[54] Twisted

Two months ago, when Roxy returned to the Asura Kingdom, the journey took about two weeks if done at full speed without resting in the fortress cities along the way.

Now, Roxy stood in front of the grand and striking Costatine Corporation building. The edifice looked like something from the future, with its unique and eye-catching design featuring elegant grey layers and pristine white paint, exuding an air of sophistication and innovation.

As she entered the building, Roxy was greeted by a stunning sight. This was not just an ordinary store, but an impressive modern shopping centre. Roxy was awestruck, her jaw almost dropping, and her eyes widening in astonishment. "Seriously? Ash made all this!?"

The building, the brainchild of Ash and realised by Raphael over the past year, had now become a focal point of attention. Thousands of people, from common folk to nobility, flocked into the magnificent building, their presence creating a vibrant buzz.

Holding a letter sealed by Ash, Roxy bypassed the complicated procedures. With this letter, she gained immediate access inside without having to wait in line.

"Please excuse us for making you wait, Miss Roxy," said one of the neatly dressed staff, a human woman with a friendly smile.

"Oh! No, I should apologise for intruding!" Roxy quickly realised she was about to meet someone of great importance, given the remarkable achievements of this place.

"Fufufu~ Not at all. Please follow me. Mr Raphael himself will explain the situation," replied the staff member with a cheerful and respectful tone.

Roxy nodded quickly, admiring the staff's professionalism and courteousness. Despite being an adventurer and a demon, she felt honoured and warmly treated.

As she followed the staff member, Roxy couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the building. Every corner and detail seemed like a living piece of art, with futuristic architecture and stunning interior design. The shimmering lights and gleaming floors made the place feel like an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

Upon arriving at the designated room within the building, Raphael was already waiting with an air of authority and sincere friendliness. His elegant appearance and luxurious attire added to the impression that he was a highly influential figure.

"Welcome, Miss Roxy," Raphael said with a smile radiating warmth and friendliness. "I am very pleased to finally meet you in person. Mr Ash has spoken highly of you."

Raphael, as described by Ash, bore a striking resemblance to Ash himself—except without the beastman tail and ears. However, while Ash was known for his calm demeanor, soft yellow eyes, and always warm smile, Raphael exhibited the opposite. His broad, bright smile, though friendly, had a tinge that made Roxy feel slightly uncomfortable, as if the smile reminded her of something unpleasant.

"Ahem, I'm sorry if I'm intruding," Roxy began as she sat down on a luxurious sofa, carefully holding her magician's hat in her lap.

"Hahaha~ Not at all, Miss. Now, let's see," Raphael continued, opening the information sheet prepared by his informants. "You are here to verify information about the Paul Greyrat family, specifically regarding their whereabouts before the disaster in Bunea Village."

Raphael examined the sheet carefully, then continued, "Hmm, the current information is somewhat limited. One thing we know is that an elf fell in the royal palace garden, and Paul Greyrat and his child, Norn, were teleported to the Notos region. Paul's maid, Lilia, and her child were also teleported to the Shirone Kingdom. As for Rudeus Greyrat, his whereabouts are still undetected, but he is likely in the same location as Philip Boreas' daughter, Eris Boreas, at the time of the disaster."

Raphael placed the information sheet on the table, looking at Roxy attentively. "Please feel free to read the report yourself," he said, pointing to the paper on the table.

Roxy hesitated at first but was eventually overcome by curiosity. She reached for the paper with her small hands, assisted by Raphael's secretary, who placed a tray of snacks beside her.

Raphael elegantly lifted his herbal tea cup, observing Roxy as she read the report intently. The room was filled with the calming aroma of tea and luxurious decorations that added to the sense of opulence.

"A-Are these reports..." Roxy began to ask, but Raphael quickly interrupted her.

"False?" Raphael answered in a calm, slightly surprising tone, not allowing Roxy to finish her question.

The girl was startled, her body trembling slightly as she swallowed, feeling as if Raphael's words were almost offensive to her. However, seeing Raphael's calm reaction and his leisurely movement as he placed his tea cup on the table, Roxy felt a bit more at ease.

"Of course, I understand how difficult it is for you to trust how we obtained this information in such a relatively short time, less than a month. Given the typical speed of information in this world, a month is a very short time, considering how challenging it is to locate people in such a vast world."

Roxy nodded, privately admiring Raphael's speed and efficiency in gathering information. Raphael's secretary offered her snacks and herbal tea, which Roxy accepted with gratitude.

With deep curiosity and a hint of lingering fear, Roxy scrutinised the information before her, trying to understand and process all the details in the report. Raphael remained standing calmly, waiting attentively to provide further explanations if needed.

"So, is Paul now residing in the Fittoa region?" Roxy asked while taking a sip of the expensive herbal tea, savouring its calming aroma.

"Initially, yes. However, since his wife, Zenith, was not found among the survivors, he decided to search for her himself," Raphael replied seriously. "He is also searching for Rudeus, although he believes his son must be able to handle whatever challenges he faces."

Roxy choked slightly on the tea she had just sipped, surprised at how familiar Raphael was with Paul. "H-Have you met him?"

"Oh, indeed," Raphael continued casually. "At that time, he might not have realised that I was the head of refugee management, so we had a conversation. He also asked us to post a message on the notice board to aid in the search for his family."

Raphael went on to explain the content of Paul's message, which Roxy had read earlier. The message was a plea for help in finding Paul's missing family due to the teleportation disaster. Only his wife, Zenith Greyrat, and his son, Rudeus Greyrat, remained, with their current status still unknown.

Roxy pondered for a moment, reflecting on Raphael's words about the assistance Costatine was providing to the disaster survivors. Raphael explained that Philip Boreas and his wife had been found in the newly established Strife Zone, Britania Union. They were currently involved in helping King Roland organise the region. Raphael also revealed that Philip Boreas now served as the Managing Director tasked with establishing Costatine's central base in the kingdom.

"Quite a significant step," Roxy said with admiration. "Costatine is indeed moving swiftly and effectively in addressing this situation."

Raphael smiled with visible satisfaction. "Indeed. We have grand plans for the future. At the moment, we are just establishing a base, but the preparations will be more extensive than you might imagine."

"Grand plans?" Roxy asked with deep curiosity.

"Ah, that is a company secret," Raphael replied with a mysterious tone. "I'm sorry, Miss Roxy, but for now, you don't need to know the details of our plans. Everything will be revealed in due time."

Roxy was taken aback by this answer and quickly apologised awkwardly, feeling a bit uncomfortable about her ignorance regarding Costatine's future plans. "Oh, I'm sorry if I was too inquisitive. I just wanted to understand more about how the situation is being handled."

Raphael smiled gently. "Not at all, Miss Roxy. Your involvement and concern are greatly appreciated. If there's anything else we can assist with, please do not hesitate to ask."