Silva Duchy Capital...

Dane Residence...

Isabella Dane sat in her Study with her spy in front of her and his head bowed slightly having just delivered the news that he lost Hal which he did admit in a low voice had not truly been his fault since it was really about Hal having being kidnapped after a brief struggle at the Alchemist Organization,

"So he was kidnapped?" Isabella repeated not because she was hard of hearing but because she found it incredulous that such a thing would happen in a high-profile location like the Alchemist Organization.

That it was successful pointed to the fact that the one behind the abduction had been either powerful or influential. Most likely both.

Which begs the question of what they had to do with Hal who was from a 'Small city'?'

In fact, that was not the most head-scratching question, that title belonged to the question of why Hal was even at the Alchemist Organization in the first place when she had already established after his combat with Hugh that he was a Runemaster.

Isabella sighed and considered letting this go for now, after all, she was never truly a fan of Hal.

Now that he was abducted and might even be dead, there seemed to be no point whatsoever in being interested in his life or habits anymore...

That said, there was still curiosity and it was a sentiment she could not shake,

"I want you to find out why he was at the Alchemist Organization" she said suddenly and her spy looked a tad bit uncomfortable,

"I already did, or at least I tried to but the Alchemist Organization is going to a lot of trouble to keep it all under wraps while also pulling all the stops to search for him.

I did find out that he was there with someone. Well, two someones. Two ladies"

Isabella frowned and that feeling of curiosity seemed to have swelled instead of waned,

"The same ones he came here with?" She asked.

The spy shook his head and this seemed to be the reason for his uncomfortable expression,

"No these ladies were different and one of them is said to be a renowned Alchemist."

'A womanizer huh? Why am I not surprised?' She thought with a shake of her head before facing the spy once again,

"Very well, I would like to speak to her. The Alchemist I mean."

The spy cleared his throat just as he checked his Communication Talisman,

"Well that's easy because she is here" he said.

"What?!" The Patroness exclaimed.

"Yes, she's at Lady Melinda's residence" he said.

Without saying another word, the space around Isabella twisted and she disappeared into the void.

The spy sighed in admiration,

"That looks so cool"

...

Meanwhile,

Melinda sat in the hut behind her residence with Karmen and Arya as company as they had just delivered the news of Hal's whereabouts to her.

"So, you're saying Hal is on an initiative mission for Princess Tanya who also happens to be the lady who he met in Tretch forest and has on more than one occasion called by name. Is that what you're saying?" She asked.

Karmen and Arya shared looks as they wondered if there was any point to Melinda repeating what they just told her as well as what she already knew before.

All the same, they answered her question,

"Yes, that's what we're saying"

"Hmm" Melinda made a small sound before leaning back in her chair.

Was she worried?

Undoubtedly.

And to be fair, she had every reason to be.

While she had not heard a lot about Black lagoon, the little she did know was not good and if Hal was there and expected to accomplish some task on his own, then she hoped he knew to be careful and wary of the monstrous experts.

Then again, if Hal was anything, it was resourceful.

Eventually, she shrugged,

"He'll be fine" she said just as the space a few meters away from her twisted and out of it emerged her grandmother Isabella Dane with a bright smile on her face.

When she looked directly at Arya, the Alchemist was shocked to feel as though she was being scanned to the core and her every secret laid bare.

But that was mostly just the Patroness's intimidating nature which was impressive considering her expression was warm all through.

Melinda stood up and bowed a little to the only one in the Dane family she could actually stand being around and she even graced her with a bright smile of her own,

"Grandmother" she greeted.

Isabella held out her hands to her and they embraced just as she said,

"Yesterday was so eventful and I felt it was of the utmost importance I come to see how you are settling in" she said and now turned to eye Karmen and Arya.

Karmen was feeling a little bit uncomfortable, but not to the extent that she could not continue to look apathetic.

Arya, on the other hand, knew what she was feeling from the Patroness' body and, if her manipulation of space and sudden appearance were not informative enough, the unseen aura around her showed that it was power.

"Who are your friends?" She asked.

Arya introduced herself immediately,

"I'm Nadia, Alchemist Nadia" she said and Isabella's eyes widened slightly.

Clearly, she had heard of Arya's Pseudonym and was no longer as skeptical as she was before.

"So you are Nadia. Good to finally put a face to the name."

Arya, now on her feet together with Karmen, bowed deeply,

"I am honored the pillar of the Dane Family knows my name."

Isabella nodded in acceptance of her gesture before she faced Karmen who kept her introduction short and simple,

"I am Karmen" she said.

"Well, I would be remiss if I did not ask such an illustrious Alchemist such as yourself to stay over for a meal. I feel we have much to discuss. One of them being exactly how you know my granddaughter and where the connection was formed.

Bring them over will you, Linda dear. I'll be waiting."

With that, she stepped away from them and with the twisting of space once again, she was gone.

Leaving Arya and Karmen to share nervous looks while Melinda looked like she was actually enjoying herself.

Clearly, she was not worried about what her grandmother would ask.

Whether she would be totally truthful or not remained to be seen.

...

Black Lagoon...

Black Pub...

"To Hal Klint, the stranger who suddenly arrived in the pub and graced us with free booze" said a man in a loud voice and his glass raised.

"To Hal" the other men chorused and bumped glasses with the loud man.

Hal on the other hand was laughing hard,

"Oh, you guys are too much. You know what? For your gratitude, Bartender, more wine" he called out and the Bartender began filling more glasses.

The men on this table had been very welcoming of him since he joined the table and started buying them drinks.

Of course, he had not only done so to be on their good side but to also soften them up and make it easier to question them when he wished to.

And once the waitress brought over drinks and paused to take a long look at his handsome face before departing, he decided it was right about time,

"So, guys what is the situation with the purchasing of merchandise in the Lagoon.

I mean, since I have been here, I haven't seen open stalls selling goods which is a little disappointing. After all, this is the site for Black marketing." He said and somehow the drunk fellows followed every word he said.

The loud one who had toasted to him was the one who spoke first,

"Of course stalls are not opened. That is no longer the best way to make a profit" he said with a bit of a slur.

"Oh? Then what is the best way to make a profit?" Hal asked.

The loud man gulped more alcohol before answering,

"Simple, The Sheik's Auction"