The principle of a new official asserting authority seemed to apply across both planes.
The merchants hurriedly handed over money, fearful of incurring Howard’s displeasure.
Being new to this world, Howard needed money as well and didn’t refuse their offerings.
Moreover, he felt no sense of kinship with the people of this world.
In his eyes, they were no different from monsters, and he was indifferent to their wellbeing.
After finishing the patrol, Howard found himself with nearly three hundred gold coins in hand – an amount equivalent to an ordinary person’s monthly income in Obscured Celestial Realm.
However, this sum was to be shared with his patrol team members.
Even though the team insisted on Howard keeping all the money, citing his first day on duty, Howard firmly decided to share it.
Naturally, the team members were thrilled by this gesture, their respect and camaraderie for Howard growing stronger, fostering a sense of closeness within the group.
Just as Howard was about to lead the team back to rest, a delicate voice suddenly called out.
Turning around, he saw Aurelia waving cheerfully at him from the street, escorted by a group of guards.
Ordinary people might not recognize Aurelia, but how could the soldiers fail to do so?
Instantly, they understood everything – the reason behind Harden’s courteous behavior towards Howard.
Their gaze towards Howard transformed into one of deeper respect.
He was potentially their future master!
Even at the least, he was likely to be their lord’s son-in-law. How could they dare to harbor any other thoughts?
Howard, too, smiled and jogged over to Aurelia.
Perhaps due to the crowd, Aurelia seemed a bit reserved, her cheeks flushed with happiness as she spoke, “Why did you go to the patrol team so early? Have you had breakfast? I brought you some!”
With that, Aurelia lifted a bag she was carrying.
Witnessing this scene, the soldiers became even more convinced of their suspicions and, feeling it inappropriate to linger, promptly made their excuses and left.
The guards, observing Howard, were filled with envy and admiration.
Unfortunately for them, their appearance was not appealing enough.
Even though they had saved Aurelia several times, they never left any impression on her.
It must be said that sometimes, looks indeed can influence one’s destiny.
Howard, intending to use Aurelia, naturally did not reject her kindness.
He kept showering her with sweet nothings, making Aurelia blush profusely, even shocking the guards with his charm.
Eventually, Aurelia dismissed the guards, expressing a desire to take a walk alone with Howard.
The guards were reluctant to leave, but they dared not disobey the young lady’s wish and could only follow at a distance.
As Howard walked alongside Aurelia, engaging in conversation, he suddenly sensed a murderous intent.
Initially thinking it might be one of the envious guards, he was surprised to find that the killing intent was not directed at him, but at Aurelia.
Raising an eyebrow, Howard was about to intervene when a thought struck him.
Facing danger together was the fastest way to deepen a bond.
Why else would so many stories feature plots of heroes saving damsels in distress and sharing hardships?
“Should I pretend to be captured, then return triumphantly with her amidst adversity?”
“I refuse to believe that under such circumstances, Stano could still reject me!”
With his mind made up, Howard deliberately led Aurelia to a secluded area, giving the hidden assailants an opportunity.
To an outsider, it seemed as though Howard was seeking a private moment with Aurelia, causing them to maintain their distance.
Thus, when cries of alarm rang out and the guards rushed forward, all they could catch was a fleeting glimpse of a carriage.
Howard and Aurelia were no longer on the streets!
“Disaster! The young lady has been kidnapped!”
“Damn it, quickly send the message, lock down the entire city!”
The guards’ faces turned ashen as they shouted out, their hearts pounding with intense anxiety and dread.
Why was their luck so terrible?
In just a few days, Aurelia either encountered a boss powerful enough to annihilate them all or was captured!
However, being kidnapped within the city was not as dire as facing a boss.
Everyone knew Aurelia’s identity, and her abduction likely indicated a plot, a scheme to make Stano pay a price. It was unlikely she would be killed outright.
But the guards also realized that with Aurelia being taken right under their noses, even if they managed to rescue her, their jobs were as good as gone.
And if they failed to bring her back, their lives would be forfeit.
