Infinite Mage — Chapter 132: Priority (2)

Chapter 132: Priority (2)

Certainly,⁠ Amy’s abilities were‌ beyond doubt. However,‍ Shirone had a different concern. Just⁠ 30 minutes earlier,‌‍ Marsha had informed⁠ him of how⁠ dangerous the island was.

The⁠‌ street hawkers had‍ their own power.⁠ Especially the ones‌ from the streets⁠⁠ were said to⁠ be the underlings‌ of a powerful organization.

“Marsha‌ warned to be⁠‍ wary of someone⁠⁠ like Zis. Even‍ if that’s not‌‍ the case, the‍‍⁠ island is a closed and dangerous place. Things that⁠ can’t even be‌ imagined on the‌‍ mainland can be⁠‍‍ easily dealt with⁠⁠ here. There are‌⁠ many nobles who go missing on⁠ the island. We‌⁠ can’t just assume Amy is safe.”⁠

Rian equipped his straight‍‍ sword in its‌‌‌ leather scabbard.

“There’s‍ no need for‍ a long explanation. Let’s go, Shirone.‍ Lead the way. I’ll take care⁠⁠ of any troublemakers.”⁠

“Thanks. It’s actually my⁠ fault for being⁠‌ late.”

“There must have been‌⁠ a reason for‌ that too. First, we need to‌⁠‌ ensure Amy’s safety.”‌‌

Tess‍‍ watched the two‌⁠ boys. This was⁠‍‍ the conversation of‌ those bound by⁠ a knight’s vow.⁠ Though it was‌‌ just an imitation⁠ for now, it‍‌ was an enviable⁠⁠⁠ sight for her,⁠⁠‌ who dreamed of‌ becoming a knight.‌

“Wait‌‌ a minute. I’m⁠ coming too. It’s‍ not just you‌ guys who are‍⁠ worried about Amy.”‍

The⁠ three of them‌ left the villa⁠ and headed down‍ to the beach.‍ However, once there,⁠‍ they were at a loss where‌‍ to start looking.‍

Faced‍‍ with the vast‍‌ expanse of the sandy beach, Tess’s‌‌ confidence waned.

“Where‌⁠ do we start⁠‌‍ looking for Amy?‌ At this time,‍ the only place‌ Zis could have‍‌ taken her is⁠ the commercial district.‌ Should we split‍‍ up and search‍ there?”

“That⁠‌ doesn’t seem like⁠ a good idea.⁠‌⁠ We can’t cover‍ the entire commercial⁠‍ district even if‍‍‍ we split up.‌‍ Besides, we don’t‌‌ know the area well enough.”

“Then‍⁠⁠ what do we‍‍‍ do? We have‍‍ no way to⁠ find her. We⁠ might as well‌‌ look for a needle in this⁠‍ beach.”

Shirone⁠‌‍ pondered with his‍ chin propped.

“Let’s‌ head to the⁠‍‍ harbor instead. Marsha‌‌⁠ said there’s definitely‌‌‌ an organization. If‌‌‍ that’s the case,‌‌ we can ask⁠ a member of⁠‌‍ the organization for‌ Amy’s whereabouts.”

“The‍‍⁠ harbor? That’s to‍‍ the south, isn’t⁠‍ it? Wouldn’t it‍ be faster to‌‌ search here than⁠⁠ to go all the way there?‍ Besides, Amy won’t‍ be at the⁠‍ harbor. It’s not a tourist spot.”

“No,⁠⁠ heading to the‍ harbor is the‌‌ right choice. If‌ we break down‍‍⁠ Amy’s situation, there‌‍ are two possibilities. First, Amy is‍‍ safe. Second, Amy is not safe.⁠‍ If she’s safe,‍‌ there’s no harm‌ in us going‍ to the harbor.‍ But if she’s‌‍ not safe, we‍‍ must go to‌‍ the harbor. If⁠ Amy is not‌‌ safe, it means⁠ there’s a conflict‌⁠‍ with Zis’s organization.‌‌ So, in any‍‍ case, we need⁠ to head to⁠ the harbor first‌ and make contact‍⁠‌ with the organization‌ members.”

“That…‍ makes sense.”

Tess‍‌ nodded as if⁠‌‌ under a spell,⁠⁠ surprised by how‍⁠ much faster he‌⁠ spoke than she‌ thought.

Rian‍‍‍ didn’t hesitate. The‍⁠ moment Shirone suggested‍⁠‍ heading to the‌ harbor, he was⁠ already renting a carriage.

After⁠ paying the coachman,‍‍‌ Rian gestured for‌⁠ Shirone and Tess‌‍ to hurry. They sprinted and jumped‍ into the moving⁠⁠ carriage.

