Pitter patter. The rain poured hard on the ground.

There were at least two hundred soldiers present at the site of the battle that had been fought. There were five types of uniforms.

The white uniforms of the Erito forces, green ones for those involved with medics, brown for restoration of the destroyed parts of the city, black also known as the Feladonia’s Forensic team and lastly a purple team whose job was not known but they seemed to be conducting their own investigation.

Sora was currently kneeling on the ground, with his hands and legs cuffed in metal chains. These weren’t ordinary chains but were rather anti-magic chains. So even if Sora tried to use magic he wouldn’t be able to break them. They were also very strong and durable, so no matter how much Sora tried he would not be able to break them.

This was the basic restrictions applied to Sora.

In addition, several spells had been cast on him as well.

A bind had been cast on his limbs and a Chakra Bind had been performed as well to restrict the circulation of ki.

If that had not been enough the Erito forces then performed a mana drain on Sora. They just couldn’t trust Sora.

The whole process took several minutes but it was finally over.

Sora showed no resistance as they performed each of the bindings.

His eyes were lifeless and he looked dead beat tired.

‘What are you thinking?’ Vanessa wondered as she stared at Sora. She knew the adventurer had some plan or the other. It was unlikely that he would just give up because he received a light beating from the Cardinal.

Sora was unfazed as Vanessa approached him.

She was in a good mood to kick him (so was Ramona) but neither dared to touch him. They were afraid that he might do something if they tried.

“Report?” Vanessa asked a fellow soldier who was monitoring over the entire process.

“We have tied him up with tier five chains as instructed….though we assess and believe that tier one is enough…but we have clearly followed your orders.”

“Proceed.”

“A level ten bind, followed several magic deflection spells to ensure that no one can free him….lastly internal ki circulation has been choked. Even a class S adventurer won’t be able to escape from this…”

“I don’t need your opinions.” Vanessa told the soldier. “His wounds?”

“He is wrapped in several layers of bandaging….so we haven’t been able to examine the damage he has taken…but our assessment is that he has suffered no major injuries.”

Vanessa’s eyebrows were raised. No major injuries? She had witnessed firsthand what the Cardinal did to him. Surely, Sora should have broken a few bones but no major injuries? Just how tough was he?

It bothered her. Her enemy did not even put up a fight against the Cardinal and simply accepted being arrested. It was like he wanted to be arrested…it was simply too suspicious. Just what was he up to, Vanessa wanted to know….

Vanessa gave Sora a piercing look before he was packed away in a sealed carriage. There were just two tiny breathing holes.

Thirty soldiers surrounded the carriage and they finally began moving. The carriage was drawn by an armadillo like creature. Thick armour and an extremely good sprinter.

The soldiers were prepared for a possible intercept so as a precaution an advance party had been sent to clear possible traffic.

An adventurer is a big deal in this world. Capturing one alive is very rare, so plenty of precautions were necessary. Ramona led the advance party and ensured nothing was amiss. If she goofed up any more it would be her job that she would lose.

Although Ramona did not know it, Vanessa even sent an additional team after her just in case Ramona was ambushed. Vanessa had a very bad gut feeling. She knew something bad was going to happen….Sora just seemed the type of person who could disappear at will….

Once Ramona and Sliver reached the designated check points, they shot up flares to indicate that it was safe to proceed.

The purple team of five stood on roof tops to watch the carriage proceed ahead.

There were twenty soldiers on horses in front, twenty on each side and there were fifty or so on foot walking behind the carriage.

Vanessa had called out reserves from the Academy to participate in the transfer of the adventurer.

Residents were warned not to peep outside their windows and kill at sight order had been issued. Even the slightest hint of an ambush would, would lead to death if not life imprisonment.

Many residents who lived in the area around where the carriage would pass through wondered what were the soldiers transporting. They had seen previously many such processions when criminals were apprehended, however this was the first time they had seen such an elaborate arrangement.

All sorts of stories would be circulated on this matter in the future. Some people believed that it was a treasure that was being transported and others thought it was a dangerous S class adventurer, but the truth would never be known to the general public.

The journey took no more than thirty minutes back to the Erito HQ. It was quiet because a lock down had been issued by another authority. Other than the rain, nothing else could be heard.

Even scurrying rats which dared to cross the path of the carriage were killed.

The journey took no more than an hour.

Every soldier was happy it went off without a hitch.

However, Vanessa who followed behind the carriage did not smile.

She refused to smile till she saw Sora in carriage. Only then would she believe they had succeeded.

Zacques joked how she had been over worrying, but Vanessa didn’t budge.

The iron doors of the carriage were unlocked slowly. It was a magical lock and required a magical key. Even the best thief would require some time figuring out how to break such a complex magical lock.

The soldiers readied their spears as two soldiers held the handles of the door.

1.

2.

3.

The doors opened….the carriage was empty.