In that moment, they couldn’t help but curse Howard in their hearts.
Meanwhile, Howard and Aurelia were bound together, lying in a carriage.
Spreading out his soul power, Howard immediately assessed the strength of their captors.
There were five in total, each around level 50.
In Stormwind City, which was not the imperial capital, this level of strength was quite formidable.
It’s important to note that these were merely the lowest level operatives.
The people behind this, their power would only be greater!
To avoid arousing Aurelia’s suspicion, Howard did not break the ropes binding them and continued to feign unconsciousness.
Of course, he was not foolish; if their captors dared to harm them, he would immediately end this charade.
He would not leave his safety in the hands of others.
Before long, the carriage came to a halt, and Howard promptly closed his eyes.
The five men opened the carriage curtain and carried both of them toward a stable.
Unbeknownst to them, Howard had already surveyed the surroundings. .
They were near a manor, indicating that those who had kidnapped Aurelia were certainly a significant force.
Ordinary people couldn’t afford such an estate.
Once inside the stable, one of the men jumped forcefully several times on the ground, revealing a hidden entrance.
Howard and Aurelia were then carried down into a dungeon.
The kidnappers seemed well-practiced, moving silently throughout the process.
They brought Howard and Aurelia to a room deep within the dungeon and threw them onto the ground, locking the door behind them as they left.
Once sure there was no one nearby, Howard no longer pretended and sat up, his soul power sweeping out to assess the entire dungeon.
The dungeon was large, with dozens of cells.
Each cell contained either a person or a monster.
However, it appeared the other captives were dead, except for the faint breathing of someone in the cell next to theirs.
“Wow, thirty-six cells in total, holding nine people and twenty-six monsters. The monsters’ strength varies between level 50 and 80.”
“They dare to target Aurelia, yet they’re not bold enough to confront Stano directly. This suggests their strength is slightly inferior to his, probably around level 80!”
“It’s risky, but I have items on me. If I go all out, I should be able to escape.”
Howard had to admit, during his time in Azure Sphere, he had encountered numerous strong individuals and, owing to his identity, had benefited greatly from them.
Now, those benefits were coming into play.
Howard even wondered if his being transported to this world was fate.
Otherwise, why would he have encountered so many powerful beings and received so many gifts beforehand?
“Umm…”
While Howard was pondering, Aurelia’s groan broke the silence, and he immediately refocused.
“Ah! Where is this… Why is it so dark?”
Aurelia panicked, but Howard’s voice quickly soothed her, “It’s alright, Aurelia. Don’t worry, I’m here. I will protect you!”
Aurelia was no fool. Feeling the bindings around her and the environment they were in, she quickly realized, “We… we’ve been kidnapped, haven’t we?”
“Sorry, it’s probably because of me! If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been caught and brought here.”
Hearing Aurelia’s words, Howard was momentarily taken aback.
Aren’t you the daughter of a wealthy family?
And yet, at this moment, you’re apologizing to me?
At that moment, Howard’s heart softened.
Was it really honorable to use a young girl like this?
Feeling Aurelia trembling all over, Howard was about to speak words of comfort, but before he could, she said, “My father cares a lot about me. He will definitely rescue us soon!”
“!!!”
Howard paused for a moment, then said abruptly, “I was caught off guard earlier, which is why we ended up here. You don’t need to be afraid, I’ll protect you and get you out of here!”
Originally, Howard had planned to intervene only at a critical moment for Aurelia, but now, he no longer wished to see her suffer so much.
After all, humans are emotional creatures; no one can stand by indifferently while someone kind to them suffers.
While speaking, Howard subtly gathered his strength and shook off the ropes binding them.
Sensing this, Aurelia was visibly surprised.
Howard turned around and smiled, “See? Can you trust me now? I’ll protect you and make sure you don’t get hurt.”
A faint glow emanated, not bright but enough to dispel the darkness, reducing Aurelia’s fear.
In the next moment, Aurelia threw herself into Howard’s arms!
𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