Chapter 547 - 546: Secret Investigation

As he recited the Spell, a ball of orange-red Flame erupted from his fingertips.

Colin carefully stretched and expanded the Flame in his hand.

He did this purely out of an unconscious feeling that it would make the Magic stronger.

With a WHOOSH, the ball of fire in Colin's hand burned brighter and brighter. He carefully stabilized it, then raised his hand and threw it.

The blazing Flame exploded against a stone platform not far away, leaving behind a scorch mark.

'So… does that count as a success?' Colin wondered.

"Is that [Empower Spell]?" Morel's voice came from the side. "That's a relatively practical Metamagic Technique, I suppose."

Colin turned his head to look. The guy was holding a cup of coffee and a piece of bread with bacon and egg, leisurely eating breakfast while watching him.

"The Metamagic Technique you just learned can enhance a spell's power. If I'm not mistaken, you should only be able to use it once per day." Morel took a sip of his coffee. "Go on, give it another try."

Colin nodded.

He once again recited the Spell for [Flaming Arrow] and began to alter the Magic based on the feeling from before.

The ball of fire in his hand began to burn more and more intensely, but in the next instant, the Flame exploded with a POP, startling Colin.

Immediately after, the stone platform beneath his feet erupted with a flash of blue-white light. A cloud of white, frosty air burst from the center of the explosion, gradually consuming the out-of-control Flame.

Colin quickly glanced at the Plate Armor on his arm. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw its surface was still as pristine as ever.

"That's the Armor made from the White Dragon materials from last time, isn't it? The handiwork of the Shadow Anvil Clan Dwarves? No wonder those people in the guilds are so fixated on them." Morel spoke as he took a bite of his bread, then fumbled to lick up the dripping egg yolk.

"This set of Armor cost a lot of money," Colin emphasized.

"Oh, right," Morel said. "There's something else I need you all to do soon."

Colin asked, "What is it?"

"As you know, freedom of religion is permitted in Thousand Masts City. Although basically no one is stupid enough to publicly declare their faith in a Demon, secret organizations with... unsavory beliefs are not uncommon."

Morel continued, "The Levin Clan's mansion in the city is your target for investigation. Find their ledgers, ritual offerings, sacrificial sites, or anything else hidden within the mansion that can prove they worship a Demon.

Then, bring those things to us, and your mission will be complete. This job pays 300 gold coins per person, which should be a pretty fair price."

"Understood." Colin nodded.

'Since a mission like this has come up,' he mused, 'does that mean the Paladin squad I met at the banquet has made some new progress?'

Morel placed his coffee cup on the table and raised his index finger toward the ceiling as if to emphasize the importance of his next words. "Also, don't bring your Seal Rings when you go. And be careful not to get caught. If you do get caught, then..."

"Then we shouldn't rat you out?" Colin asked.

"No. If you get caught, I'll have to bail you out of jail," Morel said. "And those nobles will start nagging about annoying things again. In short, just be careful."

"Er... alright."

With that, Colin grabbed his backpack and headed for the Black Heart Tavern.

The mission he had just received immediately appeared on his task Panel.

-----------------

[Commission: Collect Evidence]

[Rating: Not Started]

[Reward: Not Calculated]

-----------------

On his way, Colin also bought a brass basin and about ten gold coins' worth of various herbs and charcoal.

CLANGING and CLATTERING, he walked through the streets of Thousand Masts City, arriving at the Black Heart Tavern and pushing open the main door.

Colin looked closely and, sure enough, saw Kase and the others in a corner of the tavern.

'Since this is a mission from the Master of the Black Tower, the others' mentors have probably notified them as well.'

In front of Kase and Dorn were wooden plates, each holding a partially eaten pork knuckle. Glistening white fat steamed on the plates next to some potatoes, turnips, and a large chunk of fine White Bread. The two of them were currently eating with gusto.

Nearby, Orelia was gnawing on a piece of black bread as usual, while Ale was eating something that looked like a roasted snake.

Colin placed his backpack on the floor, sat down at the table, and shouted to the man behind the counter, "A roasted pork knuckle and a cold beer for me, Old Black Heart!"

"Alright, coming right up," Old Black Heart replied while busying himself with his work.

After that, Colin looked at the others and asked, "You all know what we have to do next, right?"

"Do something that befits our station," Kase said with a smile.

Dorn then placed a rolled-up scroll of parchment on the table. "This is the map the Mantis-man gave me. The location of the mansion is already marked on it."

"So, when do we start?" Colin asked. "This whole thing should be very..."

At this, the others all turned to look at him.

"...problematic." After Colin said the last word, the others silently turned back.

Colin glanced around again, and only after confirming that no one was paying attention to them did he continue, "After all, a noble's mansion is bound to be heavily guarded."

"It shouldn't be too much trouble for us," Dorn said, dangling a bone. "You, Ale, and Orelia will be on support. Kase and I will go in. My Spiritual Energy will let us communicate at all times. We'll figure out the more specific details when the time comes."

"That works," Colin nodded.

He and Orelia had to wear Armor, and Ale was a bit clumsy, so she wasn't suited for delicate work like infiltration.

Colin mulled it over for a moment, then said, "Let's go to the Coachman's Union and rent a carriage later. Orelia and I can use the [Disguise Technique] to pose as coachmen, and Ale can just find a shop nearby to sit in for a while."

"Perfect. That'll also make it easier to escape if we're discovered," Dorn nodded.

Kase then spoke up, "We'll need to rent two horses, then. I'm not letting Big Hoof Treasure get involved in this."

"I feel the same way," Colin said.

After they finished eating, the group went to the Coachman's Union and rented a cargo wagon with a canopy. Afterward, Kase drove up front while the others sat in the back.

The wagon trundled slowly through the streets.

Dorn, holding the map of Thousand Masts City, said, "The Mantis-man who gave me the map mentioned that the Levin Clan has been nobility for a very long time. However, they began to decline a few decades ago. Now, their strength has dwindled to the point of being negligible.

They now get by on renting out their ancestral home and the shares they hold in various guilds. For now, they've managed to barely maintain the veneer of nobility. The guards in their mansion are just ordinary people, and there are no Casters or former Adventurers among them."