The innkeeper’s son, a seemingly shrewd middle-aged wizard, was rubbing his hands together, his face showing helplessness mixed with a bit of flattery as he explained to the leading enforcement officer.
“Officer, you know, Old Kabu is a wizard researching Dark Arts… Alas, he always has some unclear ailments, perhaps it’s the aftereffects of a curse he got hit with somewhere, flaring up now and then. This time seems particularly severe, directly… Alas, we didn’t expect it.”
The young owner’s explanation was evidently an attempt to dissociate from the incident, framing it as a “health problem” of the Dark Wizard himself, trying to avoid trouble for the inn. Several guests around were watching from a distance or briskly walking away with a detached attitude, none standing out to testify against Ian.
It’s not as if there weren’t witnesses who could guess what happened, mainly because on this land, it’s wiser to avoid needless trouble. What’s more, no one wants to offend a mysterious outsider wizard for a notorious Dark Wizard who clearly failed a sneak attack.
“Are there any guests who haven’t been questioned yet?”
Ian’s appearance caught the attention of the enforcement officers. The leader, a tall wizard with a serious face and sharp eyes, walked over.
His uniform epaulettes showed he was a senior Auror.
“Sir, please stay.” The Auror’s voice was steady, with an official tone, “We are investigating an unexpected death incident.”
“May I ask if you were nearby just now? Did you see or hear anything unusual?” His tone wasn’t exactly courteous, but not entirely rude either.
Ian’s face aptly showed a touch of fear mixed with bewilderment, he even tightened his collar slightly as if he was still shaken.
“Unusual? Oh, you mean that person who suddenly collapsed just now?” Ian said in a voice with a slight shock, “I… I had just come out of the room, and happened to see that person stagger out from the shadows and then fell to the ground motionless. It startled me! I… I didn’t know him, nor did I know what happened, so I hurried back to the room and hid for a while, only coming out to check the situation once it was quiet outside.”
His expression was sincere, his tone natural, and his eyes were as clear as crystal, completely resembling a normal traveler startled by an unexpected event. He didn’t even intentionally emphasize his “innocence,” but instead focused on describing reactions of “fear” and “avoidance.”
Playing psychology.
Ian was proficient.
This, in turn, was more fitting for the mindset of an observer unwilling to invite trouble.
“Is that so?” The senior Auror scrutinized Ian carefully, his gaze like a spotlight, trying to find any flaw on Ian’s face. However, Ian’s spiritual power was so strong that if he didn’t want it, no one could discern any errant detail from his deliberately crafted demeanor.
This wasn’t just the calmness of a Legendary Wizard.
It was also the poised calmness brought by Ian’s mastery of psychology.
The Auror’s detection magic swept over Ian, only sensing a peaceful and restrained magical energy, starkly different from the violent and cold curse energy residual at the scene.
Just a small ordinary wizard.
Not even reaching the level of an elite wizard, merely a big horse tower among the Auror group in the Western World. How could they uncover the legendary disguise?
After a few seconds of silence, the Auror seemed to find no suspicion. He nodded, his tone somewhat relaxed, “I see. Thank you for your cooperation. The area has been unstable lately, with some Dark Wizard activities rampant. Please be cautious and ensure your safety. If you find any suspicious people or situations, please report to us promptly.”
Auror Hai made an official reminder, not that he cared much about Ian, but because official personnel still had to go through certain professional reminding procedures.
“Of course, thank you, officer, for the reminder.” Ian nodded promptly, looking like he received guidance.
Upon hearing this, the Auror asked no further questions, indicating Ian could leave. Ian maintained a slightly tense expression as he briskly walked through the corridor, heading towards the inn’s entrance, leaving the investigation scene behind. This minor episode couldn’t even stir a ripple in his heart.
Walking out the inn’s entrance, the noisy hustle and vibrant magical lights greeted him again. The night market was livelier than during the day, with various light magic illuminating the streets as bright as daylight and the air filled with the eternal mix of food, spices, magic potions, and the scent of people.
“Where’s the person?”
Ian’s gaze scanned the crowd and soon locked onto a target. In a relatively quiet shadow at the street corner, information broker Baboua was rubbing his hands somewhat anxiously, pacing with unease and occasionally glancing towards the inn’s entrance. When he saw Ian’s figure appear, his eyes immediately lit up.
This guy’s face was full of enthusiasm mixed with a bit of awe, he quickly came up to him.
“Sir! You finally came out!” Baboua lowered his voice, with excitement from completing a task, “There seemed to be some trouble inside just now, I was worried it might affect you.”
He apparently also saw the Ministry of Magic Auror enter the inn. Ian responded indifferently to this kind of information probe with an “Mhm,” his gaze calmly fixed on him.
Baboua understood instantly, no longer wasting words. He cautiously looked left and right, ensuring no one was paying attention, before taking out two items from his arms. One was a seemingly inconspicuous small box carved from some local black wood, just the size of a palm, with simple geometric patterns etched onto it.