Vincent was enjoying breakfast when he heard a soft *Thunk* from beside him before a grumpy face came into view.

“Boss, give me breakfast and put it on this guy’s bill!”

“Got it!”

Vincent didn’t react much; he only raised an eyebrow inquisitively. That was all that he needed to elicit a response from Aya.

“How could you leave a drunk and beautiful woman alone by herself in a tavern? Do you know what could’ve happened to me? I could’ve been taken advantaged of!” She looked resentful as her breakfast consisting of some bread and vegetable soup arrived.

Vincent wasn’t convinced one bit. It would be impressive if she didn’t leave anybody wanting to puke out blood after she was done messing with them. He recalled that not even William came out on top when William and Aya were together.

“I was worried,” answered Vincent. “For the other men.” He inwardly finished his sentence.

“Awww~ you can be cute sometimes too~!” Aya looked appeased and attempted to poke his cheek.

Vincent casually moved out of the way and asked, “I’m going back to monitor the ‘farmers’. What are your plans?”

“There’s not much to go on. So I’ll follow you.” She looked like she couldn’t hold herself back and cheekily added on, “Please look after Big Sis.”

It was still quite early in the morning, with the night patrol even out and about. However, people had already begun to stir and when Vincent and Aya arrived in front of the inn the farmer’s stayed at, the lights were already on.

They both maintained their distance and waited at a nearby bench. They looked a bit conspicuous since both were wearing thick cloaks that obscured their faces.

Aya mischievously grinned and grabbed Vincent without him knowing, “Surprise attack!” She clutched onto his arm, her bountiful assets sandwiching him between them.

Vincent revealed a startled reaction and coldly glared back, “What are you doing?” He eyed the teasing girl’s dazzling expression.

“Hehehe~.” She reached up and pulled down his hood along with her own, “Teaching you how to gather information. If you want to gather information in close proximity, you have to blend in.” She gazed up at the frosty youth’s immaculate face. Her veteran heart managed to flutter for a bit before calming down.

“That makes sense, but I don’t see why we have to go about it this way.” Vincent extracted his arm from her embrace.

“Hmph! You’re no fun.” She pouted and turned away. Just like that, the two sat there in silence until later when the sun had fully risen.

Not long later, Vincent felt that something wasn’t right. Aya was also of the same opinion, so they both turned back, making eye contact with each other.

“They should be out by now.” The people he had been tailing were farmers. It was normal for farmers to wake up before sunrise, so it was strange.

“No one has entered or left that inn ever since we came here.” Aya’s usual playful expression had hardened and became sharp.

“Let’s go check it out.” They both went over to the inn, only to find it was locked.

*Knock Knock Knock*

Soon after he knocked, the door opened and an unkempt man poked his head out.

“What do ye want?”

“Isn’t this place an inn? Why are you locked?”

“What’s it to ye?” The man defensively shot back at Vincent.

“I’m just asking because I’m looking for a place to stay while I’m touring the town.” Vincent flipped a silver coin in his palm playfully. Nothing that couldn’t be solved with money.

The man also saw the coin and his eyes lit up, but he looked as if he just realized something and shook his head.

“Go somewhere else. We’re closed fer business.” He followed it up by shutting the door in both their faces.

“This lying bastard,” Vincent mumbled and moved to knock once more, but was stopped by Aya.

She flashed him a reprimanding gaze and then rapped on the door.

*Knock Knock*

“I said we’re closed!” The man poked his out once more.

“Um, excuse me, Sir?” The impish girl from earlier disappeared and was replaced by a delicate girl. She nervously fiddled with the hem of her cloak as she asked, “We don’t mean to trouble you. We were both just looking for a place to rest. It’ll only take… an hour.” She blushed as she hung her head down and bashfully looked back at Vincent.

The man seemed to come to an understanding and grinned evilly.

“Why didn’t ye say so sooner, Lad?” He couldn’t just turn back two passionate youths. “Fine, I’ll let ye two rest here fer a bit. However, it’ll cost ye.” He held up three fingers.

