Chapter 171 - To The Topaz Guild

Azriel murmured with a groan, “There must be some people who benefited from ‘that evil spirit’s doing.’ Is that the direct imperial royalty of Talasin?”

“Yes,” Lexina answered.

“That’s why you suspect that it’s the power of a specific relic instead of the evil spirit’s doing. Do the traces of the evil spirit and the trace shown in the missing incidents occurring in Aucandor match?” Azriel asked.

“…Right,” Lexina agreed slowly and added in a low voice, “they don’t match perfectly. We’ve compared them according to the information we received from the people who infiltrated Talasin.”

“I see…” Azriel certainly understood why Charles or Pendelok did not doubt the Wizard of the Horizon as the culprit.

Lexina continued, “We can only secure proof if we catch the culprit in the act via stakeout. That’s the only way we can protest Talasin, working under the table and giving a reason for His Majesty to make a move.”

“What about tracking the missing people…?” Azriel asked.

“There is no trace left at all. We are not making much progress in that field. They literally vanished,” Lexina answered bitterly.

Azriel nodded and said, “The stakeout is indeed important.”

“Yes. Please help us, Miss Esthera,” Lexina said.

“I will cooperate as much as I can, but I’d appreciate it if you could share related information when you secure any clues.”

“Of course, we should do that for you. His Majesty will reward you greatly as well,” Lexina said.

“Then, I’ll go to the guild now since it’s an urgent matter,” Azriel said.

As she got up right away, Lexina followed and got up. “Please wait for a minute.”

She rang a bell to call a servant and made an order. Soon, the servant brought in a man with a haggard appearance. It was a wizard wearing a robe. Surprised to see Azriel, he raised his glasses. Lexina introduced him, “This is Nak Naham, the one who communicated with you, Miss Esthera. He is managing the wizards of the Topaz Guild.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I am Azriel Esthera,” Azriel greeted.

“…It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Nak Naham unwillingly greeted back.

Lexina commanded, “Escort Miss Esthera to the Topaz Guild and arrange her temporary employment process.”

“Are you talking about the back door, Lady?” Nak asked.

“Yes. Give everything she needs, too,” Lexina flatly said and looked back at Azriel. “You can follow Nak, Miss Esthera.”

“Thank you, Lady.” Azriel bowed.

“I thank you as well. I’ll be rooting for you—about the other thing, too.” The lady smiled. Azriel did not understand the latter words the lady added, but she had to rush out of the reception room because Nak began walking ahead of her already. While they were on the way to the Topaz Guild coming out of the duke’s mansion, Nak Naham was silent. Meanwhile, he glanced at Azriel occasionally, but he did not seem to be pleased.

‘He seems dissatisfied somehow.’

Looking at him suspiciously, Azriel asked directly, “Mr. Naham, do you have anything to say to me?”

“…Which role are you going to take in Topaz, Miss Esthera?” he asked.

“I’m helping with the stakeout. I was asked to help with alarm magic,” she replied.

“Alarm magic?” Nak’s mouth twitched. Raising his glasses abruptly, he murmured to himself. It was a murmur that she could hear. “Does she think this is child’s play? Jeez.”

Marthi, who was staying silent next to her in an invisible state, revealed his teeth. Azriel rushed to catch the nape of Marthi’s neck and push him down.

“Mr. Naham, that means—” she said.

“We are here,” he cut her off.

The carriage stopped. They had arrived at the Topaz Guild without her knowledge. The guild building looked plain. It seemed pretty big for a practice guild, but it was not surprising as it was a guild that belonged to the family of Madriol. Nak Naham handed over Azriel’s letter of introduction to a staff member of the guild. Since it was only an employment contract on the surface, it was arranged in no time. Azriel received a small wooden tag that proved her membership in the Topaz Guild. Receiving the guild’s wooden tag followed by the badge from the society, it felt like she was continually becoming a member of some group. She was only Azriel Esthera during the three years she stayed with Rhema, but as soon as she freed herself from him, she came to have many identities. The number of people she met in the recent month was way bigger than that of the past three years.