Chapter 76 – Tracking

Lesen city.

The group traveled to the next city, which was halfway near Andel City now. It was a city that Benedict planned to stop by after hearing that he would be able to get information from here. The group also stopped by because it was on the way to Andel City.

While the group booked a room for an inn, Arin headed to the church. It was not as great as the church at the royal road, but it was larger than other churches in Lesen city.

Arin was able to meet the bishop in charge of the church. The middle-aged bishop Teferson offered Arin a seat and tea.

Looking at the teacup reminded Arin of Benedict’s face. Arin sipped tea and asked Teferson.

“Archbishop Benedict said we would be able to get some information here. How far have you been investigating on Andel city?”

Teferson said, handing over a document.

“There was a massive investigation on Andel city, and there was no abnormality found. But there have been numerous reports about house cats disappearing.”

“Cats disappearing?”

“That’s what it says.”

Arin drank tea and looked at the documents. One cat disappearing is not a problem, but if the number exceeded a hundred, it could have been regarded as an abnormal phenomenon.

However, the issue is regarded to be somewhat less serious. It wasn’t as important for the city.

Teferson brought up the story with a heavy look on his face as he looked at the documents.

“There’s bad news.”

“Bad news?”

When Arin took her eyes off the paper and looked at Teferson, he hesitated for a while and brought up the story.

“It’s about Priest Aron.”

“What happened to him?”

“The headquarters sent John, a Holy Knight after hearing from you. Four other knights and investigations were also sent, but they were found dead near Hampton City. And Priest Aron disappeared.”

“John is dead?”

When Teferson nodded, Arin made a strong impression. She was well aware of John’s skills as a holy knight. He was Arin’s senior and was an excellent knight. Arin has never won a fight against him.

She couldn’t believe he was dead.

“So they haven’t found my brother’s whereabouts yet?”

“The eyes of Aston’s are focused near Hampton City. Holy knights have been dispatched to chase his traces and resolve this.”

Even if the holy knights were dispatched, Arin was not relieved.

“I have to go there.”

“There was a message from Master Paladine about that. Saving the priest Aron can be done by someone else, but completing prophecy can only be done by you.”

“But…”

“And the Pope said he felt the same way.”

Arin bit her lips at the words. If her brother was kidnapped, it was highly likely that it was done by a crossel. How could she fulfill her prophecy when her brother is kidnapped by the crossels?

“The church wants you to trust the holy knights.”

Arin took a breath for a while and got up from her seat.

“May Astron’s glory be with you.”

“Are you going to continue your trip?”

Arin left the office without answering. Teferson, who was looking at her back, sighed. He only conveyed the words of his superiors, but he was well aware of how ridiculous it was.

Arin returned to the group and had a quick meal at the inn. Seeing that her expression hardened, Ed put down the glass he was holding.

When Arin sat down, Thane first asked a question.

“Is there a problem?”

Arin replied to Thane’s question with a stiff look.

“He was kidnapped.”

“Priest Aron was kidnapped?”

When Ed was surprised and asked back, Arin nodded.

“The holy knight that was with him died, and my brother disappeared.”

Ed got up straight from his seat and said,

“Let’s go to Hampton City.”

Arin stared at Ed. She was grateful for his words to go to Hampton City without any hesitation, but she was at a loss for what to do.

Not only Master Paladine but also the Pope told her to prioritize the prophecy. And since the church said they would send holy knights, it means that they would send at least two holy knights to save Aron.

When Arin did not get up from her seat, Ed sat back across from her and looked at her.

“What is wrong?”

Arin sighed briefly and opened her mouth.

“The church wants me to continue my prophecy.”

Ed laughed in vain at the words. He thought it was a ridiculous order.

Her family was kidnapped, but they want her to continue going through the prophecy?

“The Pope and Master Paladine requested so.”

Ed made a strong impression on the words. For Arin, the decision could have been difficult because there was the will of the Pope, who could be said to be a representative of God, and her teacher, Master Paladine.

Ed pondered for a moment.

She said that there are people who will save Aron, but can they really rescue him?

Ed’s gaze looked over the group. And it was fixed to Arin again.

“Arin.”

Arin turned her head and looked at Ed. Ed stared at the gaze and continued.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes. I trust you.”

Ed smiled and said as he answered without worrying.

“I’ll get Aron.”

“What?”

Ed put his hand on Diego’s head and said.

“Diego and I will get Aron. So you can continue your journey. I’ll save Aron and join you.”

Arin’s eyes got bigger, and everyone in the group looked at him. Ed calmly continued to speak, receiving their gaze.

“If we take Thane’s advice, there will be no big risk.”

Thane sighed at the words and said.

