Chapter14-Lord Calia

John looked toward the sound only to see Lily shyly lowering her head, avoiding his gaze. But why be shy? She was clearly adorable!

Her pure white dress gently swayed with the breeze coming through the door, with white stockings ending abruptly at her thighs, revealing a hint of flesh.

A golden pendant at her chest added a touch of the sacred to her pure appearance.

And Lily's waterfall-like white hair was tied up high.

Despite having a face that could make anyone fall in love, she inexplicably exuded a sense of being a young wife.

John was instantly thrown into disarray.

Why had the two women inexplicably started competing?

But after all... no matter what, compliments are never amiss.

Before John could speak, however, Helena rushed forward, scooping Lily into her arms and deeply inhaling her faint fragrance.

"She's just too cute! I'd love to have one just like her as a daughter! So soft, so sweet..."

"Um... Helena, you're squeezing too tight!"

"Oh sorry, sorry, I just think you're so adorable, I couldn't help myself. I've changed my mind, John. I want you and Lily to join me. Just seeing Lily's cute little face every day would make me incredibly happy."

Helena held Lily's slightly chubby cheeks and showered her with kisses, leaving Lily's face all wet.

"Ahem, that's enough, Helena. Lily is still young."

"Oh, just one more kiss, just one! Please, Lily..."

"Um, okay, but this is the last one, alright?"

Bang!

As the words fell, the door was abruptly kicked open, disrupting the warm scene.

John instantly frowned unhappily and looked toward the sound, only to see a squad of Calia guards in uniform armor flooding into the shop.

"Who is John? Please come with us."

"What's going on? Hey! I'm Helena Bailey; you can't just take my friend away!"

Helena's brow furrowed as she stepped in front of John, continuing, "You have no right to take an adventurer without any charges."

"Miss Helena, this is by Lord Calia's command. Please do not interfere. As for the charges... plotting against Lord Calia's daughter, Phoebe Calia, is this charge sufficient?"

"How can this be?"

Helena looked at John with disbelief, but he appeared calm and unconcerned.

"John..."

"It's okay, I know what I'm doing, and besides, this has nothing to do with me."

"That's good then. Exiled Immortal, you go back first. I'll go with John to Lord Calia's manor."

"I'd better stay with you, Boss. Without me around to remind you, who knows what rash decisions you might make."

Exiled Immortal silently added in his mind, "Especially around this John."

"Lead the way."

"Put the shackles on him!"

"Hold on. No one has the right to shackle me without a conviction."

John frowned at the guard holding the shackles and continued, "If you want my cooperation, start by giving me my basic rights and respect."

...

The captain of the guard stared hard at John, silent for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling for the guards to take them all away.

"Johnny, we're not going to be in trouble, are we?"

Looking around at the fierce-looking guards, Lily swallowed hard and edged closer to John.

She had only heard that Lord Calia might summon them, but she hadn't expected it to be in this manner, treating John as if he were the murderer of Phoebe Calia!

"Don't worry, Lily, I have a feeling that this trip might not necessarily be a bad thing for us."

After two years of experience in this world, John had come to understand it quite a bit.

Usually, NPCs do not harm players actively, especially not without concrete evidence.

Only a few special NPCs might harm players, and according to John's knowledge, there are no more than three such people. Clearly, Lord Calia is not one of them.

Lost in thought, the group of four, under escort, had already arrived at Lord Calia's manor, a castle made of milky white marble that looked imposing from the outside.

Around the watchtowers, guards armed with longbows were on high alert, ready to turn any disturbance into a pincushion of arrows at a moment's notice.

Entering through the iron gate, a pathway paved with bluestone led straight into the manor.

"Go on in; the Lord is waiting for you inside!"

One of the guards pushed John roughly. He stumbled, nearly falling flat on his face, but Helena supported him with her shoulder.

"Hey, how about not manhandling my friend?"

"Miss Helena, why bother befriending a murderer? If the charges stick, the Lord will surely execute him!"

"Let's wait until the charges stick then. For now, no one touches him!"

It had to be said, Helena's renown in Calia was indeed influential, evident from her daring to stand up to the Lord's personal guards.

"You... fine, go ahead."

The guard at the door pushed open the heavy iron gate, the grinding sound on the ground making Helena frown slightly.

"John, are you alright?"

"Of course, no need to worry."

John nodded confidently, his tone remarkably light.

As the heavy iron door slammed shut, John raised his head to look at Lord Calia standing high upon the staircase and said calmly, "Adventurer John, at your service, Lord Calia."

"John, where did you get my daughter's earring from? Did you harm my daughter?"

"No, I have never even met Miss Phoebe. I obtained this earring from a cave goblin in a Monster Cave."

"What proof do you have? Where is this Monster Cave?"

"I cannot prove that I did not kill Miss Phoebe, but, my lord, you also cannot prove that she definitely died at my hands, can you? As for the location of the Monster Cave, it is forty kilometers east from the eastern gate of Calia, deep within the forest."

Upon hearing this, Lord Calia furrowed his brows in thought.

"General Delvia."

"My Lord."

"I want you to take your men now, start from the eastern gate, and search eastward for the Monster Cave. You must find Phoebe's body!"

"Yes, my lord!"

As the words fell, the tall, muscular man turned and headed towards the door. As he passed by John, General Delvia gave him a sharp glance, clearly struggling to restrain his anger.

"Phoebe, my Phoebe... such a bright and beautiful child, why did this tragedy befall you!"

"Lord, we are deeply sorry about Miss Phoebe's situation, but my friend is truly not involved. I, Helena Bailey, am willing to vouch for him with the reputation of the Pioneer Squad!"

"Helena, I am well aware of your accomplishments, but until everything is clear, your friend cannot leave. We must determine who the real perpetrator is. Until then, you will stay in the prison."

"You..."

Helena bit her lip, about to say more, but John stopped her.

Noticing John's gaze, Helena sighed and fell silent.

"My lord, I will not go to prison, as that would be unfair to me."

"Fair? My Phoebe is dead! She was only eighteen, at the prime of her life, and she lost her life under mysterious circumstances. You ask me for fairness, whom shall I ask for fairness?"