Meeting Carlos

After their return outside, the group then returned to the Slum District as it was nearing evening. Aria gave her farewell too, while Arthur and Lancell returned to Arthur's hideout.

It was night-time by this point, and Lancell had just finished practicing and refining his new Spellblades. He laid on his bed and rested his exhausted body and mind. But as he closed his eyes, he suddenly heard Arthur's voice.

"Hey, any plans for tomorrow?" She asked.

Lancell opened his eyes and looked at Arthur, who was looking outside, at the evening sky. Lancell replied.

"Not exactly. Though I wanna see how Carlos is doing."

"Carlos? That crook?"

Lancell was surprised at her rhetoric as he suddenly remembered Arkenvalle. It had been an entire day since she went dormant, and Lancell was already starting to miss her voice.

However, Lancell still had to keep moving forward.

"Yeah. If I remember, he was a merchant, right?"

"Yeah. In the Slum Markets, if I'm not mistaken." Arthur affirmed.

"Well. I guess I'll see him tomorrow. How about you?"

Arthur went silent for a moment, and answered. "I wanna make a grave for those who died in the past."

Lancell raised a brow in confusion. "Do you really need to do something troublesome?"

"An asshole like you won't understand."

Lancell went silent at her words. She was right. It was difficult for Lancell to understand what he considered as pointless sentiment.

'Well. Thinking about it won't make me suddenly understand, though.'

And thinking so, Lancell went to sleep.

◇◇◇

The next day, Lancell was walking the streets of the Slums Market. Different kinds of smell entered his nose as well as various kinds of colourful stalls.

'Damn, I should have asked Arthur what kind of stall Carlos had.' Lancell cursed inwardly as he didn't know where to proceed.

He circled around the market for a few times, but he still couldn't find the person he was looking for. It was now getting frustrating, and Lancell was beginning to lose patience.

'Screw this. One last lap, and I'll give up for today.'

And so, Lancell went for another lap.

◇◇◇

"Looks like he really isn't here. Carlos, that guy. Where the hell is he?" Lancell muttered a complaint.

Carlos was a merchant in his past life, but that was just a backstory. It all actuality, Carlos was a competent Magic Equipment Forger. A Magic Equipment Forger was a Path that allowed one to imbue items with the power of Laws.

Carlos played the role of a crook, but each one of his wares carried faint traces of Laws in them. In which mostly has the power to strengthen its user.

Lancell sighed in dejection as he walked back home. He had no business in this place other than Carlos, so he had no reason to stay.

However...

"Hey, you there! Halt!" A sudden voice called out to Lancell.

Lancell looked at the person who called out, and saw a soldier who was running in his direction. Behind the soldier were two other soldiers who were carrying spears.

"Is there something you need?" Lancell asked bluntly.

"Ah, yes. I heard you were looking for Carlos?"

"Yes. What of it?"

"He was captured yesterday for smuggling some magic equipment. We believe he might have a collaborator, so we will have to ask you to come with us."

...it looks like Lancell finally found where he is.

◇◇◇

Lancell followed along with the guards as they went directly into what seems to be an interrogation room.

There was a table in the middle of a room, and a chair on each opposing side.

"Here, sit." A guard spoke as he pointed to a seat.

Lancell sat quietly, while another guard sat on the other. Someone then closed the door outside, and the interrogator seemed to start questioning.

"Now then, we would appreciate if you answer some questions. I Tread the Path of the Truth-seekers, so it's pointless even if you lie." He informed.

He then continued. "The first question, Are you a smuggler?"

"No."

"Have you engaged any illegal activities the moment you entered this town?"

"I haven't."

"Then what is your relationship with Carlos?"

"He's a merchant, I heard. So I came to see his wares."

"Do you know he smuggled some Magic Equipment and sold it here?"

"Nope. I haven't even met him before."

"I see. We apologized for taking your time. You may go now."

The entire session was very brief, but Lancell knew it was enough. He had dealt with Truth-seekers before, and they verified truth depending on perspective.

If one inwardly knew they were lying, the Truth-seekers would immediately know they were lying. And if one thought they were in the wrong, the Truth-seekers would also find out.

It was after all, a branch from the Path of Scholars, and all that Path did was gain Knowledge. While the Truth-seekers especially, was most suited for investigation.

However, as Lancell was here for Carlos, he at least wanted to meet the guy, so he requested.

"Hey, Truth-seeker, can I see Carlos?"

"Hm? Didn't I say you can go now? We're busy so we can't entertain yo—"

"I said I want to meet Carlos. Don't even think of pissing me off. I can kill everyone her if ever I get the mood to, and I'm confident I can get away with it." Lancell threatened.

As a Truth-seeker, he verified that Lancell wasn't lying as fear began to creep on his entire body. He thought that perhaps Lancell was just overestimating himself while underestimating the guards, but the pressure and bloodlust he released were the real deal.

"A-Alright. I guide you myself." The guard acquiesced.

He was a mere guard in this Slum, and dying for this rotten place wasn't something he wanted.

The guard took Lancell into a prison cell, and when Lancell looked at the person prisoned inside, He grinned and spoke.

"So you're the crook named Carlos? I have business with you."

It seems it was going to be a good day.