After listening to Abulei’s recount, Angel understood the whole process of the matter.
Old Porter’s urgent intelligence report involved a Guide from the Barbarian Cave.
After accepting the guiding mission, this Guide began a journey overseas to search for Talented Ones, later returning to the mainland, planning to cross the Gumman Kingdom to see if there were any more Talented Ones in the Arley Duchy.
However, unexpectedly, this Guide found a boy covered in wounds and unconscious near Princess Town in the Gumman Kingdom.
The Guide saved this boy, and after testing, discovered he was also a Talented One.
However, this boy seemed to have some unspeakable concerns. Although he agreed to follow the Guide into the Wizards’ Realm, he was always silent, never smiling.
The Guide merely assumed it was youthful worries and didn’t inquire further. Upon learning he was an orphan, she took him along.
When passing by Princess Town, the Guide planned to stay overnight at Old Porter’s place.
Unexpectedly, not long after they entered Princess Town, trouble erupted.
The Guide was surrounded by a group of Royal Knight Group from the Gumman Kingdom. Although not particularly strong, they were numerous. The Guide, only an Apprentice, was eventually captured.
In fact, the Guide was much stronger than Abulei. If she truly wanted to escape at the time, the Knights might not have stopped her. However, she was not alone; behind her were Talented Ones found from various places, some very close to her. Consequently, she didn’t abandon them during the attack and ended up caught.
After being captured, Old Porter investigated through various channels, finally confirming that one of the Talented Ones had offended the daughter of the Princess.
And that person was the boy saved earlier.
Due to his special status, Old Porter couldn’t reveal it, so he had to covertly find connections to intervene. Yet, the Princess, even knowing the other party was a Guide from the Barbarian Cave, showed no fear or intention to release them.
Old Porter was at his wit’s end and could only write an urgent report, hoping for organizational help.
Angel: "Old Porter’s approach is correct; notifying the organization is the simplest and most effective resolution. Why did you intrude into the Princess’s Castle, thinking you could rescue the Guide with your abilities?"
Indeed, Abulei was hunted by the pack of hounds precisely because she intruded into the Princess’s Castle and was discovered.
This marked the beginning of her escape journey.
When there was no room to escape, she sought assistance from Angel.
Abulei appeared sheepish, explaining, "No, I didn’t overestimate my abilities. I... I just wanted to check on their situation."
This time, it wasn’t Angel who ridiculed; the Crowned Parrot had already entered a mouthy mode: "Are you stupid, foolish, or idiotic? To check on their situation, you have to invade enemy territory. How is this different from single-handedly breaking into prison for a rescue? Oh, heavens, I regret it. How did I make a contract with such a foolish woman!"
Abulei knew her explanation was absurd. It’s no wonder the Crowned Parrot criticized her; even Dox covered his forehead and sighed.
Abulei shamefully lowered her head, stammering, "That Guide, actually, is a friend of mine. So, at that time, I acted impulsively..."
"Your ability to make friends is evident, and your impulsiveness highlights your stupidity." The Crowned Parrot mercilessly ridiculed her.
Angel was at a loss as well; Abulei’s action could easily be part of the "Human Baffling Operations Awards".
But since this matter involved the Barbarian Cave’s Guide, Angel couldn’t ignore it. Now that he knew, he naturally had to consider some solutions.
"The Guide, your so-called friend, what is her name?" Angel asked.
Abulei raised her head: "Lady Melo."
Lady Melo? Angel recalled for a moment, then from deep memory found some matters about that name. In terms of seniority, she was Serum’s senior sister, having joined ’Sage of the Night’ Kaylar’s door thirty years ago. At that time, she received a Golden Invitation.
Serum occasionally mentioned Lady Melo in conversation, often with sincere respect. She was an elegant, classical, principled, and rule-abiding Witch.
Serum previously asserted firmly that while Nanaji and Bates were considered the most dazzling Twins in the current Barbarian Cave, it was only because they chose to be prominent, whereas the low-key Lady Melo would undoubtedly enter the Official Wizard ranks before them.
Overall, Serum held Lady Melo in high regard.
Who was Serum? A pure bookworm with a keen observational prowess, especially towards others. Angel trusted Serum’s judgment.
"So it’s her; it seems you do have some reliable friends." Angel said quietly.
Abulei blushed: "The Lord knows Lady Melo."
Angel: "I’ve heard of her."
After speaking, Angel didn’t delve further into Lady Melo’s affairs but stood up, saying: "Since it concerns an organization’s Guide, I will go take a look."
Guides being captured is a significant event for any organization. Moreover, Lady Melo and Serum had a close relationship, and regardless of that, Angel would help.
Angel looked toward the direction of the Gumman Kingdom, his gaze calm.
After all, it wasn’t far from here to Princess Town...
Angel decided to act, bringing relief to Abulei. She dared not speak much, following closely behind Angel.
Angel glanced at Dox: "Thank you for leading the way. I may not be able to return to see Kaier right away, but I’ll deal with matters here swiftly. I hope you can pass on my message to Kaier."
Dox seemingly didn’t hear, instead asking other questions: "Are you from the Barbarian Cave?"
This didn’t need answering; Abulei had explained clearly before.
Dox knew; he asked merely to speculate on Angel’s identity. He continued asking, "Do you think the famous Red Sword Dox will retreat when it involves the Gumman royal family?"
Angel frowned, suspecting Dox intended to join? Why would he go?
Angel didn’t believe another person would simplify matters, rather making it more cumbersome.
Dox didn’t wait for Angel’s answer, continuing: "I think, more than my departure, you should handle that group of people."
The "group of people" Dox referred to was naturally the Royal Knight Group of the Gumman royal family.
Previously, Angel had only used mirage and sound illusion to trap them in an illusionary realm, causing them to faint, but did not kill them.