The⁠‍‍ coachman laughed heartily‌ and sped up.‌

“Ah,‌⁠ to be young. Got something urgent‌ at this hour?”‍

“Yes.‍‌ Please hurry!”

“Alright!‍ Let’s give our⁠ horses a real‍ workout for a change! Hyah!”

The⁠ roads were quiet at night, and‍ with gold as‌ motivation, the coachman⁠ drove the horses‍‌‌ hard, making the‌ carriage rattle.

They⁠ reached the harbor⁠ in 20 minutes, and the coachman⁠‍ boasted about setting‌‍ a record for⁠ the first time⁠⁠⁠ in five years.‍

The‌‌ trio rushed to⁠‍ the harbor.

Most‌‍ ships were docked,⁠ and light seeped‌‍ through the windows,⁠⁠⁠ probably as sailors‌ played card games‌‍‍ inside.

Although‍ they were suspicious‍‌ of ships floating‌ nearby, it was‌‌ too late to‍ check every corner‍‌ on foot.

Shirone‌ focused on searching⁠‍‌ the pubs at‍ the harbor. Most‌⁠⁠ looked like organization⁠ members, but many‌‌ were actually sailors.‌

“What‌ do we do?‌ Can we find⁠⁠ her like this?”‍⁠

“We‍ can find her. There must be‌ at least one person here.”

Shirone⁠⁠⁠ persistently inquired at‌‌‍ the pubs and⁠⁠ finally found a clue in a small tavern.

They⁠ were unrecognizable at⁠‍‍ first due to⁠‍ swollen eyes, but⁠ they were definitely‍‌ the hawkers who‍‍ had been with Zis, drinking.

“Those‍‌⁠ two over there!⁠ You were with⁠ Zis, right?”

“Looks‌ like it. Leave⁠ the rest to‍⁠ me.”

Rian⁠‍ walked forward, rolling‌‌ up his sleeves,⁠⁠‍ knowing that in⁠‌ situations like these,‍⁠‍ appearance is more⁠‍ effective than actual⁠‍‌ strength.

“Hey,‌ remember me?”

“What?‌⁠⁠ Looking for trouble?⁠⁠ I’m in a really bad mood‍ right now… Eek!”⁠‌

The⁠‍ boy, slurring his⁠‌ words in anger,⁠ stood up in‍‍ shock upon recognizing‌ Rian.

Rian’s‍ imposing figure was‌ intimidating, but the‍ real shock came‌ from knowing what⁠‍ Zis had gone⁠‍‍ off to do,‌ having been caught‍‌‍ by Falcoa.

“Um…‌ well… that is…”‍‍‍

“I⁠⁠ know everything. So‍ let’s talk somewhere‌⁠ quiet. I tend to get violent‌⁠⁠ in crowded places‍ and calm in⁠ quiet ones. What’ll‍‍ it be?”

The‌‍ hawker glanced at⁠‍ his seated friend. Their eyes briefly met, and without⁠‌ a word, they‌⁠ bolted for the door.

“Damn‍ it! Run!”

They‌ ran frantically, but⁠‌‍ the door seemed⁠‍ to get no‌‍⁠ closer.

‘What’s‌‌ going on? Is‌ this a dream?’⁠

It‍ was only after‍‌ the adrenaline of‍‌ the escape wore‌‍ off that they‍ realized their feet‍ were dangling in‍ the air.

“I’ll give you one⁠‌‌ last chance. Come⁠‍‍ quietly, or do‌ you want to be planted upside down right here?”‌‌

Rian,⁠ holding one boy⁠ in each hand, extended his arms to show off his strength.

The‍ boys were terrified.‍‍⁠ To hold the⁠‌ weight of two men with arms⁠ outstretched was beyond‌⁠ mere strength; it‍ was almost supernatural.‍⁠‍

“We’ll‍‍‌ go, we’ll go. Please, just don’t‌‌‌ use your strength.”

From⁠‍ there, things went⁠ smoothly. Rian took⁠ the hawkers to⁠‍ the breakwater, where⁠ they roughly explained⁠‍⁠ the situation.

“So Falcoa told Zis to bring Amy,‍ is that it?”‌‌⁠

“Yes.⁠ Zis got beaten‍ to a pulp.‌⁠ We nearly died‌‌ too. You better‌ not mess with‍⁠ Falcoa. That guy’s‍⁠⁠ a complete lunatic.”‌‌‍

“Doesn’t⁠ matter. There’s no‌ lunatic who’s stayed‍‍ sane after taking‍‍ my punch. Where‌ did they take‌‍‌ Amy? You know‌ the place, right?”‌‌⁠

“Really,‌ I don’t know!‌ Please believe me!”‍

“Is‌ that so? Then‌ I’ll ask your‌ friend. You’re choosing⁠ to let only‍ one survive by⁠‍ giving up the‍‌‍ chance for both‍‌ of you to‌‍ live.”

