At the intersection, Herman asked Nathaniel, "Sir, are we really going to leave just like that?"

Herman had witnessed how Adrian had unceremoniously pushed Nathaniel out the door. Seeing a leader of the garrison treated in such a way by a kid made him feel a bit uneasy.

Nathaniel glanced at Herman. "What else was I supposed to do? Arrest him?"

Herman looked around cautiously before whispering, "I think we could employ some covert methods. Perhaps threaten to raid his shop..."

"Stop." Nathaniel immediately cut Herman off. "We are the garrison, not bandits. Our duty is to defend the peace of the region. We can't resort to such tactics."

"But—"

"Don’t even think about it."

Nathaniel strode away, and Herman, who followed him, wore a scowl. They were unaware that a shadow, lurking in a dark alley nearby, was observing their every move.

After observing for a moment, the shadow swiftly vanished and reappeared in a secluded location where several other black-clad individuals had been w