After that, I started to investigate the east. Not by carriage, but by horse. It was faster, after all.

I dont know if it was because of how much of a rush I was in when heading to the capital or just because I had grown used to it, this time my behind didnt ache nearly as much.

Needless to say, I had disguised myself with Tanyas skills. Even the people in the city didnt recognize me initially.

Other than that, Ryle had also disguised himself.

Even though we really couldnt put makeup on him, we still changed his hair color, put glasses on him, and made him take off the armor that he wears all the time.

Not counting the resting time when we changed horses, it would be less than a day before we reached the biggest city in the east.

Anyways, we needed to get there as soon as possible. If we set out before the sun rose, wed be able to get there before sundown.

Because we didnt know how long we could stay here, we needed to act quick. Ryle and I figured out first where we were going to be staying, and then went to check on the situation of the citys offices.

At the same time, I had Dean go around the city to obtain information.

Just from looking around, there doesnt seem to be much difference from the pastbut I dont know why, somehow it has this heavy atmosphere?

Just as in the past, what we saw first was the energetic people and the bright streets.

Yet somehow the air felt heavy.

Yes, it feels like theres a line of vision watching us, piercing through us like needles. Hostilityno, someone is watching us from somewhere.

Ryles expression was quite fearful as he said this. Perhaps it was because of how alert he was toward everything around us.

Trying our best to ignore the eyes that were piercing through us like needles, Ryle and I walked into one of the relatively larger offices of the city.

From the entrance we could see the window. This was where discussions and procedures of the city were carried out. It was the same kind of structure as it would have been in any other city.

Many local residents were coming in. The employees of the office were walking to and fro frantically.

Is anything wrong?

Just as I was about to try and figure out what was going on inside, a woman spoke to me.

Me and my sister are considering moving here. The folks at the merchants guild said that this was the best place to come to confirm our paperwork.

Ryle walked between us and told her this.

I understand. Ill call you two when its your turn. Please come here and take a wooden plaque.

She brought us to several seats and we sat down. Its worth saying that we had decided our situation before coming here: that we were planning to come here and settle down.

Sorry for the wait. Please sit down over there. Ill be the one serving you two today.

The woman from earlier came out. It seemed like she would be the one answering our questions.

First off, she asked us a few things. Ryle answered her with the responses we had come up with beforehand.

Her answers to our questions were like a guidebook, clear and straightforward. Of course this was meaningful, as answering us like that left quite the good impression.

Well, then, do you folks have any final questions?

On our way here, we heard some rumors, said Ryle. It seems like the streets here arent as safe as they used to be. Is there any truth behind that?

That

The woman seemed to have something she couldnt quite say. Her expression turned awkward for a moment.

No, as a matter of factalthough its embarrassing for the city, its the truth. What you might call unlawful individuals and their organizations seem to have gotten into some kind of conflict that affected the city.

Is that so

Even so, please dont worry about it. Just as you know, Duke Armenia has sent out trained guards to various lands. As for all this, weve already reported it to them. Before long things should calm down.

Ohso the offices have reported this to the guards, Ryle said.

Yes, a while ago. The people on that side said that they were busy at the moment and couldnt leave right away, but they should be here to handle things shortly.

If thats the case, then Im not worried anymore. Thank you again, said Ryle.

After that, we returned to the place we were staying.

So now that weve understood the basic standard of performance for base-level workers and heard that they have reported things to the guard, I guess we could say its been a fruitful day. ButRyle, do you understand whats going on?

No, not at all. A case of this size should be reported to me. But

Which means that the guards stationed here didnt report it. If the current situation were made public, even without the help of the office, the guards shouldve reported this to you on their own.

I dont want to suspect internal people, buttomorrow Ill visit the guards stationed here.

All right. After that well have to wait on Deans report.

Milady, Im back late.

Tanya walked in as we were speaking.

Perfect timing, Tanya. How are things on your side?

Of course.

Good. Tanya, right now is there any more possibility to change my outward appearance?

I had guessed that you would ask. I brought the wig you used in the past. On top of that, Ill be able to do any kind of makeup for any kind of look you want.

Thats good. According to what weve decided, were going to infiltrate the office tomorrow.

Understood.

What is it, Dean?

Although I cant report anything for certain yetI feel that something is wrong.

Wrong? How so?

On the streets Ive heard rumors of the Boltique family, and seen the people who are actually causing trouble on the streetsthe impression they give are very different.

You saw them? The people causing all the trouble?

Yes. Theyre just as terrible as expected.

What on earth did they actually do?

Theyre stifling commoditiesimports. Some merchant guilds run the businesses behind those specific products. These people say that theyll invest all while demanding a higher price from the guilds.

I seeso thats whats going on. If under these circumstances us leaders didnt act, the people would begin to mistrust us. If paired with rumors, the people of the east would think that we were stripping them of their rights. Thats exactly the kind of opportunity these people are aiming to take advantage of.

Yes.

Rather than saying they planned out the whole riot from the beginning, its probably more likely that they used the riot that was already happening as fodder against us. Thats what I think. If Dawson ran into the place that Dida and those people are in, itll be a loss for us no matter what.

Exactly. Its best if we share information with Tanya, and then have her hurry to find where Dida is hiding.

I agree. Tanya, can you do that?

Yes, milady.

Well, then, Dean. According to plan, you and I are going to the office tomorrow.

Understood.

Just like that, our first day in the east ended.