Chapter 446: Will you follow us voluntarily, or should we use force?
These two names have become widely known not only among the awakened, but also beyond their borders. Even ordinary people, thanks to reporters and the Internet, were familiar with the names of Ethan Goldwing and Isabella White. However, apart from these names and some information about their backgrounds, little was known about them.
And so, what Idan said in the form of Ignis amazed everyone present. Even Felicia, the leader of the Red Fox Guild, was stunned. She glanced at Alia and, seeing how she was trembling, felt something was wrong.
"Mr. Ignis, are you claiming that Ethan Goldwing and Isabella White are members of your Guild?" asked Jonathan, still unable to believe it.
"Yes, that's right, Mr. Jonathan. Ethan Goldwing and Isabella White are part of our Kingdom Guild, they are one of us," Idan confirmed.
"As you've probably guessed, the purpose of our visit is to look for our Guild mates," Idan continued.
He pointed at Hailey, who was barely able to contain her laughter, but outwardly remained calm. Idan continued:
"Before they disappeared, Ethan and Isabella left us messages about their plans and provided Miss Hailey's contacts so we could reach out to her for help in case they didn't return."
"Mr. Ignis is telling the truth," Hailey nodded, as if playing along with Idan.
At this time, the other five girls from the Red Fox Guild exchanged glances, trying to figure out when Hailey managed to meet them, because they were left at the portal, and Hailey herself was unconscious all the time. However, none of the girls refuted Hailey's words.
"Mr. Jonathan, I'm sorry, but neither my companion nor I will go to the Association with you," Idan said decisively, indicating his position. "If you have no more questions for us, then please don't block our way."
Jonathan, seeing Idan's determination, was taken aback. He was just a mortal, and all he was doing now was following the orders of his superiors, who ordered him to bring the two of them to the Association by any means necessary. If necessary, he was even ordered to use force.
It was for this purpose that Felicia, the leader of the Red Fox Guild, was here.
"Mr. Ignis, — Felicia finally said, noticing Jonathan's gaze. A seductive smile played on her face, and she stepped forward in front of Idan with a slightly defiant gait.
Arabel narrowed her eyes menacingly at Felicia's behavior.
"Damn fox," she said to herself.
"Miss Felicia, I was already beginning to worry about when you would speak," Idan said with a smile, looking at Felicia. "Are you going to block our way too?"
"No, of course not," Felicia laughed. "I couldn't even imagine that those two Heroes who saved so many awakened ones and the capital more than ten days ago are members of your guild."
"Few people know about this, Miss Felicia. We do not seek fame and do not advertise our affiliation, preferring to act," Idan replied.
"Dan, I don't like this fox, my hands are itching," Arabel said, expressing her displeasure with Felicia's behavior.
"Ahaha," Idan suddenly laughed, confusing everyone watching.
"Ah, I'm sorry," Idan apologized immediately. "Miss Felicia, I would love to talk to you, but because you ignored our request, we no longer have the desire to continue the conversation, so I'm sorry."
After saying that, without waiting for Felicia's reply, he turned to Jonathan.
"So what's next, Mr. Jonathan, are you going to keep pushing your case?" asked Idan.
Felicia was puzzled by Idan's words at first, but then, remembering her conversation with Irene, she immediately understood what he meant.
"So they have connections with them?" she thought, and her face clouded.
Before she could take any action, she suddenly felt someone's mysterious gaze on her.
A chilling fear gripped Felicia. Terrified, she began to look around, trying to find the source of her anxiety, but at first she couldn't identify it. However, she soon noticed something that made her freeze in horror.
Two small mysterious eyes with vertical pupils stared at her. Although the creature's body could not be seen, only its eyes were the source of this horror. It was enough to make Felicia freeze in place.
Unable to bear the creature's gaze any longer, Felicia quickly lowered her gaze and began to breathe heavily.
"What… What is this?" she screamed in her mind.
Idan and Arabel couldn't help but notice how Felicia's demeanor had suddenly changed. They began to wonder what was going on.
