"You’re back?"

Ria rose from her seat, welcoming Leon as he entered.

Erica, slightly startled by the unfamiliar voice, hesitated for a moment before Leon gently nudged her forward into the room.

“Yes, this is Erica,” he introduced her.

“Ah, hello,” Erica greeted, her face tense with unease.

“Don’t worry; she’s on our side. This is Ria.”

After introducing them, Leon walked over to the only remaining chair in the room, likely brought from Ria’s own quarters. He gestured for Erica to sit.

“Let’s sit down and talk for a bit.”

He offered Erica the chair and then settled himself on the edge of the bed. He watched as Ria and Erica sat across from each other, the small table between them.

They needed to discuss the plan to infiltrate the slave traders’ den in two days. It was time for a strategy meeting.

Leon also called out to Kito from the orb.

Kito flew in a small circle above Leon’s head before perching lightly and asking in his mind,
[Why did you summon me here?]
[We’re having a strategy meeting.]
[What kind of meeting in this gloomy atmosphere?]

Leon glanced around the room. Ria was sitting quietly, observing Erica, who seemed somewhat subdued, her head lowered.

“If you’re hungry or need to clean up, you can do that first,” Leon offered.
“No, I’m fine,” Erica replied awkwardly, but it was clear she wasn’t just being polite.

With a small nod, Leon pulled out the parchment Jubel had given him, which contained information on the slave trading groups.

“Have you heard of either the Dark Spider Syndicate or the Hidden Eye?” he asked.

Erica paused, thinking it over.
“The Dark Spider Syndicate… I’ve heard that name before. I think they’re the ones who captured us. I overheard them talking in the prison.”

Leon examined the information on the Dark Spider Syndicate. They were a group of around thirty slavers, led by someone named Zirca, who was believed to possess advanced sorcery skills. The document included the location of their hideout but did not specify where the prisoners were held.

He figured Erica would have that knowledge since she had managed to escape from there.

“Does this look like the place where you escaped from?” he asked, handing Erica the parchment.

She scrutinized it carefully before nodding.
“Yes, that seems right. I escaped from the second underground floor. My companions were also held there. Though I can’t be sure if anything’s changed since then.”

“Tell me everything you remember about the layout and the guards on each floor, especially the first and second floors.”

Erica took a moment, recalling as much detail as possible despite the haste of her escape. She did her best to recount everything she could remember.

“How many elves are there?” Leon inquired.
“There are five of them. Also, the artifact I used to escape… it’s this.”

As if suddenly remembering, Erica hurriedly reached into her spatial pouch and pulled out something.

Leon tilted his head, puzzled.

Although Erica held something in her hand, Leon couldn’t see it.

Realizing his confusion, Erica brought her hand forward. The object she held was a blood-red scythe, known as the Death Scythe.

Leon, taken aback by the unexpected weapon, stared at it in silence.

Erica spoke quietly.
“You can’t see this weapon, can you?”
“…No, I can’t see anything.”
“This weapon has a unique property. When infused with mana, it becomes invisible. Its presence remains undetectable until it’s swung.”

Leon’s interest was piqued as he examined the weapon more closely.
“A weapon like this…”

While it wasn’t versatile, the ability to become invisible made it highly strategic. It was nearly cheating, allowing for flawless ambushes.

‘Did she use this to handle her pursuers?’

Erica, catching his expression, gave a rueful smile.
“You’re probably wondering why someone with this weapon would be on the run.”
“….”

Leon waited in silence.

“Of course, there are limits to how much I can control it.”
“What sort of limitations?”
“Can you see its color?” Erica pointed to the deep crimson hue, tinged with an ominous aura.

“It’s a cursed weapon… As it drinks blood, it becomes harder to control.”

Leon frowned.
“Explain in more detail.”
“Simply put, as it cuts through creatures or people, the weapon’s power intensifies, and I must restrain myself from being overwhelmed by its influence. With my skills, I can only wield it a limited number of times.”

“What happens if the weapon’s power grows too strong?”

Erica hesitated.
“I’m not sure, but judging by the ominous feeling, it’s unlikely to be anything beneficial for the wielder.”

“Is this power increase permanent?”
“Yes, it stays with the weapon, no matter who wields it.”
“So if it were passed on to me, the same would apply.”
“Correct. But you might be able to endure more uses than I can. Since the weapon is undetectable until it strikes, it could be valuable if things get dangerous while rescuing my companions.”

