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."

previously assumed that she would have her Slaves in the regions that were now under her

none of the merchandise could be seen

slave was

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

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

Rey nodded slightly.

of the Black Market flowed well,

or a proper investigation was carried out, it would be difficult to differentiate the

Merchant City. But, after finding nothing, I think there are only two options left." Rey sighed, both hands in

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

Esme quickly asked, neatly

of silence

"S-sorry for that…"

hung shamefully on her shoulders as she apologized. She was clearly anxious and extremely worried

Rey understood that.

young she is.' He smiled underneath

at the closest place they can be to Scylla—the venue of the Dark Gathering

"A-ah…?"

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

very far, though, Esme's

keep referring

"Pardon?"

slaves. They're people, you know? Why do you keep referring to them as goods and

hadn't particularly been paying attention to his use of language, but he didn't particularly think they mattered in the

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

only by putting himself in their kind would he be able to fully grasp their thought process and imagine

"I see…"

Rey felt like she was sort of

sees how helpful such a methodology is, she'll understand.' He

matter which of the two options is true. We'll be able to find out everything once the Dark Gathering begins." Rey

believe It's time we returned

*******

~VWUUUUSH!~

Rey and Esme in

and Kara seated on their beds, with the duplicate of Rey—or rather, Ralyks—standing in

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

Ralyks and… well,

awkwardly gave their greetings, Rey nodded at