By the moment our meeting ended, the first rays of the sun were already entering the room. The discussions, explanations, deals, and plans had taken the entire night, but overall, it felt like well spent time. With Gudea's and Aison's planned actions, each of the situations concerning me, including the [Zlolim] matter, should be resolved not later than in a day, allowing me to leave the city safely as I hopped and leave the Viscount, Baron, and everyone else to deal with their own shit.

Accepting Gudea's suggestion of staying in his Manor, it being more comfortable and considering it would be safer, I moved to a spacious room on the second room, introduced to me as the guest room by the always calm and detached Holt. And after examining the room, something about forty square meters full of ornately carved wooden furniture, with a bigger than a king-size bed with a feather mattress taking the spotlight, I intended to use all the time until my own's involvement, somewhere late noon, to rest and recuperate.

"If Maester requires anything, please ring the bell on the right side of the doorway. The left side's one is for emergencies and will summon one of the Manor guards." Leaving me a brief explanation, Holt half-bowed and withdrew from the room, probably returning for Aison, who would also stay some time at the Manor before setting off.

Or at least, so I thought Aison's plans were, mistakenly as it would turn out, because just a few minutes after Hold left, Aison would barge inside, slamming the door behind himself.

Ignoring my surprise, Aison quickly scanned the room, took out a small gem-like item that made my [Mana Sense] tingle, and asked, looking straight into my eyes, "Lindar, tell me, who the hell are you?"

He would not give me time to answer with a torrent of questions mixed with statements, all in the same forceful manner, akin to an interrogation, following his first,

"I know you had neither idea of what was going on nor interest in the inner workings of the city, of that I am sure. So why now, you suddenly show such? And while informed to the same degree as the [Hounds]?

Why is Gudea so keen to help you? And don't give me the stupid story you two gave before!

Who sent you? What is your true objective here?!"

By the end of his monologue, Aison nearly broke into a shout but controlled it to a hissing, furious tone. And I just sat there, listening to him, and feeling nothing except tiredness.

Was I scared of making them suspicious or, worse, hostile? Yes, I was. But at the same time, I already had enough of the constant ploys and shit, especially considering Aison decided to play along with Gudea, which had led to me being nearly killed and virtually all the current shit starting.

"Huh?! You storm here and ask me that after agreeing to everything down there?" I didn't enjoy being pressured, especially with no reason, so I responded forcefully, and as Aison slightly recoiled, probably not expecting such a reaction from me, I continued in the same manner as he did just before,

"You guys involved me with this damn political scuffle, even though I only planned to inform you of the possible slavery business.

Then on our arrival, even after I saved your skin, you made me participate in a venture that nearly got me killed without asking!

So tell me, why do you want me dead?

And as for your questions, I got involved not because I wanted, and I would gladly leave now! At least if that didn't mean risking my life again. Objective? What objective could I have except surviving? And well, getting something for the trouble?

And truthfully, I should be the one asking who you are. A [Royal Hound] who isn't one? A man who can command [Hounds]? Uses any people for some task? Is allowed to cross the line if needed? All without tainting your master's name?

Oh, and let's not get started on me having no less information than your organization! That will only make me wonder, how come the [Hounds] were unaware, and of that, I'm sure, of the Viscount's movements? Is Chubu such a lowly place that the protectors of the King can ignore it, not having even a [Fang] around or actual spies in the Viscount's court?"

My own monologue finished, and before Aison could even reply, I added something more, "I am no biting toy, and if you want to question me, then come and reveal your part as well."

***

Our competition of biting remarks, nearly shouted but contained inside the room, ended with no victor. But probably, it was for the best that it did happen. Aison and I weren't in the best mental state, and having barked, growled, and bitten each other helped us to calm down. Or maybe the damn [Hound], who isn't one, planned for such from the start, trying to get a reaction from me. Who can say?

Aison revealed some information about why he was here and the reasons he had lashed out at me (Well, this latter I did take with a grain of salt, still not believing he couldn't maintain his calm.). Nothing was surprising, and at the same time, it all was. Chubu, as I had pointed out, was not some backwater farm, and as any other important city (Now, this is an important thing to know!), it did count with a cell of [Hounds], under the leadership of a [Fang]. Yet, for several weeks there were no reports or else from the city.

A group of [Hounds] from Bigradh made their way here. But not finding anyone in either of the known locations, they remained here, attempting to gather clues while also working on the usual information gathering.