In other words, it was a formidable killing tool. Although limited in use, it allowed for perfectly concealed strikes.

Leon had briefly considered giving this artifact to Ria for the mission, but he dismissed the thought—it was far too dangerous.

Erica, sensing his contemplation, added,
“There’s one more ability to this weapon.”
“Another one?”
“Yes. If you inject additional mana, it grants invisibility to the user as well for five minutes. However, it didn’t have this power when the Tower Lord first discovered it. They say it gained the ability over time…”

“Evolution…?” Leon mused.

It was somewhat similar to his sword, which was disguised as a wooden training weapon.

Leon grasped the handle of the Death Scythe and infused it with mana. The weapon disappeared completely, and he felt a powerful, sinister energy emanating from it.

Unlike the sword’s eerie presence, the Death Scythe’s aura was almost taunting, as if daring him to wield it to its fullest.

‘So, the more it kills, the stronger it gets…?’

Leon could understand now why Erica had reservations about using it. She might have offered it as a reward because it was too perilous to keep.

Regardless, it was still a weapon from a prestigious magical society, so he wasn’t disappointed. The possibility of ten flawless attacks was invaluable.

‘However, whether this invisibility would work against a high-level mage remains to be seen.’

While sensitive to mana flows, top-tier mages might still detect it. But its peculiar abilities indeed made it worthy of being called an artifact.

‘Did the Tower Lord of Sigrene use such a weapon freely…?’

While he pondered, a playful voice echoed in his mind.

[Oh, look at this little thing showing off.]
[Do you know something about this weapon?]
[I don’t know it personally… but it’s cute how it’s trying to flex.]
[You think you could handle it?]
[It’s not about whether I can—it’s about you, right?]
[True.]

The sword’s voice returned in a mocking tone.

[Funny how you only reply when it suits you. Usually, you tell me to shut up.]
[….]

Leon’s headache flared up as the sword continued its jesting.

[Heh, just joking. But you know, I told you not to help the elves, and here you are, helping them anyway. We’re on thin ice, you and me.]
[Don’t start with that now.]
[Oh, well, it’ll be hard to share any secrets then.]
[Then stay quiet.]

With that, Leon firmly shut down the sword’s input and stored the Death Scythe back in his pouch. There was still much to consider regarding the mission, but the sword wouldn’t be part of it until they reached the Elven Forest.

As Leon synthesized the details Erica provided along with Jubel’s information, Ria broke the silence.

“I have a question for Erica.”

Erica looked at Ria, then nodded cautiously.
“Yes… please go ahead.”

After gathering her thoughts, Ria asked resolutely,
“Will this be your last request?”

“Pardon?”

Ria continued with a calm but firm tone.
“I’ve heard about you and the circumstances surrounding your request. I’ve agreed to help you rescue your companions, but I hope you’ll understand I need some assurances.”

“Yes… I understand,” Erica replied, her face tense.

“I’ve been told you made a request before and were turned down. This is your second request.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Now you’re offering artifacts and the Elves’ World Tree branch as part of this agreement. But once we reach the Elven Forest, will there be another request?”

“N-no, of course not,” Erica replied, caught off guard.

Ria observed her for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright. Then may I ask what you plan to do after reaching the Elven Forest?”

“I aim to speak with the Elven elder. If the conversation goes well, I’ll return to the academy immediately.”

“And if things don’t go as planned… what then?”

After a brief silence, Erica replied,
“Though it’s unlikely, if things go awry… I’ll continue my journey, searching for allies who can aid the academy.”

The air in the room grew heavy with her answer, her face clouded.

Understanding Ria’s probing questions, Erica looked uneasy, sensing that perhaps she’d overstepped.

Ria, sensing her discomfort, gave a quiet nod.
“Understood.”

From there, she sat quietly, her thoughts unreadable.

Two days later, Leon and Ria left the inn.

Erica was to meet them at a separate rendezvous point later.

As they walked openly through the bright daytime streets, they stopped occasionally to browse shops, buying small items, as if preparing to leave town. They moved casually, blending into the crowds.

When the time approached, they slipped into an alley, and Leon activated the Concealment Lamp, causing them to disappear from sight.

Invisible, they made their way to the designated meeting place, where Erica was already waiting.

Leon signaled her to follow, and the three of them quietly made their way toward the Dark Spider Syndicate’s hideout.