The next day...

While rumors of a new blacksmith were spreading among some of the Association's factions, Vicente had woken up early this morning and returned to the building where he had taken his exams the day before.

Earlier that morning, Vicente had already been to the Association's metal and mineral ordering area to request the items he needed to upgrade his men's weapons.

Without them, he could make weapons that could withstand the power of the Senior Apprentices, but they wouldn't be 100% efficient and would wear out very quickly.

Focused on developing his knowledge while waiting for his orders, Vicente was interested in the techniques and new study materials he could get from the Association.

He still had much to learn from Benson, but even the old blacksmith knew that there were things Vicente could only learn on his own.

Each magical form led to different possibilities, so Benson knew he couldn't help his newest student with everything.

After saying goodbye to Vice the night before, he had recommended that Vice should familiarize himself with the Association and use his time to become an Acolyte. When that was done, he should return to his master for another conversation.

Aware of this, Vice intended to spend the two days he had to wait for his ordered items temporarily using the facilities of the Association.

After that, his time under the Scarlet Syndicate's protection would end, and it would be time for him to face the consequences of his actions himself!

...

While Vicente was in the Association, some movements by local soldiers began to attract the attention of one of Defiant Tyranny's supporting families.

At this moment, one of the men from this family entered their leader's office at the Fisher residence with a terrible expression.

"Your Grace, we have problems." He said in a somber tone.

The Baron immediately took his eyes off the document before him and looked seriously at one of his trusted men. "What is it?"

Every noble family had several problems to solve almost all the time. You wouldn't leave mediocrity and become relevant without many obstacles in your way.

In the case of nobles, alliances, plots, and betrayals, in short, one would have to do many things to make relevant progress. So when he encountered a problem this morning, Baron Fisher couldn't say for sure what it was this time.

"Your Grace, the threat from Cesar's group is credible. The royal army is already investigating our actions." The man said somberly, aware that this was a delicate problem.

In theory, problems would hardly endanger the existence of the noble families. After all, they had various protections due to their position and resources. However, the most powerful noble and royal forces were threats that could wipe out even these families!

Therefore, nobles usually became afraid of these powers moving against them.

Upon hearing this, Baron Fisher immediately turned pale, realizing that Cesar's threats to his family were not untrue.

"Damn you, Cesar!" He shouted as he stood up and pounded the table before him.

Someone from Cesar's group had knocked on his door about a week ago. That day, the person had told him that they had proof of his involvement with Defiant Tyranny, and if he didn't withdraw his support for such a group, they would turn over compromising evidence against the family to the royal forces.

At first, the Baron hadn't believed these threats, although he was uncomfortable. However, if soldiers from the kingdom were investigating his family, perhaps there was something compromising against them!

"What are they investigating?" He asked, feeling the sweat run down his back.

"The Weeping Willow Estate."

Gulp!

...

Meanwhile, in a forest near Millfall...

There, a young blond man and his group stood around an area that showed no signs of battle but which bore the marks of the body of one of his men.

All five men had ugly expressions on their faces, while some were kneeling on the ground, trying to understand what had happened there.

"Young master, I can't say exactly how he died, but surely Pyke fell in this place, and a great force destroyed his body." Said one of the strongest men in the group.

Marcus Symons heard this and made an ugly expression. "Is this Vicente Fuller's doing?" He asked, already knowing the identity of the young man who had recently met Shelby.

"Unlikely." One of the men said. "Our group is investigating Vicente Fuller's past in Martell Village, but I think it's improbable. He doesn't have the power or resources to influence level 3 or 4 Acolytes.

But to kill Pyke, someone like that would be necessary..."

"But wasn't Pyke following Vicente's tracks before he disappeared?" Marcus asked, sensing that something was wrong with this person.

He hadn't had a good impression of Vicente. When this young man met Shelby, he had practically lost any chance of establishing a good relationship with Marcus. But in this situation, the young master of Millfall's most important family couldn't help but be suspicious of the young Fuller.

Another member of the Viscount's family said. "Something must have happened on the way. In any case, our emissaries will arrive in Martell Village tonight. In a few days, they can find out everything about this young man.

If he's done anything or is involved in anything problematic, we'll know in a week at the most, young master."

Marcus just wanted an excuse to deal with the Vice, so he clenched his fists unhappily when he heard that. But with the problem of tensions in Millfall over the Defiant Tyranny situation and now a possible powerful enemy behind the death of one of his men, he couldn't focus on that young merchant.

'You're lucky for now, you bastard! But I'll deal with you as soon as I solve these problems!' Marcus thought to himself before giving the order. "Very well, investigate this first. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on the local situation. I feel we'll have to act before my father returns from his trip."

...

Meanwhile, the soldiers searching for Vicente and the assassins searching for the 200 gold coins reward were circling Millfall, looking for his tracks.

But even though there were hardly any loose ends giving away his identity, one could never be 100% sure of anything in a world where magic influenced things so much.

While Vicente was studying at the Blacksmith's Association, someone was getting closer and closer to connecting him and Cesar!