Chapter 79

When they returned to the Adventurer's Guild, Rio and Shiraha were led to the back of the building.

They answered the questions from the investigator sent by the Guard Corps and the guild staff while the report was being written.

"The victim's identity is not very clear."

"We only saw him lying there, so we can only describe his clothing and build."

"That's understandable. If the Horned Dragon Familia knew anything, they wouldn't share the information."

The investigator sighed while reviewing the report to ensure nothing was missing.

"You two have had quite a misfortune. This town was never a good place, but now it's in the worst condition. If you have a place to go, it's better to leave."

"This isn't just a coincidence today, is it?"

"Of course not, with the branch chief being killed. Deputy Chief Muzai is in command, but the Adventurer's Guild is in a state of shock. There have also been several deaths in the Guard Corps."

The white-faced group, who had tried to kill Rio and Shiraha despite them not being directly involved, would not ignore the Guard Corps investigating the incident, especially since there were fatalities. Rio asked the guild staff.

"Who are those white-faced people?"

"The investigation is ongoing."

"…That's all?"

"Unfortunately, we don't even know the name of the group."

The staff member shrugged.

"Most of the white-faced people are hired killers given only masks and told to kill their targets. This time, they don't seem to be hired, but these types of people often commit suicide when caught. They are a creepy bunch."

"Suicide… I thought they were just a random group."

"They are a random group, but they might follow some kind of code. However, they are a dangerous criminal organization that operates systematically."

Rio nodded, agreeing with the staff member's words, as an organization that orders killings without hesitation couldn't be considered normal. The guard, who had finished summarizing the report, turned to Rio and Shiraha.

"We will make this report public. Please sign the consent form."

They looked at the text of the consent form on the table. It stated that they agreed to the public release of the report and swore that they had no further information.

"Is it okay to make the report public? I think it's not good for the investigation to leak."

"Normally, it wouldn't be. But it's to protect you."

The guard continued with a grim expression.

"If we don't make the report public, the Horned Dragon Familia might kidnap you to extract all the information about the incident. Also, you were targeted by the white-faced group. They actively try to kill witnesses, but if the report is public, the risks outweigh the benefits, so they won't act."

Considering the possibility of being cursed by the evil artifact that the Horned Dragon Familia supposedly possessed, it would be risky for Rio and Shiraha to be known as witnesses. The guard sighed heavily.

"Normally, it's our duty as guards to protect witnesses and catch the criminals. But in this town, it's not that easy."

"Even the branch chief was killed."

"That's a problem. The branch chief's death was also the work of the white-faced group."

The guard looked at the staff member, who seemed to have more detailed information. The staff member spoke with a bitter expression.

"For the past three months, the conflict between the Horned Dragon Familia and the white-faced group has intensified, leading to battles all over town. The branch chief seems to have been caught in a sudden battle and died."

"---No, wait. That was planned."

The guard directly contradicted the staff member's statement. The staff member glared at the guard.

"Again with that. There's no benefit for anyone to kill the branch chief."

"That's based on the information we have. We know nothing about the white-faced group. Also, there have been adventurers mixed in with the bodies of the white-faced group."

"Admittedly, many of our guild's adventurers are spies for underground organizations. The branch chief was aware of this and let them be. There's no benefit in killing him, especially since the successor might not take the same approach."

"But could that old man be killed by surprise? Without a well-planned attack, he shouldn't have even been scratched."

"I agree, but…"

Seizing the moment when the staff member hesitated, Rio interjected.

"Was the branch chief that strong?"

"He was a Rank A adventurer. A mage, but with skills on par with his active days. He was also very skilled with staff techniques and often served as an instructor for the Guard Corps' training."

The guard nodded deeply in agreement with the staff member's evaluation. From what they heard, he didn't seem like someone who could be killed easily. Curious about the circumstances of his death, Rio asked more questions.

"How did he die?"

"From a clean cut from his right shoulder to his left side. It wasn't an ordinary skill. What's most concerning is that there's no one in this town who could kill the branch chief without him putting up a fight."

"So you suspect it was a planned assassination. What about the use of evil artifacts or divine artifacts? And the witnesses?"

"There were no witnesses. He was caught in a conflict on his way home from the guild in the evening. A member of the Horned Dragon Familia found the body and drove away the white-faced group, bringing the body here."

"The Horned Dragon Familia brought the body?"

"They probably didn't want the guild to interfere in the conflict for revenge. Or they wanted to cooperate passively."

Rio, who hadn't thought that delivering a body could carry a political message, understood the staff member's explanation. At that moment, the door to the room opened. The staff member stood up immediately upon seeing the person who opened the door.

"Deputy Chief, what brings you here?"

The person called Deputy Chief was a tall, slender man. He smiled gently, looked around the room, and stopped at Rio and Shiraha, raising a hand.

"Hello. I'm Muzai, the deputy chief of this guild. I feel bad for keeping you here so late. I've booked a room for you in the guild's name. Was it too much trouble?"

"No, not at all. We appreciate it."

The view outside the window was already dark. It would be difficult to find a place to stay now. Muzai relaxed and smiled.

"Is one room okay? I could only get one room. Even in the guild's name, they were reluctant to accommodate the incident's witnesses."

"It's fine. This child is my adoptive sister."

"Ah, I see. That's good, that's good. The payment is already taken care of in the guild's name, but I couldn't arrange dinner. I'm sorry, but you'll have to buy something on the way or use the guild's cafeteria."

"Thank you for your consideration."

As Rio bowed, Muzai quietly smiled and explained the way to the inn, then waved and closed the door.