Familia Hotel, Raneil Barony.

While Basil and Iliana were running away from Randalvine with Deacon, in the purple mist covered Barony, the Knights of Hauler were waiting for Basil's family to contact them.

They had been waiting there for 2 days, and although they were protecting the people there, they still felt uncomfortable for not participating much in the war.historical

They also didn't receive any information about the happening outside the Barony, so it further amplified their anxiousness. They didn't know what kind of state Woster County was now in or what happened to the Demons from Death Howl Dungeon.

"He asked us to stay here for 6 days, didn't he?" Effie, who was checking on her arrow, looked at Thompson who was pacing back and forth. "He didn't tell us to wait until he came back, did he?"

"Yeah... He just asked us to be his family's escort, and guard the hotel for an extra three days after his family arrived."

"Did you ask his reason for asking us to guard the hotel for an extra three days?"

"No." Thompson stopped pacing back and forth. "Why should I? It was apparent—to ensure his family's safety."

Effie sighed at Thompson's sure answer. "If that had been the case, he would have told us to guard his family until he returned instead." Sensing a question coming, Effie put up her hand. "Use your brain—how can three days ensure his family's life forever?"

"Well, if there is a danger within those three days and we save them, they will survive ... I think I got your point." Thompson frowned the moment he realized their time limited protection wouldn't ensure the safety of Basil's family.

What if nothing happened within those three days, but something happened on the fifth day? Basil's family would die as they didn't have the Knights' protection. Therefore it was clear that Basil had another purpose for telling them to stay there.

"I am glad that you got what I mean, and you are right about one thing—there will be a time of danger within those three days."

"Elaborate." Thompson's gaze turned stern.

"Have you noticed the increasing amount of Knights who hide their power?" Thompson nodded his head at Effie's question. "Judging by how they overlook the entirety of the hotel, I am sure they are all Basil's subordinates."

"What if they are the danger?"

"No, that will never happen." Effie shook her head. "Beside the fact that they have no ill will, they are preparing for something. It is as if they are going to face something dangerous."

"We are not that something dangerous, aren't we?" Thompson asked jokingly.

"Of course not." Effie looked at Thompson weirdly. "Have you noticed how uncomfortable outside has become?"

"I mean, that mist is already—"

"We have the 'pass' that Basil gave us to prevent us from being affected by the mist—I am not talking about it. How do you feel the aura outside the hotel has become?"

Instead of immediately answering, Thompson kept quiet. He frowned as he thought about how uncomfortable the atmosphere outside the hotel had become for the past two days.

Basil had said that the Spell he used to cover the Barony with repelled any kind Demon and Magic Beast, but despite so, his party had encountered three strong Middle Class Demons whenever they went outside in the past two days.

They hadn't even been intentionally looking for Demons that time, but they had still encountered three Demons in their way. Although they could deal with the Demons easily, now that he thought about it, it was quite concerning.

"You are right." Effie nodded her head the moment Thompson looked at her. "There is a possibility that Basil's Spell only repels Low Grade Monsters."

"If that is really the case, nothing we should be concerned about though..." Thompson sighed as he thought about another possibility that came to his mind.

"Indeed. There is also a possibility that it attracts High Grade Monsters, but I am sure that won't happen." Effie shook her head faintly as she recalled Basil's way of treating his staffs. "He won't let his family live in danger."

"Yeah... That is relieving to know that." Thompson sat down on the sofa in front of Effie. "This lounge room is so comfortable, I don't want to talk about this kind of stuff but... What you mean is, something that will put our lives in danger will happen soon."

"Indeed. That is the only reason Basil told us to stay."

Thompson smiled wryly as he shook his head. He was glad that Basil trusted them enough to leave his family in their care, but he still couldn't bring himself to like how vague Basil was.

After all, Basil could've just said that something were bound to happen in the time they were staying there, instead of letting them figure it out by themselves.

Thompson couldn't blame Basil however, for Basil's instruction was clear—protect his family. Basil didn't have any obligation to tell them what would their hardships be.

No matter how hard it would be, they had to do what they had promised to. Basil, though asked them something in return, had helped them recover by staying there after all, so they should hold on to their promise.

"Well... Before that day comes, let us also prepare ourselves, shall we?"

