The next morning, after breakfast at the West Lucozian castle, Austin tried calling. Jovian. However, his calls went unanswered. After several attempts, he still couldn’t get through.
“Huh?” Austin was puzzled.
They had made plans the previous day to head to Oakvale that day. Why was Jovian suddenly unreachable? Had he stood Austin up?
After thinking it over, he found that unlikely. He and Jovian had gotten along well and even called each other brothers. On top of that, they had promised to travel together and watch out for one another.
If Jovian had an urgent matter that required him to leave West Lucozia, he would have at least given Austin a heads-up. Jovian wouldn’t just disappear without a word.
“Could something have happened to him?”
Austin’s unease grew.
He quickly summoned his trusted aide. “Go find out where Jovian is. Report back to me as soon as you have any information.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the aide replied before hurrying off.
Austin poured himself a cup of tea and waited in silence.
About an hour later, the aide returned.
“Well? Any news?” Austin stood up immediately, his voice urgent.
While waiting, he had tried calling Jovian multiple times, but there was still no response.
“Your Highness, I went to the hotel where Jovian was staying. The staff said he checked out last night,” the aide reported.
“He left last night?” Austin raised an eyebrow. “Did he already leave for Oakvale?
“I checked the departure records. Jovian booked a flight, but he never boarded. It seems he’s still in West Lucozia,” the aide explained.
“He booked a flight but didn’t board it?” Austin muttered, his frown deepening.
Could something have happened to him?”
Jovian was a distinguished guest, someone Dustin had specifically told Austin to treat with the utmost respect. If something had happened to Jovian, how would Austin explain it to Dustin?
“Is there anything else?” Austin asked urgently.
“My investigation shows that Jovian left with Boston last night. I went to Boston’s residence, but like Jovian, he’s also missing,” the aide stated.
Austin’s eyes sharpened. “Find them! Search every inch of Celestria if you have to. Bring them back!”
“Understood!” The aide saluted and left in a hurry.
What had started as a simple search for a person had now escalated into a full-scale city-wide operation. The West Lucozian monarchy had its own dedicated enforcement team, which stood above all other institutions.
Once mobilized, all official personnel in West Lucozia had to drop everything and cooperate fully. More importantly, the royal enforcement team had the power to act first and report later.
Whether they were a high-ranking official or an influential noble, anyone who obstructed the royal enforcement team’s work could be executed on the spot. Resistance was met with severe punishment-beheading at best, or the annihilation of an entire family at worst.
There had been a case years ago involving a high-ranking official who, relying on his achievements, had flouted the law and allowed his family to commit atrocities. When the enforcement team arrived to make arrests, he called on his private army to resist.
In the end, all his direct family members, including the official himself, were executed. An entire family of over 300 people was wiped out in a single night.
From then on, the royal enforcement team became a nightmare for all West Lucozia’s officials. So, whenever the team was mobilized, the entire capital city of Celestria was thrown into a state of unease, with people scrambling to avoid drawing their attention.
Inside the Prescott estate, Warrick was engaged in live combat training with his guards on the training ground.
Shirtless, his impressive physique on full display, he wielded the long spear with expert precision. Even against ten guards, he maintained the upper hand.
Though these guards were all elite, handpicked from the best of the best, they were forced to retreat under Warrick’s relentless assault. Within minutes, over ten men lay sprawled on the ground.
“Useless fools!” Warrick slammed his spear into the ground, then pointed it at one of the guards’ noses.
He continued, “I told you to train more and improve your skills, but you all had to slack off. Now, you’re a bunch of weaklings. You couldn’t even block three of my moves. If I had to rely on you for protection, I’d be dead by now.”
“Sir Prescott, it’s not that we’re not capable. It’s just that you’re too strong. There aren’t many in all of West Lucozia who can last three moves against you,” the guard captain said, cradling his dislocated shoulder.
Though the guard looked miserable, his flattery seemed to please Warrick.
“Hmph! I’ll let it slide this time. But if you’re still this pathetic next time, don’t blame me for breaking out the disciplinary rods.”
Warrick tossed his spear, and it landed perfectly in the weapon rack.
Ignoring his dislocated shoulder, the guard captain quickly grabbed a dry towel and hurriedly handed it to Warrick.
Warrick wiped the sweat and casually tossed the towel back.
The guard captain immediately retrieved a coat and draped it over Warrick’s shoulders, his movements smooth and practiced. It was a testament to the captain’s dedication.
“Mr. Prescott! Mr. Prescott!” Huxley barged into the training grounds, looking anxious
Two guards moved to block his path, but he shoved them aside and sent them sprawling.
Seeing this, the guard captain stepped forward to block Huxley, but Warrick raised a hand to stop him.
“Mr. Thatcher, what’s the rush? It’s very unlike you.” Warrick sat down leisurely and motioned for the guards to pour tea.
“I just received news that Lord Austin has mobilized the royal enforcement team. They’re conducting a city-wide search for Jovian. We might be in trouble this time.” Huxley looked solemn.
He thought Austin wouldn’t make a big deal over Jovian. To his surprise, Austin deployed the royal enforcement team just one night after Jovian’s disappearance.
The last time the enforcement team was fully mobilized was three years ago when the Cosblans family was annihilated. Over 300 members of their bloodline had been executed. None had survived.