With me already traveling to Chubu while having a reason to help the [Hounds], I became a possible asset. So with Aison being what I called him to be, someone with no direct connection to the [Hounds] or other organizations, my presence, and the Guild's involvement were perfect. Yes, perfect to hide that he had come here to investigate and to assume the role of commander for Lelani's people until a squad from the Capital arrived to take over.

From my side, I ignored most of his questions, only confirming myself as the Lindar he knew. As for the information and Gudea's newfound desire to help, I decided to go with the old and reliable rationale used in literary tropes akin to this situation.

Telling the truth without revealing anything, giving the other party a chance to guess and assume whatever they believed true, "I was told everything I know by someone playing a very high-stakes game. And the same person even instructed me how to act. I will not reveal names and standings, but you should be able to understand just who would need to ensure Gudea's loyalty." And to finish the story while giving myself a reason to accept, I faked a spell, [Storage], presenting him with one of the pieces of non-elemental magic crystal.

When Aison identified the crystal, I added, "I will receive a good amount of them, enough to guarantee my tutelage under any mage or to establish myself somewhere if I decide so."

"I see, quite a generous patron, or should I say, patroness?" As I thought, Aison's first guess, and the one he tried to confirm, was who I planned for, the [Lake Anear] Baroness.

"I shall agree to that. Or maybe something in me also helped increase the price." And during all of this explanation, I had not lied at all. Except for a small detail, not mentioning to whom Gudea should be loyal, I had not even played with words.

For some reason, I woke up just a few hours, midday at most, even if I was both tired and the bed was comfy. Having visited the bathroom and taken a cold water bath (even if Gudea's mansion had an enchantment or secret, as hot water was also present!), I returned to the room, considering what to do.

{I haven't recovered enough. My mana remains low.} I noted to myself after confirming my [Status Screen]. While my stamina was over 80%, my mana was below 20, which wasn't strange, considering the few hours slept and that I had spent nearly all of it.

{Well, I have nothing to do for a few hours more, so maybe I should try that?} I had read about several methods of quickening one's mana recovery, from sleep to potions, from specialized locations to meditation. And with some free time on my hands, as well as having no idea about what will happen later today, I decided to try the latter - meditation.

And as I sat crosslegged on the woolen rug covering most of the room's floor, I chose to revive and [Record] all of my experiences, conversations, and especially the received information since my last [Record].

***

I wouldn't notice the passage of time, being returned to reality by a knock, followed by Holt's voice, who, from behind the door, conveyed an invitation to a meal from the Manor's owner.

"Understood. Give me a few moments." As I answered, I opened my eyes and found that it was already late afternoon, the red tint of the setting sun rays coloring the room through the open window.

I had no things, neither had I taken anything out from my [Inventory], so after settling the bracers and knee-guards on their spots, wearing my boots, and grabbing the sword returned to me while being led to this room, I was pretty much ready.

"Maester Lindar, I trust you have rested well." Gudea half bowed as I, following Holt, entered an ample room occupied by an ornately decorated wooden table. This latter was so huge that I couldn't help but wonder how many people Gudea usually treated to meals, with 15 chairs on each side and still enough space to accommodate a similar number.

"Thank you for the hospitality. I have rested well, indeed." With a slow nod, I replied politely, confirming my mana reserves, {38, not bad, so relaxing while meditating on some thought does help recover, huh?}

***

As we ate, Gudea only made some small talk, telling me about some ingredients and complimenting the winemakers of the Empire. I found it funny that he praised while exaggeratedly commenting that wine was the only good thing from there, probably because of the presence of a maid who served us the food while Holt served us the drinks.

We would move to the reception room from before after finishing the three-dish meal. As a side note, the meal consisted of a mushroom soup on fish broth (described by Gudea as the best fish in the region, caught just on the morrow in Lake Anear), a lightly seasoned steak, and a custard-filled pastry as dessert. And there, our actual conversation would take place. Or should I say that Gudea would report to me all of his findings, as, from my side, there would not be much talking?

"In the morrow, I visited the [Charm Pit] right after they closed..." While it was crystal clear he skipped some details, his findings, if true, were surmised into a simple statement, "Fiot knows about the kidnappings and missing girls but swears he has not played any part in them."

Still, when I expected that to be all and feared being lead by the nose, Gudea continued, "But, while Fiot met with me, a trusted man of mine asked around and found that the man you mentioned, Micheal, nicknamed [Chain] and sometimes called [Old Weasel], is seen there not less than once a week."

"Hoh? And anything else?" Now, that was interesting. The [Old Weasel] was my first and only clue since the start, and now it seemed it wasn't a fake.

