I made the two stay in an inn nearby first so that they can rest and I went back to my room at full speed.
"I'm sorry, just when did you get so much money?" Rita ask.
"When I knock out the guards, I snatched some from their pockets"
Even though I can't see her I'm sure she's making a face of 'Why would you do that?'. I don't have any money with me so I really have to. Besides, they were doing illegal activities so no regrets!
Thankfully it's not the time for the banquet yet and base on the markings I put no one have tried to get in.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone's knocking, weird I didn't feel any presence. I quickly wipe my sweat off from my face to look refresh. I can't let someone who is able to go to the door of the room I am staying at with no presence to pick up any traces of me going somewhere. If that happens, I feel something even more troubling will happen later on.
"Who is it?" I ask.
"It is me, May. I've come to get Sir. Michael for it is time for the banquet"
"Come in" I said.
Surely she is hiding something right.
I told her to turn around so that I can touch her back. Though I think there is a bit of misunderstanding. I touch her back and took a look at her and what the hell. I'm level 13 and she's 47. That's more than three times than mine and her class is assassin. No wonder. Having those 'Skills' must be really amazing.
"Okay, let's go"
I acted natural.
I let go of the matter and we then went to the hall.
They really put so much detail in such a short amount of time, as expected from royalty.
I sat down, had talk, greet them one by one and then eat.
"Rita, can you tell me what they are thinking about?" I whispered.
"Most of them are thinking about you to send you to the front lines since they want to conquer some lands which are not theirs, some girls are thinking about drugging you and then leading you to bed, I suppose I don't have to say what's next right? And also there is someone who wants to have a spar with you"
Someone does? After seeing May's status, I'm not really confident about that.
"Don't worry he is at level 9. Surely you won't lose to someone whose level is lower than yours right." Rita said.
She's trying to provoke me! At a time like this! Let's play along then.
"Who is it then?" I whispered.
"That guy at your two o' clock, the blonde one"
That guy? He seems to be talking with someone and still keeps an eye on me.
Rita told me that this kingdom have five princes and three princesses. Then how come there are two missing. Perhaps away for a mission? There's no way that they would miss out as their 'savior' came.
The banquet ended and some did lure me into shady places though I drink a lot of alcohol I just neutralized it and went back to my room.
"Now then what are you going to do? You have that pendant that allows you to not take any sleep or food and still be healthy and well." Rita said.
Faint smell of flowers and there seems to be some little changes. Someone is here. Whoever it is, is good. Though not as great as May.
"Who are you?" I ask.
"What are you talking about?" Rita ask.
"Show yourself or I'll take this as an attempt of assassination."
The blonde guy from earlier appeared.
"I'm sorry for my rude behavior however I would like to have some of your time in private" He said as he bow.
"And you are?" I ask.
"I am the third prince of the Kingdom of Astel, Kaesul Astel"
Third?
Creepy that he went and hide there.
We took a sit and so I ask him as to why he was here.
He said that there are many "undead" in a village. And some villagers are vanishing as well from other villages. The death count is not that high but it attracts unwanted attention especially that no undead should even be here.
Therefore he is requesting for my help two months from now. Since I just came, he thinks that I don't know how properly utilize the blessings I have, though they are not offensive types. I accepted his request to go two months from now if the said incident hasn't stop.
Now that we are close to each other I can clearly feel his urges to fight. How barbaric for a prince.
"Prince Kaesul, are you sure that is all you really came here for?"
He then smirk and look at me with delight. Creepy, I feel like that he is somewhat a stalker.
"I know that you are tired, however will it be okay to have a friendly spar with you Sir. Michael?" He ask.
"Sure. Let us have one three days from now" I replied.
He then left after thanking me for accepting his request(the fight).
"By the way, I was wondering how you would beat the demon king?" Rita ask.
"Well, I'm not someone strong enough to actually overpower him or her. To begin with if you gods only need to get rid of them then you would have selected someone who specialize in offense. However, my mission also involves in uniting all the kingdoms in all the continents, the whole world at that. Meaning that you would also need either someone that can tactically make a situation whereas the kingdoms have no choice but to join together or a conman. And it just happens that I fit all of the requirements."
"I'm glad you are able to notice it"
"Yes, yes, thank you for the compliment"
I went outside again and head towards the inn where the two were. Since it was cloudy it's also dark. Even if I went full speed they wouldn't be able to see my face now, right. I feel like I'm some kind of vigilante.
I knock on the window four times and Alfred open it. There his sister is awake now, resting on the bed.
I ask happily to the girl "Hey, how are you guys doing?".
