HPL 33

chapter 33

When Roy and I entered the house, the organization’s members were cornering the Black Dog gang. Only Wayne and Marker were seated at the table, studying something intently.

“Come over here.”

Wayne spotted us and raised his right hand.

As we walked toward the table, we saw two thick folders. When we sat in the empty seats, Marker pushed the folders toward us.

I picked up the folder on the left, and Roy took the one on the right. Without a word, we began reading quickly.

After finishing the last page, we silently swapped folders and continued reading.

The more I read, the more a cold fury consumed me. Tommy, who was reading the folder beside me, wore a grim expression.

Inside the folders, the other races were classified by numbers, and the value of their ears and tongues was priced according to grade.

“Filth,” Tommy muttered, glaring at the Black Dog gang crouched in the corner.

I set the folder down on the table and said in a low voice,

“If there’s a price, it means someone bought them.”

“That’s right. Do you know who’s using this seal?”

Wayne pointed with his finger at the stamp on the right-hand folder. I shook my head, and he twisted his thin lips.

“It’s the emblem of the Uriel family’s trading company.”

“Uriel Trading? Do you mean the trading company run by the Karin family?”

I narrowed my eyes, and Wayne tapped the square rose emblem with his finger.

“That’s right. This emblem represents the Uriel family and the company they operate.”

I pressed my lips together, surprised by the unexpected connection. I thought it would relate to the Countess McCallin.

Roy frowned slightly, staring at the rose emblem stamp. But Wayne wasn’t finished.

“Here’s something interesting. Uriel Trading sells 90% of its goods to McCallin Trading. And 77% of the materials McCallin Trading uses come from Uriel Trading.”

The Black Dog gang is connected to Uriel Trading, and Uriel Trading is connected to McCallin Trading. This chain of connections didn’t seem coincidental.

Roy’s eyes narrowed slightly as he calmly analyzed the situation.

“Abducting other races is extremely risky. There aren’t many businesses that would yield such high profits to justify that risk. If such a business existed, there would be no need to trade with McCallin Trading. And the trade volume is too large for it to be a mere ruse.”

Nicely summarized.

Marker and I were genuinely impressed, but Wayne gave Roy a strange look. Roy furrowed his brow at Wayne’s gaze.

“Speak up if you have something to say.”

“Then I will. What did you do before becoming a slave? You were too quick to understand the flow of money to have been born into slavery.”

Tommy had quickly explained that there were three ways to become a slave in the Kingdom of Ireland:

1. Children born to slave parents.

2. Those who could not repay a debt.

3. Criminals.

Roy remained silent, so Wayne, unusually for him, apologized sincerely.

“Sorry if I brought up unpleasant memories.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to remember… I just don’t.”

Roy said bluntly, and Wayne tilted his head. Marker looked confused as well.

Since it might be difficult for Roy to talk about it, I stepped in.

“It seems the side effects of the drug Bedman make it hard for him to remember the past.”

Wayne’s face stiffened at my words. Marker’s eyes widened at the idea that Roy could experience Bedman’s side effects like Wayne.

“I’ve really asked a rude question. Sorry.”

Wayne apologized with a stiff face. Roy shrugged lightly.

“You’re the one who’s said rude things more than once. No need to be so formal.”

Roy responded in his usual blunt, slightly mocking tone. That told us he wasn’t angry.

If Roy were truly angry, he wouldn’t mock; he’d be looking for an opportunity to strike.

Seeing Roy handle it normally, Wayne’s expression turned bitter. Sensing the tension, Roy changed the topic.

“What’s the plan now?”

Roy’s way of signaling that the discussion was over prompted Wayne to exhale deeply, returning to his usual demeanor.

“We can get Uriel Trading with these documents alone. But what we want is bigger than that. So we need to investigate Uriel Trading to get more evidence.”

“Do you need our help?”

Marker asked firmly. Wayne shook his head.

“No. But keep a close watch on the Black Dog gang.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make those bastards confess everything.”

Marker glared at the Black Dog gang kneeling in the corner. Caesar scowled and shouted.

“What’s with the glare? Do you think we’re scared of cowards like you?!”

“Cowards? Then you wouldn’t have done such things if you weren’t.”

Marker’s ominous voice challenged him, and Caesar snorted.

“So what if we touched a few beasts? What could cowards like you, who fuss about ‘It’s a woman, it’s a kid,’ possibly do?”