"That's what everyone is doing."

"Oh? So they have been spending their time in the basement for that?" Thompson quirked his eyebrow. "Who told them to?"

"I did."

"Why did no one tell me anything about it?"

"You are also busy training like me, so I didn't want to bother you."

"Oh..." Thompson chuckled as he rubbed his head awkwardly. "I am a little bit self conscious lately, you know? Can't let my member surpass myself, can I?"

"You are already a leader for me. You don't need to be stronger than me to remain one."

"Thank you for the kind words, but I, as a man, have pride." Thompson stood up as he smirked at Effie. "I can't just let anyone surpass myself."

Effie smirked. "You can just say that you hate being surpassed by a woman."

"Hahaha. I am not a sore loser that only gets mad whenever he is below a woman; I am just a competitive man who doesn't like being below everyone."

Effie shook her head at Thompson's rare show of inflated ego, but didn't mock him for that. She understood that he had been on edge ever since her Body Forging Mastery surpassed his.

She knew however it wasn't because he didn't like the fact that he was below her, but he felt unworthy for being her leader. Having spent years being his party member, she already knew that he was that kind of person.

—You can find a better party, and I won't blame you for that.

Recalling the thing Thompson had said when she had broken through to Blue Core Stage, she couldn't help a smile from forming. Thompson was confused when he saw that, but he was interrupted before he could say anything.

Buzz.

"Someone is reaching out to me through the Sound Tablet Basil gave me." Taking out the palm sized jadeite Relic, Thompson channelled his Qi into it. "... Oh, Basil's family has arrived. It's time for us to pick them up."

Nodding her head wordlessly, Effie stood up then headed to the basement where the rest of the Knights of Hauler were training.

Thompson, on the other hand, informed Basil's family to wait for them in front of Raneil Barony's gate, then headed to the lobby to wait for the his members to gather. He only waited for two minutes until his members were fully gathered.

Upon seeing the Knights gathering themselves up, the civilians who stayed in the hotel became slightly wary. They thought that something dangerous was coming their way, and couldn't help dreading it.

Thompson looked at the people's reaction and couldn't help shaking his head bitterly. Even though the civilians misunderstood the current situation, their worry wasn't unfounded after all; there would be a danger coming soon.

Still, no matter what the reaction the people were showing didn't capture his attention as much as the Shadows' appearance. The people who Effie had talked about—those who intentionally hid their power—was slowly showing themselves.

Although they still didn't fully reveal themselves, the fact that they had joined the crowd was enough to let the veteran members of Hauler notice them.

They were alarmed at first, but the moment one of the Shadows signalled with his hand that he was on their side, they were immediately convinced all of them worked under Basil.

Thompson now pondered about who was helping who at their appearance—they helping the Shadows or the shadows helping them—but what he was sure about was, the fact that they were all going to protect Basil's family.

"You sweat a lot, didn't you." Thompson smirked as he looked at his party members who had just finished their training. "I hope you have enough energy to face the unexpected."

"You bet!" Sylvia pumped her fist meanwhile the others merely smiled.

"I am glad you have such a spirit." Thompson smiled lightheartedly. "Very well. Our mission is escorting Basil's family—Mr. Danzel and his daughter. Their safety is our priority, so I hope you keep that in mind."

"Understood, sir!" The party members responded in unison.

Nodding his head at his party members' reaction, Thompson turned around and led his party outside. He didn't know when the Shadows had disappeared, but the moment he opened the door of the hotel, all of them were already there.

Wearing a black robe that concealed their face, aura, and physical features, they really resembled a shadow. Paying them no mind, Thompson channelled his Qi to the item Basil had given him.

The purple mist immediately split in two at the item's activation, creating a kilometer long path that was free of mist for them to thread.

With Thompson in the lead, and the Shadows following closely behind them, the Knights of Hauler went on their way to pick up Basil's family.

Contrary to the aura of their surrounding, the people didn't encounter any problem like what they had initially thought. They had been expecting they would encounter a problem as soon as they got out, and they were glad that didn't happen.

At least, they were glad until a gigantic creature stood in their way.

ROAR!

Just like what Thompson and Effie had discussed earlier—as he expected, something dangerous was standing in their way. At that moment, he was glad they had the Shadows to help them.