Before Louka.

"That was a good nap!" Rem exclaimed as they made their way down the stairs. There were a lot of travelers staying at the inn making it very lively. The inn housed a dining area at the first floor where all of the travelers ate. "It's also a good thing we didn't sleep in, otherwise we will be hearing Oswald knocking on our door."

"Well…I won't be knocking…rather I would open it and pull off the covers. Then I will see something interesting underneath." Oswald, who just arrived along with Clive, mischievously said his eyes suggested an immoral thinking while his lips curved a little in to a smirk.

Rem and Leon looked at where the voice came from. Leon did not paid any attention to Oswald even more to what he just said and implied. "Good, you both are already here. We can now discuss our plan of action before we arrive at Louka." He said already getting down to business immediately earning a whine from Oswald.

Leon ignored Oswald's small protest and made his way towards an empty table and sat there. He called a server and ordered some dishes. The others followed and sat on the empty chairs around the table.

"Once we arrived at Louka, we will first find a place to stay then we will split into two groups. Both groups will gather information about the bizarre happenings in the town." Clive was the first to speak after a while.

"We cannot let the mayor know of our investigation or he might get involved and hindered us. From the knights' story it seemed like that the mayor is hiding something and we need to know what that is." Clive added after no one uttered any word after he relayed his plan on them.

After a moment of silence, it was Rem who spoke, "That looks like a good plan. Me and Leon would be roaming the town while you and Oswald would inquire on your own?" He asked knowing the group would be him and Leon then Clive and Oswald.

"Not quite. You and Oswald be a group. He will pose as someone who is accompanying a friend to pick up the goods he ordered. I believe you mentioned earlier that you will be picking up some fabrics in Louka." Clive said as he remembered what Rem had said the other day.

"Oh…" A hint of disappointment in Rem's voice was evident but it did not lingered. "What about you and Leon?"

"I will be posing as a bodyguard for Leon, a young master who wants to start a trade in town. We will be gathering information inside the merchants' guild. I believe we will be able to get a lot from there."

"Oh! What is he going to trade? I mean we did not bring anything to trade from Moon village."

"I have already arranged for it. Our groups will be arriving in town separately making it that we are strangers to each other but we will both rent rooms in the same inn. This way it will be easy for us to communicate with each other."

Leon who was staying quiet for a long time spoke, "That's a good one. In that way, we wouldn't look suspicious."

Clive nodded his head in agreement. At the same time, the food they have ordered arrived. The server placed the dishes in front of them. He also placed plates and utensils for them to use.

It was Oswald who acted first. The scents coming from the food in front of him made his mouth water, earning a growl from his empty stomach. "Since we have already talked about the things that we will do in Louka, can we now fill our empty stomachs to our hearts content?" He asked them while his hand moved to scoop a dish on his plate. He then let his mouth savor the taste that made contact with it.

The three shook their heads at Oswald before following and copying his actions. They too, were satisfied with the food that was served to them, especially the famous crab soup, pilan soup.

"By the way, what about Curtis? He came with Leon and Rem. Do you have something for him too?" As if on cue, Curtis, with a slightly disheveled hair and was still yawning, came down the stairs. He spotted them and quickly walked to where the others were.

"Sir Clive, Sir Oswald you have arrived." He said as he bowed in respect, greeting them.

"Yes" Oswald said as he gestured for Curtis to take a sit as he asked for a server to bring another set of plate and utensils on their table.

Oswald then turn to Clive, "So, do you have anything for Curtis?"

Clive nodded his head, "I do." He looked at Curtis who has taken his first bite and yet it did not hindered him in listening intently to what Clive have to say.

"Curtis will be with you and Rem. He will do his duty in taking care of your things and carriage all the while being attentive about the town's hearsays. If any hearsay seems suspicious or is peculiar, you will immediately inform Rem and Oswald about it." Curtis nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Curtis was never a nuisance in how the four operates. Ever since he came to the mansion, he had always accompanied them on their adventures thus learning the ropes on how they operate. And just like this time, he would occasionally receive his own task. This made him excited actually and warm inside somehow, it only means that he's trusted. "I will do my very best in picking up the information we need."

"That's good as long as no one becomes suspicious of you so you have to do it discreetly." Oswald reminded him earning another nod from Curtis.

After their hearty meal, the group dispersed. Clive and Oswald made their way to their rooms which were rented earlier by Leon. Leon and Rem strolled around the village. They looked into interesting things that can only be found in the village. Curtis on the other hand, went and checked on the carriage's horses. He fed them and groomed them before returning to the inn.

-Meanwhile, in some corner of Louka town-

"I heard the king has sent some people to investigate your town. I believe they have learned of that incident." A voice can be heard in a small room inside the mayor's mansion. The voice came from the darkest corner of the mayor's study room. If one looked closely, one will notice a silhouette of a human-like figure standing elegantly.

"I-I did not think those people would tell his majesty." The mayor trembled under the others presence making him speak almost incoherently. He hoped he won't get punished for this mistake of his.

"You were very impatient and was too rush in shutting them up that led you to this situation."

"Wh-what do you n-need me to do?" The mayor cannot helped being afraid of the one in front of him. This person exudes something that can make one tremble in fear.

"Nothing, just observed, and if they learned anything make sure to do something about it." The figure looked at the mayor and smiled. A smile that made the mayor almost stop breathing. The mayor froze in his spot as shivers ran down on his spine. The feeling was truly frightening.

The sight of the mayor gave pleasure to the figure making him flutter inside. "If you understand nod your head or else." The mayor nodded his head rapidly as he heard the figures warning.

After witnessing the mayor's acknowledgment, the figure disappeared into thin air, earning a sigh of relief from the mayor as he relaxed on his chair. He had never thought that this will be the price of that time.