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Chapter 40 : Apprehension
🕑 Added 2022-05-21 08:12:36 +0000 UTCTL:SummerPeanut
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The city of Ganar is quite small. And something about it feels different from other cities I've been to.
I don't know what’s different. It’s just that something felt wrong.
I went to the Adventurer's Guild alone.
I had Misha wait outside the town with Clarice because if I let her out in public, there’s a chance she would be captured again. Of course, they are in the carriage.
The Adventurer's Guild also seemed different from previous guilds.
The guild staff and adventurers were all looking at me with curious eyes.
“Uhm, do you have any lost child quests?”
I asked the guild staff.
“Quest for a lost child? We usually don't get requests for such quest in this town.”
“I see. ...I understand. Thank you very much.
And is there any labyrinth city around here?”
“Yes, there is one of the largest labyrinth cities in the country, Gilburn, just northeast of here.
Then please answer me regarding the previous question. Are you lost? Where are your father and mother? How did you get here?”
I felt as if the adventurers in the guild were listening to the conversation between me and the guild official.
“No, I am not lost. There’s someone I am searching for... my father and mother are at home.
Thank you very much. Excuse me.”
With that, I left the Adventurer's Guild and headed for the opposite side of the carriage. It seemed like I’m being followed.
I couldn't let these unknown people get anywhere near Clarice.
I entered an alleyway to the west of the town and immediately put on Sylphid and left those who had been following me from behind in the dust. I then used Wind magic to pick up the voices of those following me from behind.
“Where did he go? Maybe he noticed you following him?”
“No, of course not. There’s no need to rush. He must still be in town.”
“Yeah, let's go get him and make some cash.”
“Yeah, that's right. What the kid said is probably a lie. If his parents were here, they would tell him to stay away from this town. Otherwise, there’s no way he’ll come here. The kid's a slave once the sun sets.”
So the strange thing about this town is that there are no kids here!
And are they being traded for slaves in this city…?
Was Misha supposed to be brought to this city too?
That means it's no good to stay in this town for long.
I clad myself in Sylphid and tried to head to the east that’s on the other side of the city.
However, people were gathering at the east exit of the city.
On the west side, there are those who followed me earlier. I was completely surrounded.
I walked toward the east exit.
Then, some adventurers or ruffians, I don't know which, on the east side of the city came up to me and said
“Where are you going, kid? It's not safe to go beyond this point because it's outside the city.”
“Thank you. But I'm from outside, so I'll be fine. Now, if you'll excuse me.”
The men block my path and then say.
“Hey, hey, hey. You know what? You should listen to what adults are saying. We’ll properly protect you. Oh yeah, I just found some girls outside, about the same age as you kid. How about you and the girls, 3 of you, have a little fun?”
Clarice and Misha had already been captured...but putting aside Misha, I don't think Clarice would fall behind an opponent of this level. All of them are only about E-class adventurers. There must be some scheme cooking behind it.
“I understand. I'll obey you honestly so I'd like to meet with the girls.”
“!!!??? Wahahah. I don't dislike such frankness either, you know.
However, don't touch the girls. They are important goods.”
The man then brought me to a large house in the northeast part of town. In front of the house was our carriage.
The hoodlum said to another guy in front of the house.
“Hey, take this kid to the girls you just brought. We'll deal with him today too, so don't rough him up. You BETTER not alright! At least not to the point it’s obvious to those people aight! Our share will decrease ‘kay.”
I walked after the thugs and was taken to the last room on the second floor of the house.
There I found the two asleep. I thought they might have been poisoned, so I appraised them.
Misha was asleep and Clarice was normal.
“Oi, don't get any ideas! I'm having a bad day, for God's sake! If you try anything, I won’t go easy on you!”
With that, he left the room.
I turned to Clarice.
“Ahem, what's going on? Why did you get caught like that?”
Clarice opened her eyes and said.
“As expected, you knew I’m awake? You see, Misha told me there was someone who was with Misha's mother when they came. So I got caught on purpose to talk to that person. I had no doubt that Mars would find us, and you did.”
Clarice looked straight at me. It's nice to be trusted, to be depended on.
“Where is that person now? Are you two hurt? Why is Misha sleeping?”
“That man went away after he caught us. We're not hurt but there was a person who used strange magic. That’s why Misha fell asleep. Though I’m fine...
Maybe it was thanks to this Saint Robe. I was able to get a lot of information when I pretended to be asleep.”
“Well... using yourself as bait to find Misha’s mother may be the quickest solution...but it is too risky. You need to take better care of yourself.”
“Yeah, I know. But, you know, I felt I had to help her when I saw Misha's face... Sorry.”
“For now, the apology can be done later. Let’s consolidate the information. The slave trade takes place at night in this city.
I think we will be sold there. We'll see if Misha knows anyone there.”
“Mhm. I believe Misha's mother will be there at night. Misha's mother seems to be a reputable adventurer. Recently there was a spike in the number of magic beasts in the Labyrinth City Gilburn so Misha’s mother was called there. Misha was kidnapped at that time supposedly...
The Zarkham Kingdom is concerned about Misha's kidnapping case this time and has organized a search party. Misha's mother should be with them. But since they need to thin out the magic beasts in the labyrinth, according to the person who brought us here Misha's mother is probably the only strong one.“
“I understand. In any case, tonight is the turning point. It's still late afternoon, so there will be enough time before the nighttime slave trade. I'm going to deplete my leftover MP from the battle with the hellsnake and get ready for the night. Also, Clarice is at level 1 in Barrier magic now so I want you to do your best to master it. It is a power that will be absolutely necessary from now on.”
“As I thought, I am able to use Barrier magic now?! I'm so glad! Then I'll do my best to master it while Mars is sleeping!”
I took a nap while sorting things out one by one.
Slave trading.
Someone Misha knew.
Someone who uses strange magic.
Misha's mother.
I must be in perfect shape tonight.
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Author’s note:
Those who feel this series is at least somewhat interesting and would like the story to continue please give ★★★★★ and bookmark this series as it will give me the motivation so thank you very much m(__)m.
