Altaïr's gaze swept across them as he judged the identities of the two individuals.
One was clearly a Guild Knight; this was confirmed both by the man's equipment and the crest he presented to prove his identity.
As for the other one...
The famous Nargacuga set and Nargacuga Dual Blades were one thing, but the deciding factor was the look in their eyes, that terrifying gaze that sized people up as if they were prey.
Altaïr had served in the Loc Lac Rangers. As part of Loc Lac's law enforcement agency responsible for Monster-related affairs, he had never personally participated in the arrest of high-profile felons, but he had seen his share of murderous thugs in the Loc Lac prisons.
While the gaze of the person before him wasn't quite that insane, he was nearly one hundred percent certain that this person had killed before.
Is it the legendary Guild Knights? We're in trouble now...
Under the watchful, wary eyes of the pair, Altaïr unfastened the Carving Knife from his waist and tossed it onto the ground beside him. "We aren't suspicious people. This was just an accident."
He then turned back to Isis and the others, who were still somewhat dazed. "Put your weapons on the ground. They're with the Guild. Do as they say."
Though she didn't fully understand what was happening, Isis obediently followed suit. Clawdia then removed her steel claws, and the group was completely disarmed.
Seeing this, the dark-skinned Guild Knight relaxed his expression slightly. "We won't treat you as criminals immediately, but your unusual behavior within a high-alert restricted zone is suspicious.
Cooperate with our investigation. If there's no problem, you'll be released shortly."
Altaïr's eye twitched; he had a rough idea of what was going on.
After the successful Capture of the Estrellian, the Professor had decided not to house or study the creature within the city for safety reasons. Instead, a secret base had been constructed somewhere outside the walls.
Altaïr didn't know the specific location or details of that research outpost, nor had he been interested in asking.
If he wasn't mistaken, it had to be in this area.
If commoners gathering mountain goods or loggers wandered near here and were spotted by patrols, they would likely just be turned away without incident.
But they were setting off explosives right at the doorstep of a secret research base...
It was no wonder a Guild Knight had come looking for them accompanied by a member of the Guild Knights.
"Ah..." Isis was far from stupid; she quickly guessed the situation as well. Just as she was about to explain, Altaïr cut her off with a look.
Telling them "We're the ones who caught the Estrellian" right now wasn't necessarily a good thing; it might actually make them more suspicious. It was better to keep their mouths shut, go along with them, and ask to see the Professor at the right moment to clear up the misunderstanding.
The Guild Knight clearly had no interest in causing unnecessary trouble. Seeing that Altaïr and his group had disarmed immediately and showed no intent to resist, he didn't bother binding them.
He prepared to temporarily confiscate their weapons and bring them back to the base.
The Guild Knight walked over and picked up the knives and steel claws they had dropped one by one. The Guild Knight member, however, stood motionless to the side, their gaze never leaving the group.
Altaïr noticed the member's limbs were slightly tensed, hands positioned where they could draw their blades at any moment. Should any of them make even the slightest suspicious move, this person would likely launch an attack instantly. Hanging the knives and steel claws at his waist, the Guild Knight bent over again. He gripped the handle of the Glavenus Gunlance with one hand and the straps of the Large Shield with the other. He straightened up, but not only did he fail to lift the weapon, he nearly threw his back out in the process.
"Is this a Glavenus Gunlance? Why is it so heavy..." The Guild Knight's already dark complexion deepened further.
Isis scratched her head. "I have a lot of strength, so I had the smith add a little extra material. It's a bit heavy. Should I carry it?"
"No need," the Guild Knight said, his expression turning stern.
He carefully scrutinized the faces of Isis and her companion, estimating that they couldn't be more than twenty years old.
A Glavenus Gunlance? Was that even logical?
Shifting the Heavy Bowgun originally on his back to his front, he used both hands to heave the Large Shield onto his back. Then, straining to lift the Glavenus Gunlance, the Guild Knight felt as though his waist would never be straight again.
His legs trembled slightly, yet the Guild Knight member showed absolutely no intention of helping, their gaze fixed unblinkingly on the "suspects."
Suppressing the urge to take out a Demondrug or Dash Juice, the Guild Knight forced himself to stand as tall as possible and took a deep breath. "Let's move."
