Chapter 76 - 076: Soothe him

Morning came quietly in Wolverine.

Anaria woke to the sound of people moving outside. Voices filled the settlement as merchants opened their stalls and travelers began passing through the streets.

She sat up and looked beside her. The baby was already awake.

The little one kicked beneath the covering and made a soft complaining sound.

Anaria smiled tiredly "You’re awake too?"

She picked the baby up and held her against her chest.

Kenai was already awake, sitting near the entrance while Kai checked their supplies.

"We should continue searching today," Kenai said.

Anaria nodded "I know."

They left their room after feeding the baby and began moving through Wolverine.

The previous day’s search had given them very little. They had asked merchants and travelers about Rylan without giving his name at first, but nobody had been able to help them.

Today, they tried another approach.

Kenai spoke to hunters returning from the forest. Kai questioned travelers who had recently arrived from nearby settlements.

Anaria stayed close, listening carefully while carrying the baby.

Most answers were useless.

Some people had seen wolf beastmen cause it’s a wolf clan

Others had heard about the Wolverine royal family but knew nothing about Rylan’s current whereabouts.

Anaria became increasingly frustrated.

She could not simply walk through the market shouting Rylan’s name. She did not know who supported Zane.

She did not know who might recognize Rylan’s name and report their questions.

Most importantly, she did not know who she could trust.

The baby suddenly began crying. Anaria stopped immediately "Alright, little one."

She shifted the baby higher against her chest and gently rubbed her back.

Kenai looked at her "Does she need food?"

"I think so."

They stepped aside while Anaria settled down.

After feeding the baby, she held her quietly for a few minutes until the crying stopped.

Kai watched the child with a small smile "She certainly knows how to interrupt a serious conversation."

Anaria laughed softly "She doesn’t care what we’re discussing." The baby moved one tiny hand against Anaria’s chest. Anaria kissed her forehead before standing.

"We need another way."

As they continued walking, a familiar chime sounded in Anaria’s mind.

She froze.

[Primary Mission: Save Your Husband.]

[Next Stage Activated.]

[Objective: Locate Rylan and ensure his safety.]

Anaria stared ahead. That’s it?

The system remained silent.

She frowned.

You give me a mission, but where am I supposed to look?

[The host must determine the appropriate method of locating the target.]

Anaria nearly groaned.

"You’re not helping," she muttered.

Kenai looked at her "What did you say?"

"Nothing."

She adjusted the baby and continued walking.

The system had helped them reach Wolverine, but now it was leaving the most difficult part to her.

She needed information. And to get information, she needed access.

Anaria looked toward the larger buildings deeper inside Wolverine.

The market was useful for ordinary information, but Rylan was not an ordinary person.

If he was truly the rightful heir, then someone close to the leadership of Wolverine had to know something.

She stopped walking "I think I know what we need to do."

Kenai turned toward her "What?"

"We need to get close to someone important."

Kai’s expression became serious "Someone from the ruling side?"

Anaria nodded "If we keep asking ordinary people, we may never find him."

Kenai looked around the crowded street "Then we need to find out who has the most influence here."

Before they could continue, a loud commotion came from farther down the street.

Several beastmen rushed past them.

Anaria turned "What happened?"

One of the passing beastmen shouted to another, "Make way! The Lord has returned!"

Anaria’s eyes narrowed "The Lord?"

The beastman continued running.

Anaria looked at Kenai and Kai.

They had just found their way into something important.

The commotion grew louder.

More beastmen hurried toward the same direction, leaving their stalls and homes behind.

Anaria held the baby securely and followed at a slower pace with Kenai and Kai.

"What is happening?" Kai asked a nearby merchant.

The merchant lowered his voice "Lord Zane has returned."

Anaria’s attention sharpened "Lord Zane?"

The merchant nodded.

"He went to another settlement some time ago."

"What happened there?" Kenai asked.

The merchant glanced around before answering.

"I don’t know everything. But something went wrong."

Anaria watched several guards hurry past "Is he injured?"

The merchant hesitated "He returned in a terrible state."

Anaria frowned "What do you mean?"

"He has been acting strangely. Violently."

The merchant shook his head.

"Some say he was affected by the same strange condition that has been spreading through the surrounding settlements."

Anaria’s expression changed.

The strange berserk condition.

The same thing she had encountered in the forest.

She immediately thought about the three beastmen they had saved.

"Where is he now?" she asked.

The merchant pointed toward a large structure farther inside the settlement "He was taken there."

Anaria stared in that direction.

Kenai noticed her expression.

"You’re thinking about helping him."

"Yes."

Kai frowned "We don’t know this man."

"I know."

"And if he’s dangerous?"

Anaria looked down at the baby, who had begun moving restlessly against her chest "I won’t go near him without being careful."

The system suddenly chimed.

[New Task Activated.]

[Task: Volunteer to soothe Lord Zane.]

[Objective: Stabilize the affected target.]

[Reward: System coins and a special reward.]

Anaria stared ahead.

"Of course"

The system had finally given her a direction and strangely enough, it led directly to the person who might have the information she needed.

She looked at Kenai and Kai "I have to go."

Kenai immediately shook his head "Anaria, we don’t know what condition he is in."

"I can handle it."

Kai stepped closer.

"We’re coming with you."

Anaria nodded "But stay outside if they allow it. If he becomes violent, I don’t want the baby caught in the middle."

Kenai looked down at his cub "Agreed."

They approached the large residence.

Several guards stood outside, looking tense.

One of them stepped forward "No one is allowed inside."

Anaria remained calm "I can help him."

The guard frowned.

"Help him?"

"I have experience treating people affected by this condition."

The guard looked uncertain.

Behind him, a loud roar came from inside the residence.

The baby startled and began crying.

Anaria immediately held her closer "Shh. You’re safe."

Kenai placed a reassuring hand on Anaria’s shoulder.

The guard looked toward the building, then back at her "You really think you can calm him?"

"Yes."

Before the guard could answer, another beastman rushed outside.

"She needs to try," he said urgently. "Lord Zane is getting worse."

The guard stepped aside.

Anaria took a deep breath.

She handed her bag to Kai but kept the baby against her chest.

Kenai caught her arm before she entered "Be careful."

"I will."

Anaria gave him a small smile and walked inside.

She did not know who Zane was. She did not know what had happened to him.

And she certainly did not know that the man she was about to soothe was connected to Rylan.

For now, she only knew one thing.

If she wanted answers about Rylan, getting close to Wolverine’s Lord might be her only chance.

The door closed behind her as the furious roar of the beastman echoed through the residence.