The gateway to this continent, Pelkeos, is a melting pot of diverse races bustling through the streets.

The bazaar is so crowded that moving around is difficult, with people balancing massive baskets on their heads as they shop. It’s a clever system, one that amazes me every time I see it.

But Pelkeos isn’t just a hub for goods brought from the Sardis continent; it’s also a destination for people.

The butler I’m searching for, Orlando of the Maniears family, arrived in Pelkeos about half a month ago. He claimed to be here for procurement, but whether that’s true or not remains uncertain.

Leaving the bustling bazaar, I step into a narrow side street.

Target Search.

There’s a reaction. He’s still nearby.

“Shadow.”

At my call, a figure appears silently. A bat beastman, a collaborator assigned by the guild master.

“You called for me?”

“Orlando should be straight ahead. Can you go ahead and confirm?”

“Leave it to me.”

“I’ll follow. Even if he moves, I can track him. I need to know who he meets and what they discuss.”

“Understood.”

I’ve heard that bat beastmen have exceptional hearing. If anyone can overhear Orlando from a distance, it’s Shadow.

“And as for Pal…”

I glance back at Pal, who’s enthusiastically shopping at the bazaar. Wherever she goes, her beauty always makes her stand out.

She’s currently haggling over jofu, a local specialty linen fabric. The shopkeeper looks flustered yet oddly pleased. I can somewhat understand that feeling.

Once Pal finishes shopping, we head off to pursue Orlando.

Leaving the city center behind, we move into quieter surroundings. The outskirts present a tranquil, rural landscape.

Walking along a path flanked by farmers tending their fields, we soon spot a village.

According to my target search, Orlando is within that village. Is he here for goods, or has he just returned from procurement?

Near the village entrance, several wagons—likely belonging to a merchant caravan—are being loaded. It seems he’s just finished buying.

A couple of guards, who look more like ordinary villagers, are stationed at the entrance. They eye us suspiciously since we’re neither riding a wagon nor carrying goods.

“Just the two of you?”

“Yes, just the two of us, traveling leisurely.”

Their gaze lingers on Pal. Her maid uniform must be unusual here.

“That’s quite the outfit.”

“This maid uniform is my symbol. I have no intention of removing it unless Master orders me to.”

Don’t say such things with a straight face! Now the guard’s expression is twitching.

Despite his bewilderment, he eventually lets us through with a curt “Welcome to Sapp Village.”

Sometimes Pal’s lack of tact actually helps.

Orlando’s signal points to a large house in the village’s center, likely the chief’s residence.

As we approach the house, Shadow emerges from the shadows and gestures for us to follow him to a discreet location.

“It seems the village chief is an associate of Orlando’s.”

“Tell me more.”

“The chief’s name is Lugh, as Orlando addressed him. They’re trading in the local jofu, but the name Maniears occasionally comes up.”

It seems I’ve stumbled upon another connection to Solderic.

Lugh appears to be older than Orlando, likely nearing 70. Judging by his name and appearance, he might have been the head clerk of the Maniears family.

Who would have thought he’d end up as a village chief here?

His wife, also a former Maniears employee, accompanied him to this village after the family’s massacre, initially working as an assistant. Her rise to being the chief’s wife feels… suspicious.

The death of the former chief might have something to do with Lugh. Not a pleasant thought.

“Keep eavesdropping on their conversations.”

“Understood.”

We decide to stay at the village’s inn for the night, though calling it an inn feels generous. It’s old, which I can accept, but filthy—unforgivable for a business. The sheets look like they haven’t been changed in ages.

Thankfully, this is where my lifestyle magic comes in handy.

Clean.

In an instant, the room transforms into a pristine space. Such is the magic’s true worth.

“Master, cleaning is my duty!”

“While traveling, you’re relieved of maid duties.”

“So that you may instead ravage me at your leisure!”

Pal blushes deeply, her hands on her cheeks as she sways suggestively. Well, she’s adorable, so I let it slide.

“What shall we do tonight? We’ve already tried swimsuits yesterday, and lab coats when you posed as a doctor... Oh! Perhaps a cute sailor uniform for a nautical theme?”

Pal enthusiastically dives into crafting a customized sailor outfit, her skills in sewing rivaling those of a professional.

By the time the sun sets, we bring Shadow his meal.

Locating him in the dark isn’t easy, but Pal somehow manages.

“Brought you food.”

“This is… much appreciated.”

Why does he look conflicted?

“I pride myself on being stealthy, yet in your presence, I question that confidence.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re… special. Your skills are among the best in the world.”

“…Should I feel honored or discouraged?”

“When in doubt, feel honored. It makes life easier. Thinking too hard will just give you gray hairs.”

After handing over the food, we get an update on Orlando and Lugh’s discussion.

“It seems they mentioned two others, Sadada and Ish, who are in different locations. Also, Orlando plans to leave the village tomorrow, heading back to the empire through Pelkeos.”

As expected, Shadow has remarkable ears.

Out of the dozen or so Maniears employees, three are here, with two more mentioned. Interrogating Orlando and Lugh should provide leads on the others.

The question now is: when to strike? Tonight seems ideal.