Chapter 67. Preliminary Investigation
Thebe Autonomous Territory, a place where opportunities were open to all regardless of their status, was thriving. The city was experiencing its golden age, the height of its prosperity. With a vast logistics network stretching across the empire and merchants flooding in to utilize it, wealth naturally attracted people in droves. Thebe had always been one of the fastest-growing cities in the empire, but the growth over the last four years had been astonishing.
Since the Leston Duchy had spearheaded the development project in the northwestern region of the empire, Thebe, a central hub along the trade routes, had reaped immense benefits. However, the city's rapid growth hadn't been entirely positive. With the population increase overwhelming the city's administrative capacity, crime had surged. Criminals eager to make quick fortunes had infiltrated the city's underworld, leading to incidents cropping up almost daily.
In this chaotic city, teeming with greed and competing interests, the noble teenager Caron appeared, a single sword hanging from his waist.
"This is what freedom is," he muttered.
Thebe boasted the largest train station in the empire, and the moment he stepped off the train, Caron was greeted by a massive crowd bustling with energy.
"Passengers boarding the 1:20 PM train to the capital, please make your way to the platform..."
"The train to Azureocean Castle is departing soon! Hurry and board!"
People were constantly weaving through the station. It was clear from just a glance how vibrant the city was. Without hesitation, Caron blended into the crowd.
First, I need to get my mercenary ID and gather information about the Keath Kingdom, he thought.
The southern kingdoms had closed their borders to outsiders due to the ongoing war. To cross into their territory, Caron needed mercenary status. His plan was to visit the Mercenary Guild to get his ID, and then obtain information on the current state of the southern kingdoms from the underground organization Caligo.
Caligo, which was secretly allied with the Leston family, was led by the elven mage Foina and supported by the empire's Sixth Prince Revelio. It was one of the most powerful organizations in Thebe, controlling the city's underworld. Without their firm grip on the darker side of the city, Thebe would likely have descended into chaos long ago.
As Caron left the train station, lost in thought about his upcoming tasks, he was immediately approached by a swarm of people.
"Is it your first time in Thebe?" a person asked.
"Welcome to Thebe, the city of freedom! Here, you can have everything you desire. Allow me to be your guide, and I'll show you the wonders this place has to offer!" another person offered.
"Hey! I was here first. Wait your turn!" someone called out.
Well-dressed individuals rushed toward Caron, each eager to offer their services as guides. These people made their living by showing visitors around the city for a fee, of course. But their real income came from elsewhere, such as taking kickbacks from restaurants and establishments for bringing in customers. And that was only the beginning.
There were generally two reasons why nobles visited Thebe: Business or pleasure. Many young nobles, in particular, came for the latter. After all, Thebe offered indulgences that were hard to come by anywhere else in the empire.
"I can guarantee you'll be completely satisfied, my lord. Let me guide you, and I'll show you why Thebe is known as the city of pleasure!" one of the guides declared confidently, flashing a grin.
"Don't listen to that guy! If you're thinking of visiting the shadier parts of the city, I'm your man. I've got friends down there who can show you around..."
The moment they saw that Caron stayed silent, the guides seized their chance and began aggressively trying to win him over. They took his silence as approval. But it didn't last long.
"Step aside! You fools have no right to serve someone like him!" a voice barked from behind the crowd.
A man pushed through the group of guides. His face was marked with noticeable burn scars. It was Julio, an informant who had helped Caron during his previous visits to Thebe. The moment Julio saw Caron, he bowed deeply in respect.
"I've been waiting for you, my lord," Julio said in greeting.
"Julio. How've you been?" Caron asked, casually.
"I'm honored that you remember my name, Young Master Caron," Julio replied with a polite nod.
"Of course I remember you," Caron said.
With Julio's arrival, the guides quickly scattered. They realized that this wasn't someone they could afford to mess with. As they hurried off to find new marks, Caron chuckled at their retreating backs.
"The city seems livelier than before," he observed, looking around.
"The population's grown beyond what the city can handle," Julio explained. "The council is rushing to develop the outskirts, but it'll take some time to catch up."
"Mayor Grine must be keeping busy then," Caron remarked.
"Yes, Young Master. In fact, the council recently passed the motion to extend Mayor Grine's term," Julio informed him.
"For how long?" Caron asked.
"Another ten years, as I understand it," Julio answered.
