"Did you find him?"
Young Master Sirius's voice was calm, but the sharpness hidden beneath it made Derek's heart tighten. Derek, who had been carefully scanning every face in the long line, immediately withdrew his gaze and bowed slightly.
"No, Young Master Sirius," Derek replied respectfully. "I couldn't find him here. It seems… he didn't come at all."
This was a complete reversal of the attitude he had displayed earlier in the marketplace.
The once-arrogant Derek, who used to sneer at everyone beneath him, now behaved like a well-trained servant. His tone was cautious, his posture restrained, and his arrogance completely suppressed. In front of someone like Young Master Sirius, Derek didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.
"Is that so?"
Young Master Sirius frowned slightly. A trace of displeasure appeared in his eyes.
If Ethan truly hadn't come here, then this entire trip would be meaningless. And Young Master Sirius disliked wasting time—especially when the matter involved his personal reputation.
Derek hesitated for a moment, then his eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered something.
"But… Young Master Sirius," he added quickly, "that Ethan mentioned he wasn't alone. He said he came with a junior brother. He never mentioned his junior brother's name, but he clearly stated that the one opening the clinic was his junior brother. Ethan himself was only here to assist him during their stay in the city."
"Oh?"
Young Master Sirius's lips curled into a slow, meaningful smile.
"If that's the case," he said lightly, "then things become much easier."
He turned his head toward the elderly man standing nearby.
"You know what to do, Manager Philip. Don't you?"
Manager Philip immediately bowed deeply. "Leave it to me, Young Master. I will handle it properly."
The moment he straightened his back, the warmth disappeared from his face. His expression became stern, authoritative, and cold.
He stepped forward and raised his voice, ensuring everyone in the hall could hear him clearly.
"Which one among you is Ethan's companion?" Manager Philip demanded.
"Come forward immediately."
His gaze swept across the entire line like a blade.
"If you come forward of your own will," he continued, "the punishment will be light. However, if you force us to conduct a full investigation and uncover your identity ourselves, then the consequences will be far more severe."
His voice hardened.
"Think carefully before making your decision."
The hall instantly fell silent.
People exchanged uneasy glances.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
How could they have imagined that the person Young Master Sirius was looking for was supposedly standing among them? Many people in the line weren't even doctors—they were merchants, craftsmen, alchemists, or representatives of small businesses.
After several breaths passed, no one stepped forward.
The silence grew heavier.
Young Master Sirius's brows twitched in irritation, but he didn't interrupt. He allowed more time to pass—perhaps out of confidence, perhaps out of amusement.
Still, no one moved.
"Shit…"
Lindell whispered nervously beside Ethan.
"Brother Sherlock, this is bad. Really bad. No one is coming out."
Ethan's expression remained calm, but his mind was racing.
He already knew what kind of people Young Master Sirius and Derek were. People like them never cared about collateral damage. If no one stepped forward, they would simply drag everyone into the mud.
However, one thing puzzled him.
"Why is the Administration Manager behaving so humbly toward Young Master Sirius?" Ethan asked quietly. "Even Chief Elders usually maintain some dignity. This seems… excessive."
Lindell let out a bitter sigh.
"You're not from Phoenix Feather City, are you?" he asked.
Ethan shook his head slightly.
"That explains it," Lindell said softly. "Every Deputy Patriarch of the Union directly controls several departments. While it's true that a Chief Elder manages a department, that department still falls under the jurisdiction of a Deputy Patriarch."
He lowered his voice further.
"The Administration Department is under Deputy Patriarch Victor's authority. Not only that—Victor controls five other departments as well. Since Young Master Sirius is his son, the Administration Department naturally treats him like royalty."
Lindell clenched his fists.
"In short… this place belongs to him."
Ethan finally understood.
And with that understanding came a pounding headache.
So this department is already compromised.
He had no illusions now. If this dragged on, innocent people would suffer. And that was something Ethan absolutely refused to accept.
He took a slow breath.
I caused this. I'll end it.
"There's no need for that."
The calm voice echoed through the hall.
Everyone turned.
A young man—around sixteen years old, plain-looking, standing quietly in the line—stepped forward.
"I am Ethan's companion," Ethan said evenly, still under disguise. "I'll come forward willingly. There's no need to involve innocent people."
The hall erupted in shock.
Gasps echoed.
Even Derek and Young Master Sirius were momentarily stunned.
From their perspective, this made no sense at all.
If this person truly had the chance to hide, why would he expose himself?
"Brother Sherlock!"
Lindell stared at Ethan in disbelief, completely speechless.
Ethan ignored him.
He walked forward calmly, stopping several steps away from Young Master Sirius and Derek. His posture was straight, his expression composed, and his eyes clear.
He turned to Derek.
"May I ask," Ethan said calmly, "what exactly happened? Why are you looking for my senior brother, Ethan?"
Derek snorted coldly.
"He was selling Grade-1 fruits for ten Gold Coins each," Derek said arrogantly. "I merely tried to negotiate. I asked him to lower the price. But he refused. We argued briefly—and then he suddenly lost his temper and beat me up."
The moment those words left Derek's mouth, several people frowned.
Ethan almost laughed.
What a shameless lie.
He took a step forward.
"There's no way my senior brother would do that," Ethan said firmly.
"Oh?" Young Master Sirius raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why are you so certain?"
Ethan didn't hesitate.
"First," he said calmly, "my senior brother avoids trouble at all costs. Even if trouble finds him, he will never touch his opponent."
He looked directly at Derek.
"He specializes in reflex training and possesses immense stamina. His fighting style relies on evasion—dodging endlessly until his opponent exhausts himself."
Ethan's voice grew sharper.
"You claim he beat you up over a price dispute? That alone is ridiculous."
Derek's face stiffened.
"And second," Ethan continued without pause, "you claim he assaulted you. Then tell me—where are your injuries?"
He looked Derek up and down slowly.
"No bruises. No swelling. No scars. Not even a torn sleeve."
Ethan's gaze hardened.
"Who exactly are you trying to fool?"
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Even Manager Philip hesitated.
Derek opened his mouth—but no words came out.
For the first time since arriving, Young Master Sirius's smile faded slightly.
And everyone present could feel it.
The truth… was beginning to crack through the lies.