to be a valuable political bargaining chip.
End of Chapter.