Suddenly, Idan felt a light weight on his left shoulder and, without even looking, immediately recognized who it was.
"Coco," he mentally called to the fox cub, who had returned from scouting.
"Woo-woo-woo," — Coco purred as soon as she appeared. No one could see her except Arabel and Idan.
"Is everything clear? Is he not here?" asked Idan, and Coco nodded vigorously in response.
"Great job, Coco, — Idan praised, and a satisfied smile played on Coco's little face. She wagged her little tail in appreciation of the praise. Coco's gaze then returned to the trembling Felicia, and the Red Fox Guild leader felt a wave of fear once again.
Idan was not going to stay here any longer, and by contacting Jonathan through a mental link, he slightly surprised him.
"Mr. Jonathan, I understand that you are just following orders, and I have nothing against you personally," Idan said. "But let me ask you one question, and I want you to answer me honestly."
Jonathan listened attentively to Idan's words and, having heard them, nodded, indicating that he was ready to answer his question.
"Jonathan, do you know that among the people you brought with you, among those who wear the uniform of the association, there is a representative from another world?"
"What?" — Jonathan exclaimed, confusing everyone, not believing what he had just heard. "What did you say?"
"Jonathan, please don't shout so loudly," — Idan said. "You don't want everyone around you to know the truth, do you?"
Idan's question brought Jonathan back to reality. There were a lot of reporters around, and if Idan was telling the truth, it could cause serious problems for the Association.
"You don't have to answer. I've already learned everything I wanted to know," said Idan, and without waiting for an answer, he strode forward. Jonathan instinctively stepped aside to let him pass. He was still stunned by Idan's question and couldn't quite believe his words.
Arabel followed Idan, and Hailey, glancing at the trembling Felicia, sighed and followed them.
"Take her with you," Idan said softly, to which Arabel nodded and went to the people from the Association, directly to Aliya.
"Aliya, — Arabel called.
Aliya, hearing her name, shuddered and raised her head.
"Will you follow us voluntarily, or should we use force?" asked Arabel with a smile.
Aliya, uncertain, looked around and noticed a lot of puzzled looks. All this time, she didn't have a chance to call for help, as the girl in black didn't take her eyes off her for a second.
"Amalia," Arabel said through a mental link, which scared Alia.
"How?" she asked, trembling. "How did you know that?"
"Heh, — Arabel chuckled. "Do you think I found you among the crowd? I know not only your real name, but also that you belong to the Lumenari race and that your true rank is Platinum, which is the fourth."
The more Aliya listened, the more she trembled with fear.
"Tell me, Amalia, do you have a connection with a being of Light?" Arabel asked at the same time, and the tip of her purple hair darkened and began to wriggle slightly to demonstrate this to Aliya.
Seeing this, Aliya was horrified. As a representative of the Beings of Light, she understood what that meant.
"You know, my partner Ignis has an affinity for the element of Light," Arabel continued. "What happens if we kill you? Will we be able to capture a being of Light if you have one?"
"No," Aliya said decisively — and quickly added through a mental link, "Please don't. I'll come with you. Just don't kill me."
Aliya felt Arabel's power and knew that she would not be able to resist her, especially under the pressure of the world, when her true rank was limited. Besides, Aliya was not a warrior among her own race.
"That's good," Arabel said with a smile.
"Come on," Arabel motioned for her to follow, and followed Idan. Aliya hesitated a little under the puzzled stares of those around her, and followed Arabel.
None of those present heard what they were talking about and did not understand what was going on. Except for two people, everyone was wondering why these three had taken one of the Association's employees with them.
And these two were Felicia, who, being under the fear of an unknown being, could not do anything, allowing them to take Aliya. The second person was Jonathan, who, after comparing Idan's question, realized who this employee was.
Jonathan, looking at the backs of Idan and the others leaving, had complicated feelings at first, but then his gaze became serious, and a firm determination to find out the truth lit up in his eyes.