The‌‌ two boys looked‌ at each other⁠ fearfully. Honestly, they‍ lacked the mental‍ fortitude to withstand‌‍‌ torture. But Rian⁠‍ was only using‍ his words to‍‍⁠ overpower them, thanks⁠⁠⁠ to the interrogation‌‌⁠ techniques he learned at the swordsmanship‌ school.

“Really,⁠‍‌ we don’t know.⁠‍ But we have⁠⁠ a guess.”

Shirone‌‍‌ and Tess moved‌‍ closer. Rian stopped‌ pretending to be‌ a clumsy investigator⁠ and shook the⁠ hawker’s collar.

“Where‌ is it? Speak⁠ up!”

T-The‍ Royal Court.”

“The‍ Royal Court? What‍ are you talking‌ about?”

“It’s⁠ a tavern’s name!‍⁠ The biggest tavern‍‍ in Galiant! Any‍ carriage will take‌‌ you there! Please, you mustn’t say‌ we told you‍‍⁠ this! If they‍⁠‍ find out, we’re⁠⁠⁠ dead!”

Without a chance to‌ respond, Rian turned‌⁠‌ around. Shirone and⁠‌ Tess were already⁠‍‌ prepared to run.⁠

Exiting the harbor, they⁠ saw a carriage⁠ waiting. Coincidentally, it was the same carriage that had‌ brought them here.‍

“Sir,‌ coachman!”

The‍‍ coachman, who had‌‌ been sitting in‌ the cargo area⁠⁠ smoking a pipe,‍ turned around. His⁠⁠ horses and the thrilling ride they‌ had given these‌‌ passengers seemed to have impressed him.‍

“Ah,⁠⁠ finished sightseeing already?‌ You’re quick at⁠‌‍ running as well⁠⁠ as at looking.⁠‌‌ Hahaha!”

“Sir,‌‍⁠ we need to‍‍ leave now! It’s⁠⁠ urgent!”

“Aye,‌‌ youth is always‌ in a hurry!‌ Come on, get‍ in!”

The‍⁠‍ coachman jumped down from the cargo⁠ area with youthful‌ enthusiasm.

Once‌‍⁠ the coachman got‍ the horses moving,‍‍ he looked back, shouting as the⁠ wind made his‌ voice louder.

“Where‌‍ to this time?”‍‍‌

Shirone,‍⁠ Rian, and Tess⁠‍‌ shouted in unison.‍⁠⁠

“To⁠ the Royal Court!”‍

***‍

The⁠ Royal Court Tavern.‍

The tavern, grand enough to justify the‌‌ name ‘Royal Court’,⁠⁠⁠ was one of‌‍ the most dazzling‍⁠ places on the‌ island.

The‍‍‍ four-story building was‍‍⁠ a testament to what real waste‌‍ of money looked like. Decorated with all kinds of⁠ gold and silver‍ treasures that reflected light, and with‌⁠ magical crystal lamps‍⁠ that commoners couldn’t‌‍ even dream of‌ affording, illuminating the‍ place.

Shirone⁠ and his companions⁠⁠ were overwhelmed by‌ the wealth emanating⁠‍ from the building.⁠⁠ It felt like‍‌ they had arrived⁠ at a place‍‌ they were not‌⁠ supposed to enter.

As‍‍ Shirone approached the‌⁠ tavern, as expected,‍ a bouncer blocked‌⁠ their way.

“Hey,⁠ you can’t carry weapons in here…”‌

Rian‌ didn’t even wait⁠ for him to‍ finish and pushed‍⁠ the bouncer’s throat. Though they were‍ similar in size,‌‌ the bouncer couldn’t⁠‌ match Rian’s strength.‍

Gasping‌‌ for air and‌ flailing about, by‍‍⁠ the time the‍ bouncer regained his⁠ senses, Shirone and‌‍‌ his companions had‌ already entered the⁠‍‌ tavern.

Inside,‌ the tavern was⁠⁠‌ filled with people’s‌⁠ voices.

Women,‍ barely clothed, danced‍ around, while profanities,‌ obscenities, and lewd‍‌‌ jokes filled the‍‍ air.

Tess‍⁠ frowned in disgust.‍‌ During the day,⁠‍ Galiant might seem⁠⁠ like a peaceful‌‌ resort, but at‌‍ night, it transformed‌‌ into a whirlpool⁠⁠‍ of murky desires.‍

“Could Amy really be⁠ in a place like this? It’s‍‍ so crowded, and‌‍‌ what’s with these‍‍‌ women? Aren’t they⁠ ashamed?”

