Maintaining quite a distance while running for almost an hour and a half now, I continued to sneak my chase through.
As of now, I keep following the kidnappers of nobles from Halls Road where they had previously executed their operation. I knew those kidnappers are not simple and hired like mercenaries.
Obviously, they are Ruiners but not a higher progression. Most of them are Progression 0 or at most 1. Only a bit of Progression 2 while only a few Progression 3.
Thankfully, even if their strengths increased due to the Piece in their possession, they would also get tired and rest which they had done but not so much.
That resulted in good news for me since I would've been left behind and lost sight of them.
That doesn't mean I don't have a plan when that happens. It's just that, it's really not a plan but my perseverance would be tested.
Yep, I just have to run really fast. Thankfully, it didn't come to that point.
Rustle—!
All of a sudden while I was dropping down another piece of fabric, the kidnappers soon halted from their steps.
Much to my shock, something opened from the ground, and what seemed to be an underground stair led below the surface. It was so big, I could even see it here in my distance.
Due to the occurrence, the white robe individuals started moving once more but instead of running, they entered the staircase.
In just five minutes or so, there weren't any people left and I saw my chance to move and follow. During those times of waiting, I didn't just idly watch. I walked as silently as possible towards the stairs.
'This is in the middle of nowhere…' I mused inwardly as I watch the endless passage with a frown with no end could be seen.
Without further ado and without knowing when the stairs would be closed, I quickly grabbed a single knife from my side and put a bunch of fabric of clothes in one space before hitting them with the weapon.
It was directly pinpointed to where I was currently standing.
I emptied my pockets with the same clothes and throw them everywhere, yet it was near the staircase.
I chose this approach so that when the authorities came, they wouldn't be suspicious as to why the only lead they have suddenly lost and stayed in one place. After that, it was up to them how they interpret it since it was fairly easy.
With plans being laid, I entered the stairs and just like my guess, the ground started to shake, slowly closing the passageway a few seconds later.
Fortunately, I wasn't claustrophobic, making me ease my nervousness. Although it appeared big on the outside and has a few torches along the way, I wouldn't be so sure how to react when walking through this if I had that phobia.
…
'I've been walking for nearly five minutes now,'
Actually, I don't know how much I have to endure as the end of the staircase seems far from now.
That was what I was thinking when suddenly, I finally landed someplace.
There was a tiny space that seems to be another entrance and after walking a few steps, a whole world was set upon my eyes.
'Holy shit… don't tell me…'
I was at the top of somewhere and while looking down on the new world I was seeing, something came through my head.
'We're in a ruin, aren't we? And, it looked like a maze… What grade is it? No, just judging it by the structure, it could be an intermediate grade or even… proficient grade. I only know three proficient-grade ruins. If that's the case, why does the location of the ruin underground when ruins would cause earthquakes and disturbance? Why was everyone not aware of this?'
Questions filled my mind with no definite answers. The thing about the occupied ruins is they didn't pose any threat but the occupants themselves which are The Saviours.
'Tsk, I thought it was just an underground base. This group is really sly, secretive, and bold like what the novel description is given to them.'
The Saviours
They have some fucked up mission where they said they could save the world from its core. Their group leader was unknown. All other secret organization has been eliminated at the end of the volume but this one remains standing as if they have been made centuries ago and couldn't be easily destroyed.
At the end of the novel, the very last line of the group was almost caught by The Justice Organization and Demolisher itself but they were interrupted.
The interruption was no other than the first appearance of the Anomalies where that's the end of volume one which is a huge cliffhanger for a reader like me.
After that, I wouldn't have any knowledge regarding the future.
'At that time also, I would be out of this damn world. Going back to my previous world after satisfying whomever the entity is behind this.'
I don't have any proof and my reasoning was out of my character but… reading many fantasy novels, I get that having some sort of guide would probably give me an answer. I knew how illogical my reasoning is but… my transmigration was more out of a world experience.
