Chapter 182


    It was only then that Commander Kashann could rx a bit and slow down the pace.


    Their journey was cautious and somber. The five Elders and the seasoned Protégés kept watch all


    the way, while vin and the other Protégés remained silent, seldom speaking.


    Roald, Semar, Adirich, and the others had lost their prior arrogance. As they neared Cobalt Strike,


    they were uncertain how to face the Protégés who admired them and the Elders who awaited their


    return.


    "Watch out ahead, on the left," a seasoned Protégé suddenly cautioned.


    A mile away, atop a low hill in front of them to the left, stood a gaunt figure. The distance was


    considerable, but with their keen eyesight, they could make out a person in tattered rags, with long,


    unkempt hair blowing gently in the mountain breeze, looking as though they might topple over with


    the slightest nudge.


    "I''ve seen him thrice now! Once when we first entered the forest, against night, and now this


    instance. He seems to be tracking us," the middle-aged Protégé warned in a grave tone.


    Elder Connasmanded, "Keep an eye on him. If he darese closer, seize him!"


    They had now entered the Organization''s territory, where no one dared to act rashly. As long as the


    man didn''t stir trouble, there was no need to confront him.


    vin nced in that direction, not particrly concerned. However, not long after, something


    struck him, and he furrowed his brows, gazing intently toward the distant hill.


    Atop the hill, the ragged youth slowly lifted his head. His reddish eyes rippled with waves, and his


    gaze pierced through his disheveled hair to settle on vin, who was several miles away. His face


    was pale and bloodless, and the emaciated features bore no trace of human emotion, cold and


    rigid.


    vin distinctly felt that the figure was watching him.


    "I''ve also noticed him a couple of times. What does he want?" Niks muttered, taking a longer


    look.


    "There are many strange folks in Cloudveil Woods. Best to ignore them," Myke spoke nonchntly.


    Suddenly, vin remembered something. This was a familiar face. Could it be the youth he had


    saved in the forest all those months ago? The events of that day had faded over the past half-year,


    nearly forgotten.


    vin waved toward the figure in the distance.


    "What are you doing? Do you know him?" Balder was also looking that way.


    "I don''t know him, just curious."


    "Don''t invite trouble. Just keep a low profile," Balder urged, pulling him along. They were about to


    return to the Organization, and it was best not to stir up any incidents.


    "Your father..." vin whispered softly.


    "We''ll know the answer once we''re back inside the Organization."


    When vin looked up again, the figure on the distant hilltop had vanished.


    In Cobalt Strike.


    The entrance to the mountain gate was now crowded with Protégés, and many Elders were also


    waiting there.


    "Why haven''t they returned?"


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "By my calctions, the Commander should have been back the day before yesterday."


    "Could something have happened on the road?"


    "It''s also possible there was some dy at the championship."


    The Elders were secretly anxious, worried about an unexpected mishap. The Commander was a


    meticulous person, who always returned punctually from each championship. A dy of two days


    like this was rare.


    The Protégés were not as concerned; in their eyes, the Commander stood at the pinnacle of the


    Nortnds, safeguarded by five Elders and numerous middle-aged Protégés. An ident was


    imusible. They were more curious about the championship''s oue, whether this year''s Cobalt


    Strike Protégés had had any brilliant performances, and what achievements had been secured.


    Many had already started making wagers. Did Roald make it into the top five? How many rounds


    did Felis and the other Golden Protégés survive? How did Cedrick and the others fare? Some were


    even specting what title Roald held, wondering what kind of evaluation the Eight Orders had


    bestowed upon him.


    Aside from vin, the other nine Protégés were revered geniuses in everyone’s minds. Everyone


    was confident there would be no disappointment this time.


    "They''re here! The Commander has returned!" a Protégé came rushing up the path ahead, shouting


    from afar.


    "They''ve arrived!" The Elders finally showed smiles on their faces, swiftly descending the stone


    steps.


    Thousands of Protégés swarmed out, followed the Elders to greet the returning party, and excitedly


    chattered and looked forward with anticipation.