Restart:Untalented Man

"Kind?" His eyes twitched, "I'm simply being extra careful here. I don't want to die because of you! If I get caught, I will be double dead. Now, get going!"

"Okay! Okay! I got it. No need to be so angry," Albert replied in an attempt to placate the irritated bald man.

"Haa...Take him away!" said the bald man, shooing Albert out.

Albert was then escorted out of the concealed location by several men.

As they ascended to the ground, the men meticulously scanned the area to ensure there were no prying eyes nearby.

Once satisfied that the coast was clear, they turned their attention back to Albert. "Show us where your family is," one of the men instructed.

"Follow me," Albert replied, leading the way to the inn where his family stayed.

....

Neigh—

The rhythmic galloping of hooves echoed through the night as a group of soldiers rode swiftly on horseback. Each of them wore a determined face as they were tasked with a very important mission.

The soldier at the forefront urged his horse forward. His eyes were focused on the path ahead, and his grip on the reins was firm. Behind him, the other soldiers maintained their formation, riding in disciplined unison.

As they galloped through the night, the landscape transformed around them – open fields, dense forests, and winding paths all became a blur.

Before long, the landscape changed once again. A stone structure slowly rose from the horizon, its silhouette growing more defined against the night sky.

The wall of Tegrot entered their sight.

"Slow down!" shouted the soldier at the front, urging the rest to reduce the speed of their steed.

In the quietude of the night, the soldier didn't want the thunderous sound made by hundreds of hooves to alert anyone within the city walls.

As they neared the city, the garrison stationed at the gates was taken by surprise.

Their initial assumption was that the approaching riders might be an enemy force. However, the garrison was soon able to discern the familiarity of the uniform worn by the approaching soldiers.

Relief washed over them as recognition dawned.

After introducing themselves, the soldiers steadily entered the city.

The city lay in a hushed stillness beneath the canvas of the night. The occasional rustle of leaves, stirred by the night breeze, added an eerie quality to the quietude.

The only illumination came from the gentle glow of gas street lights, casting flickering shadows on the streets.

As they delved further, one of the soldiers asked, "Where should we start searching?"

"Albert Ferron should be either in this city or on his way crossing the border. He's not known for having an acquaintance here. For now, we should disperse and check all inns in this city."

"Should we inform the governor about our operation, sir?"

"No need! This operation doesn't concern him."

The soldiers nodded in understanding and dispersed to cover different parts of the city to check the inns that were scattered across.

Creak—

The door creaked open, revealing an interior that was lit by candles. The innkeeper, who looked very sleepy was startled by the unexpected visitors.

From behind the counter, he quickly straightened his posture.

Somehow, the presence of these soldiers causes him to tense even though he did nothing wrong.

"W-Welcome, sirs. Are you here to stay for the night?" he greeted them.

The soldier leading the search approached the innkeeper, "Have you seen this man among your guests?" the soldier showed a sketch of Albert Ferron.

The innkeeper squinted, studying the drawing. Then, he shook his head, "I don't think I have. I would certainly remember if such a distinguished-looking gentleman ever stepped foot here."

"Is that so?" Unsatisfied but undeterred, the soldiers moved on. "Thank you for your cooperation and sorry to disturb you at this hour."

Meanwhile, at another place, the tavern which was usually alive with laughter and chatter, now stood silent. That is because someone just disturbs the mood in the establishment.

"We're here on a very important mission. I hope you all can cooperate with us." the soldier stated, revealing the crest of Ryntum Kingdom on his uniform. "Have any of you seen this man?"

He displayed the sketch of Albert Ferron.

A middle-aged man stepped forward, eyeing the sketch. "Hmm... I think I saw someone like the drawing a few hours ago near the eastern gate. He with several other people."

The soldiers exchanged glances.

The eastern gate led to the free-duty area and beyond that area was already considered Turtevekesia's territory.

If Albert Ferron was indeed making a move in that direction, time was of the essence.

"Thank you," the soldier said. They need to move quickly toward the duty-free zone.

Unsurprisingly, they met with a lot of their comrades along the way. Apparently, they also found a hint that pointed them here.

Walking through the eastern gate, they see an area, not far from their location, that starkly contrasts with the quiet streets of the city.

Brightly lit stalls lined the bustling marketplace, creating a lively atmosphere filled with people from diverse backgrounds.

Merchants in various attires showcased their goods, creating a patchwork of colours and sounds.

"So, this is the famous free-duty zone, huh?" One soldier commented while scanning his surroundings.

They immediately fanned out in every direction to cover more ground.

Just like in the tavern, their presence did not go unnoticed; the lively atmosphere hushed as people exchanged uneasy glances.

Their presence spooked many people.

Although these people here don't do anything wrong, they feel intimidated and maintain a proper distance. Especially when seeing the unfriendly faces of soldiers.

"Have any of you seen this man?" Holding the sketch of Albert Ferron, the soldier approached a group of traders who seemed to be engaged in a conversation.

A hush fell over the group. After a moment of uneasy silence, a man in merchant attire reluctantly replied, "No, I didn't see anyone like him."

"Tch!" The soldier clicked his tongue and left them alone.

While the traders were surprised by the soldier's apparent annoyance, one person watched the soldier from afar with keen interest. His eyes never left the soldier.

Then, he stood up, 'I need to tell the boss.'