"I’m not from the same department as you, so no need for formalities."
The expressionless Ian raised his hand, stopping the captain from speaking further, "Continue with your mission."
"Reporting to the superior, the mission has been completed."
The Iron Folk captain, with his silver-grey hair, showed a rather stiff smile. He respectfully took out a blank report and a pen from his bosom and handed them to Ian, "How many should I say are good?"
"Not a single one. This is a very law-abiding town."
Ian glanced at the report, then drew a ’0’ before handing it back to the captain, "Take this. You did well."
As he spoke, it was unclear when, but a shimmering green alchemical potion had been mixed in with the returned paper and pen.
"This is..."
Captain Fasha’s eyes widened. He instinctively sensed danger and expense from the potion and carefully cradled it in his hands.
"Ant Queen’s Decay," said Ian indifferently, "Be careful not to let it leak, that’s very expensive... and very dangerous. Remember to deliver it to the person it’s meant for, understand?"
"Yes, superior!" Fasha trembled but his face showed delight.
"Hmm, off you go." Ian waved his hand dismissively. Though he did not show impatience, his tone made it quite clear.
Fasha saluted Ian again, then turned his head and shouted loudly to the squad behind him, "Everyone fall in! Release them, today’s task is over!"
The guards didn’t hesitate and quickly removed the shackles from everyone, setting them free.
The armor suits reactivated and the search party left Gar Town.
Along the way, the soldier who had been scolded earlier drew close, perplexed - he was related to the captain, "Captain, why were you so courteous to that young lad? He seems to be just a handsome face... somewhat? He should only be at the First Power Level, regardless of his background, it shouldn’t warrant such respect..."
"You know nothing."
With a glare, Captain Fasha whispered, "If it’s a 18 to 20-year-old First-Level Sublimator, then you can treat him like a junior."
"If they’re 16, you address them with respect, treat them politely, and let them do what they want to do when necessary - we don’t interfere."
"But if it’s that young, overly fresh-faced one over there, who’s also a Spirit Energy User... it’s best to address him politely as ’superior.’ Whatever he says goes, and if he tells you to act like a dog, you’d better bark."
"Not to mention, he’s the one the higher-ups have been looking for... do you know why he gave me this potion?"
Carrying the ’Ant Queen’s Decay’ potion carefully in his hands, gazing at the green glass bottle, Captain Fasha’s tone was tinged with emotion, "Because he’s well aware that I recognized his identity... and he knows my mission."
"This potion allows us to analyze how far his alchemical skills have progressed - he is such a talented genius that has drawn attention! From now on, be careful, and think why the younger someone is, the more untouchable they are!"
Ian watched them leave, hearing this exchange but showing little emotion.
The youth surveyed the entirety of Quinor Plains.
—He could only help one small town... and that was all.
He shouldn’t only be able to help one. The fault didn’t lie with the townspeople.
The youth turned his head, his gaze meeting that of the Mayor Yemor, who wore a complex expression, before calmly nodding, "This is the only time I can help you."
"Thank you... thank you, Ian... sir."
The Elder, who had previously displayed a bit of temper, lowered his head and bent his waist, expressing his gratitude seriously, but couldn’t come up with many non-repetitive words, "Thank you... really, thank you very much..."
"No need to thank me."
Ian looked down and said, "In some respects, this is indeed against the law. Be properly prepared next time."
His words were official formalities.
"We understand... but!" Mayor Yemor, suppressing his voice, straightened his back but did not raise his head, his hands clasped tightly together, "But I really don’t understand, how is just living here a crime... "
"We all paid our taxes in full, never being in arrears - but a temporary residence permit requires a trip to the city for more than ten or twenty days, how can average families afford that, for something needed twice a year..."
"I didn’t hear you say anything, Mayor Grandfather, they haven’t gone far."
With a sigh, Ian raised his head and locked eyes with Aunt Julia, who was peeking out from a house, the youth smiling and waving, "The apple pie was delicious! Thank you, Aunt Julia!"
But the woman retreated back into the house.
Unperturbed, Ian simply lowered his hand and continued to Mayor Yemor, "Mr. Mayor, I have another question for you..."
But the old man suddenly erupted.
"I know what you, as a knight, want to ask..."
The already ruddy elder took a step forward, his hands tightly clutching the gauntlet part of Ian’s left armored clothing. He raised his head, his eyes brimming with redness, and said, "Why must we live next to the Imperial Capital? Yes, a knight like you had helped us before and asked the same question—can’t you high and mighty people think about it?!"
"The environment here is good, life here is good... it’s that simple! After the turmoil of the Dark Moon, we spent half our lives rebuilding the Imperial Capital, don’t we even have the right to live next to it?!"
"Yes, we are greedy, when things are good we want them to be better, and since we can live next to the Imperial Capital, of course, we hope to continue living here! So, even those without a temporary residence permit, without time or money, want to stay here!"
"We were wrong, but..."
"...No, wanting to live in a better place isn’t wrong. It’s definitely not being greedy."
——Such a system is unreasonable.
Ian fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Actually, that wasn’t the question I wanted to ask."
"Mayor, my question is actually very simple."
Ian sighed and pointed towards the light pillar in the direction of the Imperial Capital, "Does that thing affect your daily life?"