Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 355

"The Patinder family?" the patrol leader asked without bothering to hide his disdain.

Reed straightened slightly, positioning himself protectively in front of Fern. "What can we do for you?"

The man sketched a smile that never reached his eyes. "It seems someone from the Goldcrests wants to speak with you," he explained with false cordiality. "We've taken long to find you because you live on the edge of the dump, and around here there are few houses that aren't hidden in the vegetation... You live like wild beasts."

His eyes swept the place with evident repugnance, cataloging every worn surface, every patched piece of furniture.

"We had to increase our search efforts on this side and only succeeded on the last day of our deadline," he continued, checking a timepiece on his wrist that showed they'd been searching since early morning. "Fortunately, you had left traces when passing the border... permission to enter."

But it wasn't a question. Without waiting for a response, the talkative man pushed the door and entered, forcing Reed and Fern to back away. His two companions followed, closing the door behind them.

The small space seemed to shrink even more with the presence of the three men. The leader toured the space with his gaze, examining every detail with invasive scrutiny. He spent long moments studying each corner, as if memorizing the layout for some nefarious purpose.

"We're looking for information about your son and violations of rules such as following the false and long enemy rituals," he declared, stopping before the calendar where they meticulously marked the ritual days. His fingers traced the marks with interest. "Any relevant information in the house will need to be reviewed and taken if I deem it necessary."

His companions began rummaging through the Patinders' scarce possessions without the slightest respect. The search was methodical but destructive, they spent nearly an hour turning over every item, examining every document, opening every container.

One of them even knocked over the small table, spilling the pot where Fern had been preparing their modest soup. The meager contents spread across the floor, a small tragedy in their already difficult circumstances.

"Be careful!" Reed exclaimed, taking a step forward before stopping when the leader shot him a warning look.

The other two patrollers continued their extensive examination of the place, though their expressions showed they weren't impressed with what they found. One spent considerable time searching through an old trunk where he found a small sack with processed crystals, noting it in a small notebook. The other inspector searched under the bed, flipping it over too after long minutes of fruitless searching.

The sun had shifted noticeably through the window by the time the leader finally spoke again.

"Are you poor bastards truly Reed and Fern Patinder?" the leader asked, pulling out a crumpled paper from his pocket. He made a show of comparing their faces to some description on the document. "Parents of Ren Patinder, 'genius' student of the Academy?"

Reed and Fern exchanged a glance. For a moment, Reed considered lying, but knew it was useless with Fern here... Denying their identity would be denying their son, and although perhaps he could pretend for Fern's sake, Fern...

"Yes," Reed finally answered just before Fern opened her mouth, his voice firm despite the fear. "We are his parents."

The tiger man smiled, a gesture that transformed his face into a mask of malice. "Then it seems you're parents of someone who doesn't sit too well with our patrons."