Chapter 172: The Search For The Unknown Woman

POV Ansgar

We left the Mercenary Guild. I didn’t fully understand what had just happened, but Cornelius was with me. He surely understood, as always. My best friend had always been the smarter one of the two of us, and I could rely on him completely. If he thought we should look elsewhere first, then he was right.

“Where should we look first, Cornelius?” Ansgar

“The Mercenary Guild is useless right now, so we have to try other avenues. For that, we need the other two. By now, they should both be back at our lodgings.” Cornelius

“I see. Let’s go, then.” Ansgar

We headed straight back to our inn, where we arrived about half an hour later. We went into our meeting room, where Eleonore was already waiting.

“Corni, Ansgar, there you are. Where were you?” Eleonore

“I’ll get to that in a moment, Eli. Where’s Javier?” Cornelius

“He’ll be here any minute. He just wanted to freshen up a bit.” Eleonore

The door then opened and Javier entered the room. As usual, he was dressed in his woolen robe, even though it was far too warm for it. As usual, I was either bare-chested or wearing nothing more than a light vest. But now that he was there, I could ask him for help right away.

“Javier, I need your help. It’s urgent!” Ansgar

“Hmm, careful. You’re going to kill me!” Javier

“Ansgar, you’re shaking him to death. Calm down. If you don’t explain what this is about, the two of them won’t understand.” Cornelius

“I’ve never seen you so upset, Ansgar. Did something bad happen?” Eleonore

“I found her. Found her, do you understand?” Ansgar

“Who did you find, Ansgar? I didn’t even know you were looking for anyone.” Eleonore

“I… she… in the city… disappeared…” Ansgar, stammering

“Sigh, I can tell Ansgar’s too excited to explain himself properly. I’ll just have to do it then. He was already like this when I ran into him again this morning after his trip into town. It looks like he met a woman in town who’s completely turned his head.” Cornlius

“Ansgar? A woman? That’s something new.” Eleonore

“Hmm, you were never interested in women in your old life. How come it’s different now?” Javier

“She’s a dark elf! A dark elf, do you understand? And she’s beautiful, absolutely gorgeous!” Ansgar

“A dark elf, then. Until now, I only knew about elves from the Church’s stories. However, they aren’t portrayed very positively. They’re incompetent and backward, almost degenerated.” Eleonore

“Incompetent and backward? Why is that? Do they live in forests or something?” Cornelius

“That’s exactly it. In the past, many expeditions were carried out to the East, and nowhere were signs of cities or anything like that found. Just small clusters of houses in the woods, built right into the trees themselves. And never more than that. That’s why the elves were classified as barbarians, and their only use was determined to be as slaves. Most elves are good-looking and were therefore used as sex slaves.” Eleonore

“Hmm, I can’t imagine the elves being such barbarians. My image of elves includes fearless fighters, fearsome archers, and powerful mages.” Javier

“I only know the reports, so I can’t say much more about it. The expedition reports state that they can defend themselves and fight, but stand no chance against the superior abilities of the Empire’s soldiers.” Eleonore

“Hmm, that sounds highly exaggerated and subjective to me. Maybe these expeditions haven’t ventured far enough east to find the elven cities.” Javier

“Do the reports also mention how long the expeditions lasted?” Cornelius

“Many weeks to months. Apparently, it takes three weeks just to reach the great forest in the east where the elves can be found.” Eleonore

“Um, guys, hello?” Ansgar

“Hmm, oh Ansgar. What is it?” Javier

“I’m still having trouble finding the woman of my dreams. Have you forgotten about me?” Ansgar

“Of course not, don’t worry. But our discussion can still be helpful, even if we’ve strayed from the topic. I, for one, haven’t seen a single elf in this city, and I assume there aren’t many in the entire Empire. Otherwise, the Empire wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of launching many massive operations in the East. As warlike as the Empire is, they would have mercilessly attacked any elven cities in the vicinity.” Cornelius

“Hmm, that makes sense. If there are virtually no elves here, the dark elf should stand out like a sore thumb. So it shouldn’t be a problem to find her.” Javier

“However, there’s good news and bad news regarding the search. The good news is, according to Ansgar, the elf appears to be a member of the mercenaries. Unfortunately, the mercenary guild is in turmoil right now because of problems with the Labyrinth and won’t be of any help at the moment.” Cornelius

“There are problems with the Labyrinth? Does that mean we don’t have to go back there anymore?” Eleonore

“Yes, Eli. The Labyrinth is closed. But that doesn’t mean we have no leads. We also know she has three companions—two men and a Catbeastwoman. I’ve already seen several Beastfolk here in the city, but that knowledge can still help us. As you can see for yourselves, our Ansgar here is completely overexcited and restless. We should support him and go on the search. Are you in?” Cornelius

“Sure. I’m always up for love stories that don’t involve Corni. When are you ready, brother?” Eleonore

“Hmm, don’t get on my nerves. I haven’t had time for it so far and had more important things to do. But I’m in too, Ansgar. We should split up and search separately. Do you have any other clues?” Javier

“Yes, I met her in front of the Mercenary Guild’s clinic before I lost her. Maybe she or someone from her group was treated there. Unfortunately, that’s all I know.” Ansgar

“That’s a good start. I suggest one of us goes to the clinic while the rest check with the city’s taverns to see if she’s taken up residence there. Then we should find her quickly.” Cornelius

“Agreed. Then I’ll go to the clinic. As a priestess, I should have the best chance of getting an answer there.” Eleonore

“Hmm, then we’ll take the taverns.” Javier

“Thanks, guys. I owe you one.” Ansgar

“You’re welcome. I’m curious to see what kind of woman managed to turn your head.” Cornelius, grinning

Later that evening

“Did you have any luck? Please say yes.” Ansgar

“Unfortunately not. I asked around at the taverns near the Labyrinth, but no one there could or would give me an answer. The closure of the Labyrinth has caused a lot of unrest among the people, so they didn’t want to talk to me.” Cornelius

“Hmm, it was the same for me, but different in a way. I searched the northern part while Cornelius was in the center. Here, they spoke to me, but no one had seen a dark elf. No one could remember a catbeastwoman either.” Javier

“Then all my hope now rests with you, Eleonore.” Ansgar

“And I actually found something out. At first, no one wanted to talk to me, but when I identified myself as a priestess and offered my help in treating two patients, they became more approachable. In fact, they recently treated a dark elf. The fact that she has three companions also matches your description. Unfortunately, they weren’t allowed to tell me why she was treated, except that she had sustained the injuries in the labyrinth and has now been discharged, almost fully healed. They didn’t have an address or anything like that, but at least I know her name.” Eleonore

“And?” Ansgar

“Her name is Leo. And I know she’s a member of the Mercenaries, but we already suspected that.” Eleonore

“Leo. Leo. Leo. Nice name. Now I just have to find her.” Ansgar

“We’ll manage, Ansgar. Tomorrow we’ll check out the other parts of the city and keep asking around. With her name, we have another important lead.” Cornelius

“Thanks, guys. I can’t wait for tomorrow. Man, I’m so excited.” Ansgar