Caron clicked his tongue and nodded, thinking that it was practically a lifetime position. He knew that Mayor Grine was the kind of person who knew how to take advantage of opportunities, but he hadn't expected him to manage things this well. Grime's background as the former Finance Minister was certainly showing.
As Caron nodded in approval, Julio continued in his usual monotone. "You've grown a lot since I last saw you, Young Master."
"You're more flattering than I remember," Caron teased. "But isn't flattery usually done with a smile? Saying it with that face is just... creepy."
"Oh, I will work on that," Julio replied without a hint of emotion.
"...It was a joke," Caron said.
Julio had been a broker who once operated in the shadows, but he now held a critical role as the intermediary between the Duke of Leston and Caligo. Though Caligo was an underground organization, it was too powerful to openly associate with a noble house, so they had to maintain this unofficial connection.
"Let's go straight to Foina. Is she in the underground city?" Caron asked.
"No, Young Master. Lady Foina is currently at the city hall, meeting with Mayor Grine," Julio explained.
Caron raised an eyebrow. "The head of the city's underworld meeting with the mayor in city hall? Sounds like the plot of a bad play."
"She's there as the head of a construction company, not the underworld," Julio clarified.
"Ah, she's expanding into legitimate business now. I like it. Alright, let's go. I'd like to wrap this up quickly. I've got my mind set on a good meal afterward," Caron said.
Since Caron was already in Thebe, he wasn't planning to leave immediately. The city was famous for its cuisine, and he intended to indulge in its culinary delights before getting into the thick of his mission. The meals at Azureocean Castle were good too, but food always tasted better when one was eating out.
"Then I'll take you to the city hall, Young Master," Julio offered.
"Alright, let's go," Caron said.
"I have an automobile waiting. This way," Julio said, gesturing.
As efficient as ever, he had already prepared an automobile for their journey. Caron smiled in satisfaction and followed him, ready to see what lay ahead.
***
Standing in front of the mayor's office in Thebe City Hall, Caron, who was accompanied by Julio, knocked on the door before opening it and stepping inside. Inside the office, an older man and an elf woman were engaged in conversation.
"It's been four years, everyone," Caron said with a smile as he approached them.
Mayor Grine of Thebe stood up from his seat, beaming widely and saying, "Ah, Mr. Caron! It's been far too long! You've grown into a fine young man! I'm sure Duke Halo must be very proud of you."
"You're looking quite youthful yourself, Mayor Grine. Have you found some sort of elixir of youth?" Caron teased.
Grine chuckled and said, "Ha! You send me those wonderful gifts every year, don't you? The work is exhausting, but developing this city with my own hands brings immense satisfaction."
"And it fills up your coffers nicely too, doesn't it?" Caron quipped with a smirk.
"Haha! Apart from what you graciously provide, I haven't received much else. Honestly, it's hard enough for us to split what little we do have. Isn't that right?" Grine laughed heartily, almost overly familiar in his manner.
Caron chuckled at the mayor's excessive warmth before turning his gaze to the female elf. He asked, "Foina, how have you been?"
"I always knew you'd grow into a handsome man, even when you were young. I guess I can't call you 'little wolf' anymore, can I?" Foina smiled, her tone playful.
Four years ago, Caron hadn't fully grasped her power, but now he was able to feel it. She wasn't just a 7th Circle mage; she had reached the 8th Circle, a level deserving of the title of archmage.
Caron shook her hand lightly, sensing the immense magic she wielded, then asked in a subtle tone, "So, what were the two of you discussing in broad daylight?"
"Ah, a rather constructive conversation," Mayor Grine replied.
"Can a mayor and an organization boss really have a constructive conversation?" Caron asked.
"Well, we were discussing city construction plans, so it was quite literally 'constructive,' wouldn't you say? Haha!" Grine joked.
Foina chimed in, "Our Caligo organization is branching out into legitimate business, you know. We've had a surge in new recruits lately, and I need to keep them fed somehow."
"Doesn't the money from the black market more than cover that?" Caron asked with a skeptical look.
"Oh no, I can't stand freeloaders. If they've joined the organization, they need to pull their weight," Foina said.
"So, this 'legitimate business' of yours... is construction," Caron said, piecing it together.
"That's right. We've got more than enough manpower. In fact, we were just discussing the area we'll be taking charge of," Foina explained.
Many of the people flooding into Thebe were refugees from the war-torn southern kingdoms. Most other territories in the empire didn't have the capacity to take them in, so Thebe had become the primary destination for these refugees. Mayor Grine, seeing the opportunity, had adopted an active policy of absorbing them and expanding the city.
