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."

business, it was previously assumed that she would have her Slaves in the regions that were now

of the merchandise

slave

the map,

through and we've found nothing." Esme sighed.

Rey nodded slightly.

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 had Black

in the field, or a proper investigation was carried out, it would be

Merchant City. But, after finding nothing, I think there are only two options left."

unregistered areas that aren't on

asked, neatly

short moment of silence

"S-sorry for that…"

she apologized. She was clearly anxious and extremely worried for

Rey understood that.

moments like this really show how young she is.' He smiled underneath

place they can be to Scylla—the venue of the

"A-ah…?"

an underground area in her territory meant for storing her goods. It's the perfect place to hide merchandise." Rey found his lips widening the more

very far, though,

do you keep referring to them like

"Pardon?"

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

his use of language, but he didn't particularly think they mattered in the context in

identify them. If I want to figure out

by putting himself in their kind would he be able to fully grasp their thought process and imagine situations that could arise

"I see…"

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

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

matter which of the two options is true. We'll be able to

believe It's time we returned to

*******

~VWUUUUSH!~

spitting out Rey and Esme in

their beds, with the duplicate

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

Ralyks

two awkwardly gave their greetings, Rey