The Herb King

Emperor Ragnar adjusted his posture and looked at Baron with agitation. "What did you say?!"

Baron took a deep breath as he answered in a low voice. "Your Majesty, I believe that guy is a Level 5 Esper and he was here in Lion City before he left."

Emperor Ragnar's expression turned grave as he ruminated Baron's words. The presence of a Level 5 Esper was very dangerous to the Leone Empire since they didn't have a warrior who can fight someone as strong as that. The person might also be an expert sent by another empire to observe the situation or he might be a passing hermit who has ulterior motives. There were many things to consider and the emperor thought of all various possibilities.

It wasn't just the emperor, the faces of Julius and Jericho also turned solemn. The two silently decided to forget about their feud for the time being since the matter at hand was alarming. Leone Empire didn't have the ability to go against a Level 5 Esper! Even if they send out all their Level 4 Espers, they would only die needlessly.

"Uhm, Lord Baron, when did you see this person?" A timid voice broke the silence and they all turned their heads to the little girl who immediately shrunk her neck when she sensed their gazes.

Baron replied. "Yesterday around noon."

"That's the same time Sir Aethelwolf left the clinic..." Janrose muttered carelessly in a silent voice, but the inclination in her words shocked everyone inside the room.

'I was discussing something with Sir Aethelwolf yesterday morning and I left before noon. Could it be...' Julius thought to himself with an incredulous look.

Janrose's words kept on replaying inside their heads and the more they thought about it, the more it sounded plausible. Aethelwolf left Dominion District at the same time the 'Level 5 Esper' was discovered flying. It was a simple coincidence, but the possibility of the two people being the same person was still there.

Emperor Ragnar recalled Dimitri's words after they met Aethelwolf. "I can't sense his exact level..."

Janrose realized that everyone had become strangely silent so she didn't let out a sound. The people here were all important figures who could summon the winds and clouds of the Leone Empire.

The battle event continued, but no one inside the room was focusing on the matchups.

***

At the end of the battle event, Janrose excused herself and left the arena.

"Miss Janrose, can I have a moment of your time?" A respectful voice echoed behind her just as she was about to board a carriage. She turned her gaze and saw the family head of the Rayden Household, Jericho Rayden. Upon seeing the old man, Janrose furrowed her eyebrows.

According to Lord Julius, this person provoked his teacher. She didn't want to be associated with him to prevent Aethelwolf from misunderstanding her.

When Jericho saw her displeased look, he could only smile helplessly. "Miss Janrose, I came here in Dominion District to look for Sir Aethelwolf and apologize to him. It's true that someone from the Rayden Household angered him and it's also my daughter. I have already punished her for her actions. I just want to know if you have an idea where he has gone to so that I can apologize to him in person." Because of the matter earlier, Jericho no longer dared to secretly harbor malice towards Aethelwolf. Although the possibility of him being a Level 5 Esper was not yet proven, he believed that the man has the potential to become one.

Janrose's expression eased up when she heard the gentle tone of the old man. "Lord Jericho, to tell you the truth, my teacher didn't tell me where he would go, but I remember him saying that he will only be gone for a few days. If you really want to apologize to him, you can wait here in Dominion District and I'll send someone to notify you once he arrives."

"Sure! Let's do that! Thank you so much, Miss Janrose!" Jericho grabbed the girl's hands and shook them joyfully. He then released her hands awkwardly when he saw her fuming look.

"Just send me your address, Lord Jericho." Janrose glared at the old man.

"Please drop the honorifics with me, Miss Janrose. Sir Aethelwolf might blame this old man for treating you poorly. Just call me by my name or Sir Jericho is fine too." Jericho said with a smile.

It was imperative for commoners to refer to the nobility as 'Lord' or 'Madam', but now that she was Aethelwolf's student, her status took a drastic change and even exceeded that of the nobility.

She was hesitant, but she soon nodded her head. "Alright, Sir Jericho. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

"Wait! How about I send you back to your home? It's almost nighttime and the road might be dangerous. My guards can follow us along the way." After knowing more about Aethelwolf, the more fearful Jericho has become. He was hoping that Aethelwolf would let him off on account of ensuring his student's safety.

Janrose thought for a moment before eventually giving in. The old man seemed to be genuine in wanting to make amends with her teacher. "Fine. I can bring you inside the mansion to have some tea. We are currently living in my teacher's mansion and if you want, I'll have someone arrange a room for you to stay in."

"Really? Let's do that, Miss Janrose! I'll be more than happy!" Jericho smiled from ear to ear. He no longer had the resemblance of the fierce warrior that he was a few decades ago. He looked like a gentle neighborhood grandpa who was out on a vacation with her granddaughter.

Aurus who was riding on top of his mount sighed and shook his head when he saw this scene. He had already heard about the things they talked about earlier so he understood Jericho's situation. "We are getting old. I think it's also for the best to let go of our past hatred..." He muttered as he urged his mount to follow Jericho's carriage.