Chapter 127
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: The Suspicious Partygoer
"What? Why are you so late?"
"Sorry, the conversation dragged on a bit."
Princess Katrina's birthday party entered its second part with a grand ball.
And Jeon could only return to Lena's side a little while after the ball had already begun.
"Did you get anything out of it?"
"Well... I thought I would, but I didn't."
"What does that mean? What did you even talk about?"
"It's a long story."
He said he was going to talk to someone, but came back empty-handed and wouldn't even share what it was about.
From Lena's perspective as the listener, it was downright infuriating.
"So you were just fooling around?"
"Not exactly..."
Jeon scratched his head awkwardly as Lena shot him a glare.
'I can't exactly tell her.'
To be honest, Jeon had gone in with quite a resolve.
He had been pretty tense about meeting Helena, one of the key figures in this matter, separately.
'How did things end up like this?'
He had expected to glean some crucial information there, but Helena suddenly confessed to him instead.
By the time he dealt with that and failed to get any proper intel, Princess Katrina showed up next.
Helena backed off thanks to that, but explaining the situation to Princess Katrina took another chunk of time... Who could he possibly tell that story to?
So Jeon decided to change the subject for now.
"Anyway, did you get anything?"
"Something? Of course I did."
"Of course not... What?"
He had tossed out the question casually, assuming Lena wouldn't have gotten anything while he was away.
Jeon's eyes widened round at her claim of success.
"Right after the ball started, more people came up to me."
"And you got info out of them?"
"Yeah. Not as overwhelming as before, so I didn't dance—just stood off to the side and chatted."
"It's a ball. You don't have to dance?"
"It's not mandatory. Besides, I didn't have a partner I wanted to dance with."
As she said the last part, Lena subtly checked Jeon's reaction, but he was just looking at her approvingly for gathering info even in the chaos.
"So, is the info useful?"
"...Yeah. It's about Sir Towns's whereabouts—the one we've been searching for."
"No way!"
Info on Towns, no less.
Jeon was newly impressed by how diligently Lena had collected intelligence while he was gone.
"What? Why are you staring like that?"
"Nah, just thinking our Lena's grown up a lot."
"Hey! I've always been the bigger one!"
"What are you talking about? I've been bigger since we first met."
"You two, there are a lot of eyes here. Please restrain yourselves a bit."
Risar, who had been watching their usual bickering about to kick off, quickly intervened.
Even with the escorts blocking as best they could, Jeon and Lena were still drawing tons of attention—being too openly playful would catch everyone's eyes.
"Ahem. So, what info did you get?"
"I found someone who was invited to the same party where Sir Towns was last seen."
"Really?"
"Yeah. And I even set up a dinner meetup with them next time."
"Whoa... that's impressive."
While Jeon was stuck dealing with Helena and the princess, Lena had uncovered something truly massive.
Seeing Lena's triumphant expression as she spoke, Jeon finally understood why she was so proud.
'But finding it this easily?'
On the other hand, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were unfolding too smoothly.
It was believable enough that someone had deliberately approached her and fed her exactly the info they wanted.
"Didn't it seem suspicious?"
"That's why I think we should have someone look into it."
"Hmm, investigate..."
Lena seemed to share his sense that the timing was suspiciously perfect.
The problem was there was virtually no one reliable in the Imperial Capital they could entrust this to.
"Maybe head back to the Mage Tower and discuss it there?"
"Eh... that'd take too long."
Even taking the fastest train from the Imperial Capital to the Mage Tower would take nearly a week round trip.
Adding time for reporting and planning a return visit could stretch to at least ten days, or even two to three weeks.
By then, this fresh info might be worthless.
"...Maybe trust that old man."
"That old man?"
Lena echoed Jeon's mutter.
No one reliable in the Imperial Capital came to mind right away.
"You know, that Tuk Tribe guy."
"Oh... But can we trust him?"
At the response, Lena recalled the Tuk Tribe man from Drowning Pub, Taikan.
Thanks to him, they met Cellie at the luxury shop and got acquainted with Dealingum, but separately, Lena didn't trust his skills much.
'He's just the old guy who sticks to Jeon.'
This is why first impressions matter.
To Lena, Taikan was just a weird guy who acted friendly only to Jeon and flipped moods unpredictably.
"He's an ally who worked with Sir Towns before, so... maybe ask him as a favor?"
"...Well, no other options. Do what you want."
But with no one better than Taikan available right now, Lena reluctantly nodded to Jeon's suggestion.
"Lady Lena, are you about done talking?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Perfect timing. We were at our limit."
"What do you...?"
Just as Jeon and Lena wrapped up their talk.
Risar approached on behalf of the escorts surrounding them.
