Inside the damp and dilapidated Holy Hall, the blond man exchanged a glance with his two teammates. They all saw the same solemnity in each other’s eyes.
His gaze first fell back onto the corpse. If a senior Mage specializing in the Necromancy School or a Priest Professional were present to cast Communication with the Dead, they might have been able to obtain more clues.
Unfortunately, his Mage companion was not adept in the Necromancy School, nor had they reached the level required to use such a Third Ring Spell.
He looked back at Maurice, his voice calm and steady, as if conducting a tactical deduction.
"This is the most reasonable speculation at present. Judging from the number of missing drunks, there may be more than one Predator hiding among us.
"They are not only brutal but also display a cunning comparable to Intelligent Races. They know how to lay low, observe, and systematically select their targets. This makes them far more troublesome than a purely powerful Magical Beast.
"Only this can explain why those drunks disappeared so mysteriously," the blond man summarized after a brief pause.
Maurice frowned deeply, his mind racing to analyze every detail as he took a slow, deep breath to force himself to remain calm.
"That makes sense logically, but the details contradict each other. Mottled Town may not compare to those large cities, but its walls are still twenty feet high, with hundreds of Adventurer Guards patrolling in shifts day and night. How exactly did they slip in so silently?
"Furthermore, as far as I know, among the Demons recorded in the Demon Shadow Forest, there are none whose intelligence can rival that of the Intelligent Races.
"Could this be the work of the Traditional Nobility who oppose us? Mimicking Demon attacks to create panic, with the goal of distracting Lord Skeller and the soldiers on the frontline?
"Mottled Town has a massive transient population, making it incredibly easy for enemy spies to slip in," Maurice concluded.
As the actual administrator of the town, the Town Mayor’s butler had to consider all possibilities, including political conspiracies.
The blond man nodded in agreement, appreciating that the non-combatant Maurice could maintain such a clear train of thought at a time like this.
"Your concerns are very reasonable; the possibility of a political conspiracy certainly cannot be ruled out. Mimicking Demon attacks to create internal chaos is a classic method of weakening an opponent.
"Because of this, we need to handle the situation with even greater caution. If it is a Demon, it must be eliminated immediately to prevent the situation from escalating. If it is man-made, rooting out these vermin as quickly as possible is equally vital.
"Therefore, I suggest that Mottled Town be placed under total martial law. A door-to-door search for unidentified individuals is the fastest way to uncover the truth," he said, looking at Maurice to offer his perspective.
Maurice gently clapped his hands to dust off the ash he had just touched, seemingly having regained his composure. His eyes were filled with unwavering resolve.
"But that is also the riskiest method. First, the foundation of Mottled Town relies on commerce and the circulation of Adventurers. Once total martial law is declared, the news will inevitably leak.
"Panic will spread like a plague, and Adventurers will no longer consider this place safe. The town’s tax revenue and economic lifeline will suffer a devastating blow—a responsibility no one can bear.
"Secondly, if this truly is a scheme by the Traditional Nobility, their goal is to create chaos and tie up the frontline. If we do as you suggest, we will undoubtedly be playing right into their hands.
"If Lord Skeller and the soldiers learn that the rear is unstable, military morale will inevitably waver. Should the frontline fail because of this, the fall of Mottled Town will only be a matter of time.
"By then, this place will revert back to an old-era territory filled with serfs and manors. That would be an absolute disaster. We must be responsible for the residents here.
"This is a land of freedom and a sanctuary for Adventurers. It must never fall into the hands of that pedantic and conservative Traditional Nobility," Maurice said sternly.
"Then, what is the compromise?" the blond man asked calmly, seemingly having anticipated this answer all along.
Maurice looked at the three Professionals and gave a heavy nod, stating his decision.
"Outwardly relaxed, inwardly vigilant. Starting shortly, I will use the excuse of ’guarding against the infiltration of Traditional Nobility spies’ to double the number of daytime guards on patrol and triple the night patrols.
"At the same time, we will drastically strengthen the inspections at the town gates, conducting stricter interrogations and registrations for everyone entering or leaving, especially unfamiliar faces. Then, we will carry out a thorough screening of all outsiders as soon as possible.
"This way, we can effectively heighten our defenses without triggering widespread panic or giving potential enemies an opportunity to strike.
"And you are the town’s strongest Sharp Swords and stoutest shields. On behalf of the Town Council, I implore you to use your experience and abilities to investigate from the shadows. This will be our greatest safeguard in countering this threat."
Looking at Maurice’s solemn face, a relaxed smile appeared on the blond man’s lips.
"Rest assured, Mr. Butler. Although we are merely Adventurers and do not understand politics and conspiracies, this is our town too. We will naturally do everything in our power to protect it.
"From this moment on, Ring of Steel will conduct secret patrols throughout the town, searching for any trace of a clue to quell this undercurrent as quickly as possible," the blond man said, glancing at his two equally composed companions beside him.
"Excellent. Then let us begin immediately," Maurice said as he walked toward the exit of the Holy Hall. "Until we possess concrete evidence, all speculations must be kept strictly confidential. I hope we can resolve this crisis soon."
***
Raine walked down the slightly crowded street, acutely aware of a somewhat unusual atmosphere.
The number of Adventurer Guards had noticeably increased. Instead of chatting in idle pairs or trios, they moved through the crowds and alleyways in tight formations, their sharp eyes scanning the passing pedestrians.
He thought, "Is it because of the drunks going missing these past few days? But this fuss seems a bit much." A fleeting sense of doubt crossed his mind, though he didn’t pay it too much heed.
An hour had passed since he left Old Henry’s shop, a place filled with the warm scent of leather.
During this time, he first visited a weapon shop and spent 10 Silver Lions to restock a dozen heavy Iron-Tipped Arrows, ensuring his Quiver was full once again.
Afterward, he browsed the weapon shop, examining the various weapons hanging on the walls and display racks.
Currently, he had 1 Golden King and 15 Silver Lions left on him.
Since his Longbow did not need to be replaced and his new Leather Armor was already being custom-made, he decided to invest his funds into another piece of equipment that urgently needed an upgrade: the worn-out Short Sword that had accompanied him through two adventures.
The rust on the blade, the rolled edges left from his fight with the Razor Beast, and the pre-existing chips all reminded him that it was time to change to a more reliable melee partner.
However, the standard Short Swords sold in the weapon shop were limited in style—they were either too clunky or all flash and no substance. Thus, he planned to try his luck at the Blacksmith’s Shop in town to see if he could find something more suitable for his grip.
Passing another intersection, he vaguely overheard the whispers of two Adventurer Sheriffs inspecting a market stall. They mentioned something about "guarding against spies of the Traditional Nobility."
"Spies?" Raine murmured, shaking his head slightly and tossing the information to the back of his mind.
His mind quickly immersed itself back into his own world. He planned his route for his next foray into the Demon Shadow Forest, pondering how to better combine the use of Eagle Vision and Stealth Step.
He figured that once his new Leather Armor and Short Sword were in hand, he might attempt to explore the deeper regions, searching for new Demons to record into the Hunting Chapter.
As for the overt and covert struggles between nobles, in his grand blueprint of exploring the vast world, they didn’t even amount to a single ripple.