"To think Thanatos is also here with us..." [Ash]

"So, does that mean the other minion of God of Death are here?" [Seraph]

"Hard to say... I don't know how to communicate with them whenever I need to" [Ash]

"Then the best we can do is searching for any concrete lead, and if possible foil whatever their plan is" [Alaric]

"While it's hard, you guys are like that of an elite squad of a country. Fighting them all head on might be asking a bit too much, but sneak around, collect information and go, that's indeed something a small group like you can do" [Faris]

"Leave the information gathering to us. We are information brokers after all" [Faizi]

"Thank you, but honestly speaking, I don't know what to check other than the Achalasia Externa group. The scope is just to big" [Ash]

"Indeed, the scope is big, but at the same time, that makes it easier" [Faris]

"?" [Ash]

"Let us explain" [Faizi]

The two information brokers explain to me about data gathering process. While it's true that we almost know next to nothing about them, that will also give us many directions to tackle this issue, where it will both become an advantage and disadvantage at the same time.

First, define what we know. We know for a fact that the old follower headquarters are here inside this country, and their base are at the holy palace itself. Within those old follower, there is an organisation, or a branch which is responsible for Research and Development (R&D). This R&D branch has been infiltrated by a smaller and more secretive group called the Achalasia Externa, and one of their objectives, at least the one that we all know is to awaken the fallen god just like hundred years back. Their known members as of now are The Immortal Agnes, The half male half female butterfly beastman, Motra, The half giant Zin and Saintess Angela

"I see. That's how you organise the info. Start from top most or largest most, in this case the religion itself, and going down the line, it becomes smaller both in number and things to focus, in this case the members" [Ash]

"True, and as you go down the line, the importance of the subjects mention will increase. For example, not all old follower are part of Achalasia Externa, but those like Agnes are surely part of it, and an important core member for that" [Faris]

"Now, with this in mind, what do you think should we search?" [Faizi]

"Well..." [Ash]

I can think of several things if going by this method of thinking. Starting from the top, I guess it will be

1. Their true number. Surely, not everyone from the R&D will be part of Achalasia Externa. It simple logic, even in the movie, some character won't realize they're working with the baddie. So, in this case, we need to ascertain their true number. This will also make us aware of their true threat

2. Their other objectives. Even within the same organisation, different people will have different objectives.

3. Their location. It will be the best if all of them are station just inside the holy palace, but that is highly unlikely. There must be some other places for them to gather, kinds like mini gathering places

4. The other core members. Agnes, Motra, Zin, and Angela. We should seek out those people near them and confirm the other core members

5. The method to achieve their objectives. So far, I have seen them using various variant of portal stone and artificial blessings, and it scares me just how many more variants they have in store. Not only that, they also have developed a powerful staff for their people, so that is something we should keep in mind as well

"A little bit disorganized, but nevertheless, we should check for it" [Faris]

"Not only that, we should also add about their next short term and long term movement as well" [Faizi]

"What they will do next and what will they do in a long run" [Alaric]

"From what the holy prince say, they wanted to capture those ten kids and use them to wage war, but..." [Seraph]

"What if the prince objective is different, solely from the fact that he might not be part of the Achalasia Externa group" [Ash]

"True, but to do that, we must first tackle about their number first" [Faris]

So, starting from the top it is. That way, we can identify a key figures among them, and from there we can tackle the next issues (if we kidnap him that is, but kinda dangerous as I'm worried they will frame Saint Louis for their disappearance), that is their objectives. Once we knows about their objectives, we can know about their methods, and that is again, if we kidnap the key figures

"What should we do then?" [Ash]

"For now, nothing" [Faris]

"?" [Ash]

"Just leave about finding their number etc to us. Once we have a concrete info, then we might ask you to help" [Faizi]

"If you say so. We aren't that familiar with this country either, so how about the three of us go out tomorrow and take a good look around" [Seraph]

"Alaric, you want to go with me?" [Ash]

"I'll pass. Better to spread out first" [Alaric]

"If you say so" [Ash]

Where should I go? Maybe I should go to the cemetery and see if there's any lower rank minion of god of death around? They can surely tell me more abou what Thanatos has been doing around here lately. I should also mark the periphery and key location around the holy palace as to make infiltration easier. I should also see or try and get close to Saint Louis and Linda and see how they're doing (if possible)

(For now, let just rest) [Ash]

I have a lot to do tomorrow morning. What I will find will affect the future of my siblings, for better or worse, that's why, I will give it my all

(I wonder what they're doing right now... If only the telephone functionality can reach Estel) [Ash]

Goddess, please protect them