Chapter 72: Conspicuous

Clothes that were woven to last for years, skillfully embroidered with silver and gold to emphasize wealth and stability, the lady whose age was not that far from Xenia's age, brought forth a map of the whole town.

"State your name before we start, kid."

Xenia who was seated glanced at the standing lady in front of him with a map in her hand.

"Desmond," he halfheartedly lied. "Can we start now?"

"Are you not gonna ask my name? Isn't that common sense? When someone asks your name, and you give it, you should do so too."

"May I please your name, O great lady."

"You pissed me off."

"Such a long ass name, Ms. You pissed me off."

The lady grumbled and wanted to just wrap her hands around the kid's neck but could not.

"It's Crysalia, you dumb kid!"

"Crysalia, yes, yes... So, can we move on now?"

No matter how much irate she was, Crysalia just continued to spread the content of the map. For a town, it was quite small with few known establishments that sell basic necessities, and houses outnumbered the stores. What stood in the middle of the town was the said sardine factory. The map only showed where this and that had been erected. Its floor plan does not show anything. Well, it's expected, knowing that the chief wanted little to no knowledge about what's going on inside.

"Around how many people do you think live here?" Xenia asked.

A quill and ink were used to mark the possible populous spots of the town and the areas that people would seldom go to.

"Encircled points in the map are the places where people barely go, and the crossed paths are a no-go. As for your question, roughly around two hundred? Everyone included. There really aren't that many people since this is a place for the wealthy."

"What about the guards?"

"Trained knights from the capital were sent for Chief Mordecai's disposal. I've never counted them, but I can say there's about fifteen of them. You're not getting past one of the knights."

"About fifteen, huh? Do they only stay outside of the factory, or are there knights inside too?"

Crysalia shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe... I mean, I'm not always near the factory to observe every knight's movements. Just prepare for the worst."

"Still not sure, hmm..."

"What?"

"Have you heard of these strange abilities possessed only by a handful of people?"

It does ring a bell, but Crysalia was not quite sure since she's not always out in the real world. In the tight enclosure that she was in, Crysalia knew little about the outside world. She would learn through her father and books being brought back home for her.

"My father mentioned something about it before, though I'm not sure if what you're talking about is the same thing my father told me."

"Gifts. That's what I call these supernatural abilities that far surpassed human prowess."

"I think Dad called it the same. He said that people are born with it. Only the chosen ones are given the opportunity to stand at the pinnacle of life and hierarchical society."

"Working as a merchant comes with all the perks and connections. It's not a surprise that a valuable piece of information reached his ears."

Because their conversation was getting longer, Crysalia got tired and chose to sit down.

Xenia's thoughts wandered. The thought about Faustino, forcing his daughter to eat human flesh for her to inherit a Gift crossed his mind. But he did not bother asking her about it. He just cast the thought aside and focused on the problem he had to deal with faster.

"When did your father last come home?"

"About a year."

"Hmm... Regarding the slaves being sold to the town, how often does the group of pillagers bring them here?"

"The last time was a month ago, if I remember correctly."

"Okay, that's all."

Xenia stood up, and so was Crysalia.

"Where are you going?" Xenia had to stop because Crysalia began to follow him outside. "I only need the map. You've served your purpose. I can take things from here."

"That's dangerous! You're basically walking towards your death! I can— I'll go with you!"

Xenia scoffed at Crysalia. She does not have the knack to achieve anything regarding his mission of rescuing Mrs. Lagman and Lui from captivity and slavery.

In Xenia's eyes, there is not much Crysalia could do but give him the map and some information about the town.

"First of all, you barely know me, Crysalia. There is no need to risk your position in this town. Do not tarnish your father's reputation by helping an outsider free the slaves. Furthermore, you'll just become a burden to me."

For someone younger than Crysalia, Xenia treated her like they were on the same page. Their status, age, and mentality. It sounded as though they were just two friends or individuals of the same position talking with each other. They were so casual with each other. And despite seeing Xenia in the body of a kid, Crysalia knew that he was not just an ordinary child.

"Excuse me! I can defend myself. Don't take me for a burden!"

"Trained knights guard the factory. These words came out of your mouth. What can you do against them? Beg not to spank your ass? Have them hand over my adoptive family?"

"What— no! I might look like a delicate and demure lady, but I've taken training in the dojo!"

"That's not enough. Just sit back and go back to what you were doing earlier. I just hope you won't tattle on me."

Before walking away, Xenia looked at Crysalia.

"Did you change your mind?"

"Get me at least something I can use as a weapon. It would have been better if you could let me wear some fancy clothes you have stashed away."

Upon hearing Xenia's words, a bright idea gave Crysalia the perfect way to deal with being stealthy.

"Come back inside! I have something to show you."

***

"Tada!"

Xenia just had a sour face when Crysalia brought out her stashed clothes. It was one of her dresses that got a bit little for her to wear. Additionally, a wig was given to Xenia for his perfect disguise.

"You want me to disguise myself as a rich-ass girl?"

"Mind your words, lady. Show a bit of your feminine side. Come on, take off your clothes."

There was nothing wrong with it so Xenia just did what Crysalia told him to. He began to undress himself in front of a mirror with Crysalia right beside him.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Taking my clothes off like you said," he answered as he unzipped his pants while Crysalia looked away in embarrassment. "No need to be shy. We're both kids here."

"As if! I'm already sixteen!"

"Oh, so you're mentally aware. That's good."

Once done putting on Crysalia's clothes, Xenia left his coat and pants in the lady's house and brought a kitchen knife with him as his substitute weapon.

But the lady was stubborn. She did not let Xenia go by himself. Since she was the one who marked the map, giving him directions, Crysalia knew where Xenia would be going and what path he would be taking.

Cautiously, Crysalia was watching her steps and avoiding as many eyes to avoid unnecessary attention from the townspeople. At first, she does not care about Xenia's mission nor about his adoptive family. She knew that it would only bring her misfortune, and yet she was here on her way to follow Xenia to the factory. She would risk her life to unravel the mystery of the sardine factory.

***

Without a prior plan, encouraged solely by his desire to save his family, Mr. Lagman walked straight to the town, scaring off the townspeople and attracting as much attention.

Being seen as a threat to the safety of the town, knights from the factory arrived, and they took him away on Chief Mordecai's order.

"Bring the man! I would like to applaud him for his foolish bravery, coming here alone!"

~