“Exactly.‍ This certainly isn’t‍ Amy’s type of⁠‍‍ place. But since‌ she followed willingly,‍ she must have been prepared for‍ this. And be‍ careful, in places⁠‍ like this, don’t⁠ expect security to‍‍ intervene no matter what happens.”

Having‌ heard about the‍‍‌ island’s situation from‌ Marsha, Shirone was‌‌ certain. Although the‍⁠ usage differed, this‌ place was also part of a secret deal with⁠ the government.

Failing⁠ to find Amy⁠⁠ on the first‌‌ floor, they moved⁠ to the second.⁠⁠⁠ A tense gambling scene unfolded there.⁠‌

The⁠‍ third floor had‌ a cross-shaped corridor⁠‍‌ with rooms lined‍ with iron doors,‍ and the fourth‌⁠ was a VIP⁠ room reserved for‌ high-ranking nobles.

Having⁠⁠‍ scoured each floor,‌ Rian let out‌⁠ a sigh of‍‌ disappointment.

“It’s‍⁠ going to be tough at this rate. She’s not‍‍⁠ in the hall‌⁠ or the gambling‍ area. It’s impossible⁠ to search every‌ room on the⁠ third floor, and‍ the fourth is‌‌ swarming with bodyguards.”‍‍⁠

It‍‍⁠ was time to‍‍ make a decision.‍⁠ Whether to politely‌ ask for permission‍ to search room‌ by room or‍ to cause a real scene.

Naturally,‌‌‌ their decision was‌ the latter. Knowing⁠ Amy was dragged‌⁠‍ here under a malicious plot, they‌⁠⁠ had no intention‌‌ of leaving quietly.

“There⁠‍ they are! Those‌‌ guys!”

The bouncer they had roughed up at‌ the entrance pointed⁠‍ at Shirone and‍ his group. Then, a man from⁠ the back rolled⁠ up his sleeves⁠‌ and approached.

Rian‌⁠ had to tilt his head to‌ meet the man’s‍‌⁠ eyes. The man⁠ was a giant,‍‍ his head nearly⁠ touching the ceiling.⁠

“A‌‍ troubleshooter, then?”

A shady establishment like‌ this always screened⁠ its customers. Normally,‍ the bouncers at‌⁠ the door would‌‌ handle it, but some customers bulldozed their way in,‌‍⁠ causing havoc. It was the troubleshooter’s‍ job to deal‌ with such people‍‍ through violence.

“What’s⁠ this? A bunch⁠ of baby-faced brats?⁠‌ But wait, this‍ girl isn’t just any brat.”

The‍ troubleshooter looked down‍‌ at Tess, smirking as he wiggled his nose. His‌‌⁠ high vantage point‌ allowed him a clear view of‌⁠ Tess’s ample attributes,⁠ unlike ordinary people.⁠

“Hehehe,‌⁠ you’d fit right⁠ in here. Let’s see, shall we?‌ Shall I give‍ you an evaluation?”⁠

The troubleshooter’s hand reached‍‍‍ out towards Tess.‍‍ Just the sight‍‌‌ of his palm‍ felt like a net being cast‌ in front of‍⁠ her.

Tess‌‍ quickly grabbed the troubleshooter’s middle finger⁠⁠ and bent it upwards with all‍ her might.

“Aaaaah!”‍‍

The‍⁠‍ giant’s frame contorted⁠ comically. His arm‍ was fully extended,⁠ and the middle⁠ finger was bent⁠ back to touch the back of⁠‍ his hand.

“It‍ hurts! It hurts!”‌

“Hmph!‌ You should have‌ been more careful.‌‌⁠ Even if I’m a woman, my arm strength is‍ greater than your‍⁠‍ middle finger, you⁠‌ know? This is⁠ what happens when‍ you rely on‍‍⁠ your size and‍ act recklessly.”

“Aaaargh!⁠ You little brat!”

Before⁠ the troubleshooter could‍‍ finish his cry‍⁠ of pain, Tess‍‍ released his finger,‌ twisted her body with lightning speed,‍ and swung her‍ elbow.

A crisp short strike‌⁠ hit the troubleshooter’s chin. The timing was so perfect‌ it felt as‌ if he had⁠‌ intentionally moved closer⁠‍ to get hit.⁠

The⁠‌ troubleshooter’s brain rattled,⁠ disconnecting his consciousness.⁠‍‍ As Tess stepped aside, the giant’s⁠⁠ body fell like⁠ a dead tree,‍ thudding heavily to‍‌ the ground.