"Look, 'Risking' doesn't mean throwing away your lives. It means that there would be a danger of death, not that you have to dive straight into it. Figure out any other way to go about doing this, without putting your life on the line. That's the human way of solving things."
"We aren't immortal, we are just a bunch of people trying to find the best way to solve problems without killing each other. Call it cowardly, but that who we are. Like it or not, you're working and dealing with human lives," replied Bryan, looking at Ysabeau directly in the eye.
"I won't call it 'cowardly'. I'd call it, inconvenient, at best. But, he's got a point. If there are other humans around me, I can't guarantee their safety. If there's another way, we will tailor the mission to that. Now, Baron Tuazon, I need you to answer my questions," instructed Mavislin.
"I'm all ears."
"Alright, you claim to not know who has been running the two brothels. However, you had track records of them, right? What are the names that you can give that are related to the two areas?" asked Mavislin.
"I had track records, but they've stopped since three years ago. As for the people, only one remains. And that person is not even in the brothel anymore. He was in the Velvet Pearl but he wasn't the owner. He was a traveler who was a regular there. He settled down but far from the brothel."
"How about the owners that were there three years ago? We can start finding things from there."
"They've gone missing. In fact, their families are still finding their whereabouts."
"How is it that people are going missing left right up down and you can be so nonchalant about it?" questioned Bryan, unable to comprehend how the wealthiest Domain had so many missing people.
"I like that new phrase. I shall use it next time. He has got a point, it is your job to be aware of at least know their whereabouts. Failing to do so might cripple the Domain. But going back, did the owners hand over to the next people? Or what came of it?" asked Mavislin.
"They did, but the new people did not say their names or who were they from. At that time, they were silent for an entire year. When I sent people to check, it was reported that they were doing fine."
"And when was the time you decided to check up on them? By sending yourself to see the operation?"
"I was planning to, but another incident came. For the Desired Roses, it was handed over to a nameless tycoon that refused to give his name or identity. But for the Velvet Pearl, I wanted to find out since there wasn't any answer but the Umbra incident blew up."
"So we've only got one lead to choose from. And according to the Clement guy, he had stated that the area of the incident was at the back alley of the Desired Roses. Ysabeau, any ideas?" asked Mavislin, looking at the High Queen.
"Is that tycoon still at the Desired Roses?" asked Ysabeau.
"Yes, he still reports back their incomes but in a very mechanical way."
"Then that still leaves me with no choice but to infiltrate that place. However, I will try to see if I can find that tycoon. Any descriptions of him? Like what did he look like? Or smell like?" asked Ysabeau.
Mavislin was born with a keen sense of sound and smell but her sight was always on the weak side. That's why she is the only one out of the founders who can fight in the dark. Ysabeau was strong in her sight and smell but weak with her sound.
Usually, to figure a person out, Ysabeau uses their scent to determine both Element and thoughts. She can spot several things the normal Mage can't just by using her naked eyes. Small features like a person twitching or reacting... Ysabeau can note all these and use them to her advantage.
"He is slightly shorter than Bryan, but his stature is the same as him. Slightly more buff than Bryan. I have no clue about his face, but his outfit is all black. He is rather quiet. For smell, I can't pinpoint since the area was full of alcohol," described Gab, trying to remember the tycoon.
"Hmm... I can't really see how that could help Ysabeau with her side of things. But I'm glad you know some stuff about him."
"Don't worry, Mavislin. I can handle my side well enough without getting anyone into unnecessary problems. Focus on your side instead."
"And what information can you get for me on the Velvet Pearl? How about that traveler you've mentioned?" asked Mavislin, turning back to Gab.