Is Caesar an idiot? Stirring someone’s anger now will do what? Did he risk his life just to show off to his friends?

Those kinds of people deserve a beating.

Tommy’s wish came true. Marker slowly rose, growling.

“We only questioned them because, even if we couldn’t be virtuous, at least we wanted to remain human. But… fine. What harm is there in touching a few beasts like you?”

Marker radiated a heavy, menacing aura. The red-scarf gang members nearby seemed infected by it.

Caesar flinched, realizing his mistake, but kept his head high, perhaps worrying about the others’ eyes.

The foolishest ones are always the hardest hit.

As I clicked my tongue at Caesar, Wayne stood.

“Let’s investigate Uriel Trading. They deliver to McCallin Trading every two weeks, and tomorrow happens to be the day. Since it hasn’t been two weeks since Nene escaped, we might still find the goods.”

Strike while the iron is hot.

Roy and I jumped up. Tom and Jack asked Marker for permission and followed us.

Outside, the world was quiet and dark, as if the fireworks had already ended. But we were about to face darkness far deeper than this.

“To pull this off, we need a witness. Someone authoritative, whom no one would suspect.”

Wayne looked directly at me. I understood.

“You mean bring a high-ranking cleric.”

I lit up at the thought, and Wayne smiled faintly.

“See? We’re on the same wavelength. If not for the circumstances, it would be fun to do all sorts of things together.”

I ignored the cryptic “things.” Roy shot Wayne a cold glance, as if he understood too. Tom and Jack clicked their tongues, thinking Wayne deserved a beating.

“Let’s recruit the witness now.”

I ignored the “things” completely, and Wayne pretended to look disappointed. He was just trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Roy and I headed to the temple, while the others set traps in the shadows.

A man in a white cleric robe clenched his fists, trembling. Normally gentle Cleric Leman was consumed by anger and despair.

Finally, the cleric groaned.

“I can’t believe crimes involving other races happened in Jeil…”

He must have hoped it wasn’t true while helping us with the fireworks. But hope was crushed, replaced by almost despairing rage.

“I understand your feelings, but we must capture all involved first. Divine punishment can come later.”

I spoke firmly, calming Leman while emphasizing action.

Leman exhaled deeply and composed himself.

“What should I do?”

I spoke plainly.

“Be a witness for what’s about to happen. Everyone will believe you.”

“Understood. Miss Daina, you’re remarkable.”

Leman smiled wryly. I tilted my head in confusion. Why was he complimenting me?

“You know your path even at a young age. I was shocked and angry when I heard of this. Maybe I’ve wasted my years.”

How could he say that? I’ve lived far longer and seen everything. Dealing with evil spirits teaches you… a lot.

I scratched my cheek, unable to explain honestly. Leman then looked at Roy with a serious plea.

“Miss Daina will accomplish great things. Please stay by her side.”

Not that he knew, but he hit the core. If I don’t act, the world may fall.

“I will stay by Daina’s side.”

Roy nodded seriously, almost overly so.

Leman smiled faintly and stood.

With a credible witness secured, it was time to meet Wayne.

We met Wayne’s group near Uriel Trading. Carriages and carts were there. They waved when they saw us.

“Cleric Leman has come. Thank you for coming.”

Wayne approached. Leman replied solemnly but determined.

“Of course. You want to witness and resolve the abduction incidents with Miss Daina?”

“At first, it was beyond our ability, so we asked for your help.”

Wayne feigned awkwardness, and Leman swore to help in the name of the Creator.

I shook off my uneasy feeling and asked Wayne about the plan. He explained it clearly.

“Uriel Trading won’t let anyone see the warehouse. So we’ll pretend to deliver goods to McCallin Trading. Uniforms and hoods for employees are in the carriage, so change first.”

I went into the carriage first and changed. Others followed. Wayne handed me a folder.

“Daina, you’re the accountant. Hold the folder in the carriage. Others are porters; ride in the cart. When we arrive, just follow my lead.”

We divided between the carriage and the cart as instructed.

As Tom and Jack drove, I asked Wayne,

“How did you get the carriage and cart so quickly?”

“McCallin’s count hid a few carriages outside the mansion for sneaky dealings. I borrowed them.”

Wayne grinned. The count would panic thinking the vehicles disappeared on the countess’s warning.

Soon, we reached the Uriel Trading building.

A large two-story brick building loomed ahead, its flag fluttering. Embroidered on it was the square rose emblem from the documents.