Aozaki Aoko Case File [215]

"Back when we attacked the bandit hideout, I don't think they saw my face," Lina murmured thoughtfully to Aoko.

"Then that means," Aoko finished her sentence for her, "one of the items you're carrying is likely enchanted with a tracking spell. Or perhaps the item's unique properties are well-known to them, which would allow them to track the Orichalcum Goddess Statue through those characteristics."

"Exactly!" Lina nodded in agreement. "So what should we do now? Should we open the door and let him in? Or maybe try to wake Gourry? He's still sound asleep next door."

"Let's worry about Gourry later," Aoko shook her head. "Let him sleep for now. I don't think the guy outside is that big of a threat. I can't sense any significant magical power from him."

Lina gave Aoko a look that practically screamed, "Wait, you can sense that?!" She hesitated, as though she wanted to ask if Aoko could teach her this skill. But in the end, she let it go—now wasn't the time for that kind of question.

"Alright, so after we're ready, we open the door?" Lina asked.

"Mm, no problem. But just to be safe, I'll prepare a little first." Aoko nodded and began chanting a spell under her breath. She swung her staff in specific patterns and tapped it on the ground a few times.

A series of protection and enhancement spells were cast on both Aoko and Lina. Although Aoko didn't believe the person outside could pose a serious challenge to her, she still exercised caution. After all, in this otherworldly realm, she wasn't able to use the Fifth Magic, so there was always a slim chance of being caught off guard. Better safe than sorry.

Lina marveled at the enhancements Aoko's spells had bestowed on her body. She even threw a few experimental punches, testing her speed and strength, only to discover they were significantly improved. She now felt confident she could defeat an ordinary swordsman with just her swordsmanship.

"Alright, I'm opening the door," Aoko said to Lina. She waved her hand, and a translucent Mage's Hand appeared, turning the doorknob and opening the door to their room.

Standing on the other side was a suspicious-looking man. He carried a two-handed longsword with a pommel inlaid with a luxurious red gemstone. He was dressed in plain-colored clothing, wore a hood over his head, and had a mask covering his face, leaving only his eyes visible.

"Your outfit... is way too suspicious," Lina remarked, looking him up and down before shooting off the comment.

"You're not wrong," the masked man responded with a helpless tone. "Even I think I look pretty suspicious. Or, let's say, I'm just as surprised that you opened the door and let me in. Normally, two women wouldn't allow someone like me into their room, right?"

Aoko was a bit taken aback. The man's tone was polite and articulate, suggesting a good upbringing and education. Yet, something about him seemed off. At the very least, his magic felt different—unlike Lina's or Gourry's.

"So, should I take your advice and not let you in?" Lina quipped.

"Ah, wait," the masked man raised a hand. "While I do look suspicious, I promise I currently have no intention of harming you."

"I don't think you could even if you tried," Aoko said as she activated her magic circuits. A tremendous wave of magical energy radiated from her body, exerting overwhelming pressure on anyone capable of sensing magic. "So I suggest you behave yourself and don't try any cheap tricks."

The masked man kept a calm expression, but internally he was already sweating. He hadn't expected the woman in the strange outfit, with the impressive figure, to possess such immense magical power. She reminded him of that man...

"...Alright," the masked man said in a dry tone. "Zolf, stop hiding and come out."

The second figure to enter the room was none other than the black-cloaked, bandage-wrapped man who had previously fled.

"Oh?" Lina's expression changed as she spoke in a slightly more serious tone. "This mummy is your subordinate?"

"What mummy—?!" Zolf started to protest but was quickly silenced by the masked man, who gestured for him to stay quiet.

"Bringing trolls to attack and threaten potential trade partners—is that your idea of hospitality?" Aoko asked. "Or did you only show up personally after realizing the trolls couldn't handle us?"

"My apologies," the masked man said with what sounded like genuine sincerity. "His name is Zolf. He has a strong sense of responsibility, but he can be a bit rash. Please forgive him."

"Save the excuses. I'll just factor this guy into the price," Lina said flatly.

Both Lina and Aoko had noticed something strange about the masked man. Aoko could tell his magical presence was unlike that of a human, while Lina observed that the skin around his eyes resembled some kind of rock or hardened material.

Not a homunculus, but not human either. That was the conclusion they both reached. Additionally, Aoko didn't believe that the magical golem technology in this medieval fantasy world could surpass Touko's. The difference in civilizations was too great.

"You're quite shrewd... Fine, let's get to business," the masked man said, crossing his arms.

"So, you want one of the items we took from the bandit hideout?" Lina asked, feigning ignorance.

"I can't say which one exactly... But yes, you're correct," the masked man admitted. "If I told you outright what I wanted, you might extort me for an exorbitant sum—or refuse to sell it altogether. So instead, you can name your prices for each item, and I'll choose the ones I'm willing to buy. One of those items is what I've been searching for."

"Didn't you investigate beforehand?" Aoko asked, surprised. "We sold everything from the bandit hideout to the magical artifact shop, except for one item. Since you're so sure we still have it, why don't we just cut to the chase?"

At this point, the conversation stalled. It was clear that both Zolf and the masked man felt cornered by how well Lina and Aoko had pieced together their motives. They hadn't anticipated such a scenario and were woefully unprepared.

"...Fine. What I'm looking for is the statue," the masked man finally admitted after a long pause. "Name your price. I've been searching for it for a long time."

Lina immediately named a price one hundred times the market value of an Orichalcum artifact, leaving both Zolf and the masked man utterly speechless. They sat in silence for a long moment before finally responding.

"...I had prepared myself for the possibility that you might inflate the price to three times the market value," the masked man said with a bitter smile and a shake of his head. "...But a hundred times? Hahaha... Haha..."

"Are you mocking us with that price?!" Zolf, the bandaged man, shouted angrily at Lina, his tone full of anger. "If you don't want to negotiate seriously, just say so!"

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