The Guild Knight walked slowly and with great difficulty; Altaïr and the others were suffering in a different way, as the Guild Knight member followed behind them like a ghost, matching them step for step.
Altaïr felt a constant chill on the back of his neck; the Guild Knight member was staring at their vitals, appearing ready to kill them with a single strike at any moment.
Fortunately, the destination wasn't far from where they had been "playing with cannons."
The camp was located at the base of a low mountain, and their testing site had been at the very top of that same mountain. Had they scouted the surrounding area more thoroughly before starting their tests, they might have noticed this stronghold.
Thick timbers were driven deep into the ground, leaning against the mountain to form a semi-circular wall. Outside the wall, deep trenches and Kelbi Horn spikes were set up to keep Monsters at bay.
Heavy weapons like large Ballista and Cannons were everywhere. Altaïr even spotted two Machine Cannons set on simple iron rails.
Setting aside the difference between wooden walls and stone battlements, the scale of the fortifications here already qualified as a Fortress. Never mind one or two Large Monsters. Even if a whole pack arrived, they likely wouldn't leave alive.
Altaïr and Isis exchanged glances.
Had they known a Fortress of this caliber was built here, they wouldn't have dared to fire cannons for fun nearby.
Stopping before the deep trench filled with sharpened stakes, the lead Guild Knight shouted toward the wall. At the sound of grinding machinery, a heavy drawbridge was lowered.
The group entered the stronghold.
The panting Guild Knight called over two companions to haul away Isis's Glavenus Gunlance. This made Isis look a bit upset, but seeing the Guild flags fluttering atop the watchtowers, she knew better than to cause trouble.
Altaïr quietly scanned the camp.
There were fully armed Guild Knights and guards within the camp, but the majority of the personnel were scholars in robes and civil staff.
This further confirmed his previous suspicion.
His gaze swept toward the back of the camp, where an entrance at the base of the mountain wall led underground, guarded by a full squad of armored carapace-clad Defense Corps knights.
It seemed the actual research facility was located underground. As for this surface camp, it likely served only as a defensive fortification and perhaps living quarters. "Follow me."
The Guild Knight, having been relieved of his heavy burden, jerked his head toward them and led them toward the center of the camp, toward the largest tent.
If only the Professor were here.
Altaïr prayed silently as he followed the Guild Knight, ducking his head to enter the tent.
The bad news: someone was already standing inside the tent, and judging by that tall, broad stature, it clearly wasn't the familiar Professor.
The good news: they knew this person, too.
"Sir, we've brought the ones responsible for the noise nearby. They are two young Hunters and their Felyne companion," the Guild Knight reported simply, removing his hat.
The tall elderly man turned around.
"Master Fabius!" Isis cheered.
It seemed they wouldn't need to look for the Professor to vouch for them after all.
Hearing the way Isis addressed him, the Guild Knight gave them a strange look but said nothing.
Fabius, seeing their faces clearly, was also slightly taken aback. "Why is it you two?"
Altaïr scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Mr. Fabius, we were nearby, uh... testing a weapon. We didn't realize there was a camp here. Sorry for the trouble."
"Testing what weapon?" Fabius asked instinctively.
The Guild Knight reported truthfully, "An exceptionally heavy Glavenus Gunlance. It has been confiscated for the time being."
"A Glavenus Gunlance... I see." Fabius pressed a hand to his temple. "They aren't suspicious. Rosso, return their things to them."
"Yes, sir." The Guild Knight named Rosso gave them another long look before leaving the tent with the Guild Knight from the Night.
"You two are 4★ now, right?" Before either of them could ask anything, Fabius spoke first. "The Professor told me it was you two who captured the Estrellian, and that you hunted a Glavenus alongside Olivia?"
"Yes." Altaïr had a bad premonition.
"Perfect. We're short on hands here. Go back for now, and remember to report here with your gear tomorrow."
Altaïr's face fell.
They'd stumbled right into trouble...
"What, not happy about it?" Fabius eyed him sideways. "If you're unwilling, you can say so. I won't force you to participate."
Altaïr was helpless. Even setting aside the man's status as a high-ranking member of the Guild, he couldn't bring himself to refuse an elder who had personally mentored him.
Besides, it wasn't as if they had other plans lately.
"I'm happy to..."
(Translated by yourtl.app)