After finishing his conversation with Tauga about the Eastern Great Forest, Caron's first destination was none other than Akan, the dwarf he had rescued from the plains.0

The Oceanwolf Knight Order, the Magic Tower of the empire, and the Pajar Sultanate had all intervened to rescue his comrades, and now, Caron had received the final report on the outcome.0

Not that it had ever really been in doubt.0

"Thank you! Truly, thank you!" Akan exclaimed.0

"There's no need to thank me. We only did what had to be done," Caron said.0

Every single dwarf slave had been freed. But that wasn't all.0

At Caron's strong insistence, other captives who had been forcibly imprisoned in Noa were also liberated. There had been a brief clash in the process, but the Free City Union would likely stay silent, since two great powers had banded together to strong-arm the weaker ones.0

"The Oceanwolf Knight Order will ensure that the rescued dwarves are escorted safely back to their city," Caron said with a reassuring smile, clasping Akan's thick hand.0

It was a heartwarming scene on the surface, but Leo, who had been watching from the sidelines, immediately saw through Caron's hidden intentions.0

…Poor Akan, Leo thought.0

That gleam of greed in Caron's eyes, barely concealed beneath his smile… He was nothing short of a bandit.0

Perhaps Caron had noticed Leo's expression, as he suddenly...0