Zach and Nessa were so used to entering the forest that they already had their bags packed with any essentials they might need on a quick one-night trip. It didn't take long for them to head out, but they were still half a step behind Dukiel and Julius, who wasted no time.
Zach and Nessa didn't have to be as quick as possible. It was just that they didn't want to waste time. Dukiel and Julius, however, felt a sense of urgency and need to move. They were in charge of investigating the Underworld's possible activities in the city.
It was already afternoon. They wanted to catch a glimpse of the city during the day, evening, and night. They didn't know what to look for other than traces of the Underworld. But considering how any activities had gone unnoticed so far and how much effort the Underworld had to be putting in, it wouldn't be easy.
The only thing they had going for them was the fact that they might have discovered part of the Underworld's plot before the Underworld expected them to and Julius' sensitivity to underworld energy, thanks to his Mannequin.
If there were an underworlder or a source of underworld energy in Basilia, Julius would sniff it out, and Dukiel and the Sentinel would beat it up.
It was a solid plan.
It wasn't much of a plan, really, since they were just starting out, but it was better than Zach and Nessa's.
Their plan relied on how attractive Zach was to monsters and then to go all out killing everything that came at them without even trying to escape. It was reckless. But Zach trusted his barriers and Yanael, and Nessa trusted Zach to a certain degree.
If nothing else, Zach and Yanael were strong. Unless anything extreme happened, she would be safe with them. The one thing that was a slight problem was the size of her Snakelong Millipede. It was too big. If something that could threaten it appeared, Zach's barriers couldn't cover all of it with enough defensive strength to protect it.
Well, it was fine as long as nothing happened, so Nessa focused on the more important things. She glanced at Zach's face, mustering courage.
They were already pretty deep in the forest, and no one else was around. Yanael and the Millipede were busy dealing with the bloodthirsty monsters of differents shapes and sizes that came charging at irregular intervals.
"Zach."
"Yes?"
"You're pretty good at this whole summoning and skill thing, right?"
"I am the best in the class." Zach didn't miss an opportunity to brag, even if he was curious about what Nessa was getting at.
"I also heard you helped Julius' Mannequin evolve, and that you've given others a few tips about their familiars."
"That's right." Zach hadn't done much for the Mannequin. It had helped itself to the leftovers in the Giupusta Locale. But he took the credit anyway.
"As you know, my Millipede is C-rank."
"So, you want my help in evolving it?"
"...Yes. Also—"
"'Also'? Pause." Zach held up a hand as he interrupted Nessa.
"I do do favors, friend or not. But one at a time. Before you make your second request, let's hear what you're willing to offer for this to be a transaction and the beginning of a fruitful relationship." Zach's business side came out in full force and ignored any friendship he and Nessa had.
Nessa looked at Zach with adorable puppy dog eyes, pleading silently for him to reconsider. Couldn't he just do her one small favor without asking for anything in return? Didn't he already have everything he needed and wanted? If there was anything he needed or wanted, it wasn't something he could get from her.
"Well…?"
Unfortunately, after spending time with Nora, Yanael, and Alzara, using the weakness of a man against Zach didn't work. It would take an extremely skilled member of the fairer sex to make him budge with a glance alone.
"Tsk." Nessa clicked her tongue in irritation. Zach was no ordinary guy.
"...Fine. You visited the Labyrinth in your duchy during the break, right? That's how you summoned the tall one."
"Mm." Zach was beginning to get a little curious. Nessa's ears were good.
"You interested in entering another Labyrinth?" Nessa asked while looking around like she was making a black market deal.
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Zach shrugged, but he also raised an eyebrow to show slight interest and let Nessa know that she should continue.
"As far as I know, the Labyrinth of Jira is the easiest one to enter and leave. I don't know much about the others, especially the ones in the north and the center, but I do know about the one in the south."
"Right. You were one of Violina's vassals."
"My parents are her parents' vassals. We are peers."
"Move on."
Nessa rolled her eyes but continued.
"The Labyrinth of Syst opens once every two years. Next opening just so happens to be this summer."
Zach raised an eyebrow of doubt.
"Are you saying an invitation to your home is worth my help in evolving your familiar?"
"Is it?" Nessa hopefully asked.
"No."
"Then, no, that's not what I'm saying. There's a restricted number who can enter the Labyrinth every year."
"You can get me in."
"I can try. The odds are good, but you never know."
Zach looked at Nessa in deep thought and slight appreciation as he stroked his beard. He did not have a beard, so he was just stroking his chin and upper lip like a weirdo.
Nessa's proposal was attractive but with a lot of fluff. She had a lot to gain but nothing to lose. Zach, on the other hand, would be put in a position where he might have to work for free.
"I'll still get the…"
"Labyrinth Ticket."
"I'll still get the Labyrinth Ticket, even if I can't get your Millipede to evolve, and we'll get this notarized with Violina as a witness as soon as we get back. Deal?"
"Deal." Nessa got a little nervous, but she didn't let it show on her face.
"Great. Let's begin right away." He pointed at all the monster corpses after putting his hand on the Snakelong Millipede's carapace.
"Eat."