CHAPTER 392: CHAPTER 268: SEEKER OF OMENS_1

Unfortunately, Lance’s gaze remained cold, sweeping over her body, searching only for the storage equipment.

Whether it was earlier with the nun or during her confrontation with him, she had demonstrated the ability to summon objects out of thin air. This was Lance’s first time seeing storage-capable equipment on someone else.

But thinking about it, it made sense. Tamara’s carriage had unique technology to expand space. From what she had previously said, this suggested that the Romani must possess some sort of extraordinary ability related to space.

So it was impossible for Amanda, a fellow Romani whose equipment was even more exquisite than Tamara’s, not to have related equipment.

However, with her body cluttered with jewelry and the overlapping glows of Spiritual Essence, Lance couldn’t make out which piece it was.

But Amanda had no time for leisure.

There were too many nerves and blood vessels in the neck supplying the brain. The pressure on it was like a stranglehold on her lifeline, instantly draining the strength from her body as the sensation of fainting from a lack of oxygen surged.

"Ah... Ah..."

Amanda struggled frantically, instinctively pounding with her hands or trying to pry the grip from her neck to breathe again, but the hand was immovable, like a vice.

Her strong thighs tensed, and the other leg flailed in the air, but it gradually slowed. Her hands, too, began to weaken, and her eyes rolled back, trembling.

Seeing this, Lance finally released his grip. Amanda dropped to the ground. She couldn’t care less about anything else and gasped for air, coughing violently, causing her chest to heave. The red handprint on her neck was a testament to what had just happened.

"Attacking an enforcement officer: crime aggravated by one degree, additional fines, extended sentence," Lance said nothing else, simply announcing the verdict coldly.

Amanda, having regained some composure, looked at Lance. Her eyes no longer held the same recklessness as before. She finally showed respect, or perhaps fear, towards a stronger adversary.

She wasn’t without other means, but in such close proximity and with so little time to react, her movements had been completely anticipated and ruthlessly interrupted.

Her rapid breathing somewhat eased her, but her inspiration was wildly thumping at that moment. It was this sensation that made her suddenly turn to notice a small knife stabbing towards her.

Amanda’s body instinctively leaned to dodge, but the knife persisted in its pursuit. Already seated on the ground, it was now within striking distance—inescapable!

Just then, Lance suddenly reached out and grabbed the knife—or rather, the hand holding it—instantly controlling the situation.

In that moment between life and death, the terror on Amanda’s face had not yet faded. She then realized that Tamara, at some point, had approached, holding the very Flying Dagger Amanda herself had thrown.

"What are you doing?" Tamara glared at Amanda, who lay sprawled on the ground. "Kill her! I’ll take care of the rest of the trouble for you. All her belongings will be yours."

"I’ll say it again: I don’t care about your feuds. Hamlet forbids violence, let alone murder," Lance said, unmoved by her words, still as detached as ever.

Believing her would be foolish. Those items were hot potatoes; she was clearly trying to drag him into her troubles.

Moreover, if someone died here, he would inevitably be entangled in their grudges, no matter what.

Lance forcefully took the knife away. "You’re not escaping either. You participated in the brawl, and now you’re attempting to inflict injury..."

Tamara, however, was relentless. How could she let go of such an opportunity to kill her nemesis right in front of her?

Lance was cut off mid-sentence by her attempt to attack Amanda again, only for Tamara to be directly blocked by him.

"Let me go!"

"Are you sure you can beat her?"

With a single quiet question from Lance, the situation became rigidly tense. Tamara also realized that her opportunity had slipped away.

Amanda, too, recovered from her prior fear. She stood up and backed away to create distance.

Yet her focus was not on Tamara at that moment, but rather on the man. Her delicate face was full of confusion and bewilderment.

She, too, had initially thought Lance was one of Tamara’s people, which was why she had attacked without hesitation. But his recent actions left her puzzled. Was he serious about what he said?

"Who are you, really?"

"You don’t need to know. All you need to know is that you’re engaging in illegal activities. You’re coming with me," Lance replied with his usual indifference. "You can refuse, of course. Either you kill me, or I’ll kill you."

No one present dared refuse Lance’s words, for the outcome had just been proven.

「...」

「Hamlet, the infirmary, first floor.」

Amanda looked at the spartan cell, the cold walls, and the heavy iron door. She had likely never imagined she would end up here.

She wanted to resist, but it was clear she was no match for that man. Unless she was seeking death... All of her possessions had been confiscated, and her carriage impounded.

Seven days. Using violence here meant a fine and a seven-day prison sentence.

Initially, she had been at a loss when she was caught. But now she had come to realize the man had no intention of harming her; otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited until now.

This only made her more curious about the man.

Strange rules, odd people... Looking down at the simple clothes that draped her body, so different from the usual attire in the Empire, she could tell that this place held many secrets...