By the ti Aster left Erebus' Vault, it had already been three days since Cassy was kidnapped. They were running out of ti, and to make matters worse, they still hadn't found any clues as to where Lorelai had taken Cassy.
"Their tracks were last found in an empty warehouse on the outskirts of this city, but after that..." Magnus explained, his expression apologetic. "I'm still using all the forces I can spare to search for Ms. Bright's whereabouts, but it seems it will still take a while."
"So they plan on hiding until they finish their business with Cassy, huh..." Aster muttered, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Magnus showed Aster a map, detailing the locations that had already been searched. However, due to the need to be careful against brainwashing, they could only send limited troops, greatly slowing down the search.
The searched areas were mostly concentrated around Orinfeld City and the neighboring forests. At the pace they were going, it would take a week before they could even reach the next city.
'And that'll be too late,' Aster grumbled to himself.
After a while of thinking, he turned to Magnus and exclaid, "I'll go to Juviel City and search for Cassy myself." His attitude was firm, and his voice final.
Aster couldn't stay still and just wait for news. If he could move by himself, then it'd be better to do so! Furthermore, Juviel City had been used as Lorelai's base initially, so there should be clues there.
Of course, Magnus should also know this, but still, he hadn't sent any troops directly to search Juviel City. Aster wasn't sure what was going on in his mind, but if Magnus rejected his offer, then that ant...
"... Alright. But I can't send you alone." To his surprise, Magnus folded imdiately. "I'll send at least two bodyguards to protect and help you in your search."
"Alright, I understand."
Aster couldn't tell if Magnus was intentionally delaying the search or just being extra careful. Either way, he got permission to go, so that's what he was going to do.
---
June 14, 4033, 7 a.m.
About an hour later, after the eting with Magnus, Aster, along with the girls, sat inside the Adventurer's Guild, drinking juice to pass the ti.
"So, you're going to Juviel City?" Liz asked, her brows furrowed lightly. "Isn't it too dangerous for you to move right now, Aster?"
"That's right, Darling. There's no need for you to go there yourself. That seedy-eyed mayor could just send soone else to investigate!"
"..."
Aster gently shook his head. Magnus had the ti to send spies to Juviel City earlier, but he didn't. If Aster relied on him to search the city with the highest chance of uncovering clues to Cassy's whereabouts, he couldn't be sure Magnus wouldn't delay the results again.
"My going to Juviel City is the best course of action I can take right now," Aster explained. "And it's not like I'm going alone. Magnus will send two level 1000 experts with as bodyguards."
As for who they were, he'd figure that out in a few minutes. Their gathering ti was 7 sharp at the Adventurer's Guild, after all. However, neither of the two had arrived yet.
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"Rather, I'm more worried about you girls." Aster turned to the three and frowned. "Even though I've left Argus with you, it's not like he's unbeatable either."
*Arf!*
The little puppy was powerful, for sure, but not long ago, he almost died. Against sheer numbers, he was nearly powerless.
"Hmph! We'll just roam around the 20th floor and raise our levels. Staying there should be relatively safer than staying above ground, right?"
Kali harrumphed from the side. Ever since Cassy's abduction, she had a sour expression and prickly attitude. However, Aster knew that she was simply worried about Cassy, who bet her life to protect all of them. In addition, she felt angry at herself for being too weak to help in the current situation.
"Oh, right. With that in mind, Liz and Tina, I have a request for you two..."
Just like that, they chatted among themselves for a while before finally, two figures arrived, heading straight toward their table. Aster turned toward them and opened his eyes wide. After all, both faces were extrely familiar.
"Long ti no see!"
"Mr. Aster, I'm glad I could see you again."
The two greeted almost at the sa ti, further confusing Aster. "Wait, are you two the guards sent by Magnus?!"
The first was a woman with a dignified expression and a curvaceous figure. Her black hair flowed straight down like a waterfall, adding a mature air to her appearance. Still, there was a hint of playfulness hidden behind the gaze of her red eyes.
The other one was even more familiar, as she had just spent a "night" with Aster not too long ago. Short blonde hair and a pleased smile, her sharp green eyes added a "handso" hint to her beauty. Of course, despite her gender-neutral face by elven standards, her body was far from manly. Her curves were even more pronounced than the other woman's, despite being smaller in stature.
Right, the two "bodyguards" that Magnus sent for Aster were none other than Vanessa Ross, the Vampire Researcher, and Faeloria Shadowleaf, the Director of the Class Exchange Hall!
"Why? Are you not satisfied with us~?"
Vanessa quickly moved to Aster's side, pulling his chin up as her face drew closer, as if about to kiss him. "I'm sure you know how powerful I am, right?"
"GAAAH!"
Of course, Tina didn't let her do as she pleased. Even without her Emberfury and Glacial Wrath equipped, Tina's punches were no joke. However, Vanessa didn't even bother dodging, letting her punch land, leaving absolutely zero damage.
"Ms. Vanessa, you're being childish right now, you know?" But Faeloria stepped up and defused the situation, moving behind Aster and pulling him into a tight embrace. "And I'm sure I could do a much better job than you when it cos to protecting soone."
"..."
Nope, her inclusion didn't diffuse the situation, but rather, escalated the problem.
"Hmm? I'm level 1,177 right now, you know? That's at least higher than you." Vanessa smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Aster felt shivers run down his spine just looking at her, even though he wasn't the target of her malice.
"Oh? Sorry, but I can't disclose my level due to reasons. But it's at least 100 levels above yours."
But Faeloria didn't even flinch, countering her words without delay. Her smile remained, as if she were just talking to a small child throwing a tantrum.
Aster felt a headache. Would the three of them be able to work properly together?
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