Second World

The captain of the patrolling soldiers down there had the Fly spell. He cast it and flew up into the sky to meet Jack who was still staring at the people down on the ground, hoping to catch a glimpse of Long.

"You are under arrest for disturbing public orders! Follow me down, right now!" The captain exclaimed.

He grabbed Jack's shoulder and tried to pull Jack down, but Jack wasn't moving. He couldn't inspect Jack so he was unaware of Jack's level. He himself was a level 65 special elite.

Jack gave up trying to locate Long. He looked at the captain and said, "I'm sorry. It's not my intention to cause a disturbance. I'm chasing a fugitive. Follow me, someone will explain the matters to you."

Jack took off just like that. The captain's grab was not strong enough to hold Jack.

"Hey, wait…!" The captain called. The dragon form's flying speed was much faster than his Fly spell.

Jack flew where he came from and landed before the shop owned by Hidden Dragons. A crowd has gathered there to see the commotion. Some soldiers formed a perimeter to keep the crowd away. Arthur was seen talking with Lindsey and the others while the five bound players were sitting on the ground.

The soldiers were startled to see a dragonman suddenly land within the perimeter. Some adopted attacking poses ready to attack, thinking a monster had brazenly entered the capital.

"Hold! I'm an ally!" Jack exclaimed and ended his beast form. He returned to his orc disguise.

"He is a friend," Arthur told the tense soldiers. He then came to Jack and said, "They told me that you went and chased another suspect. Seeing that you don't bring back anyone, you failed or have you killed him?"

"I failed," Jack sighed. "That one who escaped is most likely the leader of this operation."

"That's okay. This is good enough already," Arthur said. "I am going to meet the princess to report about this. This is enough to outlaw the Hidden Dragons. We will crack all the buildings owned by them and capture their members for interrogation. I believe that without a place to hide, the World Maker players won't be able to continue their operation here."

Jack nodded. He thanked his three royal agents and unsummoned them. The soldiers took the five bound players to jail. By then, the captain from the patrolling soldiers finally caught up. Seeing Arthur with Jack, he greeted, "Sir Arthur, he…"

Arthur was already well-known among the kingdom officers. He was a good friend to the princess and also an incredible swordsman. Some military officers had sparred with him on a few occasions. Those who did so were left with a deep impression of how flawless Arthur's swordsmanship was.

"He is the princess' friend," Arthur said. He then explained to the captain what had happened. The captain knew then that Jack was telling the truth.

After the captain excused himself, Arthur said to Jack, "Come with me. The princess wants to meet you."

"That is my intention as well," Jack said and followed Arthur.

Arthur took Jack to the zone portal. They both teleported to the capital, Messephyria. Arthur then hailed a carriage that took them to the noble district. When Jack saw that they stopped in front of a lovely building instead of the palace, Jack was disappointed. This meant although he had helped settle the serial killing case, he still didn't earn an audience with the queen.

Arthur led Jack into the building, which was a place of retreat for the wealthy. It was a similar establishment owned by Duke Alfredo in Thereath, where Jack and Dylan went after the auction.

Arthur brought Jack into a private room. Inside the room was filled with exquisite decoration which Jack thought was too excessive. A comely draconian girl in an elegant robe was sitting on a large round sofa in the room.

Since only the three of them were inside the room. Jack changed back to his human form.

"Princess Aldryth," Both Jack and Arthur greeted.

"King Storm Wind, Sir Arthur," Aldryth greeted back and told them to sit. "I take it that the operation at Abdiletra bore results?"

"Yes, Your Highness. We again found World Maker's members in hiding inside Hidden Dragons' shop. We can now conclude that the two guilds are working together," Arthur answered.

Arthur continued his report in more detail as Jack sat quietly at the side and listened.

After he finished, Aldryth turned to Jack and said, "We thank you for your help, King Storm Wind."

"Arthur mentioned that you intended to have me deal with the case. You could have just asked, you know," Jack said.

Aldryth gave her signature small smile without saying anything in response.

"Does this convince you enough that I am on your side?" Jack asked. "Can we finally work together to fight Liguritudum and Aurebor?"

"I'm convinced, King Storm Wind. Unfortunately, my mother is not," Aldryth answered.

Jack frowned upon the answer. "I've pulled back my army at the border. I've solved the serial killings problem. What else does she need me to do to prove that I'm an ally?" Jack asked in frustration.

"I'm truly sorry, King Storm Wind. After what you did yesterday by saving Zoikod and capturing the perpetrators, I'm already convinced. I've spoken at length with my mother this morning. But unfortunately, we draconian can be rather stubborn. My mother especially. I'm afraid that nothing you do will be able to convince her otherwise."

Jack was depressed hearing that.

"But the army guarding the border facing Themisphere had been recalled, Isn't it?" Arthur asked. After hanging out with Hydrurond officers for so long, he had many native friends in the military. He heard about the army's movements from them.

"That's true, but not because my mother trusted Themisphere. It's simply because she doesn't have a choice."

"No choice?"

Aldryth nodded. "The Liguritudum army which had beaten our first army had headed North. We didn't expect them to move so fast. But somehow, they crossed the distance faster than expected. Yesterday, they ambushed our second army that was battling Aurebor.  Our second army had suffered massive losses."

"That bad…?"

"The battle is still going on as we speak. But from the report this morning, it was not encouraging. Our second army won't last for long. With how things go, we can only rely on our third army to return to the capital and make our final stand here."