“I can trust you, but Nefthael is after you. How are you trying to stay up all night? Take Dex with you.”

Ed shook his head.

“There is no need. I’ll take care of that. Please lead the group, Thane.”

Arin was an experienced holy knight, and Dex was a slave champion in the royal road, but he never went outside. Brant was a hunting dog for Akalan, so he is also strong, but not trustworthy.

After contemplating for a while, Arin reached out and held Ed’s hand.

“Please. Save my brother.”

Ed held Arin’s hand and smiled. It was a pity that he had to leave now that he is close to Arin, but if she loses Aron, she may collapse from the inside.

So Ed had to save Aron for her.

“Trust me and wait.”

Ed stood up from his seat and looked back at Diego.

“Let’s go Diego.”

Diego got up from his seat without panicking. Diego glanced at Emma and coughed briefly.

“I’ll be back.”

Emma reached out and held Diego’s hand.

“Have a safe trip.”

Seeing Diego’s brown skin turn dark red, Ed shook his head and walked out. Since Arin followed, Ed smiled at her and climbed up to his horse. Ed, who sat Diego in front of him, looked down at Arin and said.

“Don’t get hurt.”

“Please take care.”

Ed left Arin behind and ran straight away. Diego asked Ed.

“Do you think I can really help you?”

“You’re the only one I can trust right now, that is why I chose you.”

Diego looked far away with a determined look. There is no one like Diego who can track crossels and use the power of the demon.

However, Ed ran with Diego, hoping it wouldn’t be too late.

They kept running even in the night to Hampton City. Diego was not used to horseback riding yet, so the two had to share the horse, but Ed bought another horse as an extra and took turns riding them.

Ed wanted to run the horse throughout the whole night, but even they rode two horses alternately, the horse could not withstand the fatigue.

Ed and Diego slept in the cities along the way, so he was able to relieve his worries about beasts at night.

Ed was able to arrive at Hampton City in five days. As Diego couldn’t eat properly, his complexion turned pale.

Ed had good stamina, so he could endure this hard travel, but Diego couldn’t.

On the first day, Diego kept vomiting and fell asleep at night. Strangely, however, he adapted little by little, and now he doesn’t fall asleep or faint at night and even trains his command skills.

While Diego was asleep, Juan came out and said that Diego was experiencing accelerated growth. Juan was rather grateful, but Ed was just sorry.

Upon arriving at Hampton city, Ed could already see the holy knights and investigators. It looked like they were trying to reassure Arin.

Ed decided to book an inn during the day and move at night, unlike the holy knights. There was someone who came when Diego went to rest first after a simple meal.

“I didn’t know we’d meet again like this.”

“It’s been a while. Miss Alice.”

Alice sat in front of Ed and opened her mouth.

“Did you come here because of Priest Aron?”

“Yes. Did you hear anything?”

“No. The holy knights aren’t talking to the investigators.”

In Hampton city, Alice would have gotten everything she wanted, but this place could be said to be a rural area in terms of the entire kingdom of Travia. Holy knights are those who stand at the center of not only the Kingdom of Travia but also the entire continent.

It is inevitable to be ignored implicitly.

Just by looking at the level of holy knights here, Ed could tell clearly.

“They said a holy knight escorted him. So what happened? What kind of reckless person harmed the holy knight and captured the priest Aron?”

“Reckless people. I’ll get to it, so don’t worry too much.”

“Please do. For me, he’s not just a priest, but a teacher.”

Ed, who reassured Alice, sent her back and returned to the room where Diego was resting. Diego smiled at Ed.

“I’m ready.”

“You can’t use command skills here. If you use command skills, you can be stabbed by the holy knights.”

“I know.”

“We’ll move at night, so rest. If we find a trace, you won’t have time to rest from then on.”

Diego nodded and lay in bed, and Ed also glanced for a moment.

When night fell, Ed went with Diego to check where Aron was kidnapped.

Thanks to the bright torchlight, it was not difficult to find the place. However, the problem was that people were guarding the place.

Investigators in groups of two were waiting everywhere. Standing with a cane, they stood under the torch and were wary of the surroundings, perhaps they were well-trained.

Diego looked at them and asked.

“What should I do?”

Ed picked up a stone from the floor. Ed, who picked up two stones, threw the stones one after another. Ed managed to knock down eight investigators in just two seconds.

Ed looked back at Diego and said.

“This is how you do it. Let’s go.”

Diego followed Ed to the scene of the incident. When Diego looked around the scene, Ed calmly said.

“The holy knights would have started by tracking the wheel marks of the carriage. But there is a high chance of mistakes. So we will chase the demon’s power from here.”

Ed put his hand on Diego’s shoulder and said.

“I trust you, Diego.”