Chapter 30: Meanwhile at 'Prosperty'

---Vadim, General POV--- 

On the outskirts of 'Prosperty City' an encampment could be found. Thanks to the city's size, just going around it can take days, by oneself, when longer when moving a large group of people. What was estimated to take four days was now estimated to take six. It was only their first day, but their travel speed was significantly slower than original thought. The mixture between the different forces, especially the Dragon slayers and their heavy equipment, made it difficult to move.

Vadim sighed as he went over paperwork in his tent trying and failing to focus. His thoughts kept wandering back to his missing sister and where she could've possibly ended up. He sent a search team made up of people he could trust, they would bring his sister to him the moment she was found. Yet they have turned up nothing.

His sister was now a variable that could ruin all of his plans if she got to their father first. Vadim was already set to take over as Lord in another few years, or even next year if today went well, but that could all wash away like a sand sculpture on a beach. Without knowing where his sister is the young Lord couldn't help but feel restless as he contemplated killing his father.

If he couldn't find his sister, then killing Drakove and taking his place as Lord that way was probably the safer bet. He would need to frame it as either an accident or that he was struck down by the inhabitants of the forest. The latter excuse being the most believable. This wouldn't have been necessary if Davis hadn't kidnapped his sister.

'In hindsight I should've killed the moment I saw her.' Vadim sighed, there was no point on dwelling in the past, she just needed to do what he can now.

Despite being in a tent and unable to see outside, Vadim looked in the direction of the city. Inside was another nuisance and problem. The Hero. He refused to join them, afraid of arch angle Nielia.

"She may be unable to use her full power against you unless you get too close to the lake," The Hero said to him the other day, "But she is and allowed to fight me with full authority thanks to my connection to the Light Goddess Angelica."

The Hero looked anxious when he said that. Vadim disliked the Hero's cowardness. Nielia was still fully capable of moving away from the lake to attack intruders if needed. There has been documented history of it happening. Vadim wished to use the Hero to keep her occupied while they cleared out the forest. He didn't really understand the Hero's statement about full power, but it did give him peace of mind Nielia might be going easy on them.

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---Jason General POV--- 

Ther has seriously been no word of the mons- Lucilla?" Jason asked the priest in charge of branch of the Church.

Despite essentially blowing up a building, Lucilla hasn't really been seen before or after that. Jason was growing increasingly frustrated on how elusive the monster woman proved to be. He hoped to use the Churches resources her in the city, but their power here was very limited. Surprisingly enough, Prosperty City was one of the few places on the continent that kept the power of the Church in check. The people still followed it, but the cities leaders kept the political power of the Church as weak as they could.

"I'm sorry sir, but it has yet to make an appearance." The old priest grimaced.

Jason gave the old man a look, before walking away. There was nothing he or the Church could do for the moment. Right now, all Jason could do was wait and see. Deciding he needed fresh air the old Hero left the Church, the sun had set hours ago, and the stars filled the sky, but that didn't matter. Stepping onto the street he looked up at the night sky, the moon partially hidden behind some clouds.

With a deep breath Jason walked the deserted streets, he occasionally saw some suspicious sorts, but the moment they saw his sword, and the fact he wore no armor at the moment, their eyes shined with greed. A single look and using the pressure caused by his large reserves of mana made all of them turn tail. If he was younger, he would probably chase after them and turn them into the authorities, but right now he could care less about some street level gang members.

After about an hour of walking he found himself on a street full of shops. A few still places still had their lights on, indicating they were still open despite the hour. Just as Jason though of entering one of these places to kill time, he heard the sound of a small bell up ahead. There, coming out of a general store was a large figure dressed in black with a raven's mask. Next to them was a fox woman dressed as a maid.

On instinct Jason pressed himself into the shadows. He saw Sable, or the undead used to stand in as Sable look in his direction, before turning and walking off. He couldn't believe his luck. If Sable is here, then Lucilla must be close by. silently he trailed the two, his movements as graceful as a cat.

-- -- --

He followed them to a small house. It stood all on its own, with no other buildings attached to it. It was small and in a decently isolated area. It was unassuming and normal looking. The from yard looked taken care of and the curtains on the windows wear drawn closed. No one would suspect anyone hiding from society to be living here.

Jason watched as the two of them entered the house, the fox woman holding the bag of items they purchased. Jason waited for a few minutes before entering the house himself. Inspecting the door, he was surprised by the lack of magical security. There wasn't a barrier stopping his approach, nor was there a trap on the front door preventing him from picking the lock.

He frowned; this place was too ordinary. Walking through the small, but surprisingly cozy house, Jason tried to feel the presence of anyone. When he didn't, his frown deepened. Exploring the first and second floor reviled nothing besides showing Jason that the supposed menace lived like a normal person. At first, he thought everything was a front, but the house felt too lived in for that.

The last place left to check was the basement. Making his way down the steps the Hero found himself in a stone room. The place was dark, but with a simple light spell Jason was able to look around. The only thing of not was the heavy metal door with protective enchantments placed on it. Getting closer he realized the spell was meant to alert whoever set the spell when someone unauthorized entered the room beyond.

"Hmm." Backing away, the older man looked around some more. The place was eerily empty. "I guess I can have this place monitored for now."

Lucilla still proved to be elusive, but he finally had a proper honest to goodness lead. Jason couldn't help but feel a little joyful. Deciding to inform the Church and get a surveillance team, Jason left the house with a little more energy in the way he walked than before.