The Capital of Milon had not changed in the slightest. Perhaps slightly in the minor ways that didn’t really matter, overall, nothing was different. The duo at arrived well into the night. On purpose, actually. They didn’t want many people to see them arrive since it would probably end up being a big fiasco.

The travel there had been quiet, only a few words were exchanged back and forth in a desperate attempt to dissipate the uncomfortable air between them. But alas, such things did not work.

According to Vyne, he had indeed been informed by their lord to be on his best behavior. Tear didn’t admit that she hadn’t been told that, she had realized that Lord Erebus expected her to be on her best behavior.

Whether not being told was a good or bad thing, Tear had yet to figure it out.

“Where do we we start looking?” Tear asked after Vyne had paid for their stay at another high-class inn. “I can’t think of anything to ask people, do you have any idea?”

Vyne unlocked the door to their room and began to search for any listening magic or things of the like. When it was clear, he finally said, “Well, if Lord Erebus had come, the job would have been significantly easier.”

“And why is that?” Tear asked, sitting down on the mattress of one of the two beds. “Not that I doubt Lord Erebus’ abilities,” she added quickly upon seeing Vyne’s eyes narrow and his jaw clench.

“With his ability to see mana flow, he would have been able to detect anything that would be abnormal for a human. But, neither of us are skilled enough to visualize mana, so that’s out of the question.”

She was silent, instead focusing on brushing her hair. Tear felt like an idiot. Why hadn’t she asked Lord Erebus to accompany them? More than likely, he would have said yes. She could contact him now and request his assistance, but wouldn’t that make Vyne and her seem incompetent?

This was too complicated. Why hadn’t her mother given her any more hints? How was Tear even supposed to know if the others were still alive? She probably would have died long ago if it wasn’t for the benevolence of her master!

Tear let out a childish groan and began to whine about how unfair this was. Vyne watched her do so with a look that clearly showed exactly what he thought about her actions.

“Are you done yet?” Vyne questioned coldly after Tear had finally stopped rolling around and flailing her limbs.

Around Lord Erebus, she had always acted with some level of maturity, but around the others, she quickly reverted back to her childlike self.

“Uwah! I don’t want to do this anymore,” she moaned and curled up into the fetal position. “Vyne, you understand, right? Right?”

“I don’t understand the feelings of inferior beings,” he answered easily. “Are you done yet?”

Tear leapt up as if she wanted to yell at him for his comment and then fell right back down, face down. “I have no more energy to expend,” her voice came out muffled.

“Let’s get to work then.” Vyne smiled with such brilliance it was almost dazzling.

“M‘kay.”

“Our best choice for possibly getting any info on a High Human or High Humans living here would more than likely be the head pharmacist. She’s lived her for quite some time and is known to be incredibly accepting and wise.”

Tear sat up properly. “You think one of my kind would go there and tell her?”

“They need someone who they can trust. The pharmacist is that person. She wouldn’t tell a soul, and she would give them advice.” When Tear didn’t look convinced, Vyne added, “Isn’t it tiresome to keep pretending you’re somebody else? Wouldn’t you like take a break sometime?”

“Not if my life is on the line.”

Vyne shook his head. “The humans of these days are considerably more inclusive than they ever were. I believe that if they were smart, they’d try to get at least one ally in this city. And the best ally they could get would be the pharmacist.”

“Let’s say it is the pharmacist who has the answers, why would she tell us? If she’s trying to protect them, she definitely wouldn’t open up right away and I don’t wish to stay gone long enough to become her best friend.”

A dangerous smile crept onto Vyne’s face. “I have ways if she doesn’t wish to tell us willingly.”

Torturing an elderly woman didn’t exactly sit well in Tear’s stomach, she certainly wasn’t a righteous woman and even more so she didn’t like the humans. Still... that much didn’t feel right.

But this was for the sake of her people. Such things had to be done.

“Okay,” Tear agreed after a while. “Let’s go there tonight. It’ll be better if only a few people see us.”

Vyne accepted her proposition wordlessly and stood up. The two left their room and made their way to the pharmacist’s building.

On their way there, Tear couldn’t help but speak out. “Thank you, Vyne. For helping me do this.”

