Lecan started his probe on Hotan's store the morning after. But he failed to find out anything.
As he was having dinner in a diner, a featureless man sat down in the opposite of his seat.
"Do excuse me for a bit, Chief. It's packed full, see. The food here looks so delish."
It's Chubby.
Lecan drank his booze without replying.
"Now then, Chief. Seems like it's my time to shine, doesn't it."
Lecan sent a sharp glance at Chubby while stabbing a piece of meat with a fork and carried it in his mouth.
"What do you want, Chubby."
"Tch tch tch. That won't do, that won't do at all. Don't you have something to ask me? But first, call me by my name."
"Name?"
Lecan tried to recall, but he couldn't.
"Don't tell me you've truly forgotten?"
"No. It never registered in the first place."
"My goodness! Well I mean, I guess it's but a decoration for people in my line of work and all. But still, I'll have you remember Chief. It's Gwislan."
"Gwislan."
"Yes, it's Gwislan. Now then, Chief, I see that you've found yourself in a pickle. Say this word now. 'Gwislan, I need you'."
Lecan looked at Gwislan with doubting eyes while drinking his booze.
(This guy.)
(He's getting full of himself.)
Frankly speaking, Lecan thought, 'I'm saved' when Chubby showed himself up before him at first.
The man's an excellent spy by all measures. Getting his help would blow away all of Lecan's problems.
But Chubby went out of his way to speak like he's doing Lecan a favor. Annoying. That grated on Lecan's nerve.
"Now come, come now, Chief. Don't you need my help here?"
That said, Lecan has hit a roadblock. What's one or two words that please Chubby if it means getting his hands on <Leg Bands of White Devil>.
That was when Lecan realized a medium build elderly man staring at him inside the crowded diner.
"If it ain't Chaney."
"Hahaha. Lecan-sama. I'm so glad to see you again. Is this gentleman here an acquaintance of yours?"
Chaney's guard, silver ranked adventurer, Vandam waved at Lecan behind Chaney. Lecan waved back. There's also a small thin man with them, an unfamiliar face.
"No, he's not."
Chubby looked shocked, then he frowned and started protesting, but Lecan ignored him.
"I have rented a private room in the back. It would be my pleasure to have your company."
"I'll take you up on that."
Lecan sat down in the private room. A serving for one was already prepared inside, but the small man ordered a staff member for more and another serving was immediately brought in.
"Let's start with a toast."
"Yeah, you too."
"Well, well."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka.com >
"Cheers (Jo Jood)."
"Cheers."
The booze is good. Must be expensive no doubt.
Vandam is standing by outside. The small man is standing in the corner of the room.
"You're being quite vigilant. Brought some valuable stuff or something?"
"Oh it's just a precaution."
"Business extends this far huh."
"What are you saying now, Lecan-sama. This is all thanks to you."
"What?"
"It's the dragon materials you entrusted to me. After some deliberation on where to sell them, I've come to the conclusion that I should reach out to Earl Rotor first of all."
"Hou?"
"Earl Rotor and the merchants here are those who understand their value best. Rotor craftsmen would be equipped with the best skill to process the materials as well. And these craftsmen would flood to Earl Rotor after news of their dungeon conquered. But what would happen if it turned out the earl has no dragon materials on hands?"
"I see. Must be bad for Earl Rotor's standing."
"Yes. And what will happen if news of dragon materials being sold in someplace else during this time reached him? An investigation will easily conclude that those materials come from Dungeon Rotor."
"Guy won't like that."
"Indeed that is correct. In other word, going to Rotor would be best to prevent grudges, sell favor and get the best people for the processing and trades."
"I see. Well, it's your liberty where to sell them."
"Thank you very much. My visit this time is to hand over the materials that will be processed, and to have an audience with Earl-sama. Ah, right. Congratulations on your conquest of Dungeon Palcimo."
"Yea. By the way, Chaney. Got something to ask you."
"With pleasures."
Lecan explained the situation to Chaney. However he didn't mention anything about <Genesiac Grace Gear>, just that Rintos has a Grace Gear Lecan wants.
Chaney got lost in thought for a while, then he turned around and called out to the small man standing by in the corner of the room.
"Nirfut."
"Yes, master."
"Lecan-sama is my benefactor as well as my most trusted friend. I wish to be of assistance to Lecan-sama. Do you know anything about this matter?"
"I have a little bit of knowledge, yes."
"Will you tell us."
"Yes. As you wish."