"So, this is where the deals are being made? Were you asking for a contract?" Caron asked.
"That's a misunderstanding, Mr. Caron. I was actually the one asking for help," Mayor Grine clarified.
"Why is that?" Caron inquired.
"The district in question includes part of a mountain, which I need a mage's assistance with," Mayor Grine explained.
Foina grinned and said, "You see, Caligo Construction offers mages at very affordable rates. And not just any mages; a full-fledged archmage, to be exact."
"You certainly don't shy away from promoting yourself. So, no more black market dealings for you?" Caron teased.
"Oh, we're still very much in business. If we stopped, Mayor Grine here would be the one in trouble. Isn't that right, Mayor?" Foina said with a sly smile.
Grine responded with a bitter laugh and nodded, acknowledging the truth behind her words.
"At least someone who can be reasoned with should control the shadows. That's my philosophy," Mayor Grine said with a shrug. "Besides, with your family tied to this as well, you can't blame me too much, can you?"
"I wasn't planning on it," Caron replied nonchalantly. After all, this had been his idea from the start. Fayle had only helped refine the plan further. With a small shrug, he took a seat and went straight to the point. "I hear that Caligo is top-tier when it comes to getting information at the southern kingdoms these days. Is that true?"
Foina leaned back, crossing her arms and answering, "More or less. We've been working hard to absorb refugees from the south into our organization."
"I'm on my way to deal with some monsters that have appeared near the borders of the Keath Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom," Caron explained.
"Ah, so that's why you asked for a mercenary ID," Foina said, casually waving her hand. A small copper badge materialized in the air before her. "This is a third-class mercenary badge. With this, you'll be able to cross the borders without issue. I could give you a first-class badge, but I assume you don't want to attract too much attention?"
Caron took the badge and tucked it into his coat, saying, "As long as I can get across the border, this will do."
"You asked for information, though. What exactly are you looking for?" Foina inquired, her expression sharpening.
Before answering, Caron glanced over at Mayor Grine. The mayor caught his look and chuckled, then said, "It seems the guest is kicking out the host."
"It's not something you can't hear, Mayor..." Caron began, but Mayor Grine waved him off.
"No, it's alright; when I'm not wanted, I shall leave. I'll step outside for a smoke. Take your time," Mayor Grine said as he grabbed his pipe and headed for the door.
The moment he left, Foina waved her hand again, casting a faint hum in the air. She said, "I've put up a soundproofing spell. You can speak freely now."
"I need information on an 8-Star knight who's been active in the Keath Kingdom. He's probably using an alias, and his exact location isn't known," Caron said.
"An 8-Star knight? It's hard to believe that someone of that caliber wouldn't have made waves, especially in a war zone. Hmm, this could be tricky," Foina muttered, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"That's why I'm asking you for help. I thought there could be some refugees here in Thebe who know something," Caron explained.
He knew what kind of man he was looking for. Kerra was the kind of person who couldn't just stand by when people were suffering. He despised war and would go to great lengths to help those in need. Would someone like him really have just walked away after seeing the horrors of war?
It's not likely that he just ignored the war, Caron thought.
It was highly likely that Kerra had gotten involved somehow. And if so, there could be clues among the refugees Foina's people had taken in.
Besides, there's another method Foina could use to help, Caron thought.
The Keath Kingdom bordered a vast forest to the south, and the Southern Great Forest was home to the elves. It was one of the most famous elven domains, along with the Eastern Great Forest.
"You don't seriously expect me to believe that all you need is information from the refugees, do you?" Foina asked. "You're practically screaming that you want help from the elves."
"There's a chance the person I'm looking for fled into the Southern Great Forest," Caron admitted.
That was the real reason he needed her assistance. If the knights of the Oceanwolf Knight Order had lost track of Kerra, it could only mean he had hidden somewhere they couldn't predict. The most logical place was the Southern Great Forest.
"Will you help me?" Caron asked, meeting her gaze.
Foina smiled as she stared at him, then said, "Well, unlike me, my kind tends to despise humans. It won't be easy to ask for their cooperation..."
Her smile widened as she stood up, stepping closer to Caron. She brushed her hand gently along his cheek, her voice soft but teasing. "But I could help you persuade them. But on one condition."
"A condition?" Caron asked, raising an eyebrow.
Foina's eyes twinkled as she leaned closer and said, "First, you'll have to prove that you're worthy of becoming a friend to the elves."