NOVEL WEB Chapter 1134: Wanted Poster
Hannes City, Southern Federation.
The port of the City of Sails was as busy as ever. Ships of all sizes crowded the docks, their sails fluttering gently under the sea breeze. The vast majority of these ships were merchant vessels.
Located in the southermost part of the Uriel Continent, this coastal city had the most active mercantile community in the Southern Federation. It was also one of the only two coastal cities to establish trade routes with the Nahua Continent in the south.
As a result, the city welcomed merchants from not only the foreign continent but also the Acadian Empire all the way north of the Murky Mountains.
And so, this dock was always bustling at any given time of the day.
Sailors could be seen hurrying down the gangplanks with crates on their shoulders, shouting to make way as dockhands rolled large wooden barrels across the uneven planks. On the main docks, merchants roared the prices from their stalls as they sold spices, fabrics, or even seafood.
This was the familiar restless chaos of a city that thrived on trade. Moreover, ever since the Clover Academy had etablished a branch here, the population of the city had increased severalfold.
Among the many merchant vessels at the pier, one had just arrived from the Acadian Empire. As crates and barrels were unloaded onto the docks, a group of hooded figures moved across the gangplank.
One from the group stayed behind on the deck, discussing something with the captain of the vessel.
A middle-aged man with premature graying hair and brown eyes that seemed to have weathered the vicissitudes of life handed the captain, an elderly man with a burly build, a bulging leather pouch.
"This is for all your troubles, good sir." Rowan flashed a polite smile.
The captain harrumphed in displeasure. But after weighing the pouch, his expression softened a little bit. Still, he was full of indignation.
"You people made my men work like dogs," he said. "It was supposed to be a six-month journey from the Empire to Hannes City! Yet, we made it here in mere three months. I need more coins! Do you know how hard we've worked?!"
Rowan's smile remained the same as ever. "I understand, Captain. But in those three months, how many times have we saved this vessel from becoming food for the monsters of the deep? Let's not forget that we also worked together with your crew in these past months. Without our spells, the journey would never have been so quick."
The elderly captain was at a loss for words. He was about to argue further, but right at that moment, Rowan pushed another pouch of gold towards him. He then added with a smile:
"But I understand your point of view, Captain. So here's a little extra for all your troubles."
Then, he leaned forward and whispered, "Oh, and I would appreciate it if you don't divulge any information about us to anyone. You see… we wouldn't want anyone to know that we're headed to Moon City."
Without waiting for a response, Rowan turned around and disembarked the ship.
Meanwhile, the captain silently watched him leave, then scoffed, thinking to himself:
How foolish of you to disclose your destination…
The captain, of course, knew that this group of people was fugitives. He had ferried plenty of their type before. Normally, he wasn't the kind to betray a passenger's destination. But if his life were on the line… that was a different matter.
***
Passing through the bustling crowd at the docks, Rowan quickly caught up with his travelling party. After ensuring that his wife and kids were alright, he walked up to the forefront of the group.
There, an old man with shoulder-length white hair and a beard of matching color, wearing a hooded cloak, scanned the surroundings with sharp vigilance as he led the group out of the city. When he saw Rowan approach him, he asked in a soft, gentle voice:
"Rowan, is it taken care of?"
"Yes, my lord." The man nodded solemnly. "If our pursuers are stupid, they will head to Moon City, buying us enough time until we reach our true destination. But clearly, they are not, and I'm not aware of the arcane means Magi can use to pursue people, so…"
"Rest assured, lad." Kaspar York smiled gently. "We will reach our destination in one piece. And I mean all of us."
Kaspar knew that if it weren't for Rowan and his wife, Carla, none of them would have been able to make it out of the Empire safely. After all, all of them were grievously injured and unable to move after their brutal battle. And it was only because of the couple that they were safe.
It wouldn't be a stretch to claim that the mortal couple had saved the lives of three Mana Liquefaction Magi and a powerful Mana Vortex Magus!
"Yes, my lord." Rowan nodded. He thought for a moment, then added. "I will go look for transport immediately. We must not spend a moment longer in this city."
Kaspar smiled faintly. "Take Daryl with you. You don't have to do everything by yourself."
Rowan subconsciously blurted out, "My Lord, I dare not! You all do not have to worry about it. I will be right back—"
But right at that moment, a man with auburn hair, a mustache, and a goatee of matching color, and also wearing a hooded robe, put his hand around Rowan's shoulder. Then, he said in a laidback tone:
"Rowan, oh Rowan. No need to be so formal with us. After all that we've been through, I'd expect a little friendliness, yeah?"
"…Yes, my lord," Rowan said after a long pause. Then, the two of them broke away from the group and hurried ahead to find a carriage out of the city.
After slipping past the dockside security checkpoint with forged identification documents, the group made their way out of the city at an unhurried pace, careful not to draw attention.
To the officials and passersby, they looked like nothing more than another band of travelers passing through Hannes on their way deeper into the Southern Federation.
Suddenly, one of the hooded figures in the group halted, her attention caught by a piece of paper stuck to the wall. The others stopped as well and watched her move towards that piece of paper, which turned out to be a… wanted poster.
Reaching out with a fair, delicate hand, she tore it free and read the words written on it with a dark frown.
It read:
BY DECREE OF THE ACADIAN EMPIRE
WANTED
Adam Constantine
Enemy of the Empire, traitor, and fugitive.
Any information on his whereabouts is to be reported at once.
REWARD: 5,000,000 ACADIAN GOLD
Those who shelter or protect him shall be punished as accomplices.
Flames danced in the depths of Anna's scarlet eyes, and in the next moment...
She burned the wanted poster to ashes.