LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 195
Chapter 195. The Bumpy Family And New Trouble
The sun was setting, casting the city-state in the wilderness aglow with red hues of twilight.
The sound of the church bells echoed, signaling people to halt their work and begin closing their shops.
“…Isn’t Lalaila taking a bit too long?”
It was before noon when Lalaila had dashed off for supplies.
She had once complained that medicinal herbs were hard to come by in this city; perhaps that was causing the delay…
“Did she leave the city to gather herbs?”
“That’s possible, but…”
“Even so, this is taking too long.”
Did she let her guard down because this city was relatively safe?
“Hey Yaralai, can’t you use your spirit arts to find where Lalaila is?”
“I’ll try.”
Murmuring a quiet spell, Yaralai began walking slowly. Startled, I hurriedly asked Eutis to look after the others, and quickly followed the slim, muscular elf.
We first headed to the area near the Endless Water Jar, lined with street vendors.
At that moment, the jar had ceased its water flow, and guards in splendid attire were reverently storing it away.
“…Hmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“The spirits… are confused?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know.”
Up until now, Yaralai had been leading us here without hesitation, but suddenly his movements became strange.
He would start to go right, then glance around nervously before heading in the opposite direction.
After walking for a bit, he’d stop and then start off in yet another direction.
“Yaralai?”
“Something must be… repelling the spirits, I think.”
“What do you mean?”
“Huh? Is that even possible?”
“It could be some sort of spiritual art or artifact.”
“So, someone is deliberately interfering with it?”
“Most likely.”
A situation where spirit arts malfunction, and Lalaila is missing.
“Wait a second! Could someone be targeting Lalaila?”
“It’s possible.”
“What the…!”
“Kukuku… Such elaborate measures.”
“This is no time for jokes! We need to split up and search for her! If we don’t find her within two hours, meet back at the camper!”
“I’ll go.”
Without waiting for a reply, Yaralai took off running. But can he manage without using spirit arts?
“Hmph. I’ll ask the blacksmith gang for help.”
“If you’re heading back to base, ask the town council folks to help too!”
“Got it!”
With that, the dwarf darted off.
For someone with short legs, he’s fast…
“Faf, I’ll count on you too.”
“Kukuku… Very well. Where should I search?”
“Let’s see… I’ll head to the eastern slums. Faf, cover the square. We might’ve missed something here.”
“Kukuku… I’ll do it.”
“Thanks.”
Though an enigmatic character, Faf wouldn’t slack off when it came to finding a comrade.
I too dashed off at full speed, heading for the hideout of the petty criminals known as Zebras of the New Moon.
When it comes to crime, asking criminals is the quickest way.
From years of experience, I made a beeline for the Zebras’ den.
But…
“What the? It’s awfully… quiet.”
Because it’s nighttime? No, that’s impossible.
Criminals usually get active around this time.
Just then, I spotted two Zebra members—Stod and Cood—ambling about and stopped them.
“You!”
“Oh, it’s the sugar candy guy!”
“You two! Do you know where Lalaila is—the elf girl who was with me earlier?”
“Uh… uh?”
“You mean that beautiful elf lady?”
“Yeah, her!”
“N-no, haven’t seen her.”
“Haven’t seen anything.”
“I see… Fine. Where are the other Zebras?”
“Like we’d tell y—”
Boom!
I instinctively swung my Spiral Dragon Spear, Gungnir, creating a massive hole in a nearby wall.
Bullying kids isn’t my style, but time’s short. Sorry.
“I’ll ask again. Where are the Zebras?”
“Uh… um…”
“B-bro…”
I glared at them, and they clung to each other, trembling.
“W-well, we don’t know exactly! They said something about a big deal…”
“What!?”
A deal?
Could the Zebras have captured Lalaila and planned to trade her?
“Damn it! Where’s the deal happening?”
“I told you, we don’t know!”
“Tch!”
These two must be bottom-tier members.
I continued grabbing anyone nearby, questioning them about the Zebras’ whereabouts.
But I only managed to catch irrelevant passersby or low-level members.
“This can’t be a coincidence… Damn it!”
I need information! Anything!
As I prepared to leave, I noticed a man in priest robes walking straight toward me.
It wasn’t a coincidence—he was clearly heading for me.
“Good evening, Akira-sama.”
“…If my memory serves, we’ve never met before.”
“Ah, my apologies. I am Umesa Kura of the Aigas Church.”
The green-tinged priest robes were unmistakably from the Earth Mother God’s Aigas Church.
“Sorry, but I’m busy. If you have something to say, make it quick or leave it for later.”
“I believe I might have information regarding your matter, which is why I sought you out.”
“What?”
“The church is a place of salvation, but as a result, much information tends to flow through it…”
“Enough chatter. Do you know where Lalaila is or not?”
“Not exactly. However, one of our believers did happen to see her.”
“What!?”
“It seems she got into trouble with some rough-looking individuals. They moved to a more secluded area, but beyond that, I’m afraid we don’t know.”
“I see! Take me to that spot!”
Any clue, no matter how small, is worth pursuing!
“Unfortunately, we investigated further and found nothing.”
“That’s helpful, but I’ll check it myself. Just tell me where it is…”
“Actually, I believe I might know where Lalaila could be.”
“What?”
“It’s not certain, but I suspect she may have caught the attention of a human trafficking ring operating along the highway.”
“A trafficking ring!?”
Could it be the same group that took the reliquaries!?
“Tell me about this group! Please!”
“There’s no need for that.”
“What?”
What does he mean by that?
“Through the Aigas Church, we can negotiate to retrieve Lalaila.”
“What!?”
Wait a second. This doesn’t add up.
Since when does the church have such connections?
And why focus solely on Lalaila?
While I was still reeling, Umesa continued.
“We will do everything in our power. All I ask, Akira-sama, is one thing…”
“What is it?”
Money? If that’s all, I’ll hand over everything I have.
“The church primarily acts for its believers. So… yes. If you could join us, we’d spare no effort to assist you.”
Umesa smiled with a friendliness that felt unsettling.
I realized it was my anger distorting his face just seconds later.
“Hold on… What are you saying?”
“No, no! Even if it’s just symbolic! Or if you could promise not to visit other religious institutions…”
What nonsense is this guy spouting?
Unconsciously, I began radiating spiraling energy.
Anger boiled within me.
“Kukuku… This is quite amusing.”
“Faf!?”
Out of nowhere, the tan-skinned, horned girl Faf appeared by my side.
“Kukuku… Let me ask you something. Is your information reliable?”
“What do you mean?”
“Kukuku… About the elf girl being taken by traffickers.”
“That… isn’t certain. But given the circumstances…”
“Kukuku… Then we’ll handle the investigation from here. Stay out of it.”
“But, um…”
“Kukuku… Let’s go, master.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Leaving the alley behind…
“Kukuku… I kept my promise to stop you.”
“…Sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“Kukuku… That’s one favor you owe me. Now let’s track down that trafficking ring.”
“Right. Help me out, Faf.”
Faf nodded, and we both broke into a run.
Hang on, Lalaila. We’ll rescue you soon!