'Pheww… relax, France. No time to let my thoughts wander. Focus on the task on hand,'
Calming myself down, I hastened my pace, quickly going down some path that would lead to the maze. After walking a tireless hour, I was finally down on the very maze.
'How villainy,'
On my front, crude designs and unkempt surroundings were seen. People were walking around whether they were wearing white robes or not. There is blood on the floor but they seemed to didn't mind it nor did they care who or what it belonged to. There is even a lingering smell in the surrounding.
But all of it was doable for an inexperienced person like me.
I swiftly ran through some plans inside my head, 'Having a bit of knowledge of this place, I should start disguising myself by wearing a white robe similar to this group. After that, I should begin finding Isaac by moving around. After that, we should next think of rescuing the people,'
The reason why I just didn't buy a white robe was its cloth was only made or found by this place or any branches that this group holds. Probably someone working for this group. The robe's description in the novel was said to be 'unique and beautifully stitched.'
'I'll get started then.'
By starting, I should find the place or places where they stored the robe.
…
'No guard? Really?'
After entering the room as I wander around the maze for a few hours, I was finally at the place where I could see the robe hanging around everywhere.
'Wait, is it because the people who could enter here are only available for the Saviours?' I immediately disregard that thought, 'No, that's not the case. I wasn't part of the group or the people they abducted. Let's take it for another reason. How could a Saviour recognize a fellow Saviour?'
Thoughts started to enter my mind and they started to diminish as I thought of possible ways, eliminating the illogical, not very suited for the situation, out of the place, and far-fetched conclusions.
I was only left with two reasons.
The first reason is they could recognize each other. There are divisions of groups with members consisting of a leader and those leaders will have a group of leaders, reporting their improvements to one superior worker and those superior workers had also have a group on their own containing superior workers reporting to the higher position than them until it reaches to their very leader of everyone.
Seeing that they never failed once and their names started popping out, based on reading this novel, on this day is enough proof for my first reasoning.
Who knows, maybe they have already appeared before the start of the novel. That seems to be a good reasoning, considering that they were a secret organization that is properly manned and moving like clogs in a clock: working in a timely manner. They would have such a history.
The other reason I could think of is that they didn't know each other but they have a certain code that allows a Saviour to recognize another. Those who joined and have been carefully chosen could only be instructed with the code. They will be passed it to other members which they deemed trustworthy.
'Now that I think about it, does the capital already knows the existence of this group? If it does, how much influence do they hold? Well, this group is the main villain of volume one. If I could take a guess, this group was or has been already showing its name in this continent.'
My mouth can't help but twitch, 'Being a light novel reader sure also has its perk,'
Even if those two reasons couldn't be reasoned out to be true for now, it's better to have a thing that could be potentially true than not knowing anything.
Setting that aside for now, I put on the robe and neatly arranged myself for a minute, I was finally done.
My weapons have been now fully covered even though I brazenly showed them off to the other people but they didn't seem to mind it. They also have a weapon on their own and a person knew they needed it when the time comes.
'They must've laws around here.'
And whether they have it or not is not my concern.
Upon checking that I was all done, I quickly headed out of the room.
When the thought of safe entry would take place once more, I was met with something different.
"Oh, why are you wearing a robe? Did someone ask you on a mission?" An unknown man asked in my front, looking at me with a smile.
"Someone did," I answered flatly.
"Who is it? There are a lot of people who will use you if you aren't careful," The man paused, "It's probably a few days since we kidnapped the nobles on the outside so whoever issues you a mission should know that it isn't optimal to go around, less we wanted to attract the capital,"
"His name is France Neemon." I answered, "I want to punch that guy for lying to me. I'll be on my way now,"
"All right,"
Without further ado and after exchanging slight talks, I calmly walked away. As long as I act cool, I knew I would escape this.
I knew I did my best in acting.
'Right—'
All of a sudden, I felt a slight pain coming from the back of my neck. My vision started to get blurry and only the words of the man I met earlier reverberated in my ears.
"You liar,"