Yui and Reiji arrived at the restaurant where the five sword slaves are taking a break.

They took a table not too far from them and ordered some light meal… Due to the cold weather, they also ordered some high-quality tea to warm their bodies…

​​

While they are doing this, Reiji also decided to inform Rufus about his connection with Yui. Although it was too late, it was better to let him know the situation so he wouldn't be awkward.

'So, you already helped them before, master?'

'Mhmm… That's right. You can consider them as your friend.'

'I will do my best, master Reiji… But may I ask what was that mask?'

Rufus already had an idea about the mask that Yui captured but he wanted to hear it from him to clear his doubts.

'That's the mask in the S-Rank Mission…'

'Just like what I thought…'

"Ehem… Again, thank you for your help back there…" Yui said as they waited for the meal to be delivered…

Rufus knows that she's talking to his master so he just picked up the glass of water served to them and took a sip.

'Hey, you can speak with her… I'm your Arcana right now.'

'Eh? Is that so?'

The young man looked at the young lady in front of her. She's wearing a luxurious blue robe with golden rims and as far as he knows, only Arcanists can be seen wearing them…

Though she's not wearing an emblem to indicate her profession, everyone would know it just by the quality of her robe.

She has fair skin and her gentle gray eyes made him a bit comfortable…

"You're welcome, I heard the details from my Arcana… May I know what are your plans now?"

Rufus asked. He has no idea why he was asking this but he just wanted to continue with their conversation.

"Well, we're thinking of helping you as well… Or would you like to receive money instead for the repayment?"

"That… I haven't thought of this yet… Wait…"

Rufus asked his master and the latter explained what he wanted…

"We need a place to hunt Evil Beasts… It doesn't matter even if it's not a safe environment as long as we can encounter creatures similar to the Nightmare Lynx's strength…"

The young man said after hearing Reiji's suggestion.

"The Nightmare Lynx? So you wanted to fight a powerful Evil Beasts? Just you alone?"

Yui already thought of places she could recommend but they aren't the ones that must be ventured alone… After all, the lairs of Evil Beasts were difficult places to find not because of some kind of magic or camouflage but due to the existence of many other beasts before getting near to it.

If he does not have a proper party to support him, he would get too exhausted before finding the powerful beasts they're looking for.

He shouldn't ignore the power and damages that the low-grade or mid-grade Evil Beasts can do especially the numerous top-grade Wild Beasts that he might encounter.

Rufus hesitated for a moment before pointing at the other table where the servants of his master are seated.

They are all wearing a gray cloak on top of their leather armor…

"I see, so you hired some mercenaries with you? They look capable. Very well… I can suggest three places I know… However, in case you want a hardcore mission, I'll recommend that you visit the Isengard Fortress…"

"Isengard… Isn't that the place where General Julian is stationed? I heard that not everyone is allowed to enter that place… It's known for its strict rules, right?"

"You are right… Even the merchants allowed to trade inside the Fortress were controlled. Well, the Fortress is not a vacation place, after all… It is the first line of defense against the Losea Kingdom, Evil Beasts, and even the Evil Cult hiding in the north…"

"Then why would you recommend me there?"

"It's simple. If you gained access there, you will be allowed to participate in many subjugation missions or perhaps conduct your own Evil Beast extermination quest…"

Before Rufus can say anything, Yui continued explaining…

"Not only you will be rewarded plenty, but you will also have a chance to gain favor from the General if you killed some members of the Three-Eyed Imp Cult…"

"That Cult?"

"Yes… They are hiding somewhere in the buffer zone of the two kingdoms but a few of them managed to somehow sneak in and spread their beliefs to the unsuspected people here… This is why he's really mad at this cult."

Yui nonchalantly explained…

They then continued chatting about the fortress, the cult, and the places where evil beasts can be found…

"I'll consider visiting the fortress after I became confident with my abilities… For now, I'll be heading to the dungeons you've mentioned…"

"That's good… In case you found a Nightmare Lynx, sell the cores to me… I'll need to create more Magic Items…"

Yui said and touched her necklace…**

It seems that she's implying that her necklace is made of that core or perhaps requires them for some reason… Rufus was curious but he didn't ask. He agreed to it since he still not sure whether he'll encounter them or not. Of course, he didn't forget to ask about their method of communication…

Clang! Clang!

The bells at the door of the restaurant chimed as soon as the door opened. Rufus, who just received the method on how to contact Yui didn't notice the chime and the man who just entered.

The man is in his thirties and wearing clothes similar to a butler of a mansion. Suddenly, he emitted a strong aura that made everyone uncomfortable…

Rufus momentarily glanced at the man since he felt the familiar aura…

The butler-looking man briefly looked around to find someone and as soon as he saw Yui, he immediately walked in her direction and stop beside her…

His aura was diminished but he is still quite cold and everyone in the shop could feel it… This man is dangerous.

Rufus watched the man bowed to Yui before whispering something to her ears.

After listening to him, she then nodded to the man and waved her hands for him to get out.

She turned to the Rufus before sharing the information to them.

"It's good news… We have settled the patrol guards on the scene… We also learned that the unconscious guys there were bad people… We should've killed them."