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."

Slave Trade business, it was previously assumed that she would have her Slaves

none of the merchandise could be seen

single slave was

they've been transported to places that aren't even on the map, or they

and through and we've found nothing." Esme sighed. "And you also added that there's no underground area

Rey nodded slightly.

in the Capital, where an entire underground space had to be built in order to ensure the business of the Black Market flowed well, the Allied Merchant City

in the field, or a proper investigation

also thought we had to search through the Merchant City. But, after finding nothing, I think there are

they might be in unregistered areas that aren't on the map. That'll

second option?" Esme quickly asked, neatly cutting Rey off when he

silence ensued

"S-sorry for that…"

on her shoulders as she apologized.

Rey understood that.

young she is.' He smiled underneath his mask before proceeding

closest place they can be to Scylla—the venue

"A-ah…?"

for storing her goods. It's the perfect place to hide

very far, though, Esme's voice surged

you keep referring to

"Pardon?"

Why do you

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

what our targets use to identify them. If I want to figure out where they are, I need to think

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

"I see…"

felt like she

such a methodology is, she'll understand.' He shrugged all of those

able to find out everything once the Dark Gathering begins." Rey chuckled as he stared

time we returned

*******

~VWUUUUSH!~

spitting out Rey and

walked in on Rebal and Kara seated on their

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

back, Sir Ralyks and… well, his

their greetings, Rey nodded