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."

it was previously assumed that she would have her

none of the merchandise

single slave was

the map, or

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

Rey nodded slightly.

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

investigation was carried out, it

finding nothing, I think there are only

be in unregistered areas that aren't on the map. That'll make our search more

option?" Esme quickly asked, neatly cutting

of silence ensued after

"S-sorry for that…"

apologized. She was clearly anxious and extremely worried

Rey understood that.

is.' He smiled underneath his mask before proceeding to tell her

located at the closest place they can

"A-ah…?"

an underground area in her territory meant for storing her goods. It's the perfect place to hide

far, though, Esme's voice surged

do you keep referring to them like

"Pardon?"

They're people, you know? Why do you keep referring to them as

he didn't particularly think they mattered in the context in which

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

only by putting himself in their kind would he be able to fully grasp

"I see…"

voice seemed neutral, though Rey felt like she was sort of disappointed

she sees how helpful such a methodology is, she'll

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

It's time

*******

~VWUUUUSH!~

parted, spitting out Rey and Esme in

and Kara seated on their beds, with

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

Sir Ralyks and… well,

two awkwardly gave their greetings, Rey