"Ha, you're too kind, it's not some profound knowledge. If it can help you, that's all the better."

A Meditation Method indeed doesn't count as profound knowledge worth acclaim. In the Great Library of Constantinople, if there aren't a hundred volumes, there must be ninety-nine.

"Ms. Anna, perhaps this might not mean much to you, but I remember our Levant Witch Association's doctrine is about equal exchange, isn't it?"

Anna emphasized, "It's the 'Levant Wizard Association,' it's been renamed!"

"However, you're right, we believe in equal exchange — just happens there's something that might need your help. A wanted Wizard, having stolen from the Empire Library some time ago, is very dangerous and likely hiding in your Franks' territory, so just keep an eye out for his whereabouts."

"Any more specific characteristics? At the banquet a few days ago, my Vassal did mention a suspicious person arriving in his domain."

Anna's expression turned slightly grim.

"Details won't help, this is a powerful Wizard versed in Transformation Technique, this guy is attempting to research the long-lost Alchemy of Human Body, planning to bring living people out of the Alchemy Cauldron. Such a person can change appearance at will."

"Look, don't startle the snake now, I'll send Nishaya — the young lady who brought you the Meditation Method — to accompany you for identification as soon as possible."

"Alright, by the way, does Ms. Nishaya have some misunderstanding about me?"

"Nope!"

Anna's voice slightly raised but quickly leveled to present a calm demeanor: "Of course not, but you must know that many Witches are very devoted when it comes to love."

"Although you're a rare Warlock, having too many Witches around isn't exactly appealing."

Losa's voice of sudden realization came from that side: "I see."

The two chatted a bit more, and then Anna disconnected the communication, feeling somewhat guilty inside.

She would never admit that she had told Nishaya that Losa is a malevolent Warlock skilled at alluring beautiful Witches into love and lust, with every word having the power to enchant the mind.

...

Eira Port.

Losa frowned, feeling the problems facing him were quite plentiful.

Hopefully, he was mistaken; if there truly was a Wizard hiding in his domain — better let the Wizard Association handle it.

He has yet to have direct encounters with Wizards, but he vividly remembers the one he met in Austria who transformed into a giant serpent, alongside the Witch near Count Leopold.

Even now, gathering all followers, he didn't feel confident he could defeat her.

What followed was a slew of trivial matters one after another.

Port vendors tampered with scales, giving short measures; two farmers brawled over property border lines; a carriage crushed a passerby's leg...

A large number of decisions needing Losa's approval were piling up around him.

For a brief moment, Losa truly wanted to casually say: "Let them engage in judicial dueling, don't bother me with such trivial affairs."

But he immediately suppressed this thought; what's trivial to him might not be to individuals.

He ordered his subordinates to bring the people for hearings and, through translation, adjudicated each case and provided appropriate settlements.

"Milord, some border converts wish to acquire some weapons for self-defense."

"Grant their request, dispatch the Imperial Knights to organize them for farmer soldiers' drills, every household must provide men, hoping that next time there's an attack, they'll delay enough time for us to arrive."

"Additionally, Hans, call Ned over, I'm authorizing him to assemble a border patrol team."

Losa reclined on the soft cushion, somewhat missing Hebron managed by Kurs.

He raised his head and glanced around.

Furin lounging with crossed legs, playing with her hair in ennui; Jeanne guzzling and red-cheeked like a drunkard; Prajna engrossed in reading an Arabic book.

None is reliable.

As for Laine, Model, Pepin, and Ned, these Knights are often illiterate.

Only Hans is reliable, but Hans already bears significant responsibilities.

He had no choice but to say: "Immediately inform Kurs that the Hebron situation has stabilized enough, have him transfer all duties to Andreas, and come to Eira Port."

Furin excitedly said: "Milord, are you finally bringing Kurs over?"

Losa rolled his eyes: "If any of you were reliable, I wouldn't be so busy daily."

Jeanne raised her goblet, signaling to Losa: "Milord, you're right, I'm indeed unreliable, so don't even think about pestering me with those annoying internal affairs."

Prajna closed her book, and just as Losa wondered if she might be displeased with his words.

He saw her returning the book to the shelf, replacing it with another, and reading with relish.

Throughout, it was as if she hadn't heard anything Losa said.

Furin, somewhat discontent, said: "Milord, I can relieve your worries and challenges; I was once a princess with my own domain, so don't underestimate me!"

Losa became interested and asked: "So, tell me, how would you handle the situations I just faced?"

Furin replied confidently: "Hang them all, bothering me with such trivial issue, is it because they think I can't kill?"

Losa's smile froze; he reached out and, before she could react, snapped her forehead crisply.

The sound was sharp.

Losa looked at the aggrieved Furin and smiled: "Nice sound."

"Nice sound means a good head, knock more often!"

Jeanne said from the side.

...

By dusk, the Witch cloaked in black returned.

Standing outside the door, with a voice crisp like a bell chime, she inquired: "Where is Ragman?"

"Want to come in and talk?"

Losa asked.

The Witch immediately retreated a step cautiously, her voice tense: "No! No need, just tell me Ragman's whereabouts, and I'll leave."

Losa was somewhat speechless; does she need to fear me?

"Ragman is the one Anna mentioned, who stole from the Empire Library and is attempting Human Body Alchemy?"

"That's right, a dangerous individual."

"He's in my vassal, Zujar Baron's domain, reportedly in a village called 'Dekhem.' He acts reclusively, stays away from people, should be easy to spot."

Losa finished and asked: "Ms. Nishaya, are you sure you don't need me to send people to accompany you?"

Nishaya hesitated for a moment.

For quite some time, she still shook her head and said: "Better not, I'm deeply skilled in Stealth Technique, merely to investigate his identity, I myself won't face any risk."

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