"But we are already so close to Mystara City now, and we still haven't sensed anything. This situation does not match the energy changes after using a teleportation spell."
"So, can we rule out the possibility of teleportation?"
Leo Ray slightly nodded, while rapidly galloping, he lowered his body and tightly gripped the white fur on the wide wolf's back.
Continuing to ponder, he said, "Could it be some kind of illusion technique that hid the City Lord's Mansion and the entire island together?"
"My Lord, that possibility is indeed greater."
The response mixed with the sound of the wind from Gideon Black came over: "However, such disguises would only be effective visually.
Once you check the location, you can completely figure it out."
"My lord, I always feel that this matter is too strange." The rough voice of Taylor followed, "So, please, my lord, be cautious and don't leave my side."
"Understood."
Hearing this, Leo Ray's eyes narrowed as he murmured to himself, "Then let's take a good look at what happened in Mystara City."
At the moment when everyone was talking, Mystara City, which was originally far away, was already close at hand.
During the journey forward, looking at the increasingly tall city walls and city gates, Leo Ray noticed.
The wooden bridge leading to the central city gate of the lake was now lifted at the front, and the city gates were completely closed.
On the city walls, a large number of solemn soldiers in armor held sharp long spears in their hands, shining with dazzling cold light under the brilliant sunlight.
"It seems that the sudden disappearance of the City Lord's Mansion has put the entire Mystara City into a fully closed emergency state."
Gazing at the Floating Moon Flag, representing the Fashia Clan on the city walls, which danced with the wind, Leo Ray nodded slightly.
Next, they easily crossed the towering city walls.
Wearing invisibility cloaks, everyone galloped along the fully-guarded city streets.
Before long, the lake in the center of the city appeared before Leo Ray's eyes.
At this time, standing on an open-air balcony, Leo Ray could clearly observe.
A large and delicate wooden bridge was built on this not-small blue lake.
At the other end of the bridge, however, was empty, and there were even some traces of tearing.
As for the location in the center of the lake, the water was turbid, and many broken wooden pieces floated around, looking a complete mess.
"My lord, the City Lord's Mansion and the island it was on are indeed completely gone!" Abigail, who stood beside Leo, couldn't help but swallow her saliva and said.
It must be said that for Abigail, who had seen the giant City Lord's Mansion once before, the emptiness before her eyes now was truly shocking.
"Gideon, go and check if there are any traces of an illusion there." Leo Ray gently patted Abigail's slender shoulders, signaling her to calm down and spoke to the muscular priest beside him.
"Yes, my lord!" Gideon disappeared in front of Leo Ray with a flash.
After Gideon left, Leo Ray, who was looking down from above, continued to observe with narrowed eyes.
At the end of several blocks leading to the lake, there were fully armed soldiers, and the roads were completely barricaded with their armor's Floating Moon emblem showing.
The solemn faces of these soldiers clearly belonged to the Mystara City Defense Army.
"My lord, I have carefully confirmed that there are no traces of teleportation magic being used here."
As Leo Ray saw this, Scarlett, who had just returned from investigating the surroundings, stepped forward, bowed, and said.
After a moment, Gideon, who had gone to the center of the lake, reappeared in front of Leo Ray and said, "My Lord,
There is nothing there. The entire island in the lake has not been disguised, but has completely disappeared."
"So, it means that the disappearance of the City Lord's Mansion was not due to teleportation nor an illusion?"
Upon hearing this, Leo Ray's eyebrows furrowed again, murmuring to himself, "So,
How on earth did the island in the lake, along with the City Lord's Mansion on it, disappear? It's baffling.""Lord, the aura of the three unknown Tier 3 Senior Powerhouses is getting closer and closer to us." Following that, Taylor from one side spoke to Leo Ray with a fist salute.
"Understood." Leo Ray, who was still wearing an Invisibility Cloak, nodded slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression.
He had already heard the report from Taylor when they entered the city earlier.
Currently, there were a total of eight auras of Tier 3 Powerhouses in this city.
Among them, five Tier 3 Powerhouses were scattered throughout the city, and the other three Tier 3 Senior Powerhouses were always gathered together.
"At this stage, judging from the soldiers' tense and confused expressions and their still well-organized actions, it can be determined that-
Although the disappearance of the City Lord Mansion has caused a great disturbance, there is still someone commanding these soldiers.
Therefore, if my guess is correct-
The three Tier 3 Senior Powerhouses who are gathered together are likely the commanders of the city's Defense Army.
As for the other five scattered throughout the city, they are undoubtedly the city's mercenaries, travelers, or other forces."
With these thoughts, Leo Ray's brows continued to furrow, and he pondered inwardly, "On that note, analyzing the current situation-
There is no sign of foreign enemies invading Mystara City, everything seems to have happened suddenly and there is no trace of human factors.
It must be said that things are becoming stranger and stranger."
At the moment when Leo Ray was pondering this,
on the not far street, three figures coming quickly had already entered his sight.
These three were two resolute middle-aged men and a sackcloth woman about thirty years old, all wearing the standard armor of Mystara City.
Upon seeing the three people arrive, the surrounding Ordinary Soldiers immediately bowed in salute.
Moreover, it could be clearly seen-
Although the expressions on their faces were calm, their brows revealed an uncontainable tension and helplessness.
"Are they indeed the three Defense Army commanders?" Observing this, Leo Ray nodded to his subordinates, indicating them to get closer to the others.
These three were all at the Tier 3, 5-star level, while Leo Ray himself had reached Tier 3 Seven-Star.
Furthermore, with the help of the Invisibility Cloak and the Concealment Ring, it was natural that they wouldn't be detected by the other side.
"Captain Kara, what do you suggest we do next?"
One of the middle-aged commanders said to the female commander with an uneasy face, "Although we have fully sealed off and imposed martial law on the city at the first opportunity,
due to the sudden disappearance of the City Lord Mansion-
the City Lord, Elders Council members, Orion Wolfe and Amelia, as well as the elite soldiers of the two Royal Guard Squads have all gone missing.
This can't go on like this."
"That's right, we have just dispatched an elite Hydro Magician diving team to search the river thoroughly.
It has been confirmed that the island did not sink to the bottom of the river, but indeed disappeared completely."
The other middle-aged commander also shook his head helplessly, his brow full of worry and incomprehension. "What's more-
Our Mystara City has a complete illusion-warning and defense mechanism, which also eliminates the possibility of encountering illusions.
It must be said that I have never heard of such strange happenings."
"In short, this matter is of great importance.
I have just sent people to contact the organizations within the city, such as Sanders' Trading Conference, the Mercenary Guild, and the Merchant Union, to inform them to send representatives.
When the time comes, we'll figure out a solution together."
Upon hearing this, the female commander named Kara sighed lightly and responded, "After all, we had previously grasped some abnormal situations, so perhaps there might be some connection between them yet to be determined."
"There's no need for that much trouble." At this moment, an indifferent voice entered the ears of the three, "If there's anything, just tell me directly."