CHAPTER 46: UNEXPECTED GUESTS.

"Go on." Ash listened, refusing to be distracted, even for a second.

Seeing him this eager to learn further fueled Terra as well.

She continued.

"Every week, an event is hosted here in this city. This was the same event that Aisha attended before she was sold away. All the high-value slaves are put on display to be sold, to either noblemen, merchants, or people who had enough money to purchase one."

There was a slight pause.

"During this event, Hapia and his gang are usually present, mainly because they want to gather as much profit as possible and also get to know the new customers they must have had. That said, many people with slaves also use this opportunity to trade with Hapia, since he can then trade them for a higher price, giving a small percent back to the original owner."

Ash sighed, already understanding where Terra was taking the whole conversation.

Actually, the moment she spoke about the event, the idea had popped into his head as well.

"You’re saying the best way to catch Hapia is to give him a fake slave so we can infiltrate from the inside out, correct?"

"Yes! Bingo!" Terra had a huge smile on her face. "And the fact you have Little Girl with you, an Elf, makes it more than easy. People consider elves, especially ones as pretty as her, very well-valued."

Ash didn’t say anything afterward, looking as if he was seriously contemplating the entire thing.

"Master, I don’t mind," Aisha suddenly spoke from the side. "You’re going through all this just so I can have my revenge. The least I can do is assist you as best I can. I am not weak. I can handle this. Please, trust me."

"Are you sure?" he asked for confirmation, just to make sure she wasn’t simply saying that to get on his good side.

"Yes, I am. I would like to participate in this as well."

Ash nodded, then looked back at Terra. "Say we do use Aisha as bait. There is still one issue. We can’t exactly fight every single person there. Hapia is the main target, not whoever gets the highest bid for her."

"Of course," Terra said, her smile not faltering. "That’s where the ’inside out’ part comes in. Once Aisha is inside, she can gather information. Where are the guards stationed? What’s Hapia’s usual routine during these events? Are there any hidden exits? We’ll need a detailed layout of the place, and only someone on the inside can get us that."

"And while she’s doing that?" Ash pressed.

"We wait for the opportune moment," Terra replied, her eyes glinting. "We use the information Aisha gathers to plan our extraction and to pinpoint Hapia when he’s most vulnerable. We’re not going in guns blazing, Ash. This is a precision strike."

Ash rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, Aisha acts as our eyes and ears, gathering intel, and then we move in when we have the perfect opening to nab Hapia without causing a massive scene."

"Exactly," Terra confirmed. "It minimizes risk, maximizes our chances of success, and ensures we focus on our main objective: Hapia."

Aisha listened intently, a newfound determination hardening her gaze. She was no longer just a victim; she was a participant, an essential part of the plan to bring down the man who had wronged her and so many others.

"Alright," Ash finally said, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Let’s do it. But first, what exactly are you going to be doing? You said you were going to help, no?"

The grin died just as quickly as it came.

"Yeah, you’re right. If I’m being honest, I feel it’s dangerous if you’re the only one going in there. But other than information, there is nothing else I can do. I can’t battle. I am only a bronze-rank Scout. The most I can do is scan the surrounding areas for people. That is it."

Ash was certainly not impressed.

"You at least know where we would be taking Aisha for the trade?"

"Of course. I even know where the next event will be held. As long as you have me, information is never a problem." Terra slapped her chest with pride, a smug look on her face.

’Good. With this, we can finally proceed. It should be easy. All I need to do is get close to Hapia. And he is dead. I don’t need to waste any time. The moment I see him, I am killing him instantly.’

Though he did not know this, his energy was starting to leak, causing the room to vibrate a bit, small cracks already showing on the windows.

The girls were frightened at this, but before they could shout his name, a knock on the door slammed their words shut.

Baam! Baam!

The knock went on for a while.

"I’ll get it."

Aisha was concerned as she reached for the doorknob and opened it, the thought of her master still lingering in her head.

However, as soon as she opened the door and saw Echidna standing on the other side, a huge smile on her face and waving, her thoughts were immediately replaced with confusion.

"Miss Echidna! What are you doing here?!"

Ash’s eyes widened after hearing that name.

He turned to check, and surely enough, she was there, even waving at him as well.

"What the hell? She followed us?"

"I just happened to be around the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by," Echidna replied to Aisha, the smile still etched on her face.

"Ah, why are you here? I already gave you your room," Terra said from where she was seated.

The new guests she had said she got were Echidna and Kelvin. Ash was just figuring that out now.

He sighed, not wanting to deal with the drama that followed. But as he stood up, Echidna found her way into the room and grabbed his hand.

"Wait," she began. "I know you feel it’s weird that I am here right now, but I promise I am not here to harm you, neither am I your enemy. It’s the opposite. I want to help you with this."

....

[A/N]

Sorry for the quality drop, I am really tired.