Chapter 16: Meeting Cassian Thray

After Arix was brought to the police station, she wasn't interrogated right away. Instead, she was taken to a nearby hospital and was given a physical examination first.

The doctor who did the check-up took a tube of blood straight off the bat and ended up giving the waiting cops a report. The results showed that Arix was seriously undernourished.

Seeing the slim little girl, who was all skin and bones, the doctors felt a rush of parental affection. They began offering Arix their snacks, and even during the questioning, they made a point to be extra gentle.

By the time it was confirmed that Arix was a victim and she was released from custody, it was almost midnight.

"Arix, thanks for helping so many people today. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight," the officer said, smiling and praising Arix as they left the police station.

"It's what I should do, since the trouble started because of me," Arix replied with a shy smile, apologizing.

"It's not your fault, kiddo. Why take all the blame? Anyway, just be safe on your way home and try not to go out much these days," the officer advised carefully.

Thinking about Arix's background that he had read in the police files, he felt even more sympathetic and gently patted her on the head.

"Thank you, sir. I'll be careful. Goodbye," Arix said politely before parting ways with the officer and heading out of the station.

Meanwhile, at the back door of the hospital, a middle-aged man in a white lab coat walked out, carrying a small case.

He looked around cautiously before approaching a black Lev. Then he knocked softly on the window three times.

The next moment, a young man in a black suit opened the door and took the small case from the man.

"Is this Arix's blood sample?" asked the young man, looking rather unhappy.

"Yes, it's hers," the doctor replied with a grim expression, unable to help but mutter, "You're from one of the five noble families, right? Gosh, you surely know how to put on these dramas. Bastards, stealing blood samples and all."

The young man coughed awkwardly and said earnestly, "It's for the future of the Alliance. The sooner we confirm which family Arix belongs to, the sooner she can get protected."

Remembering the frail girl, the doctor fell silent for a moment and then sighed, "I suppose that's for the best."

On the street outside the police station, Arix checked the address of the apartment and realized it was only a ten-minute walk from the station.

Deciding not to call a Lev, she set off to walk home. Late nights can sometimes make people feel their most vulnerable, and Arix, walking alone, suddenly felt a bit lonely. When she thought about never seeing her parents and friends from her previous life again, her mood started to drop even further.

Suddenly, a faint animal cry broke the silence. "Ow-oo...."

Hearing the sound, Arix stopped in her tracks. She listened carefully for a moment before fixing her gaze on a trash can by the side of the road.

With a frown, Arix approached the trash can. After she lifted the lid, she saw a bloodied little puppy bathed in moonlight.

The puppy was in bad shape, breathing heavily as if he might breathe his last at any moment. His body was covered in wounds of all sizes, and his fur was soaked in blood.

"Gosh. What kind people would treat such an adorable puppy like that? Those jerks should really go to hell!" Arix cursed angrily.

Then, she quickly searched for a nearby pet hospital and hurriedly carried the puppy there.

The pet hospital was quite fancy.

Arix gave the puppy to the vet and waited in the holding area until it was almost dawn.

The vet, holding the still-sleepy puppy, handed it to Arix and advised, "His external and internal injuries have healed. Now he just needs to be well-nourished."

"Okay, thank you, doctor," Arix said, somewhat surprised as she took the now-clean little dog from the doctor and went to pay the bills.

The sight of the nearly uncountable zeros almost made her blurt out some 'f' words. But after carefully reviewing the bill and seeing the various surgeries performed on the puppy, including the most expensive cloned organ transplant, she resignedly paid.

Exhausted from the day's turmoil and the financial hit, Arix carried the puppy and trudged back to her apartment in a daze.

The apartment was a simple and clean two-bedroom with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

After she briefly checked the room, Arix placed the puppy by the bed. She took a quick shower in the bathroom, and then collapsed onto the bed.

As she petted the puppy's head, she fell into a deep sleep.

The moment Arix fell asleep, the puppy opened his eyes, revealing golden irises.

He quietly watched Arix for a while before closing his eyes again.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the Empire, something beyond Arix's wildest imagination was unfolding.

In a splendid palace, a handsome man adorned with a crown and royal attire sat on his throne, his gaze coldly sweeping over the ministers below.

The ministers, trembling under his stare, kept their heads bowed in a silence so profound that the drop of a sweat could be heard.

"Cassian has disappeared?" Emperor Leonidas's voice was devoid of any emotion, yet it sent shivers down the spines of the ministers below.

Duke Gran was responsible for the incident leading to the prince's disappearance. Now he had no choice but to step forward and explain, "Everything was normal when Prince Cassian was battling the insectoids, but suddenly a wormhole appeared and swallowed His Highness. Despite the legion's thorough search of the entire Aqualis Region, we've been unable to find any trace of His Highness. I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty."

"High Priest, is Cassian still alive?" Emperor Leonidas, unfazed by Duke Gran's report, turned his gaze to the high priest. The old man was standing next to Duke Gran, wearing a white robe.

the high priest, his hair and beard white with age, replied with a solemn and weathered voice. "Your Majesty, according to the guidance of the Moon Goddess, Prince Cassian has been rescued by a noble soul and is currently out of danger. However, His Highness is not within the Empire's territory, and his life may be threatened again."

Emperor Leonidas's perfect features remained impassive. His dark lashes cast a shadow as he pondered for a moment.

He then pointed indifferently at Duke Gran and said, "If you can't find him within three months, You will present yourself for sacrifice before the statue of the Moon Goddess."

"I am aware now, Your Majesty," Duke Gran breathed a sigh of relief.

Even if he couldn't find Prince Cassian in the end, sacrificing to the Moon Goddess would be an honor.