“Thank you, Sir!” Aya repeatedly bowed and pulled Vincent forward. “C’mon pay him.” She pestered.

Vincent’s cold face grew colder by a few degrees, but he still paid up three silvers.

“Are ye pulling my leg, Lad?” The man looked astonished. “This place ain’t yer local whore house. It’s a reputable establishment. It’s going against my morals even to do this but fer the sake of youthful passion, I opened my doors, and this is how ye repay me?” He looked aggrieved as he held out his hand and rubbed his finger and thumb.

“…” Vincent narrowed his gaze but handed over a few more silvers.

“That’s a Lad!” The man laughed and led them inside. Aya grabbed Vincent and followed. They were handed a key by the man. “Yer rooms furthest from the stairs on the right. I expect ye to be out by noon.”

After speaking, the man didn’t seem to care any longer, and he quickly ran to the back while jingling the handful of silver coins in his hands. Vincent looked down at Aya who had latched on to his arm. She was also looking up at him naughtily.

“Shall we go?” She teased.

“Yes,” Vincent answered and shook himself free.

“You’re no fun.” She playfully whined and followed him up.

Along the way, they examined their surroundings. Rooms that weren’t used were left opened; all the rooms were opened. The man had spoken the truth, they weren’t open for service today.

“Where did they go? Could they have noticed that they were being followed?” Vincent questioned himself out loud.

“No, I don’t think so,” Aya replied and dashed into a room on the side. Vincent was puzzled and followed.

“What the hell? What kind of inn leaves such a large mess?” He glanced over the messy room that had blankets and sheets thrown all over the place. It looked like there had been a fight in the room.

“Take your time and think about it,” Aya said as she began to rummage around the sheets, searching for clues.

“They couldn’t have been abducted by someone else, can they?” Vincent concluded.

“Bingo~! You win a prize!” Aya cheerfully chirped as she returned to him, intending to give him a kiss.

Vincent casually dodged and asked, “Then the only lead we have would be the owner of the inn. That guy was kind of suspicious no matter how you look at it.”

“Hm, that’s our only lead.” Aya agreed and they both left the room. Back in the hallway, Vincent was about to go downstairs when he felt a tug on his cloak.

“What is it? Did you find another clue?”

“No, I was just wondering if you want to make full use of your silver coins.” She flashed a seductive look his way and held up a key.

“…” Vincent left without a reply followed by a giggling girl.

*Bang!*

“Who else stayed here last night?!” Vincent slammed the man back into the wall. The man cowered in fear as he spoke up.

“I-I don’t know!”

“If you know what’s best, you better tell me now!” Vincent pulled out his dagger menacingly. Right now he looked like a typical villain.

“P-please, Lad! I don’t know, they just paid me to give them a room, but they left already!”

“Let me see the registry!” Inns usually kept records of who stayed what night in case there was trouble and the law came knocking. If Vincent studied the guest list in the registry, he might have a lead to go on, since it looked like the owner of the inn also didn’t know much.

“O-okay just don’t hurt me!” Vincent released the man and watched as the man scurried away and retrieved a ledger. “Here…”

Vincent quickly flipped to the yesterday and saw a few names on the page. Aya also peered from over his shoulder, then her eyes lit up.

“I recognize a few of them.”

“Who?” Vincent looked up.

“The names Melvin and Jicar. They should be C-rank mercenaries from the Laughing Ox mercenary guild.” Aya spoke with an authoritative tone.

“Alright, I’ll look for them. Meanwhile…” He looked down at the owner who had cowered in the corner. “You will keep quiet won’t you?”

“Y-yes!” He obediently nodded his head.

“Good.” Vincent left the inn. Aya looked back at the owner and walked over to him, causing the owner to grow hysterical.

“P-please, don’t hurt me! Heeee—!”

“Don’t be like that, Sir.” She stuffed a gold coin into his palm. “My boyfriend is just a little bit mad because the room was too messy and he couldn’t get into the mood. So now he’s going to make trouble for the men that caused the mess.” She charmingly winked at the man.

The man was speechless. Vincent who wasn’t that far away also stumbled.