Provoking Might Be The Objective

Wally had sat back most of the meeting, feeling guilty for the problems that he had caused because he let his guard down. Natsuki had also not said much, but observed the young master’s feelings in case he needed to be loved. That way the only way he could provide comfort.

Iki rambled on and on about plans to discuss while Sophia Rina got ready to take off to Lorenzo Cain’s land. He had literally named it after his name, but many people just called it, “The Land,” to make it simple.

Naoki and Souta had stayed off to the side and watched who came out of the room first. When it was Sophia, they figured they had the perfect opportunity and went to speak to her.

Naoki: “Excuse me miss, but may I perhaps ask if there is any trouble that we may help with?”

Sophia: “No, get out of my face. I have business to attend to.”

Naoki: “Ah, ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t properly introduce myself. My name is Naoki Denwin and this person next to me is Souta Yuu. We had previously talked with the leader of the Association and we were sent with Wally who truly did his best to protect all of us.”

Sophia: “Yeah, well that’s not the case. People died in his stead. What are you getting at boys? I don’t quite like both of you and I got places to be.”

Naoki: “We would like to help you. By places, do you mean, The Land?”

Sophia: “How did you know that? Who are you both? I can get you kicked out of here in an instant.”

Sophia’s red mana lines started to spread across her body and people began to stare and stop dancing. They became worried about what she might do.

???: “Miss Sophia, do we need to escort these gentlemen out of the facility?”

Sophia: “No, they just pissed me off that’s all. They can stay, but keep an eye on this older one. He’s too nosy about other people’s business. Isn’t that right, geezer?”

Sophia walked away with the guard outside the facility before Souta and Naoki could discuss further.

Souta: “That was your big plan? You dope. If your plan was to piss her off, then I could’ve done that. I might’ve even given her my glasses. She was kind of my type. If you didn’t promise me all that money to keep my mouth shut, then I might’ve just tried to shoot my shot.”

Naoki: “No, I accomplished what I wanted. I needed her to get angry. Everyone in that room definitely noticed her mana rise, not only everyone in here. I wanted to see if they would come out and stop her, which would've caused a big scene, but what happened was fine.”

Souta: “Why would we want that? We already stand out too much from the earlier meeting with them.”

Naoki: “Precisely. If they think we are hiding something, then they will keep watch on us. What we are trying to find is not so easy and if we have to battle something beyond our strength, then I would like them to intervene since it is their duty. No point in finding what we need if we’re dead. Next time we come across a legendary chaplet, we’re going to discard it right in front of their face. They will keep even more eyes on us after that, questioning what we are after. Besides that, I just wanted to confirm where she was going.”

Souta: “I see. The Land, huh? So that was Lorenzo Cain’s sons that died?”

Naoki: “Yeah. Although, that place is so freaking big that we’re going to have to go back there if we don’t find what we need in this land. It’s impossible to check peoples houses and Lorenzo’s main palace, which is 10 times the size of this Association. He has individual houses for all his guards, which is insane. They are built off money.”

Souta: “Remember that guy I know? He contacted me before we lost all of our chaplets in Weakening City in Deceased Paradise through a Rose Chaplet. He is almost done with that device that might help us find chaplets better. I don’t know how he made it or how it works, but it should be done soon. He will contact me through Tone Chaplet when it’s completely finished. We are going to need more Petals to pay him for all of this including the chaplets he had to use.”

Naoki: “We’ll sell what we found at LesserCue City, but it’s not going to get us enough. We’ll find more somehow or take a quest at a guild nearby. Let’s head out for now. We can come back and sell these. The air is making me sick.”