Kaer's voice grew fainter and fainter in his despair, inevitably signaling that he was being dragged away to the prison cells at the Guard Headquarters.

Reize glanced at the wrecked casino, a flash of disdain in his eyes. He was about to turn and leave when a guard walked over, leading a petite girl with him.

"Lord Commander, we found this elven girl in the cage at the back. She seems to have been lured or trafficked here," the guard reported.

Reize turned to look. The girl appeared to be very young, with sharp elven ears and eyes as clear as water, now nervously staring at him. Her slender frame trembled slightly, evoking pity.

"I... I didn't participate in the gambling," she weakly defended herself, not daring to meet Reize's gaze. "I was trafficked here... They said they were going to sell me to someone else..."

Looking at the poor elven girl before him, for some reason, Reize's usually ironclad heart stirred involuntarily. He quickly restrained his emotions, forcing away the unfamiliar feeling.

He stepped closer and carefully examined her, confirming that she didn't have any visible injuries. His tone unconsciously softened as he spoke.

"Where is your home? I will send someone to take you back."

The nearby guards were dumbfounded. It was the first time they had seen their commander speak in such a gentle tone.

Upon hearing the question, the girl lowered her head, and it seemed like tears were hanging on her long eyelashes.

"I... I don't have a home anymore."

An orphan?

Reize fell silent.

"You're not a native of Dalton?"

"Then... do you have somewhere else to go? Any relatives?"

The girl shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness. Her home had long been destroyed, and she had been tricked to this unfamiliar place. Although she had luckily not been violated, she had no idea where to go next.

Seeing the homeless elven girl before him, a thought quickly took root in Reize's mind.

He took a deep breath and made a decision that surprised even him.

"If you have nowhere to go... would you be willing to come with me?"

The girl froze.

This was the same thing the man who had tricked her here said not long ago!

She instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she looked up and saw Reize's exceptionally sincere eyes, the words of rejection caught in her throat.

"Little elf, don't be afraid. Our commander is a good person, the protector of Dalton Town," one of the guards interjected reassuringly.

"That's right! We have many elven people living in Dalton. You won't have to worry about not finding your kin!" another guard chimed in.

Reize gave the guard a nod of approval before extending his rough, calloused hand towards Amelia.

Amelia hesitated for a moment. After battling with her inner turmoil, the inexplicable trust she felt for this stern yet gentle man overcame her fear.

She nodded lightly.

"Mm... okay."

"What's your name?"

"Lord... My name is Amelia."

"Very well, Amelia. Let's go!"

As she placed her soft little hand into his large palm, Reize felt his heart skip a beat.

They walked out of the dim, filthy underground casino and into the sunlight.

Although the light was blinding, Reize found his mood strangely light and pleasant.

He turned to look at Amelia, who instinctively shielded her eyes with her hand, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Lord Commander, how should we deal with those captured, including Kaer from the Morris family?"

A deputy officer stepped forward to ask.

Reize returned his gaze to the front, his tone reverting to its usual cold firmness.

"Strictly interrogate according to the Dalton Code. Anyone involved will be punished according to the law. There will be no leniency!"

"And... what about young Master Kaer?" the deputy officer cautiously asked.

Reize paused for a moment, his gaze unwavering.

"Did I not make myself clear? Punish them according to the law!"

"Yes, Lord Commander!" the deputy officer responded, his voice firm as he saluted.

...

New Dalton, Morris Family Mansion.

After New Dalton opened, prominent families like the Morris family naturally had priority to settle in, securing vast territories.

"What?!"

"Kaer has been captured by the Dalton Guard?!"

Family head Patrick, shocked and angry, leapt from his luxurious chair.

A family guard kneeled nearby, his voice trembling as he reported.

"Patriarch, it seems young Master Kaer broke the law and even involved Lord Commander Reize personally."

"Reize?!"

Morris gasped, his face turning pale, and he slumped back into his seat in despair.

Reize!

He knew this man too well. Reize was President's most loyal blade, strict and incorruptible in his enforcement of the law. Especially when it came to following the rules set by the President, he showed no mercy.

With his son in Reize's hands, Patrick feared the worst...

Suddenly, Patrick sprang to his feet, as if grasping at the last thread of hope, and rushed toward the inner part of the mansion.

"Patriarch, Ancestor is in deep meditation. She has ordered that no one disturb her."

"You may wait until she comes out," a servant blocked his path.

Patrick's face was ashen.

If he waited any longer, his son might lose his life!

Although Kaer was not his only heir, he was still his flesh and blood. How could he just watch his son die?

President! Yes, only President could save Kaer!

Hope flared in Patrick's heart, and he hurriedly made his way to the President's mansion.

"Morris, you're in such a hurry. What's happened?"

Just as he left the mansion, he ran into Christopher, the current head of the Hans family, another top family in Dalton.

Christopher, with a radiant complexion and a spring in his step, was enjoying a leisurely stroll. As the head of the Hans family, his family was thriving, and he had no troubles on his mind.

Morris, however, had no time for pleasantries and forced a smile.

"Christopher, I have urgent business with President. We'll talk another time."

Without waiting for a response, he quickly left.

Christopher furrowed his brow slightly, watching Morris's retreating figure. A glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes.

He raised a hand, and a shadow appeared silently at his side.

"Go check what's going on with the Morris family."

"Yes, Patriarch," the shadow replied, disappearing without a sound.

Christopher stood still, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

The Morris family was of equal status to the Hans family. If something happened to them, it was possible the same could happen to them. He needed to be prepared and take precautions.

This caution would lay the foundation for the Hans family's stable growth in the future.

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