Chapter 55

"The land is already in our hands. As for the groceries and miscellaneous items... it will be difficult to recover those small items."

I placed the deeds of the assets that could be recovered on the table.

Ericia peered at them and said, "The Marelia. A sailing ship?"

"Yeah. It's described as a massive transport ship equipped with wind magic devices and four decks... It seems it was used for trade with foreign countries."

When I said this, Selena murmured, "A ship? I know nothing about the sea, but is it already being used and sailing the open ocean?"

"I've already sent Tika and Nate to investigate the port area."

Yuri asked, "A ship? Are you going to use it?"

"There are teleportation pillars to Tiars and Roburion, so it's only really useful for going to unknown lands... But the important thing is not the ship itself,"

Ericia seemed to understand and murmured, "Who took it, right?"

"Yeah. Whoever took such a large asset must be the key figure who cornered the Enetoa Guild."

Hearing my words, Selena exclaimed, "So we're going to storm their place?!"

"Don't get your hands dirty... but they will get their comeuppance."

Just then, the guild's entrance creaked open.

"What the—!?"

Selena panicked, but when the door slammed shut, Tika and Nate appeared.

Selena sighed in relief, and Erica said, exasperated, "You're too jumpy, Selena."

"I can't help it! I still think there might be ghosts left."

Well, it did make my heart race a bit. From the outside, it might look like the work of a wisp.

For the future, maybe we should build a back door or underground passage... maybe even connect to the imperial city's sewers. The sewers run throughout the city, and because of the slimes, people tend to stay away.

The two returned to me and knelt on one knee.

"We have returned, Lord Alex."

"Good work. So, the ship?"

Tika answered, "It was in the port area. It seemed to be under renovation, with many workers there. I saw them repainting the name 'Marelia' on the stern, so it must be the right one."

"Renovation? ...So, who owns the ship?"

"I don't know the owner, but a man named Torreus seems to have commissioned the renovation. He also seems to have secured the Enetoa Guild's warehouse in the port area."

"Torreus... I've heard that name before."

"Perhaps..."

Tika moved to the window on the main street side and opened the curtain slightly.

"The building right in front of us is owned by the Torreus Guild. The man in charge, I believe."

Across the International Street, there was a building that rivaled the Enetoa Guild's headquarters. Squinting at the sign, it indeed read 'Torreus Guild.'

Selena said, "So close..."

"Perhaps that's why they wanted to crush the Enetoa Guild," Erica murmured, then noticed something and looked to the side.

There, Nate was assembling a large crossbow.

"But it's perfect for sniping. A good opportunity to test the new long crossbow Ars made."

"Idiot! What are you going to do, kill him?!"

To Selena's voice, Nate replied, "That's the way it's going."

"Considering what happened to the Enetoa Guild, I understand your feelings, but I don't want to stir things up."

"Then I'll storm in."

I nodded at Selena.

"It's something to consider. The Holy Order is likely behind this. Just showing the deeds and demanding the ship back won't be easy. They might even forge documents. We need to find some leverage..."

I could infiltrate the guild myself. With 'Invisibility' and 'Teleportation,' it wouldn't be too difficult.

But before that...

"By the way, Tika. You said the ship was being renovated?"

"Yes, but what about it?"

"Well, there's no need to renovate it if it's just going to be used as a transport ship. Changing the name is understandable, but did you notice anything unusual?"

"Come to think of it... I saw a lot of cages and restraints being loaded."

"Hmm... slave trading of monsters, perhaps."

No, trading monsters is prohibited on International Street. Slave trading is only allowed in designated areas of the imperial city, like the district where Virtus's hideout was.

But slave trading of monsters...

Many of the monsters that can be enslaved with subservience magic are weak and don't fetch high prices. It's not a very profitable business.

In the empire, where monsters are despised, slave traders are considered lowly. That's why trading is only allowed in designated areas in the imperial city.

Would a guild with a store on International Street deal in such trades? And if the monsters are weak, they can be easily enslaved, so cages and restraints shouldn't be necessary...

Something seems off.

On the other hand, it could be a weakness we can use against the Torreus Guild.

But how to expose it in the light of day.

Maybe I should involve Virtus... and the name Torreus sounds familiar. Virtus might know something.