"There is no sign of the Wererat son sir. I can't find them at all."
I sighed, if Polly couldn't find them i would need to ask the higher ups. Except they wouldn't send a Seer for something like a level 40 Wererat. Even if he was a monster god cultist....
"Polly give the description to the church, I know we have history with them. However I have a bad feeling about this."
Polly nodded, "Do you need me for anything else?"
Polly was a average swordsman, he could use magic too. however unlike other magic swordsman who augment their skills with magic Polly focused only on recon skills and magic. He was even better than some seers. Nonetheless his skills seemed like they were blocked by something else.
"Don't worry about it Polly, the Wererat likely has some kind of artifact. For now Polly join the others in training."
"Will you be joining us Sir Everin?"
"Not today, I will be attending a meeting with Duke Essel."
I got up from my desk and looked down at my armor. I would need to get changed Duke Essel was... one to look down on a man in uniform. Despite he himself is technically always in a type of uniform. Taking off my plate mail I threw on my black coat. I didn't need to change my pants thankfully since they were Scully Leather. The purplish leather was commonly used among knights of noble families.
Which just left my arrival...
It didn't take long to wave down a carriage and had them take me to Duke Essel's mansion. The mansion was actually small compared to other noble homes, however most of the walls were made from woods that absorb mana. So the mansion was actually more expense then bigger ones.
When the carriage stopped I saw Duke Essel's Guardian knight waiting for me. The man was a 7th tier knight and he acted as a body guard it was ridiculous. I was barely a 5th tier with my level of 175. I waved, "Hello Sir Ransely!"
"Defective Knight Everin, good too see you! how is your investigations?"
He was mocking me, but not like I cared. He was just the same in my eyes. "I apologize Sir Ransely I cannot discuss it without the presence of Duke Essel. If you were a crested knight and not a free lancer it would be your information to have though."
Ransely twitched slightly and stroked his bushy face. "Eh a luxury I don't have I guess. Though i suppose I will hear it anyway when Duke Essel has his meeting with you."
I almost laughed in his face, I had orders that said otherwise. I couldn't wait to hand the order to Duke Essel. As he tried to barb me again he led me into the mansion and through the halls.
"Being a freelance knight has his perks. As my employer plays well unlike the standard 5 gold you get a month."
"Ah yes, 4 gold more than a third the dukedom's income for the average family. Well... That is if you also account for 2 of the family members working. An amazing economy is it not?"
Ransely looked at me in shock. I knew his origins, so this barb hurt him clearly. I looked past him, "So how much longer will we walk in a circle?"
Ransely formed fists before he marched us to a door we past already. Duke Essel jumped up as Ransely opened the door. "Knight Everin! Perfect timing I had just ordered some tea."
I looked down at the dark tea that he began pouring. The duke was an odd man, that much I knew however this had me confused. Until I thought about the dukedom. I pulled out a wrapped paper and held it out to him. "This is the order Duke Essel, once it is followed I will discuss what I know so far."
"Only for the eyes of the Essel family bloodline... This is and odd directive."
I nodded as Duke Essel dismissed Ransely with a flick. Once Ransely left I sat down in front of the duke. He looked up at me and shook his head.
"My sister she lives?"
"The order stands..."
He frowned, "To imagine. Does this mean she is working with them truly?"
I nodded in care. "Your sister is now confirmed to be your parents murder and in league with monster god cultists. With the help of the Helios clergy I investigated around and he cleared most of those she had worked with in the city. However it seems she is in league with some werebeasts."
I didn't include that they were war veterans, best not to hurt the names of loved heroes. Even with the new information. Duke Essel's expression changed many times, "Werebeasts... in my city. My home possibly..."
Duke Essel stood up and his hand begun to glow. It was magic, I knew he had magic, but I was surprised to learn that it was stealth magic. He had used a silencing spell that cut off all sound. "Everin... my old friend. I know our ideals split apart when we grew. However I must ask you please serve as my personal guard. I fear... Evidence is piling up and I am no longer tempted by the nobility I hold. I fear for my life Everin...."
My eyes shook, it had been a long time since he called me a friend. Even a longer time since he had confided in me. I looked at my hands and frowned, "What of Ransely?"
Duke Essel, no... Henrin looked in sadness. "Ransely is skilled, however he is not trustworthy. You know how he acts... specially to those like your brother. You know what happened to his wife. I did not offer to hire him Everin, he came to me."
I held my breath, "And you accepted?"
He shook his head, "I had to, my Father was just discovered with his brain removed and my mother pinned on a wall. Even now my father's brain is missing, though let's be honest with this order and confirmation."
Henrin held up the paper, "She used him to..."
I frowned and looked into the tea. "I know I found others. Not to mention the raid on the Holmstead farm, I found this."
I pulled out a silver plate. Henrin looked up in shock, "A Herbain plaque! This means..."
"Thankfully I think this is the only plaque in the area. After our talk I will be handing it off to the Helios Clergy in hopes of fucking them over."
"Even if it is stolen back those clergymen will make it unusable. However this means its not just monster god cultists Everin."
I nodded, "Eternal beings are also being involved."
Eternal beings are not welcomed by gods. Not even the monster god really likes them. They were essentially gods from other worlds and had powers usually different from that of the gods of our world. We did not treat them as gods, and no one worshiped them. However those who do not worship the gods often made deals with them for power.
I sighed, "I don't have the ability to help you in the way you want Henrin..."
He looked at me replying to my unanswered response. "But you can still help?"
I nodded, "A knight in my order Polly, hes skilled. Has many abilities and can easily get you out of danger. He usually doesn't join us during missions due to his skills and daughter."
Henrin raised an eyebrow, "I understand, you were always a smart one Everin."
The previous Duke was a corrupt man, Henrin loved him and his father loved him back. However the two differed when it came to management of the dukedom. Henrin has been changing laws and customs since he had became the duke. Which ruffled some and started some rumors, however he still had the power to make the rules. Making a charity fund for those in need starting with a knight who was a single father at a too young of age. It was bound to help him and my men in more ways than one.
"Is there anything I need to know about Polly?"
I shrugged, "Besides being from Atof? Polly is actually or was married to one of the daughters of Atof."
Henrin frowned, "Oh... Atof is a terrible place..."
Indeed, it was across the mountains and was a place where the literally 53 princesses run rampant. I shuddered to think what Polly went through to run. I shuddered to think of what the king there went through!