“So, do you have any idea about what we need to find to complete this deal?” Maria asked as she opened another window on her phone. The Chariot hill was a well-connected place and had most of its streets under surveillance.

Chances were, Maria would find the location of what they were looking for if she tried hard enough. And Maria had a cheat to make her search much easier.

“Well, the guild master didn’t say anything solid but he did hint that it was a medicine. He said that he would give me more details once I made my decision” Suna explained. She looked guilty about her decision.

“If that’s the case then we should hurry up and get the details from him” Nao’s words snapped the three into action.

Suna led them right to the guild master's room which was empty of anyone but the guild master. The person in charge of the place was a middle-aged man with no visible outstanding features.

But something about him ticked off all the wrong signs in Maria’s head. The more she looked at him, the worse she felt.

‘System, are you sure you cannot tell me the details about Simon court’s current condition?’ Maria asked her system. This was the first thing she had asked of her system once she could use it openly.

However, the answer still disappointed her.

[Files not authorized for the user. The user needs to find other sources to gather information]

Maria had never thought of her system as stubborn before but this was beyond stubborn. This was a hindrance at its best and left Maria with no choice but to consider alternate options.

"So you're back? Have you made your decision yet?" The guild leader asked and Maria saw the excited glint in his eyes. That was the look of a man who knew something you did not. It made Maria's senses rise in an uproar.

She almost took an unconscious step back before she stopped herself. The motion did cause her hood to jump up and expose her pink hair.

The guild master instantly snapped his attention to Maria, his eyes brightening even more as he noticed the small mishap. Maria felt like she was the only one who caught that motion.

"Yes. We've decided to take you up on your offer. Tell us what you are looking for in exchange" Suna asked as she braced herself for the answer. Maria could see the tension in her frame and it made her want to extend her hand toward the female.

Maria held herself back though. She had already made too many waves with her unnecessary actions. And maybe her feelings might turn out to be nothing in the end. It would not be the first time for that to happen as well.

Maria was not a good judge of character.

"You've decided to take my offer? That's excellent news and I finally feel like I can trust you. So, I'll tell you what I want you to do for me" Maria felt like the man was stalling them purposely.

Sure, his words sounded important but they didn't give away any relevant information. There was nothing in his words that warranted the group to pay attention.

"Quite your stalling old man. Just tell us the conditions so that we can be on our way" Nao noticed the tactic as well and her response was not nearly as nice as Maria's. The only one who seemed not to have noticed, or minded was Suna.

She was desperate for more information about her family. Maria understood her hesitation and longing better than ever.

How many times had Maria been stuck in the hospital and wondered about her family’s whereabouts? She had not even been made aware of her grandmother’s passing since she had been deemed too ‘fragile’ for such a piece of grave news.

It was such a rough time in Maria’s life and she did not want Suna to experience that. That was why she held her temper in and faced the old man with Suna.

“I am not trying to stall. In fact, I am merely trying to process how to word my request. You see, it recently came to my knowledge that the plant I am looking for is being held as a prize for an underground tournament. I’m not sure if you are still interested after hearing about it but-” the man did not get to finish his words.

Maria shared a look with Nao and decided to take the deal. It was the best they could get and any hesitation on their part would only make Suna hesitate in her decision.

“We’ll take part in it. Give us a time and date and it better be soon” Nao agreed but reluctance was visible in her eyes.

The man looked relieved as well, his body sagging in his chair as soon as the trio confirmed their intentions of helping him out. There seemed to be something lighter about him but that still tickled off Maria.

‘System, monitor this room and the guild master. I want all information on him’ Maria asked. It was an invasion of privacy and there was only so much her system could pull up before hitting an ‘inevitable breach’ and stop poking around.

Still, something in her prompted her to keep a check on this man. Her instincts called for her to not let him out of sight.

“The tournament would be held tomorrow and the prize ceremony will take place in the evening. I hope you will be in attendance” the man asked with a hopeful voice and Maria could not help but feel suspicious.

The timing for all this was too coincidental for Maria not to feel suspicious. She would need to show her suspicion outright but her face had never been her strong point when hiding how she felt.

Nao was the one who took the front, her body hiding Maria’s behind her, and Maria felt grateful. Her body language was giving away a lot and the visible part of her face made her a target.

“Send us the rest of the details in our room. We will show up for sure” Nao replied as she took the liberty of dragging everyone out.historical

Maria could not help but look at her phone screen for what the man was doing. Apparently, he was on a phone call and his face showed visible frustration.

“-What do you mean a day? Wasn’t this a priority?.......HUH, A royal emergency that cannot wait? Not even side guards? FINE, I’LL TRY KEEPING THEM HERE FOR ANOTHER DAY” The guild master seemed to be shouting at the end and Maaria felt her suspicions being confirmed.

He really did know about them in the end.