Banning strode ahead, with Emilia following closely behind. 𝗈𝗏𝐞𝔩xt.𝗇𝓔t

In no time, they arrived at a residential area near the west wall of Sunny Town. After taking several turns, Banning led Emilia to a small white house and gestured for her to hide.

Excited and curious, Emilia had never been involved in such a clandestine investigation before.

At this moment, she was unaware of the offensive words she was about to hear.

After hiding for more than ten minutes, movement finally stirred within the white house.

With a creak, the door was pulled open, and Nassar stepped out, accompanied by a woman Emilia had never seen before.

“My darling, prepare yourself and wait for me tonight,” Nassar said, pulling the woman into his embrace and forcefully kissing her.

“Hmph, just get going,” the woman said, pushing Nassar away with obvious displeasure.

“I’ve heard all about it. You’ve been chasing that fox woman at The Quest Guild for years. Don’t bother coming back to me.”

“Oh, baby, you don’t understand. This thing with that fox bitch is just for show. If it wasn’t for the mission, I wouldn’t even bother with her,” Nassar replied, pulling the woman back into his arms.

She struggled symbolically for a moment before giving up.

“Just for show? I think you’re putting more effort into it than you do with me,” she retorted.

“Ah, come on, darling. How could you even compare yourself to that fox? She reeks of animal odor!”

Nassar said, prompting the woman to burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, Emilia’s clenched fists were trembling with anger.

“I love hearing that. The stench of that fox can be smelled from two streets away,” the woman said.

“Exactly, all demi-humans stink so much. How could I possibly like them, my little darling?” Nassar replied.

“Hmph, you’d better be telling the truth,” the woman said, leaning into Nassar’s embrace and nestling against his chest.

Nassar took the opportunity to grope her voluptuous body, his face displaying a smug and lewd grin.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll have ‘that thing’ by tonight. Then, even if that fox comes begging on her knees, I won’t spare her a glance. Hehehe, hahaha!”

Nassar cackled as he bid the woman farewell and headed towards The Quest Guild.

In the shadows, Emilia and Banning remained hidden, unable to emerge for the time being.

Now, Emilia understood why Banning had initially said this investigation wouldn’t be a pleasant task.

She hadn’t expected Nassar’s pursuit to be nothing but an act, one convincing enough to deceive everyone.

Before today, Emilia had considered Nassar a worthy successor to the Branch Chief.

As for his pursuit of her, Emilia had thought that if he genuinely liked her, she might consider giving him a chance. Now, she felt incredibly foolish for being deceived so thoroughly.

Her sole consolation was that she had maintained her distance from Nassar, never allowing him to have his way with her.

“Phew…”

Emilia took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She then noticed that Banning was watching her intently.

“What’s the matter?”

Emilia asked, stepping back a little. Her heartbeat quickened when she realized how close she was to Banning.

“I thought you’d be very angry,” Banning said.

“I… am quite angry, but there’s no point in getting angrier now that it’s already happened,” Emilia replied, her words also meant as a reminder to herself.

After experiencing the loss of her parents, she had become good at controlling her emotions.

“That makes sense,” Banning agreed, nodding.

Then he whispered, “We’re quite alike… both of us are people without…”

“Sorry, you said we’re alike in what way…?” Emilia didn’t catch his words clearly.

“Never mind,” Banning shook his head and then summarized their secret investigation.

“As expected, Nassar is infiltrating The Quest Guild to complete a ‘mission’, and he’s close to accomplishing it. Emilia, has your guild ever had any enemies?”

“I don’t think so…” In Emilia’s memory, the Sunny Town Quest Guild hadn’t offended anyone other than having a tense relationship with the town’s mayor.

“Alright, then please relay a message to Branch Chief: Meet me at the usual place in half an hour,” Banning instructed.

“Okay,” Emilia agreed instinctively, only realizing afterward that she had gotten used to Banning’s boldness.

-(Darn it, I’ve told him before that I’m not a messenger…!)

But compared to the two-faced Nassar, Banning’s straightforwardness was far more likable.

.

Half an hour later, Oleg met Banning at the tavern.

Seeing Banning was the last thing Oleg wanted to do today, but it was inevitable.

“I heard Nassar say that his ‘mission’ will be completed today, and he’ll get ‘that thing’ tonight,” Banning began without preamble.

Oleg sighed but didn’t reply immediately.

“Branch Chief, if you don’t trust me, you can confirm with Emilia. She was there today as well,” Banning added.

“I know. She told me everything when she relayed your message,” Oleg replied.

He didn’t know if Emilia’s involvement was a coincidence or Banning’s intention, but her testimony eliminated any lingering doubts he had about Nassar.

As a result, the agenda for tonight shifted from testing Nassar to severing ties with his treacherous comrade, Sprant.

“That means tonight is crucial, Branch Chief,” Banning said.

“Yes…” Oleg replied, his mood heavy and reluctant to chat with Banning.

“Branch Chief, have you prepared ‘that thing’ Nassar wants?” Banning asked.

“Yes, I’ll give it to him according to the ‘plan’ tonight,” Oleg confirmed.

“So, what exactly is ‘that thing’? I’d like to know before the ‘plan’ starts. It might be beneficial for both of us.”

Banning eventually asked the question, which Oleg had anticipated.

Oleg hadn’t informed Banning about the existence of the cursed magic sword, Flame Steed, because he knew the potential harm it could cause.

Although Banning might not be tempted by the cursed sword, Oleg still believed it was better to keep him in the dark.

“It’s better for you not to know. Trust me, it’s for your own good,” Oleg insisted.

“Alright, then what about other preparations?” Banning asked, giving up easily. Oleg appreciated his ability to let go.

“Leave it to me. Although I’m old, my decades of experience as a bounty hunter haven’t gone to waste,” Oleg assured, patting his chest.

With a serious expression, he extended his hand to Banning.

“Lord Banning, tonight, I entrust Emilia’s safety to you.”

“Leave it to me,” Banning replied, grasping Oleg’s hand firmly.

Tonight was the time to sever the old karma, the ill-fated tie.