After making their way through the forest floor on B17F and dealing with several groups of Goblins, Rei and his companions eventually located the stairs leading to the next level. Deciding to save their hunt for the rest of the floor’s monsters for the following day as they had previously discussed, they used a magic circle to teleport out of the dungeon.
Afterward, they visited the guild to exchange their magic stones and Goblin proof of subjugation parts for coin. Once their business was settled, they set off down the street, buying snacks to eat along the way.
The sun was still beating down relentlessly; it was still quite early in the afternoon.
However, trekking through the pathless wilderness had apparently drained their stamina more than anticipated. Even though not much time had passed since their lunch inside the dungeon, the two continued to buy and devour light snacks like grilled skewers and sandwiches.
Naturally, this prompted Seto and Ielo to cry out for their share, and the group—two men and two beasts—ended up indulging in their street-food spree even more than usual.
“Ho, the filling in this sandwich is spicy meat.”
Elena let out a cry of surprise as she bit into a sandwich made of grilled chicken slathered in a mustard-like—though blue-colored—paste.
“The fish in this one is boiled and paired with a tart fruit.”
They reported their findings to each other as they walked, trading bites of their sandwiches to sample the different flavors.
The afternoon temperature soared well over thirty-five degrees Celsius, and the sun poured down a blinding, intense light. Despite the heat, the pair—along with Seto and Ielo—continued to enjoy their snacks as they strolled along.
Normally, such oppressive heat would have sapped one’s appetite—a typical case of summer fatigue—but they showed no such signs as they walked on.
“My, my, it certainly is hot out. Or perhaps I should say it’s ‘heated’?”
“Nn.”
“Ah… er, are we interrupting something?”
“…Nn. Ahem.”
As they approached the Golden Wind Inn, a voice called out to them.
Rei turned toward the sound to find four people waiting for them. All of them were familiar faces.
There was Vihera, wearing her usual dancer’s thin raiment that looked more like a prostitute’s attire; Byune, who approached Seto and the Iero on his back with an expressionless face, reaching out to pet them; Ecethesus, who raised a hand with a slightly awkward expression; and Nakt, who had averted his eyes as if pretending he hadn't seen a thing.
Rei tilted his head at the sight of this unusual gathering.
“That’s a rare combination. What’s going on?”
In response to Rei’s question, Vihera answered with a smirk.
“Yes, well, we actually came because we need a bit of help. Sorry to interrupt your little tryst.”
“Wh—! A tryst?!”
“Oh? Was I mistaken?”
Elena snapped back instinctively, but as she looked at Vihera’s teasing grin, she realized she was being toyed with. She cleared her throat softly before speaking again.
“So, what is this help you require? Well, seeing those two, I can venture a guess.”
Elena directed her gaze toward Ecethesus and Nakt.
After all, they were the ones she had introduced to Lord Bosk, the head of House Silwa, to assist in the search for the kidnapped Tibia.
“Y-Yeah. About that… we were tracking the people who took Tibia when they ambushed us. These two saved our skins.”
Ecethesus spoke while gesturing toward Vihera, who was directing a seemingly friendly smile at Elena, and Byune, who was petting Seto and Iero with her usual stoic face.
“Heh. So, did you find their hideout? Are you short on muscle? If it’s just a matter of raiding the place, it shouldn't take long. I don’t mind helping out.”
A raid on a hideout would likely be over in an hour or so. Rei didn’t consider that much of a burden, but Vihera shook her head at his offer.
“We haven't found a hideout yet. However, I have information that even you won't be able to ignore, Rei.”
“…Information I can’t ignore?”
“Yes. We know you’ve been bringing the corpses of the anomaly species you’ve defeated to House Silwa. You’re doing that because you’re interested in them, aren't you?”
“That’s right. I have an interest in them, it's true.”
More accurately, his interest was in stopping whoever was creating them, as they posed a threat to his Beast Magic. However, he couldn't exactly say that aloud, so he kept his confirmation vague.
That was enough for Vihera.
“What if the existence creating those anomaly species and the people kidnapping adventurers were one and the same? How would you react then?”
“…Is that a fact?”
Rei questioned her, unable to immediately see a connection between the anomaly species incident and the kidnappings.
“It’s my intuition.”
Rei looked exasperated for a moment at her blunt declaration.
However, as he studied Vihera’s face, he realized she wasn't joking. At the very least, she was convinced it was the truth.
Normally, if an ordinary person claimed their judgment was based on intuition, it would be laughed off. But it was a different matter when the claim came from a high-rank adventurer.
Intuition was often the result of the subconscious processing data accumulated through countless past experiences.
Furthermore, the woman smiling radiantly before him was a battle maniac known as the Mad Beast. Her wild intuition was not something to be dismissed lightly.
“…Fine. Come inside for now. We’ll talk in my room.”