"Only one thing. About every second visit, Micheal meets with a cloaked person, and the serving girls think the latter's a woman." Gudea shook his head after finishing this part of his report, indicating discovering nothing else. {A woman, huh? That's at least something.}

"Finding no leads on his location, I returned to the city and paid a visit to Commander Foth." Gudea took a brief pause before continuing, "And while he was surprised by my interest in matters such as disappearing commoners, after explaining that at least one was from a Guild's managed town, he shared what he knew."

Well, shared was a big word. In the end, from Gudea's words, Foth discarded everything as baseless rumors, with no official reports made or the Barony guards knowing any actual disappearances. The guard's commander promised to look more into it. Although, as Gudea himself supposed, that was merely a way to get rid of Gudea and not something Foth would do.

Before Gudea changed topics and started on tonight's plans, I asked about something I overlooked yesterday, "I have heard about another property run by the owners of the [Garden], an exclusive one accessible only by invitation. But, Maester didn't mention it during our talk past night."

"That would be Lady Lali's establishment, but the rumors are mistaken. Neither is the Baron nor am I related to it. And while I can say many unsavory things about the Lady, I doubt she would risk getting involved with anything like slavery. Her business is exclusive and earns her no less than a decent-sized Guild's branch. Even people working for the Royal Council have visited it after all." While Gudea believed so, I wondered if he may be mistaken.

{Exclusive, high-stakes, nobles? Why does it sound like the perfect place for illegal stuff?} While the nobles I have chanced upon to meet were individuals I would not suspect in sicko hobbies, who knew? After all, it was a so-known trope in the literature, and even in real life with rich people being the main actors in sexual and similar scandals, that I was nearly sure of dirty laundry present there. And a lot would surface if someone investigated that Lady's brothel. {But well, not my call, at least not until there is proof for Aison or others to act.}

***

By the moment we were moving to tonight's plans, plus the other two things Gudea would help me with, we were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

"So you two already started, good." Aison strode inside, nodding a small greeting to both of us as he sat down on a free chair. {What about politeness, huh? Weren't you some low-tier guy?} While I did think that, it was evident I didn't say anything, just nodded back.

Without asking much, Aison nearly directly reported his findings, only confirming with Gudea a detail or two. On the [Charm Pit] and Micheal's side, Aison's report was virtually identical, with the difference being the methods used and that the [Hounds] had a lead to where Micheal could be. "A pair already set off to look for him, so if the lead isn't fake, we may get some answers by our return."

Now, while Gudea left the [Zlolim] matter for later, intending to find the commander of the mercenaries through some of his noble connections, Aison did dig a bit into it. Still, his findings were scarce at best, only managing to confirm that the leader of the group, Ezilda, was still in the city while most of her men, Aison numbering them 23, had left the city in the last days, and only one had returned until now. "Probably to report that some of their guys went missing, as they hopefully remain in the dark about you killing them."

"I see, but why the rest of the sellswords didn't return? Not that they continue to look for me outside, do they?" I didn't hide my arrival and even visited the same inn where I met them, so it was nearly impossible for them to remain in the dark.

"Could be they accepted some other wetwork as well?" Gudea wryly smiled as he proposed the same idea that came to my mind, and judging from Aison's nod, he also had thought of the same.

"Well, if that's so, then more reason to have a small talk with Lady Ezilda-" Recalling that I heard she was a noble, I paused for a moment, turned to Aison, and hañf-asked, "-if some commoners as us can even question a noble, unlanded or not."

"They attacked someone with an iron badge of the [Cadowden Trade Guild], a perspective silver badge. There will be no issue even if you duel or kill her for her men's actions, at least as Rador." Aison casually shrugged as he said some scary words.

"Considering that I have not heard anything about powerful backers or family members, I would say her position is lower than mine." Gudea shrugged similarly before adding, "So even if you have to face her as Lindar, you were attacked by her men while working under my orders, so I should be able to deal with the rest."

For the next hour or so, we three discussed our goals at the small chamber gathering of the Viscount. I mainly ignored everything but my own, hoping to avoid being involved in even more shit. I even took a brief walk in the Manor's yard while Gudea and Aison discussed some details of the conflict between the Viscount and the Baron of [Old Anear].

I had another reason to leave the room for a bit, the remaining uneasiness between Aison and me, probably stemming from our morning's clash. {Hopefully, it will not interfere with or affect the plans or me.} Thinking that as we set off towards the Viscount's Palace right after the last rays of the sun disappeared, I suddenly felt that tonight would be far from peaceful...