After reporting to Radvils, he finally got his answer.
He sat next to the portal, waiting for the hour to pass, so he could go to the other side. Meanwhile, he used this time to take another look at their current situation.
'I see. It seems someone is trying to sabotage us. From the sudden appearance of another group to this horde… They're indeed trying to do something. The problem is who? Laust is the primary suspect, but there is also a possibility of others aiming at other members or… My pocket watch.' He lowered his head but didn't take out his pocket watch.
He remembered when Sonia wanted to get it as if she already knew about his pocket watch and included it in her mission.
'My current level and influence are not enough to conduct this kind of investigation. It seems my goal can't be fulfilled by myself alone. I need to get stronger and create a small influence to work for me, but…' Theo didn't know and had any experience in building one. He ultimately shook his head and thought he should think about it after the competition since his fame would soar if he managed to succeed.
This would open a big door for opportunities, so he decided to wait for the time being.
After contemplating for a while, he realized the hour had passed and quickly made his return to the other side to help his teammate.
But when he reached the other side, he didn't go to the western wall right away. Instead, he walked to Nart Eilric's shop to buy a Champion Rank weapon. That was why he went to this place with his real body, carrying the backpack. Even if the others realized they were with his clone, they wouldn't complain because he had a good reason to explain.
Surprisingly, he saw the store was empty with only the old man sitting on the counter. He had a cool expression as he looked at the news he received this morning before coming to this side.
As soon as he noticed Theo, he raised his head and smiled. "It's really unusual to see you in this place, boy."
Theo thought Nart remembered him because Alea brought him here for the arm guards, so he nodded his head and greeted him politely.
Nart asked, "What are you doing here? If you have returned, you should go to the western gate, right?"
"That's my plan, but I have something I need to do first."
"Ho?" Nart raised his eyebrows, appearing to be interested in what Theo had to do.
He then put down his bag and placed all the Material Cards on the table. "I would like to sell all these."
"You sure?" He smiled and asked.
"Yes." Theo nodded. He remembered the loot for the mammoth was still Alea since they agreed to discuss who got it or sold it to the city after they returned. Unfortunately, it was under attack, so he didn't think much about it right now. In any case, he would return to this place again soon, so he didn't bother with something he didn't have.
He also didn't sell his Skill Cards, knowing he might need them to upgrade his skill in the future.
The old man, on the other hand, looked at the Material cards and nodded, calculating everything in his mind.
"There are various types of items, so their prices are varied. I will need five minutes to calculate them all, but the rough estimate is around three hundred thousand…" Nart frowned and asked, "Why do you want to sell me these Material Cards? I believe it's better for you to get a mission and turn in the Material Cards for your contribution points in the Temple. It will give you more benefits."
Theo shook his head and said, "I need it to get a Champion Rank Spear. If you're worried about the contribution points, one month later, we will head to the place filled with Champion Rank Monsters, so the Cards dropped by the monsters will be better."
"I see…" He closed his eyes for a moment and asked, "Boy, do you want to make a deal with me?"
Theo tilted his head in confusion.
"I will lend you a Champion Rank Spear if not two and you can pay me later after the second expedition you're planning on. You can exchange those Material Cards for contribution points. In exchange, I want you to do one thing for me."
Theo felt this was a risky deal and took a step back, but the latter already told him the condition. "I want you to clear a certain nest for me."
"A certain nest?"
"Do you know an artificial nest?"
Theo frowned and shook his head.
"An Artificial nest is a kind of place you build in this world to capture monsters naturally. The structure will become the nest for monsters to hide, so the people can enter the facility to increase their level. Big influences usually built their nests all around this place for training purposes, including my Eilric Family."
Theo became even more suspicious because this deal only benefited him since it gave him the chance to increase their level quicker.
Seeing the doubt in Theo's eyes, the old man chuckled as if he knew what he wanted to say. "The deal that is too good to be true is usually a trap… You must want to say it right to my face, but you haven't forgotten the fact that my BELOVED granddaughter is with you, right?
"This deal is a way for me to take care of my granddaughter as well as my personal interest in the man called Joker… Oh boy, I wonder why you hide your identity?" The old man smiled as if he had seen through Theo.
Theo obviously didn't want to admit it and kept his poker face even though his heart was beating rapidly. He tilted his head in confusion and decided to match the story with the one he explained to Phyrill. "Do you know my mentor?"
Nart instantly understood what he was up to and smiled. He opened his Skylink and showed a screen of the CCTV right at the front entrance featuring him and Joker. "Now, now. Where should I start explaining things to disclose your identity?"