Chapter 6: Don’t be too arrogant when doing bad things

The guard soon returned, ushering Cynthia and Ina into a modest reception room.

“Your Excellency of the Blood Clan, I wasn’t informed of your visit. My apologies for not greeting you properly. I’m Pop, mayor of Tara.”

A haggard middle-aged orc greeted them, his weary appearance hinting at sleepless nights.
“Please, both of you, have a seat.”

“No worries. Has anything unusual happened here lately? Missing children, perhaps?”

Cynthia wasted no time on pleasantries, getting straight to the point as she sat.

“Truth be told, it’s been a real headache.”

Pop sighed deeply.
“Several families have reported their children missing.”

“We initially thought they’d just wandered off into the forest, as kids do. But then we learned it’s not just here—neighboring villages and towns have had the same problem.”

“Tara’s a small border town, as you can see. Our garrison’s just a few militia. We’ve searched for days, but the children are nowhere to be found.”

“Any suspicious figures around?”

Cynthia had anticipated Pop’s account. Her focus now was identifying the culprits.

“Well…”

Pop hesitated, casting an awkward glance at the guard beside him.
The guard quickly stepped in.

“The mayor’s been tied up lately and hasn’t been out much. But on my patrols, I’ve seen some strange humans in town.”

“They moved too fast for a clear look, so I can’t say for sure they were human.”

He paused.
“But one thing’s certain—I’ve never seen anyone dressed like that before.”

“Were they in white robes, maybe?”

Ina couldn’t resist interjecting.

“It… seemed like one was in white, but the others likely weren’t.”

Cynthia glanced at Ina, who had settled beside her unnoticed.
“Don’t Holy Church members usually wear white robes?”

“Generally, yes.”

Ina tilted her head, thinking.
“But there are exceptions.”

“The Holy Church… you mean that human group that worships the Goddess? Could they really be here?”

Pop had heard whispers of the Church, but their presence in a remote place like Tara seemed unthinkable.

“It’s highly likely.”

Cynthia glanced out the window, noticing the sky had darkened with the setting sun.
“Mr. Mayor, could you arrange a place for us to stay? I’d like to explore the town.”

“Shall I send guards with you?”

“No need. My assistant and I will handle it.”

Cynthia declined Pop’s offer, standing and signaling Ina to follow.
“We’ll be back soon, don’t worry.”

After leaving the mayor’s residence, Cynthia wandered the town’s streets aimlessly, Ina trailing quietly behind.

At one point, she paused by an alley, her gaze lingering on its shadowy depths.

“Hm?”

“What’s wrong?”

Ina studied Cynthia’s composed expression, following her stare into the alley.

No matter how hard she looked, it was just a dead end.

“Nothing.”

Cynthia shook her head, pulling her gaze back, and continued walking.
As she moved, she asked, “Can you still sense the light element?”

“No. Since we entered the town, the light element’s magical fluctuations have vanished.”

Ina’s claim was true.
She’d checked repeatedly since arriving and felt no trace of light magic.

“I see…”

Cynthia said little more, continuing their stroll through the town.

After two full loops around Tara, Ina glanced at the rising moon and the empty streets, then spoke up.
“Are we really not going to ask the locals for clues?”

“Why?”

“Why?! Isn’t that… basic investigation?!”

Ina was floored by Cynthia’s calm, almost indifferent response.

Cynthia gave her an odd look, as if addressing a naive child.
“Some things, the harder you chase them, the more they elude you. But if you stop searching, they’ll show up right in front of you.”

“Huh?”

Before Ina could digest the cryptic remark, Cynthia stopped abruptly, nearly causing a collision.
“If you’re tired, rest tonight.”

They’d reached the lodging prepared by the mayor without realizing it.

Ina hadn’t felt exhausted until Cynthia mentioned it, but the words unleashed a wave of fatigue that flooded her body.

What a day.

“Alright, fine.”

Ina nodded reluctantly.
As she started up the stairs to her room, she noticed Cynthia hadn’t moved.
“Aren’t you coming up?”

“I’m going to take another look around. You go ahead.”

Before Ina could reply, Cynthia vanished in a blink.

“So fast! When can I learn that?”

Seeing Cynthia had no intention of including her, Ina sighed and trudged upstairs to rest.

The dim room held little beyond a large bed, a table, and two chairs—a clear sign of Tara’s modest means.

Ina didn’t care.
She collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow.

Since escaping the Holy Church, she hadn’t savored a proper night’s sleep in a bed.

“That’s enough for today. I’ve really pushed myself~”

Just as she was about to drift off, a chill surged from her feet, spreading through her body.

“Who’s there?!”

Reflexively, Ina shot upright, black magic flickering at her fingertips.

But in an instant, a cold dagger emerged from the shadows, pressing against her delicate neck.

A voice, seething with rage, hissed from behind her.

“Don’t move! Stay quiet! Or I won’t be polite!”

“I never thought you’d stoop to colluding with vampires—”

“Your Excellency, the ‘Black Saint’!”