A look of pure shock crossed Vyne’s face. He stopped walking and stared at Tear like he had never seen her before. “I’m not doing this out of my own goodwill. I’m doing it because Lord Erebus ordered met to, and everything Lord Erebus wants me to do I will do so absolutely flawlessly.”

“Still, thanks.” She turned to face him, broad smile appearing on her face. “I appreciate it.”

“You’re strange,” Vyne said more to himself than to her. Even though her actions could be considered normal to anyone else, the two had a less than friendly relationship. Even thinking of uttering the words of gratitude to each other had never been thought of.

“I guess so,” Tear laughed.

“You’re incredibly happy,” Vyne pointed out as they resumed walking.

“Of course I am! I haven’t had interactions with another High Human for far too long, the prospect of doing so is filling me with joy. We’re like family, we may not be blood-related... but still, we share a common past.”

Vyne didn’t say anymore. For him, the concept of “family” was different, considering his upbringing. There had been no familial love, it had been obligation to your bloodline. It was a cold house he grew up in, not that he was ever bothered by it. No one did anything out of the goodness of their heart, it was out of loyalty.

That was a principle he still carried today. If Lord Erebus ordered him to kill any member of his family, Vyne would do so without any hesitation or regret.

He came from a place that boasted absolute loyalty.

“It’s interesting enough,” he mused quietly to himself. “Those feelings the pig has.”

They arrived at the front door to the pharmacist. Even from outside, the smell of herbs wafted in the air. The sign on the door said closed, but Tear and Vyne were there for another sort of business.

Tear touched her hand to the knob using her mana to replicate the perfect key to the lock. It clicked unlocked and the door slid open with a tiny push. Silently, the two entered the building and locked the door behind them.

Inside, the aforementioned smell was nearly overwhelming. There were different grasses and berries everywhere, along with vials of colored liquids, there were diagrams of the human body on the wall.

“She’s certainly into her work,” Tear joked.

Vyne shook his head. “She must be upstairs.” He pointed to the small, white wooden staircase in the far left corner.

“No, I’m right here,” a voice piped up. Both Vyne and Tear turned in surprise to see the elderly woman seated in a cushioned chair next to the doorway. Well, calling her elderly wasn’t exactly correct as she still held youth in her face, she could easily have been mistaken for a woman in her thirties to forties if it wasn’t for her silvery hair. “And who are you two?”

The pharmacist, Sarah “Green” was undoubtedly that woman’s name.

She’s somebody worrisome, Vyne thought. She had masked her presence, well, they hadn’t exactly been looking for one.

“Ah, pleasure to meet you,” Tear said with a pleasant grin.

Sarah grunted in response, “I can’t say it’s a pleasure to meet the two people who just broke into my house at night.”

“We mean no ill will,” Vyne spoke up. Though if she didn’t comply, he couldn’t say he wouldn’t have to take it to more extreme measures and disregard his previous statement. Still, such a thing like that was completely unwanted. Kind of.

“Right,” she drawled. “What do you want from me?”

Tear glanced hesitantly at Vyne, her eyes clearly begging for assistance. She had no idea what to ask the woman.

“Do you know any High Humans living here in this city or elsewhere?”

So blunt! Tear’s eyes bulged.

The pharmacist leaned back in her chair. “How would I know? As far as I’m concerned, the High Humans were wiped out.”

“Answering a question with a question is highly inefficient and will serve to waste everyone’s time. I didn’t ask how you knew, I want to know if you do.”

“Why?” The woman narrowed her eyes. “It’s not as if I know one, I’m just curious.”

So obvious! Tear cried out in her mind, she was clearly hiding something. Did a High Human seriously trust this woman with their secret?

“So we can find them.”

Sarah shook her head. “I don’t know of any High Humans.”

“You’re lying.” Vyne looked completely bored with the entire situation. “I can’t say that I like people so blatantly lying to my face.”

“Believe what you want.” The pharmacist barked out a laugh.

A predator’s smile spread on Vyne’s face. “You may be able to fool the others with your appearance, but I am a master at that type of magic. My eyes are able to see through that petty glamor.”

Sarah’s eyes darted up. “What?”

“I must admit, parading around as an aging pharmacist was a great idea. Who would suspect you? You even had me fooled, that is, until I saw you.”

Even Tear looked confused. She knew what he was implicating, she just didn’t understand it.

“The High Human is her?”

Vyne shook his head. “The High Human is him.”