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[Naoto point of view]
After exiting the Rock and Sea dungeon, I am currently at Estel.
With the info that Mira got from her merchant network, she notices that there are several nobles in Kiserre that have been actively buying slave through legal method. That's nothing strange to be honest, if that's me I would consider it as a normal thing, but not for her. Her point of view regarding this matter is quite opposite as compared to mine
"What if this noble house buy slaves in large number just to cover up other houses illegal activities?" [Mira]
That's what she concluded. So, that means not only should I look into the one buying the slaves, but also the houses they're closely related to.
"Make way!" [Qis]
Hmm... isn't that The royal bodyguard for Princess Diana, what is she doing? More importantly, what's with this commotion
I should see it for myself first
.
.
.
(That's!) [Naoto]
Wasn't that Ash little siblings? Why is the dragonewt boy and the blue hair girl collapsed?
(And where is Ash?) [Naoto]
Something definitely happens, but...
(Sorry, I can only pray for you) [Naoto]
If I go and help them now, it will make it even harder for me to enter Kiserre. After all, Kiserre do have a bad relationship with Royal from Estel, and should the word that me helping them spread, I won't be able to enter Kiserre as easily as I am now.
(Sorry, this is for the greater good...) [Naoto]
Sorry...
~Bump~
"Haa, I'm sorry, I am lost in thought" [Naoto]
"It's fine, the fault is with me as well" [?]
A female paladin. I bump into one. I do know that there's an adventure in Estel who is a female paladin, but I don't think she is the one, and looks like she's going to Kiserre as well
"Excuse me, may I ask you something?" [?]
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"I see, so in conclusion, we are back to square one" [Ash]
After some presumably intense interrogation by Khamishah and Alaric, I can summarize few findings
1) In order for them to shut the guild master, the church and some nobles who have been complotting behind the scenes kidnapped him and several adventures as well. He is then being replaced by this person here in exchange for wealth
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2) The nobles houses that are behind this, they're all having a good connection with the first prince of this country (according to Crow and Lisa), and as I predicted, they also donated large amount of money to the church, under the pretext of donation
3) He doesn't know where the slaves and those being kidnapped are placed at, or for what purposes.
"Not exactly, that just mean I should investigate the noble houses that they mentioned" [Crow]
"Same here" [Lisa]
"Well, good luck, it's literally back to square one for me" [Ash]
I mean, I can just use my scan magic and wonder around aimlessly until I find a lead, but I don't think that's the best idea right now. Infiltrate the church and do the same as what I did with Kanji and Seo Ah, a possibility but I doubt I can do it the second time. Surely they must have taken extra precaution ever since the incidence back at Malsia.
Should I help the other? That seems to be the best option, or so I thought
"You want me to infiltrate the castle?" [Ash]
"That's correct" [Khamishah]
"I'm sorry, but are you really an SS rank adventure, I thought someone with that rank will be smart. Don't you have any better idea?" [Ash]
~Grab~
"Well, listen to me first will you?" [Khamishah]
"Yes, yes maam!" [Ash]
And she released my collar. That sure is scary... Who would've thought that she can easily lift me up like that
Her reasoning was simple, just "ask" the first prince up close and personal
"Are you really the saga?" [Ash]
"What's that!?" [Khamishah]
"Nothing..." [Ash]
Yeah, this isn't like me going to kidnap those three. This is me literally going against the entire nation, and one wrong step and a war might broke out between Estel and Kiserre.
"Well, but I do reckon the prince won't entertain you, instead, how about you ask the sick queen" [Khamishah]
"Pardon?" [Ash]
"Well, I did visit the queen the other day. In truth, I already healed her back to normal, but she keeps on falling sick for some unknown reason" [Saint Louis]
"Then you want me to kidnap a sick person!" [Ash]
"No, use a spell on her while she's half asleep and slip into her mind, that way we can learn something" [Khamishah]
"But I never perform any memory dive spell before" [Ash]
"Ohh, that's a pity, and here I thought the fame behemoth slayer who can use all type of magic can pull it off" [Khamishah]
Aaahh... this pattern. She's trying to provoke me isn't she? It's a famous way for any author back on earth to use this method, as a cheap way to provoke the character to do the job they supposed to do. Sadly, it won't work on me
"Cheap provocation, plus, you did realize one slip and war might break loose?" [Ash]
"I did, but I have my own reasoning to believe that it will succeed" [Khamishah]
"And that is?" [Ash]
"Well, this isn't really well known fact but, I did catch a rumour of the queen asking for an investigation regarding this matter, and suddenly, she fell sick, and what's more, Saint Louis himself can't completely heal it" [Khamishah]
"I see..." [Lisa]
So in other word, she's being silence by her own son? It sure looks that way. Plus
"The guild master "falling sick" after investigating this incident, and the queen follow suit as well. Surely, not a coincidence" [Alaric]
"But why didn't she mentioned anything about it when Saint Louis visited her?" [Bodyguard A]
"Because she couldn't. Not because of a spell or anything, but simply because the condition aren't suitable" [Saint Louis]
True. This country still firmly believe in the old teaching of the church, and that's why someone like Saint Louis, who abolished those teaching aren't exactly welcome here, but as the head of the church, he still hold some authority over them. I reckon he must have used those to force an official visit the other day, and then slip out to continue his investigation.
"Alright, I will try. But don't expect any results from me" [Ash]
"We are counting on you" [Khamishah]
"Are you really The Saga..." [Ash]
"Ohh... got any problems with my rank?" [Khamishah]
"No..." [Ash]