Rufus takes a deep breath before replying to the man at the center...

He has a large frame and appears to be in his thirties. However, he doesn't exude any frightening aura at all.

​​

In truth, he even felt that they are all quite gentle contrary to their looks.

"These four are my servants... I hired them back in the city..."

Rufus introduced the ladies like how his master wanted.

Slavery has been abolished within this kingdom. It would create problems for the noble families and the harshest punishment for them would be stripping off their aristocratic status.

So even if there is still slavery within the kingdom, it would be very well hidden in the public's eyes...

As far as Rufus knows, only the Losea Kingdom is still implementing its slavery...

"Servants... Do you have records of their identity?"

"No... But I have this..."

Rufus then showed the Tower's Emblem...

The three men looked at each other before accepting the object. They quickly did a scan on it and confirmed its legitimacy...

"This is genuine... It seems like you're telling the truth... However, their aura still feels something off..."

One of them finally said their real concern. Reiji and the others were curious about it.

Was it Arcane Magic? Perhaps they have created a Magic Item that can detect a member of the cult? That would be really interesting…

However, they wouldn't have a hard time searching for these cultists if they really have one.

As Rufus was about to ask them, his master talked to him using their Sense Link.

'Rufus… Listen to me… You have to tell them this--'

Apparently, his female slaves thought of something that they can use as an excuse. After Rufus heard his explanation, he replied to the members of the Night Brigade.

"Mhmm... You are right... Our group met with some elite members of the Three-Eyed Imp Cult outside this town... They might have left something to track us... I remember that they've used a thick fog to block all of us in our path. Luckily, we managed to escape through the help of some random Evil Beasts causing trouble on the road…"

"What?! You've met them?"

"Kid, are you telling the truth?"

"Yes… If you follow the path we used, you might still trace their movements… However, they seem to be capable of moving unhindered even with fog covering them. You have to be careful."

The three had a serious look on their faces… They glanced at the four ladies before staring at Rufus…

"Very well… We've been searching for them around this area… They've finally appeared. We will no longer bother you guys."

The three of them quickly left after Rufus gave them the location where they encountered the Cultists.

'It would be good if the Night Brigade can handle them. Master… Are they going to be alright? There's only three of them…'

'They should be fine… All of them have three or four Arcana on their bodies… I don't think that they are simple soldiers.. Perhaps they are the best Arcanists under the general's command…'

Reiji replied. He already appraised the four including his usage of Arcane Sensitivity to learn the number of their Arcana within their bodies.

'Four Arcana? They're that rich?'

The young man was a bit surprised. Even if they only have four common-rank Arcana, they should have plenty of money to possess such a number of weapons…

Aside from that, they should have confidence in wielding multiple Arcana… After all, wielding a single one already consumes plenty of Spiritual Energy…

'Well, that's their problem. I just want to take a rest now, Master…'

'Go ahead… These five were also tired…'

They quickly settled their accommodations and took their long-awaited rest. It has been a long night for everyone.

***

The Torsen City is the largest city in the northern region of the kingdom.

Although the weather is cold, they are still self-sufficient with their food and the only thing they needed, is the supply of salt that still has to be provided by the eastern region where the capital and the royal palace are located.

Aside from that, there are also three impregnable fortresses scattered around it that ultimately protect this city from being attacked by a large number of evil beasts or invaders from the Losea Kingdom.

Unfortunately, even though they did their best to prevent any external threats, there is a huge problem happening right now within the city.

The whole Torsen city is currently in lockdown… No one is allowed to enter or leave the city within two days.

This is why a huge line of carriage and travelers were waiting outside the city… There was no early announcement whatsoever and it happened so suddenly.

A lot of people were complaining and wanted an immediate solution in this matter…

One of the people waiting here is Yui Sakura…

She's currently together with a group of merchants that her family is acquainted with.

"Sir Mapan, do you know what's going on inside?"

Yui asked after seeing the man returning to their carriage. It appears that he already inquired about the situation from the guards stationed outside the gates.

"Young miss… The guards didn't clarify what's going on… However, it seems that someone important was assassinated and the culprit might still be within the city… Nevertheless, they are about to finish with their investigation and it might not take a couple of days before they will open the gates…"

Mapan replied as he clasped his hands…

Winter is about to come and the breeze feels colder already.

"Then, if they didn't finish until tonight… Do we have to stay here?"

"Yes… Luckily, we have brought tents with us so we can camp here. They also said that there would guard patrolling at night to make this place a bit safer…"

Yui sighed after hearing his answer…

'Odette… What should we do?'

'We wait… There's nothing we can do aside from that…' The wand Arcana replied. They have something to do within that city and it's extremely important.

'Haa~ Do you think it's our fault?'

'The assassination? Most likely… But don't mind that… Once we find it again, we'll be the ones to benefit from it… This time, I won't make a mistake…'

The sentient Arcana replied.

They are referring to the Mask of the Overlord. The Cursed Arcana that they have taken from the Arcanist Tower…

They have managed to successfully restrain it through Odette's dimensional storage space, however, when they tried to bring it back to the surface and start to take its power, it somehow managed to slip through their restriction magic and escaped to this path…

'I can still feel its aura here… It must be the source of trouble right now…'

One of the abilities of this Mask is to possess its wearer forcefully… It doesn't matter whether you consent to it or not, as long as you decided to wear the mask, you will be under its control…

It is a genuine Cursed Arcana, after all.

'It would have to kill powerful people to regain its power… However, it must've started a massacre in the city and quickly caught the city guard's attention.'

After all, if it was just a simple assassination, they wouldn't have to lock down the city for a couple of days at all.

'Mhmm… The Mask should be hiding for now… I don't think that with its current power, it would be capable of fighting even a 5th-Class Arcanists…'

'That's correct… and once we enter the city, my senses would no longer be blocked by its barrier… I would be able to trace it immediately…'

Odette confidently said… The reason it escaped was due to its sudden burst of Mystical Energy to create an opportunity.

They thought at first that the Arcana was about to self-destruct and wanted to bring them together with its demise…

Instead of further strengthening the restriction on the Cursed Arcana, they decided to create a stronger barrier on their bodies to protect themselves!

It was a bad decision as it created an opportunity for the mask to escape. Although it emptied most of its energy, as long as someone decided to wear it, it can start regaining its powers slowly.

Finally, after more than a day of waiting, they were now allowed to enter the city…

'Odette… Are you surveying the surroundings?'

'Yes, I am. I haven't found the Mask yet but I found another person.'

'Who?'

'It's Rufus with Reiji… Oh, it seems that the young man is actually popular with the girls…'

'Huh?'

'Nothing… I'll just greet Reiji. You don't have to meet them… I can communicate with them at this distance. Just hide somewhere.'

'Fine… Do what you want. Don't tell him that we let the Mask escape, it's embarrassing…'

'Eh? I already told him…'

'That fast?!'

Yui was a bit flustered. It seems that her Sentient Arcana is too impressive when it comes to something like this…

Nevertheless, she left the carriage of Mr. Mapan after entering the city and started looking around.

She can indeed feel the presence of the Cursed Arcana lurking within the city walls.