[Nar point of view]
Several suspicious movements of the Empire in the vicinity of Amleth and our neighboring lands. Gastrium in particular, as it was affected by the sudden outburst of mana from Diana's Mirage Dungeon (Side note: need to push this to become the official name, that way Diana and Dana can have a source of income if something happens to three of us).
Suspicious actions of the Dark Side of the Church, the Illumination, especially regarding the increase of treatment costs by deliberately hiding several herbs and drugs, and blaming it on Saint Louis and Saintess Rumia by hiring bards to sing about it.
The Elven land, with its succession problem, has managed to repel the recent small invasion from the Empire, but is still struggling to make diplomatic contacts. Elegast, the former noble, has been spat upon by them. This is sure to cause more trouble, especially as The Hanging Treant has begun his process of becoming the second world tree.
The land of the dwarves. They're good. Somehow, Oreforged managed to make contact with their royalty. How the hell a slum dwarf got an audience with a royal dwarf is beyond my imagination.
As for the demon and angel representative, it is
"Nar! You must hear this!" [Sas]
"Don't tell me this has something to do with Diana..." [Nar]
Judging by Sas' intonation, I can only assume that Diana is the one causing trouble. If it is Dana, Sas will try to solve it himself. Somehow I get the feeling that Dana feels more comfortable with Sas and Diana with me. Anyway, what I heard is something outrageous
"Tio was kidnapped while I was near... Damn it... DAMN IT!" [Randy]
"Calm down Randy" [Akela]
"I know, just make sure I get to help them. I'll go no matter what" [Randy]
"You have my word" [Akela]
At the Adventure Guild, we all gather after hearing the terrible news. Apparently, Diana and her friends Tio and Adnan were exploring the new dungeon today, and the two realized something was wrong after the noble girl named Tio took some time to get a drink.
The initial investigation report suggested that an adventurer from Gastrium named Valdrid was responsible. He was seen making a racket when he couldn't defeat the Jester's Bone and had his loot from the dungeon taken away by the Jester's Bone. The report also suggests that he doesn't get a proper dose of Anti-Mirages mana, which causes his mind to become even more confused, turning even a well-behaved adventurer into a common street thug.
"How do they find this particular adventurer?" [Randy].
"He was seen arguing with his friend to get more loot from the dungeon, since he did most of the preparation. He was also last seen interacting with Tio" [Akela].
"Damn it... If it's about money, then yes, that special grasshopper golem of hers will surely fetch a lot of money" [Randy].
I see. You might not think that a Grasshopper Golem would fetch a high price, but it will, whether it's sold at an official auction or on the black market. Someone in desperate need of money with the right knowledge will surely know how much this golem will be worth.
"And Diana, after following the Grasshopper Golem's signal, quickly followed her friend. As she got farther and farther away, she asked her friend, Adnan, to inform us of what had happened, hence all of us here" [Alice].
"I'm sorry. If only my leg is faster, I can keep up with Diana... and save Tio" [Adnan].
"It's okay. It's not your fault. If anything, you made the right decision" [Randy].
"As reckless as she is, I'm glad she can at least improve and think one step ahead. Fie will definitely be able to track her down" [Nar].
"Meow" [Fie]
Since we already know what happened, it's better if we go straight to her. I'm sure Her Highness Queen Amleth will understand, but to be on the safe side, I should ask her permission to leave for a moment. As for Khamisah and Dana
"Guys! Have you heard... You're all here... Good! That means you heard about it! I'm ready to go!" [Dana]
"Easy now. How about we tell them what Madam Eisheth told us earlier" [Khamisah]
A carriage pigeon came from a village near the border of Gastrium, telling us that Diana will spend the night at their inn. Good! The innkeeper made a good decision!
"Then I'll go first! Once you all finish, just try to keep up with me" [Randy].
"I'll go too! Fie, you can follow Diana, right?" [Dana]
"Meow!" [Fie]
"Good! Let's go!" [Dana]
(Has she finally learned communication magic from Diana?) [Alice]
Before they leave, Adnan begs them to take him with them.
"It's frustrating, but please! I will make myself useful!" [Adnan]
"No. You will not be following us." [Randy]
"But!" [Adnan]
"Nar, Sas, can you bring Adnan instead?" [Randy]
"Can I?" [Adnan]
"Well..." [Sas]
"Sure, just try to catch up with us" [Nar]
"I... I will!" [Adnan]
He looks relieved. I'm sure he'll slow us down most of the time, but I also don't want us searching for another missing child. Besides, since he comes from a family of knights, his family connection in Gastrium might come in handy.
Since this matter involves the kidnapping of a noble's daughter by a foreign adventurer, it will become a hot topic in the future. Khamisah will receive special permission from Guild Master Akela herself to investigate this matter. As for Sas and me, once we get permission from Her Highness Queen Amleth and Sir Arthur, we will waste no time in catching up with them.
When we arrived in the village, however, we were told something that neither of us wanted to hear.
"I'm sorry! I was supposed to keep an eye on her, and yet..."
"Sleeping spell... Diana must have cast it on you and escaped alone" [Sas].
"I'm both impressed and frustrated at the same time" [Khamisah].
"Why did she do that?" [Nar]
Just like Khamisah, I am both impressed and frustrated, but also angry.