Chaos and Chances

The grandeur of the transportation circle needs no further elaboration, even Ansel would often marvel at the groundbreaking innovations of the spatial master—after all, he was utterly indifferent to the hefty transportation fee.

Seraphina, laden with three suitcases, peered curiously out of the transportation circle, scanning her surroundings. 

"Is this it? So this is what spatial transportation feels like."

Saville raised an eyebrow, "Miss Marlowe, no sensations of dizziness or discomfort?"

"None at all."

The "multifaceted" Miss Seraphina grimaced slightly, "Why would I feel dizzy?"

The elderly man fell silent, only able to inwardly sigh. It seemed only their young lord could locate such an eccentric individual with such accuracy.

Meanwhile, Ansel had descended from the high platform where the transportation circle was located, standing within the transportation room and scanning his surroundings, a smile gradually lighting up his face.

"There's no one here," he remarked.

Seraphina looked baffled while Saville's expression became slightly serious.

Such a precious item as a transportation circle would be under round-the-clock protection by the city's lord's staff. They would not only guard the circle but also continuously verify the identities of those who arrived through it. 

But here, there was nobody.

"It looks like our two barons have run into some trouble." 

Ansel said leisurely, strolling towards the entrance of the transportation room.

"Lord, should we contact them?"

"No need. The transportation room wouldn't be situated in a remote location. Once we step out, we should be able to decipher the situation. Saville—"

The young noble tossed an image crystal to Saville, "Attend to your duties."

The elderly man bowed slightly, and his age-defying stalwart figure vanished instantly from the spot.

Seraphina, used to Saville's uncanny comings and goings, was still puzzled by her inability to detect his arrivals and departures, a fact that irked her given her confidence in her sensory abilities.

"Hydral," Seraphina sniffed, "What level is the old butler? Can he use spatial magic?"

"Can't our genius missy figure it out?"

Ansel didn't answer directly, merely smiling as he headed towards the exit of the transportation room.

"That's a different matter. I'll certainly surpass him in the future, but that doesn't mean I can do it now."

Facing a stronger opponent, Seraphina would still pay due respect. Although her verbal acknowledgment might not be flattering, she was always clear and honest about the gap in their abilities. 

This understanding fueled her thirst for power even more.

She continued to chatter, "I rarely... no, I've never seen anything like the butler oldman at school. Even spatial magic leaves a residual scent, so why is he… uh?"

Just as Ansel was about to reach the door of the transportation room, Seraphina's expression changed, and her stunning dark red eyes suddenly lit up with long-absent wildness and... delight!

Ansel, who was about to push the door, felt a gust of wind at his back. 

A wind of black and white!

The custom-made, furiously billowing black velvet cloak fluttered due to its wearer's speed. Seraphina, who was carrying three heavy suitcases, wore a wild and uninhibited smile on her face as she delivered a flying kick straight to the main door of the transportation room!

BANG —— !

"AH!!!!"

With a loud bang, amidst the deafening noise, a scream and the crisp sound of breaking bones resonated as the wooden debris and dust scattered. 

Seraphina landed smoothly, proudly lifting her chin to look at Ansel, completely unaware that with her black collar exposed, she looked like a dog seeking praise.

"So lucky to encounter such excitement right out the door." 

She set down her luggage and rubbed her neck, "I am getting rusty."

The cries coming from not too far proved that the situation was serious. Ansel brushed the wooden splinters off his fur collar, sighed, and walked on.

"Hydral, this fellow seems to have reinforcements." 

Seraphina, with her foot on the unfortunate man whose ribs she'd kicked in, gave him a vigorous shake, then looked up at Ansel. "Shall I fight them all?"

Ansel, impeccably groomed, leaned on his scepter as he moved towards the unidentified man. He scanned the man's humble civilian clothes, then shook his head. 

"The sound of clinking armor suggests city guards approach. As for him..." He addressed the man with a friendly smile. "Friend, you rushed into this transportation circle in quite a hurry. Might you share your purpose?"

The mysterious man beneath Seraphina's foot wailed and writhed in agony, but soon, he was still and silent.

Startled, Seraphina hastily lifted her foot. 

She sniffed, her expression turning grave. "He's dead? Impossible! My kick could have broken a dozen bones at most. Humans aren't this fragile!" 

She looked sickened; despite her ruthless, even brutal methods, Seraphina had never casually taken a life.

"...What a nauseating smell... Ah… he must have ingested poison." 

After catching the unpleasant scent wafting from the assassin, Seraphina looked somewhat relieved.

Ansel glanced at the mysterious man who'd poisoned himself, and unexpectedly, he laughed.

"Why are you laughing?" Seraphina asked, puzzled.

"Nothing, just amusing," Ansel replied, shaking his head. He looked toward the hallway where the figures were appearing. "The guards are here, Seraphina. Gather your things."

As she grumbled about the perverse pleasure Ansel took in the sight of a man's death, Seraphina fetched her luggage, her face a mask of displeasure.

The armored guards arrived late, their demeanor grim and stern. The sight of the broken door, the body on the ground, and the mismatched master and servant duo rendered them silent. They drew their swords and tightened their grip on their spears.

"What's going on, Hydral?" Seraphina turned to Ansel. "I thought you said they were guards. Why do they look ready to fight us?"

At her words, the leading soldier's grip on his spear faltered. He studied the blond noble holding the scepter, disbelief in his eyes. 

"Are you... Lord Hydral?"

Seraphina looked shocked, as if she'd seen a ghost: Why does everyone know Ansel?

Ansel smiled affably. "Would you like me to prove my identity somehow?"

"No, no, it's not that. I didn't mean to question your identity." 

The nobleman's features, demeanor, and personality matched perfectly with what the captain of the guard knew. He breathed a sigh of relief, signaled for the others to lower their weapons, and bowed deeply. 

"Please forgive my rudeness, Lord Hydral."

"You seem to be dealing with a severe situation," Ansel replied, his calm demeanor soothing the anxious captain. "Could you tell me what happened?"

After a moment of hesitation, the captain sighed deeply. "Not too long ago, the Baron of Iceberg arrived in our city of Howling Winds through the transportation circle. "

"He was assassinated immediately."

"The assassin disguised himself as a reception staff member of the transportation room. He killed the Baron of Iceberg… with a single strike from close range. The city lord was furious when he heard about this and ordered a city-wide manhunt for the assassin. However, he, too… was assassinated within a short time." 

The captain didn't need to say more. 

The city of Howling Winds was in chaos.