The Fire Thief’s attack put the entire Sigerno City on martial law. A curfew was imposed on the citizens, and all personnel on duty were forbidden from leaving their posts without permission.
Even Carl, who was used to slacking off, had to muster his energy and clock in at the patrolling office every day.
This resulted in very slow progress in reforging his broad sword.
Only after finishing work each day did he have time to go to the Divine Domain Fragment to hammer his weapon.
The Artifact Refining room.
With his upper body bare, Carl gripped the tongs in one hand and swung the hammer with the other, ceaselessly forging the iron plate on the anvil.
With every heavy strike, sparks flew.
After a certain number of strikes, he would heat the metal in the forge, adding certain materials to it.
The intense heat melted the metal.
Then, when he plunged it into the ice water beside him, thick white smoke instantly billowed out, filling the entire Artifact Refining room.
He repeated the process over and over.
The iron plate gradually took on the shape of a broad sword, its surface revealing the fish-scale pattern formed by the hammering.
Carl suddenly furrowed his brow and stopped what he was doing. He turned and stepped out of the Divine Domain Fragment.
The night was dark, the crescent moon obscured by black clouds. Though not pitch-black, everything was hazy.
He pushed open the window.
Something seemed to be wriggling in the corner by the wall.
Carl leaped down from the second floor and moved into the shadows, casting a light spell to peer into the corner.
It was ’she’ who had triggered the Witchcraft Traps in the yard, setting off the alarm.
Eugene, dressed in a police uniform and holding a long knife, led a group of officers to the gate, pounding on the door.
"Open the door, quickly!"
The violent knocking not only woke the house’s occupant but also caused the neighbors to light their candles one after another.
Many people pushed open their windows to look outside.
"What’s going on?" Carl, cranky from being rudely awakened from a deep sleep, threw on a robe and pulled open the gate.
He glared at the officers standing before the gate, his face flushed with anger. "What is it?"
"Do you really think a noble in decline can be bullied at will? Tell me who your superior is! I’m going to complain to the Noble Council. I’ll see to it that none of you can wear that uniform again!"
"Baron Carl." This time, Eugene was not as polite or respectful as he had been previously. He spoke with a stern face, "Just now, we received a report that you’re hiding a missing little girl here. We’ve been ordered to search the place!"
"Nonsense!" Carl was furious. "I am a noble! Without permission from the Noble Council, you have no right to search my residence."
"And," he continued angrily, "who said I’ve hidden a missing girl here? Bring him to me! I’ll show him the consequences of framing a noble!"
"Apologies." Eugene shook his head. "We keep the identity of the informant strictly confidential."
"Besides..." A cruel smile touched Eugene’s lips. "Due to the Fire Thief’s attack, the City Lord has ordered a strict investigation of any suspicious individuals, including nobles. Therefore, we are now authorized to search your residence."
"Please step aside, Baron!"
"Why waste words on him!" Nielsen, the officer who had been aggressive previously, rushed into the courtyard. "I always knew there was something wrong with him. Blocking us from entering means he’s definitely hiding something shady in here."
"Keep an eye on him! Don’t let him escape!"
"Baron?" Turning, Nielsen sneered with disdain, "Pah!"
Carl’s expression was icy, but he didn’t forcibly intervene, allowing the group of officers to pour into the courtyard.
Nielsen strode across the courtyard, making a beeline for the corner.
The empty corner made his expression shift subtly. He instinctively turned, throwing an inquiring look at Eugene. How could there be nothing here?
"Nothing here either!"
The group searched the courtyard, including the basement, but found no sign of the so-called ’missing girl’.
Carl snorted coldly. "Hmph! What do you have to say now?"
"Apologies!" Eugene snapped back to reality, his face once again displaying a sycophantic smile as he bowed respectfully. "It seems this was a misunderstanding. Apologies for disturbing you, Baron."
"We’ll leave right away!"
"You’d better hope this is the end of it." Carl looked at him, his demeanor indifferent and cold. "Get out!"
"Yes." Eugene gave a forced laugh. "We’re going, right away!"
He waved his hand, leading the group away quickly, just as hurriedly as they had arrived.
Carl watched them leave until their figures disappeared. Only then did he shut the courtyard gate and slip away to the back.
Shortly after, he carried an unconscious little girl from a deserted back alley to a house, placing her in its yard.
"Mmm..." The little girl opened her eyes groggily. Seeing the familiar surroundings, her expression of fear and dread turned to ecstatic joy.
She called out faintly, ignoring her battered body as she struggled to her feet.
Inside the house, someone spoke hesitantly. As candlelight flickered to life, a couple rushed out in a panic.
"My Amy! Am I dreaming?"
"Mother, it’s me." The little girl sobbed. "It’s really me!"
Mother and daughter embraced, crying bitterly.
"Merciful Master of Dawn, thank you for bringing our daughter back to us!" The father knelt, incessantly praising the Master of Dawn.
From the shadows, Carl slowly withdrew his gaze.
He knew some people disliked him, but such blatant framing was still eye-opening.
Several figures appeared under the cover of night.
This was the industrial district of the northern city, where various textile mills, smelting plants, and warehouses were clustered, bustling with the movement of goods.