“Hmph. You should have just said that from the beginning.”
Vihera gave a small laugh. It was a smile born of her battle lust—the anticipation of a potential fight against a formidable enemy.
“Is Byune all right with this? These men are currently affiliated with House Silwa.”
“…Nn.”
When Elena questioned her, Byune remained silent for a few seconds before giving a short reply.
Of course, Byune still held complicated feelings toward the three houses governing Exil. However, if she could be of use to Rei and Elena, who had treated her with such kindness, she could suppress her personal grudges.
Besides, she sensed the scent of a large sum of money.
For the perpetually cash-strapped Byune, this was a golden opportunity she couldn't afford to miss, even if it meant potentially benefiting House Silwa.
Since Byune had no objections, Elena was satisfied. After stabling Seto and Iero, the group headed into the inn.
Elena quickly wiped away the sweat and dust, freshened up in her own room, and then rejoined the group. Once the inn staff had provided them with chilled fruit water, they got straight to the point.
“So, about this intuition of yours, Vihera… what’s the story?”
It was the calm Nakt who responded first to Rei’s question.
“Based on what our attackers said, it’s certain that Tibia is still alive. But how long she stays that way is another matter. Actually, since they leaked that information to us, she might be killed at any moment—unless there’s some special reason to keep her alive.”
“Special circumstances… They specifically chose to kidnap Tibia, so I can’t deny the possibility. But betting on that is too dangerous.”
Rei paused and turned his attention to Ecethesus and Nakt.
“I understand how you feel. But didn't you think to take this to House Silwa?”
Even inside the cool inn, Ecethesus was clearly parched from the sweltering heat. He drained his glass of chilled fruit water in one gulp and shook his head.
“I don’t think Lord Bosk would mobilize his forces based on nothing more than an ‘intuition.’ Besides, I didn't even know it was just intuition until we got here.”
“That’s true. And I know about the history between House Silwa and House Flaut. By accepting help from Vihera and Byune, we’re essentially betraying House Silwa’s trust. But we have to prioritize saving Tibia. Once she’s safe, I’ll apologize to Lord Bosk as much as he demands, and I’ll pay whatever price he asks for our disloyalty.”
Seeing the unwavering determination in their eyes, Rei turned to Elena.
Since there was now a possible link to the anomaly species, Rei had every intention of helping. However, his motivation was primarily self-interest—protecting his Beast Magic.
He wondered for a moment if he should really involve Elena in this, but when he looked at her, he found her looking back with a clearly displeased expression.
“Elena?”
“…Of course, I have no objections. I will gladly lend my strength.”
She spoke the words, but her tone was sharp. She was clearly offended.
Honestly, does he really need to ask if I’m coming along at this late stage? He should know my heart by now.
It felt distant and formal. That was the source of Elena’s irritation.
They had been together for quite some time, and she believed they shared a deep bond. It frustrated her that Rei still felt the need to ask for her cooperation on things that should have been understood without words.
Naturally, there was one person who didn't miss Elena’s reaction.
Sitting beside Byune, who was quietly sipping her chilled fruit water, Vihera spoke up with a sly smile.
“Oh? You two look like you’re doing well, but maybe things aren't so perfect after all? Perhaps there’s still a chance for me to slide in between you.”
“There is no such chance. More importantly, if we are to help, what is our plan? You didn't manage to track the ones who attacked those two, did you?”
Elena, realizing she was only going to be teased further, forcibly steered the conversation back to the task at hand.
Vihera looked slightly disappointed, but Byune reached out and tugged on her thin raiment to urge her forward.
“Nn.”
“Fine, fine, I’m getting to it. When those two were attacked, the assailants didn't even bother to hide their faces. They were probably confident that no one would escape to tell the tale. Or maybe they thought they’d stand out too much wearing masks during the day. If it were night, they could have worn masks without drawing as much suspicion.”
“…Now that you mention it, that is strange. Why would they attack in broad daylight?”
Ecethesus murmured, struck by the oddity.
It was Nakt, not Vihera, who answered him.
“There are a few possibilities. Maybe they thought they didn't have to worry about witnesses in a back alley near the slum district, or… maybe there was something nearby they didn't want us to see.”
“So, because people were sniffing around, they decided to strike early to protect whatever that was?”
“It’s just a guess. And since you two saw their faces, there’s a good chance they’ve already moved or dealt with whatever that ‘something’ was.”
Elena listened to the exchange between Vihera and Nakt, hesitating for a split second over whether she should reveal what she knew.
However, if Vihera was right and these incidents were connected, hiding information would be purely detrimental. She set her fruit water down on the table, looked around at everyone in the room, and spoke.
“If the people who kidnapped Tibia and the anomaly species incident are truly linked… then there is a high probability that House Marstchel is also involved.”