With his mention of "limit," Risar and the others were suddenly pushed aside left and right.
"Lady Lena! The ball is nearing its end. Care for a dance?"
"Jeon, would you dance with me?"
"I formally request it."
"Hahaha, everyone's so rude. Allow me to introduce myself first..."
The people the escorts had desperately held back until now surged forward like a tidal wave.
"Ugh... my bones ache."
Princess Katrina's birthday party was finally over.
The moment it ended, Jeon's group headed straight back to their lodging and collapsed.
They'd been hounded by crowds from start to finish, so the exhaustion was only natural.
"But do we have to head out this early again?"
"Early? Lunchtime's almost here."
Lena wanted to sleep in after last night's ordeal, but Jeon's firm resolve dragged her and Risar out just past morning.
"Plus, figuring in travel time, we'll arrive right around lunch."
"That's why... we could go a bit later."
"If we're late, he might be busy. It's a bar, after all."
"...Tch."
Lena grumbled at Jeon's logical point but shut her mouth.
Of course, she wasn't wrong either.
A bit more rest, arriving before peak hours—same difference.
Still, Jeon led the tired Lena and Risar to Drowning Pub.
"Still the same old place."
The most bustling city on the continent, the Imperial Capital Eldrasil, had its dankest, creepiest, most depressing spot.
Even compared to other cities' back alleys, this gloomy street's end housed Drowning Pub, so neglected you couldn't tell if it was open.
As Jeon reached to knock on arrival, like last time...
"Well, well! The stars of last night's show grace us already!"
The door swung wide as Taikan welcomed Jeon's group.
His vibe was even brighter than before.
"...Something good happen? You seem in high spirits."
Jeon voiced his puzzlement at Taikan's genuinely cheerful look, not the forced one from last time.
"Hahaha! Of course! The two who rocked the capital's social scene last night come calling!"
"Ah... rumors reached here already?"
"Naturally. If I didn't know that, I couldn't run this place!"
Apparently, last night's party antics had hit Taikan's ears quick.
Jeon just didn't get why he was thrilled.
"Come on in, then!"
"Ah, sure."
Setting aside the questions, they followed Taikan inside and took seats at the long table, like before.
"Eaten yet?"
"No, not yet."
"Goodness! Then I must treat you to something nice!"
Jeon waved off Taikan, who was far more eager to host than last time.
"No need for anything fancy... Just like last time is fine."
"Huh? That stew? That's just standard fare."
"Yeah. But add noodles like we talked about last time."
"That much? Easy enough!"
Taikan flexed unnecessarily, as if to say leave it to him, then headed to the kitchen.
Lena, watching, poked Jeon's side.
"You pushed to come early for this, huh?"
"Well... partly?"
"Partly my foot..."
Just as Lena called out.
Jeon had timed it for lunch specifically to snag another bowl of that stew from Taikan.
'Can't resist home flavors.'
And not just any—it tasted like ramen.
So close to the real deal that it sparked intense nostalgia, making him crave the exact recipe.
"Here you go, dig in!"
Taikan brought the food quick, and Jeon happily started eating.
'Yes! This is it!'
Last time felt like ramen broth with chunks, a bit lacking.
Now with proper noodles, it was the real ramen experience.
Jeon inhaled his bowl frantically.
"Hm? Less spicy than last time?"
"Haha, you seemed overwhelmed last time, miss, so I toned yours down special!"
"Wow..."
Lena, who'd griped about the early outing for this, was surprised by Taikan's thoughtful tweak and ate contentedly.
"Ah, that hit the spot!"
The surprisingly satisfying meal ended.
Taikan cleared the table with a pleased grin, then finally sat down properly with the group.
"So, what's the reason for dropping by so early after partying late?"
Taikan cut to the chase first.
His friendly tone, unlike last time, let Jeon get to the point easily.
"We want info on someone."
"Info... My specialty. Who?"
Jeon glanced at Lena for the question.
Since she'd met and talked to the person, better from her.
"It's... someone named Ferna."
"Ferna? You mean Ferna Alberto of the Alberto family?"
"Ah, yes! That's her!"
"Hoo..."
Taikan recognized the name instantly, stroking his chin with a deep sigh.
"Why the interest?"
"Met her at last night's party. Helena approached us, and she said she knew Helena too."
"And?"
"She invited us to her next party and suggested dinner beforehand. Naturally asked if she parties often... and she listed all her recent ones."
"And one matched Towns's last known party?"
"Yes. Exactly."
"Tch. We got played."
"Pardon?"
Taikan clicked his tongue and shook his head at Lena's tale.
Lena and even Jeon looked puzzled.
Taikan explained.
"The party where Towns vanished? Ferna—that guy's the host."