Ancient Tears BloodLine

(From MC's perspective)

This highly fortified train is moving towards the destination at full speed. Unfortunately, it's impossible to appreciate the outside view. Because the windows are covered up due to safety issues.

I feel tense because of this. On normal days, I can divert my mind by watching the outside views. But here I can only shut my eyes and pretend asleep.

Right now, there is one more reason to pretend.

Elder Compton is sitting right next to me.

Opposite me, the vice leader of the team, Valerie Lyons is reading a book. Right next to her, Kara Robles is watching something on her watch. I don't whether she is sleeping or not.

This seating arrangement was done by Elder Compton. Which alone shows the existing friction in the team.

From time to time, I feel hostile gazes on me. But I know exactly where it is coming from. It was none other than Erik Lloyd. I have a vague feeling that he is hatching some plan.

I couldn't help but furrow my eyebrows when I think about it. It's not that I can't take him down. I fear I will face more trouble after killing him. So there is no good in going against him.

It's best to stick to Elder Compton. Only he can make him calm down. After retracting the thoughts, I closed my eyes.

On the other hand, a quick glint flashed into Compton's eyes. He looked in Erik Lloyd's direction before retracting his gaze. He also noticed some malicious intentions from Erik Lloyd.

Which is not at all good for everyone including himself in the team. Ever since he had got a hint from his good friend. Compton already made up his mind to protect Zack.

Even he readied himself to go to a certain length. "I hope Erik won't cross the line. Otherwise, I have to kill him myself," Compton thought to himself.

The exploration team members have different thoughts about the new team member. No one is willing to babysit a new team member.

Especially, in places like Trunulesia forest. It's hard to keep their own life alive.

Time passes in a blink of an eye

After a couple of days, Elder Thornton reached the Red Stone city. After getting into Hansen Institute, he was soon involved in their upcoming fighting competition work.

When Thornton came back, Arthur felt half of his pressure reduced. He soon recounted the things that happened inside the discussion hall.

But in the end, both failed to guess the city lord's mind. The city lord Alex Fuller's unclear intentions made them act carefully. Elder Thornton feels that nothing serious will take place.

Because the competition is only for their city's young warriors. He believes that there won't be any calculation behind it.

Even if some force tries to calculate, he does not worry about it. Because apart from Zack, there are no other important person's studies here.

Since Zack is away from the city, Thornton is acting without any worry.

Coincidentally, on the same day,

An important meeting is taking place inside the discussion hall of the city lord's mansion.

The city lord mansion,

The City Lord Alex Fuller is keenly observing the five people in front of him. These five talented warriors were sent by Crimson Hall a couple of days ago.

After carefully roaming around the city, now they got enough time on their hands to visit him. His heart is boiling in anger. But he kept his outward expression calm as possible.

These people's behaviour a spoiled lot of his plans. Including the meeting with the Frazier clan head. Which is also getting postponed because of them.

Unfortunately, the Frazier clan's head is out of this city at this time. He would have solved the problem if he was available.

SIGH

He couldn't help but sigh thinking about it.

"Lord," Manager Walter stepped forward to inquire. He knows the lord is frustrated because of these young people. But this can't be helped. They can't afford to offend the Crimson Hall organisation.

On the other hand, Bob Williamson smirked watching the overall situation. This is the first time he has seen Tier-8 city's city lord in person.

But he feels that everyone went overboard this time. Otherwise, their headmaster wells won't urge them to visit the city lord as soon as possible.

Bob was puzzled, usually, their headmaster won't put tier-8 cities in his eyes. Including the government forces and organisations. But this time he was serious.

Then retracting his thoughts, he waited for the meeting to take place.

Ella Downs, Sallie Mills, Austin Boyer and Bradley Reese also has different thoughts in their mind. But one thing is common, all of them wanted this meeting to end as soon as possible.

"Cough"

Alex Fuller coughed to break the awkward atmosphere. "The Frazier Clan's head is not available right now. So the meeting is not going to take place. Once he comes back, I'll inform you," he said in a calm tone.

Hearing that five of them were bewildered. That's it! Bob wrinkled his eyebrows. It's not that five of them don't know what to do. Their headmaster had already briefed them about this.

But still, if they want to know to implement the plan they need the presence of the Frazier clan's head. Realizing this Bob's gave becomes ugly.

"So we are wasting our time here, " Bob mumbled under his breath.

Hearing that, Alex and Bradley nodded their head. Ella and Sallie don't know what to say. But both thought, Bob should keep his mouth shut.

Bob Williamson's words were not so loud. But it was heard by Alex Fuller. Veins begin to pop up from his forehead. For the first time, he felt he shouldn't have contacted the crimson hall. These arrogant brats are too much for him to handle.

Before he could utter anything, he heard a question from the same brat.

"Lord, do you know the whereabouts of Zack Lockwood?" Bob Williamson asked. When he asked that there is a tinge of expectation in his heart.

He believes that it's normal for any city lord to know about certain crucial information. Especially, the current number one rank in star tower's leader board ranking is local to this city.

Bob believes that City Lord has information about Zack Lockwood.

The atmosphere has become pin drop silence.

Sallie laughed in her heart, seeing that Bob is not giving a face at all to the city lord. For this city lord, Sallie has absolute disgust in her heart.

To gain personal interest, he is ready to sacrifice the local force. For such a person she doesn't have any respect.

It is the same with Ella Downs, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed in displeasure. She wants to leave the place, but Bob started a conversation all of a sudden.

But this question Bob, she wants to hear the answer as well.

Austin Boyer and Bradley Reese looked at each other with helpless smiles on their face. Because Bob is started to act on his own. They don't know what will happen next.

On the other hand, Alex Fuller was stunned. He didn't expect such a question at this moment. But his mood becomes complicated. Because the same question was inquired by many people before including their First Elder and the headmaster.

That kid Zack Lockwood seemed to disappear into thin air. There is no news about him. Nowadays, he has felt that Zack Lockwood might have died somewhere.

But he can't say his opinion loud. Because people need evidence to verify the news. He has tried many ways to contact the Hansen Institute's chairman.

Unfortunately, there is no response from the other side.

Then he answered, "I don't know about it."

Hearing that, Bob's face turned solemn. There is only one question in his mind. How?

"Is he dead?" He asked.

A quick glint flashed in Ella's eyes. She doesn't want to think like that. But if the person is missing for so long, she won't know how to describe it.

On the other hand, Alex Fuller smiled. He had the same thought as the young man. But things are not that simple.

He answered, "He is most likely alive. Because if he is dead, his institute and the star tower won't remain silent."

"They would have published the news," he added further.

Hearing that Bob nodded in understanding. Especially, about the star tower, he feels the city lord is right. So far there are no changes taking place in the city lord ranking. This means Zack Lockwood is alive.

On the other hand, Ella also felt peace in her heart. She also thinks about how absurd her previous assumptions were.

Seeing that there is one asking questions anymore, Alex Fuller asked them to leave. Manager Walter guided them outside.

Seeing their disappearing sight, Alex muttered to himself, "I don't know if my actions were good or bad" Because he feels if crimson hall can't able to find the whereabouts of that kid.

How can they expect a small city lord like him to answer? Then he thought about his next action. He feels he needs to visit the Hansen Institute in person.