"I am doing great now. I thank you for the grace you have shown by saving the two of us"
"That's great then"
I brought out the food that I got(stole) from the kitchen earlier in my inventory and gave it to them. Since they are beast men they would enjoy eating meat, right.
When I look at May's level, her limit was 90. Meanwhile Alfred's limit was 210. Taking him in was the right answer. I'm sure he'll be useful to me in the near future. An extremely valuable one. The average level is 50 after all.
"You can check their health on the party list" Rita said.
Party list? Right, right, the system is made similar to a game. I shouldn't be surprise.
Their condition is a lot better now than earlier. Even without Rita's help, I can tell that they are itching to repay their debt already. Hehe, let's make their debt bigger, shall we.
"Alfred, tomorrow we will be going somewhere" I said.
"Where to?" He ask with a confuse face.
"You'll find out later" I said with a grin.
The two look at each other, confuse.
I went out and go back to the palace. Wandering around at night looking for valuable information. Door after door.
I can't find anything noteworthy. Do they not store anything valuable information in their room and office or their country just don't possess such information since they are quite poor.
Chills run down my spine.
"May I ask what Sir. Michael is doing at this time of the night?"
What the heck?! Where did May come from? She got into my back without me noticing. It must be something related to her class.
Besides, since when did she started following me?
"Getting stronger in this world is several times faster compared to your world" (Rita)
That sounds unfair on so many levels.
I slowly turn around. Her face seems red. Does she have a fever?
"Be careful now, she has many lustful plans in her head right now" Rita said as if she was saying the obvious.
Not answering May's question, I quickly envelop her whole body with aura to suffocate her. She then stab me with a knife before she fainted.
Finally she fainted due to the lack of oxygen. Bringing her to my room and tying her up in a chair after I healed my injury.
"Hahaha! I never thought you would take advantage on a girl!" Rita said.
"I brought her here to question her, if all goes well I will be able to make her sign a contract with me"
Besides I'm asexual to begin with. There is no way I am going to do something like that.
Half an hour have passed and May woke up.
"Sir. Michael I never thought you have this kind of hobby" She said.
"Well I didn't expect an assassin to be here. Now I have a lot of questions just for you and it would be better for you to answer them obediently"
"And if I scream for help?"
"I will kill you right here, right now"
Getting information from May was easy since Rita was helping me to separate the lies from the truth. Though even if I torture her, assassins are already mentally prepared for that so that will be rather useless and a waste of time.
"Tell me May, what is it that you desire?"
"And why should I tell you that?" She ask with a wry smile.
"Because if it is within my reach then you can rest assured that I can give it to you"
Silence came and the air was a bit awkward. I guess she is thinking about it.
"How can I be so sure that you would actually keep your word?" She ask.
Light appeared on my hand and a paper appeared. After explaining how my ability works, she seems to have taken my word a bit more seriously. Nevertheless, it will be hard to find competent individuals in the future. Have to get them as early as possible.
I have to make her decide already, keeping someone who has three times my level is burning my aura reserves. I did use it to wander around but to take one percent per minute is too much.
"Can you promise me that you will allow me to toy around with monsters then?" She ask with a devilish smile.
"You mean to experiment with them?"
"That's right!"
"Then as long as you don't involve innocent people to your entertainment you can do anything else. If you are going to involve humans, then make sure that they deserve it."
She agreed to my terms so I remove my aura from her and envelop the whole room instead. If she did ambush me I should be able to hold my ground despite having such a big gap.
After saying our oaths, I ask her about the kingdom, the royalties, and the nobles. Apparently, the one who was engaging in human trafficking was Count Somon. Rita confirmed that what May said was true therefore earning a bit of my trust.
"How were you able to level up so much?"
"You can see my level?"
I replied. "Yes."
"I had many opportunities since I am a fallen noble" She lightly bowed and then twirl. She gave a bitter smile.
"Since when have you started following me back then?"
"I was busy with obtaining dirt on a certain noble. I just happen to pass through and saw you, that is all"
"She is telling the truth" (Rita)
"For now gather information about the other nobles who are engaging in things like this" I said.
"Understood" She replied.
What a pro. And to think that she was tied in the chair one and a half hour ago.
[Skill evolution will now begin]
Huh?
[Soul binding contractor has evolve to Novice soul contractor.
Title "Soul manipulator" acquired.
Manipulation of souls is now possible. Due to the level being low it cannot control those who have higher resistances.]
"Rita, you said you were the one who mainly made the system right? How come the the power I got, is so broken?" I ask.
"That's because it's a blessing from the gods!" She replied.
So you are saying a blessing from a god(s) get broken like this in an instant?
No point in giving it my attention now if that's that. The important part is that I now have a spy for me. A good one at that.
I continued my mission to collect any information that can be useful to me.