Chapter 145 - The Topaz Guild

“This case, it’s bigger than we think. The Duke and the royal family are related to it! You’d better be careful not to get caught up in it.”

“Why would I get caught up in it? I’m only doing repetitive labor like indirect inquiry investigation and data organization as my senior asked.”

“You are not stopping there. You found out about the Topaz Guild and you’re trying to get more information. Is that what your senior reporter asked, too?”

Maylie subtly avoided Azriel’s eyes. Since it was as she had expected, Azriel let out a sigh and grabbed Maylie’s shoulders.

“Maylie,” Azriel called.

“Oh, oh, what?” Maylie replied.

“Don’t do anything dangerous. Think about Mrs. Maria and your siblings.”

“…”

“Don’t take too much interest in the missing incidents or dig too deep into them, either. It’s related to the Duke and the royal family.”

“You have a point… I think I’ve gotten too carried away because it’s my first job as a cub reporter. I’ll be careful,” Maylie replied, sullenly. Azriel was relieved inwardly.

‘It’ll be fine if the Duke or the royal family is responsible for it, but… Rhema might be related to this case.’

Azriel was the only wizard who could use ancient magic today, except for Rhema. She could protect Maylie easily without Rhema’s help. However, if Rhema was related to the missing incidents by any possibility and he ran into Maylie because of that… she could lose her friend. It would be the safest for Maylie not to be related to it.

‘I believe that Rhema wouldn’t harm anyone who’s not related to his duty, but…’

“Can you not hate me even if I kill every person in the outhouse?”

Rhema had said those words. She knew that he was only using it as an example. Despite that, she could not assure that it would not happen. If he decided to do so, she would have no choice but to just watch him. What was worse, she could end up not even aware that such a thing had happened. For him, it was possible to erase memories about Maylie from her. She became fearful.

‘No, I shouldn’t fear Rhema. At least I shouldn’t. Besides, how am I going to find out about him if I fear him?’

Azriel bit her lip and suppressed dark thoughts that were slowly crawling up.

“By the way, Azriel, why did you ask about the missing incidents?” Maylie asked.

“I, I just got curious because you are investigating them…,” Azriel who was roughly making up an excuse paused for a moment as something suddenly crossed her mind. “…Maylie, do you still have some time?”

“Time to do what?”

“I should go to the masquerade.”

“What? You just said you didn’t have time!”

“I’m sorry. On second thought, it’d be better for me to go there to refresh.”

Maylie’s face turned dumbfounded. “Please don’t say it’s because of what I was going to ask you to do.”

“No, it’s not because of that. I just think I should meet the person who confessed to me at least once,” Azriel said. It was a complete lie.

‘Let’s meet Charles first. It’ll also be nice if I can meet Lexina von Madriol.’

There was a common ground of nameless wizards between the missing incidents and the watchman’s duty. It might be much faster for Azriel to inquire about the missing incidents, instead of vaguely searching old documents until she received permission to rent the Aurora Disc.

‘I should find out if Rhema is the cause or not at least. The best would be finding out the ones that are responsible for the incidents and why they are after nameless wizards though.’

Their purpose could be a clue for the reason why the watchman had to kill nameless wizards.

‘Let’s find out whether the Topaz Guild is helping the royal family or against it. I should be able to talk about it naturally at the masquerade. It’s a chance.’

While Azriel was deciding what to do, Maylie screamed after checking the time. “Oh my! Look at the time! We barely have time to get ready for the ball even if we begin now! Azriel, sit down now!”