Edea: Hero Summoning Conspiracy

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2 weeks have passed ever since Kazuya had tasked his new employees to follow the training regimen that was tailored for them with the help of the artificial intelligence named Rucy.

During this period, a trend quickly got the attention of many nobles.

While sculptures and statues were known to be part of the Zweifel Kingdom, many nobles were fascinated when they laid their eyes on the intricate details that were found on the figures that appeared on the figures that the merchant Raizer had shown them.

King Benino, Elrich Eberbach, Alicia von Lichtenstein, Sodina Eberbach, and multiple other well-known personages from the Zweifel kingdom were made into small figures that gave justice to what these people were known for.

May it be a beautiful princess wearing an enchanting dress or the bloody general riding a horse in battle, many nobles instantly fell in love with the figures that were said to be made by a mysterious craftsman that was said to have chosen to remain anonymous.

The craftsman guilds were the first ones to lodge their complaints against Razer and his company and wanted information about this mysterious craftsman. Unfortunately for them, Razer had already made preparations and declared that the mysterious craftsman was only working with him for a short amount of time and announced that the craftsman wanted to craft in peace before he moved on to find the next inspiration for his work.

The nobles who wanted figures for themselves or of themselves immediately used whatever they could to suppress the craftsman guild not too long after this announcement was made. Kazuya already mentioned that he would only be staying in Maynira for a short time so, despite the now growing demand for his works, the things that were made by him would eventually have to stop.

Razer's influence and connections in the capital grew exponentially due to the recent events. Unexpectedly, there were two individuals who were affected in the process.

"Damn it! That shitty merchant!" Jessie cursed as he sat across his friend Bryan.

Due to the two's relationship with Razer going sour, many of the nobles that were joining this new trend had caused the duo some problems when the black-hearted merchant mentioned his staff being harassed by the two.

"Calm down Jessie. We didn't expect that guy to suddenly transfer those he didn't trust outside of the city. Although it was indeed clever of him to do so, it will only delay the inevitable." Bryan gave a confident grin.

He was annoyed at how much effort he had to put in just to find out to who the slaves they had their eyes on were sold. The two of them swore to express their accumulated stress on not only the slaves that have eluded them but to the person who bought them as well.

"Have you finally gotten word from the people you sent out to get information?" Jessie poured himself some wine.

"It should be about time. We were lucky that these people were sent to different cities rather than being eliminated. I just hope that they are still in the capital. Otherwise, they would already have gained a substantial distance from here." Bryan traced the rim of his cup and grinned.

"Are you sure that they are still in the capital?" Jessie asked.

He was skeptical when Bryan told him about this speculation.

"Of course. That one spunky slave was not the only person who I had my eye on after all. There were a lot of slaves that I wanted to buy along with her. Those slaves would have had to pick to be bought by me or risk themselves in the coliseum. According to the reports from the gates, there were none who matched their descriptions or any groups of women traveling together."

"I hope your people come soon. The last doll I bought from that guy finally broke and since I can't buy any more from him, I've been too bored."

"Patience my friend. You need to learn how to enjoy the hunt or you would—"

*tap* *tap*

"Ah, speak of the devil… Come in!" Bryan smiled and welcomed the man who had just entered.

"Sir! We have successfully gathered some information on the people you have been looking for." The man reported.

"Excellent! Where did the slaves that were bought that day go to?"

"There were multiple different testimonies from the people that worked in Raizer's slave store that day but… according to them, there was a man that been brought in respectfully by Raizer himself and…"

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Meanwhile, due to the recent changes in the past couple of days, Kazuya finally had time to return to pay Jorelle a visit.

He had informed the friendly cleric about practicing the skills he had learned from them alone and used the time he spent on the royal library and the church towards the mansion and his plans.

"I apologize, Jorelle has asked for some time off and is currently not in the church," one of the clerics who knew Kazuya informed him.

"He asked for some time off? Did he say why?" Kazuya was a bit puzzled as Jorelle had never mentioned anything about needing to take some time off from his duties.

"Well… I'm only telling you this because you are somewhat involved in the case…"

"Case…" Kazuya suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Jorelle's father told us that he might have found a possible source of the dark energy that has circulated. The two of them left the capital to confirm this."

"How long ago was this?" his face turned serious.

Kazuya did not expect such a sudden occurrence. He was distracted with finally starting to get his plans on the right track that he had neglected the ongoing issue with the eccentric necromancer.

"They left the capital two nights ago. We offered to have some people accompany them but we were declined. Gazardiel-san said that there would be no danger since they were only heading for the farmland near a newly established village called Waise."

"I see… Thank you for informing me." Kazuya turned around and failed to notice the cleric shiver at the sudden atmosphere surrounding them.

"Is there something wrong?" the cleric couldn't help but ask.

"I feel a little responsible since I was the person who brought up this incident to Jorelle. If they fall into danger because of me, I would be unable to rest peacefully at night." Kazuya bid the cleric farewell before leaving the church.

"(This is bad… That guy might have decided to make his move…)" Kazuya walked through the streets and thought about the current situation.

He underestimated how paranoid the necromancer Gazardiel had been. In his previous life, the necromancer had activated the dark magic that he had accumulated for years when Kazuya had unintentionally detected his dark magic.

This time, Kazuya had invested his time to placate the old necromancer's paranoia. He even went as far as to make the old man feel like he was not interested in him after their initial meeting. He had no idea just what triggered the old man to act so suddenly.

"(Damn it! I swear old man, if something happens to the people in Waise village!)" Kazuya clenched his fists as he decided on what action to take.

In the past, he had failed to protect Waise village and the orphanage that was built and founded by Gale's father. This caused the inevitable betrayal that he suffered under the hands of Gale at the demon lord's castle.

Initially, Kazuya was angry at the former saintess's betrayal. It was only after experiencing what he did at the dark void that he was able to accept and understand that Gale's betrayal was mostly his fault.

This was what separated Gale from Alicia and the other party members who attacked him at the final battle of his previous life. It had been the church of light that had twisted her from the kind girl that he knew to the one who had taken the first strike in ending his life.

The good mood that Kazuya was in for finally having achieved something that he had intended to had plummeted after finding out that the old necromancer may have been planning to involve Waise village in his sinister scheme.

"Long time no see, kid. What can I do for you today?" the old manager of the horse rental place greeted him.

"Sorry but catching up will have to be for later. I need your fastest horse." Kazuya did not want to waste any time.

"Did you get in trouble with the nobles in town?" The old man immediately assumed as the attractive ladies he was with last time were not present.

"No. A friend of mine may have gotten himself into some trouble outside the capital. I want to go and see what happened." He quickly handed the old man some money to rent the horse for a few days.

"I see…" the old man nodded and immediately gestured one of his subordinates to do as Kazuya asked.

It did not take long before Kazuya was standing before the gates riding atop the horse that Sodina had once stolen from him. He stopped by one of the normal looking stands near the gate and gave the vendor a sealed letter.

"Take this to Zwei-san and tell him that his guest needs to take care of some personal business for a few days."

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