LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 196
Chapter 196. The Bumpy Family And Frantic Chase
It seems Lalaila has been abducted.
Faf and I started gathering information around East Slum.
We didn’t find much, but that zebra from before didn’t seem involved in anything shady.
Still, the timing of their disappearance bothers me…
When we returned to the car, Yaralai and Hagg arrived shortly after. We explained the situation to the two of them and Uthis.
Yaralai trembled slightly.
“…Unforgivable.”
“Indeed. Usually, I’d leave it alone, but that girl is a good soul.”
“Let’s figure out our next move. Anyone have ideas?”
“Beat up villains, gather info.”
“We just did that in East Slum.”
“Maybe someone well-versed in city intel, like Mr. Rotton, could help?”
“Good point. His guild might have relevant info. Let’s go.”
Leaving Uthis with the others, the four of us rushed to the Adele Guild.
“Ah, what brings you here at this hour?”
“Sorry, I know this isn’t your field, but I need some advice.”
“Something must’ve happened. Come in.”
“Appreciate it.”
We were shown to a meeting room and explained the situation briefly.
“So, Lady Lalaila is…?”
“Yeah. I’m wondering if you know of any human trafficking organizations.”
“Well, there’s one piece of info that’s been bothering me.”
“What is it?”
“Apparently, one underground group has been trying to contact Dezion Sander since a few days ago.”
“Dezion… the guy obsessed with Lalaila!”
“As I suspected. Lord Dezion used to be with the nobility faction. Even after their abolition, he remained influential in politics. His fondness for elves is rather infamous.”
“That well-known, huh… Never mind. Thanks. We’ll head to Dezion’s place now.”
“I see… Be careful. I’ll keep digging on my end.”
“Thanks a lot.”
After getting Dezion’s address from Rotton, we rushed there.
I just hoped nothing had happened to Lalaila.
Shaking off grim thoughts, I unleashed my full momentum, tearing through the dark streets.
We arrived at a lavish mansion in a cluster of estates. Two guards at the gate pointed their spears at us as we approached.
An elf, a dwarf, Faf, and me charging over after dark? Their reaction was justified.
“Hey! Who are you…?”
“Sorry! My name’s Akira! I know it’s asking a lot, but I need to see Dezion Sander immediately!”
“…Huh? What’re you talking about? It’s the middle of the night!”
The guards weren’t wrong to scold me.
“I know! But this is urgent! Tell him it’s about the elf girl, Lalaila!”
“An elf girl?”
“Oh! Could they be… the ones who lost their comrade?”
“Now that you mention it, their description matches.”
“What happened was an unfortunate accident! But this is a matter of life and death! Please!”
“…It’s about the elf girl, huh? Fine, I’ll pass it on, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Thanks!”
Considering Dezion’s obsession with Lalaila, he was likely to respond if it concerned her.
If not…
Then we’d force our way in.
Time crawled by, every second prickling at my skin like static.
My mind fought between staying calm and panicking, leaving me a volatile mess.
After what felt like an eternity, Dezion himself appeared, flanked by numerous guards.
“So, it’s you.”
“Sorry for the late hour.”
“Hmph. I heard it’s about Lady Lalaila. Has she finally agreed to become my concubine?”
What?!
If he’s not acting, it means he doesn’t have Lalaila?
Revealing the situation could be risky…
But given my limited knowledge of this city, gaining his favor might help.
If he betrays us, I’ll crush him on the spot.
“There might be trouble.”
“Oh?”
“Lalaila went missing earlier today.”
“What?!”
“We’ve been gathering intel. Word is a trafficking group might’ve taken her.”
“How dare you fail to protect a single woman! Typical muscle-headed commoners!”
“I have no excuses…”
“If she were under my care, this would never happen!”
Dezion seemed genuinely angry. It didn’t seem like he was the abductor.
“Another lead mentioned your potential involvement with the trafficking group.”
“What?!”
“We’re chasing even the faintest hope, which brought us here.”
“Ridiculous! I’d never associate with such criminals…”
Huh? Why did he trail off?
“…No, it couldn’t be… They’re legitimate…”
“Hey.”
“…You. Come inside for a moment.”
“What?”
“This isn’t the place for it.”
“Got it. Everyone else, wait here.”
Time was of the essence.
I’d play along for now.
We moved to a room inside the mansion, where warm tea was served.
“I’ve worked with a staffing agency for years.”
“A staffing agency?”
“Yes. Strictly legal… but truthfully, it often involves selling oneself due to debts or other circumstances.”
Such practices were hard to eradicate in this world. Even in Pilatus, similar systems were common.
Calling it outright evil wasn’t easy.
“And this agency?”
“Recently, they mentioned they might be able to source an elf.”
“Go on.”
“They said so a few days ago. Since Lalaila’s disappearance was today, I doubt it’s related…”
“Anything else?”
“Well, they’ve been quite affluent lately. I heard they acquired a rare magical tool.”
“A magical tool?”
Magical tools could do things like cleanse objects or emit light-based attacks.
“It supposedly disrupts magic and spirit arts.”
“What?!”
Yaralai had been tracking Lalaila using spirit arts but lost her trail midway.
Could that have been caused by the tool?
“Please, tell me who this agency is!”
“…That’s…”
Dezion hesitated.
Despite claiming legality, the agency likely operated on thin margins of lawfulness.
“If you won’t, we’ll find them ourselves.”
“How?”
“We’ll comb East Slum, questioning everyone until we find someone who knows.”
“…”
“If necessary, I’ll turn the slum to ashes to uncover them.”
“…Why East Slum?”
“The shady types always gather in similar places.”
“…Fine. I’ll guide you. But…”
“I know. I won’t tarnish your name.”
Though I’d prefer to take them down, I couldn’t afford it now. If Dezion used them, they were probably within legal bounds.
We regrouped and, with Dezion, rushed to the agency. Having adjusted to the adrenaline, even Dezion’s brisk pace felt slow to me.
Damn goddess!
Lady of commerce!
Please, let Lalaila be safe!!