An Extra’s POV

[Moments Earlier: The Merchant City]

"This is weird…"

Rey and Esme were walking alongside each other, though with both of them cloaked, no one around could see them.

They couldn't hear them either.

"Why haven't we spotted a single Warehouse with any slave in them?" Esme muttered, her tone showing signs of impatience.

She was, of course, in her full-plated armor, and her face was covered in a dark helmet. Still, that didn't stop the emotions she displayed from leaking out.

"I'm not surprised." Rey answered her, causing the Half Elf to turn in his direction.

"What do you mean? You knew this would happen?"

"No. I wasn't sure. But, with all of this happening, it's pretty clear what's going on now."

Esme's quizzical expression was hidden underneath her helmet, just as Rey's smile was also locked behind his mask.

Both of them merely spoke without once being able to visually express their current emotions.

"With Scylla and her cohorts already aware that the Full Sweep is happening today, it's very likely that they have already transferred their assets to a different location." Rey finally answered.

To this, Esme groaned.

"But we've been searching a lot of places for days now. Nearly two weeks, even." She sighed, slapping her hand against her metal helmet.

If not for Rey's control over sound Magic, her sudden action would have definitely attracted attention.

"Does that mean we'll have to search for them all over again?"

A slight chuckle echoed from Rey as he looked at Esme, wishing he could see what kind of expression she had behind the Orichalcum.

"You're very smart and collected, but when it comes to matters like these, you really are naive and excitable."

"W-what?"

"Pfft! Relax. I don't blame you for being unaware of how things work in this sphere of life." Rey shrugged, his tone still containing hints of amusement.

"You don't know anything about the Criminal Underworld."

assumed that she would have her Slaves in the regions that

the merchandise could be seen

slave

to places that aren't even on the map, or they exist somewhere close… where they're

nothing." Esme sighed. "And you also added that there's no underground

Rey nodded slightly.

to ensure the business of the Black Market

there was an expert in the field, or a proper investigation was

why I also thought we had to search through the Merchant City. But, after finding nothing, I think there are only two options left." Rey sighed, both

in unregistered areas that aren't on the map.

second option?" Esme quickly asked, neatly

of silence ensued after

"S-sorry for that…"

apologized. She was clearly anxious and extremely worried

Rey understood that.

really show how young she is.' He smiled underneath his mask before proceeding to tell her what she

option is simple. They're located at the closest place they can be to Scylla—the

"A-ah…?"

trade here, Scylla could have an underground area in her territory meant for storing her goods. It's

could get very far, though, Esme's voice surged

do you keep referring to them

"Pardon?"

you keep referring to them as goods and

to his use of language, but he didn't particularly think they

them that because that's what our targets use to identify them. If I want to figure out where they are, I need to

be able to fully grasp their thought process and imagine situations that

"I see…"

neutral, though Rey felt like she was

such a methodology

it doesn't matter which of the two options is true. We'll be able to find out everything once the Dark Gathering begins." Rey chuckled as

believe It's time we returned to

*******

~VWUUUUSH!~

parted, spitting out Rey and Esme in the

their beds, with

"Y-you're back, Sir Ralyks!"

Sir Ralyks and…

gave their greetings,