The luxurious carriage started pulling away from the front of the embassy. The sounds of the horses hoofs and the turning of the carriages wheels slowly faded off into the distance.

Shien and Lucy both sat together in the cabin of the carriage and have started discussing the events just now.

Well?

Lucy started with such a question.

What else? Shien replied listlessly, I can only say, as expected of an old guy whos been alive for over a thousand years. Other than what he purposefully leaked, he basically didnt reveal a thing. Hes quite something.

The previous bit of conversation might look like Lucy interrogating Jacinta the whole time, but its obvious looking back on it that it was that Violent Dragon who had held the initiative and control over the whole conversation.

Im even suspecting that those twins had purposefully provoked me under his direction. Before we even started probing at him, he has already started testing us. Really, hes unbelievably cunning. As expected, all politicians are black hearted.

Shien completely spat out all his inner thoughts, making Lucy show a difficult face.

Those words of yours are rather indiscriminate here. Please dont say it out in public. Otherwise, youll end up offending a lot of people. Lucy rebuked Shien, but she also agreed, However, Lord Jacinta is indeed not easy to deal with. He pretty much parried all my questioning, and he didnt show any difficulty in it from start to end. He revealed to us the portions that he felt was fine to reveal to us, and everything that he didnt want to reveal was completely covered up and refuted. And he did it all in a way that makes it that we cant push him even when we suspect it. Hes quite tight lipped.

However, its not like we didnt get anything out of it at all. Shien spoke thoughtfully, From the portion that guy revealed, we can know that he shouldnt be working with those monsters, and that hes in fact hostile to them.

Indeed. Lucy nodded in agreement, Although we dont know what he knows, its likely that hes staying in the Capital and his subordinates are moving around the areas near the Capital in order to find that monster. Or rather, to find the people controlling that monster from behind the scene.

Shien and Lucy were both certain that theres a mastermind behind that monster.

Shien is sure because of the information he got from Nien, so he knew long before theres someone trying to create a new Demon King behind that monster.

Lucy is sure due to the situation from the previous day. Adding in the fact of that mysterious ritual likely occuring on that mountain, she determined that the monster was purposed situated there by someone.

Who could it be though? Lucy muttered.

Shien didnt say anything, but he had some ideas.

Without question, that monsters birth has something to do with the Old Demon Faction.

However, the ones controlling that monster may not necessarily be the same as being the ones who created it.

At the very least, Shien feels that way.

He cant say exactly why thats so, but it is a kind of mysterious intuition that he has.

(This feeling. It might be from the same source as the reason why Lucy could find where that monster was situated.)

In other words, that intuition may originate from Shiens blessing.

Having the Highest Gods Blessing is like having the protection of the world itself. Thus, Shien may very well be just like Lucy, able to accomplish his goals solely by using his intuition.

Lucy, who didnt know about Shiens situation, asked him something.

Doesnt that mean then that were out of clues then?

Lucy was worried over that.

This is likely all that they will be getting from Jacinta.

And the possible links from that mountain had long since been broken.

Now, Lucy felt like there was no more way to continue investigating.

Of course, Shien thought differently.

Didnt you say that you possess the guidance of fate, so youll be able to reach the core of the matter sooner or later? Shien spoke noncommittally, In that case, then its fine for you to just continue waiting.

So I have no choice but to just wait then? Lucy wasnt all that willing though.

Seeing that, Shien gave Lucy a suggestion.

You can send people to keep an eye on the demon s in secret then. Shien spoke, That demon Commander is still going to keep having his subordinates keep investigating around the Capital after all, so you can have some people keep following them in secret. For one, itll let you monitor their movements, and for two, when they discover anything, youll be able to also learn it as soon as possible as well.

That Lucy hesitated, Isnt that bad though?

Whats bad about it? Shien grimaced before continuing, Since he can ignore your own situation and send his subordinates out around the Capital while refusing to reveal anything, thats practically declaring to you that hes unwilling to cooperate or work with you. In that case then, why should you care about his own position and avoid tailing his own people?

Those words were rather rough but logical. Shien had directly pointed out the important bits, so Lucy fell silent.

How about this then. Shien saw Lucys considering look and showed an evil grin, You can just directly send the knights to seal off all the areas around the Capital using the investigation of suspicious individuals as an excuse. That way, the demons wont be able to send people to look around anymore, and theyd be stuck as well. With that, if that Demon Commander wants to do anything, then hed have no choice but to find you and ask to cooperate with you. When that time comes, wouldnt you then be able to force him to tell you all that he knows?

Shiens suggestion completely stunned Lucy.

Isnt that really bad?

Lucy was a bit dumbfounded.

Whats bad about it? Shien however spoke as if it was completely just, There are indeed suspicious individuals moving about in the Capitals surrounding areas. Thus, its only right that you send the knights in to investigate. Its also completely logical to cordon off the area. Thus, how could you call it bad?

Your explanation isnt wrong. Lucy had no words with which to refute him, Only, the method. And you were just talking about how theyre black hearted, so why do I feel like youre no better?

It cant be helped. All this came from involuntary osmosis.

Theyre classic cliches of dirty tactics after all. Even though its dirty, its still a clich. Thus, someone like Shien who has been bombarded with such things will logically not lack ideas when it comes to stuff like that.

The most important part though is that this way, he could somewhat get back at that arrogant demon Commander who acts like everythings under his control. And that will get Shien in a good mood.

Just say if youll do it or not.

Shien doesnt care to explain any further. Instead, he just tossed the question back at Lucy.

Ill do it. Lucy let out a sigh and spoke resignedly, Putting aside for the moment whether or not well work together with Lord Jacinta, by the current situation, its still necessary to have the knights seal off the areas around the Capital.

Who knows if there are more of those kind monster after all?

Who knows if the masterminds behind it all might try something new in the areas near the Capital?

Plus, using human wave tactics to cover more ground and search the area is also a decent method.

Thus, in the end, Lucy agreed.

And you? What are you planning on doing?

Lucy looked at Shien and asked.

Me huh Shien rubbed at his chin for a moment before replying, Im going to head back to the library for my proper work. When I get back come night, Ill go ask a big shot of the demon race about it. See if maybe she knows something.

A big shot of the demon race? Lucy didnt understand.

Shien didnt explain anymore either. He just shrugged and looked outside the window.

The carriage continued its travels and had finally returned to the palace.

Afterwards, Lucy sent out the knights just as she said and sealed off the areas around the Capital. She also released the news to notify everyone to not approach those areas.