Guil, Lea, and Inoue sat down in the inn, their minds still heavy with Reinhardt's grave revelation. Inoue tried to mask her sadness and insisted they all get some rest. Her voice was determined, though her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.
"We'll figure this out tomorrow," Inoue said, her tone resolute but her voice cracking slightly. "Let's get some sleep."
Guil and Lea nodded, sensing the need for rest despite their worries. They headed to their room, and went to sleep to rest .
Once they were asleep, Inoue quietly slipped out of the inn. Leaving a note for her friends:
*Guil, Lea, I'm sorry for leaving without telling you. I need to find Dross on my own. I promise I'll be back soon. Please understand.*
Inoue's eyes were steely as she headed back to the Tempest Knights headquarters. She navigated the darkened halls. Veridian banners adorned the walls of the dimly lit hallways . With practiced stealth she reached Kharok's cell. She could hear him mumbling in his sleep, without hesitation she woke him up.
"Inoue?" Kharok's eyes shot open as he saw her. "What are you—"
Before he could react, Inoue grabbed him roughly. "Where is Dross?" she demanded. "Tell me now."
Kharok stuttered, fear evident in his eyes. "I—I don't know where he is exactly. I only know that he might or might not be in a village west of the capital."
Inoue's eyes narrowed as she kicked him in the face. "You're not giving me enough. I need more details!"
As she continued her intense questioning, Kharok's resolve crumbled. "That's all I know, I swear!"
Satisfied with the information but not with the way she had to get it, Inoue let go of Kharok leaving him sobbing in his cell. She hastily made her way west hoping to find the village , her mind racing with thoughts of finding Roman.
Back at the inn, Guil and Lea woke up to the note Inoue had left. Guil's face turned pale as he read it. "She's gone after Dross on her own. This isn't good."
Lea's face was filled with concern. "We need to find her, now!"
As they hurried outside, Reinhardt and a group of Tempest Knights intercepted them. Reinhardt's face was stern, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "Inoue broke into Kharok's cell and assaulted him. We have a warrant for her arrest."
Guil's eyes widened in disbelief. "She was just trying to find Dross. She didn't mean to—"
"Rules are rules, and what she did was unjustifiable" Reinhardt cut in. "We can't condone this behavior. I need to make sure she doesn't make things worse."
Reinhardt sighed, and said clearly torn. "I'll come with a few knights to help search .We know where she is heading."
Meanwhile, Inoue arrived at the village, her heart pounding as she tethered Bramble to a tree. She asked several villagers about a bald man with missing teeth and a scar, but no one seemed to know. Frustrated, she entered the church, seeking solace.
Inside, she overheard a nun scolding orphans. "Father Dross will be very upset if you don't listen!" the nun said sternly.
Inoue's heart skipped a beat. She approached the nun with a fabricated story. "I'm searching for Father Dross looking for his wisdom. Can you help me find him?"
The nun looked at Inoue with sympathy. "He lives behind a hill on the river coast. It's a small, humble shed. I hope you find him."
Inoue thanked her and left the church, her thoughts racing. She ran towards the hill, her determination unyielding. At the top, she saw the small shed by the river and heard someone singing praises to the Seven Gods.
As she approached the shed, Guil, Lea, and Reinhardt, now accompanied by knights, raced towards the village. Guil's voice was strained with worry. "We need to get to her before she does something she'll regret."
Lea nodded, her face set with resolve. "We can't let her face this alone. We need to find her, fast."
Inoue reached the shed, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She peered through a window and saw a figure inside. Her heart raced with a mix of hope and anxiety as she clutched her short sword, her steps hesitant but determined. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and hope as she prepared to confront Dross.
Inoue approached the creaky shed, her heart pounding as she reached for the door. With a determined yank, she swung it open to reveal a bald man with a scar on his forehead and missing teeth, though he had a beard. There was no doubt it was him . Her hand tightened around her short sword with rage as she stepped inside slowly approaching Dross.
Dross looked up, confusion flickering across his face. "Are you alright, my child? Is there anything I can help you with"
"Do you remember Roman?" Inoue's voice was strained but resolute.
Confused he asked "Are you alright, my child?"
Ignoring his concern, Inoue pressed on. "So you don't remember Roman? The kid you sold to make yourself rich?"
Dross's eyes widened in recognition. His face fell, and he lowered his head in shame. "I knew my sins would catch up to me eventually."
Inoue continued, her voice cold and accusing. "Do you know why I'm here?"
Dross, now trembling, replied, "You're here to seek answers, aren't you?"
Inoue unsheathed her short sword with a deliberate motion, causing Dross to flinch. "I was a bad person back then," he said quickly, "but I've changed. I'm sorry for what I did."
Inoue's grip tightened on the sword as she slowly approached him. "You ruined my childhood. You took away my best friend. You're the reason for all the pain and sadness I've endured. You're the reason Sister Marry became so sorrowful."
Dross, terrified, backed away as Inoue's body began to glow with a golden aura. She removed her hood revealing her striking golden hair and piercing red eyes that shone with an otherworldly beauty , the intensity of her gaze was almost palpable. As Dross froze in fear he slowly started to back away, Inoue's voice cut through the silence. "Don't move."
With those words, Dross felt an invisible force grip him, paralyzing him completely. It was Inoue's soul ability, Royal Decree. As he was forced to his knees against his will, Inoue crouched in front of him, her eyes reflecting a fierce, radiant light that left Dross mesmerized.
"I'm sorry for your pain," Dross said, his voice trembling. "I can help you find you friend. I know where he is."
Inoue, still glowing with ethereal energy, released her hold. "You're free to move," she said coldly.
Dross exhaled deeply, catching his breath. "He was sold to Lucian Ordo, a wealthy and influential magician on the Scara Demon's continent, Cascadia."
Satisfied, Inoue sheathed her sword and looked down at Dross, who was still on his knees. "Even if you've changed and became a better man," she said with a chilling finality, "in my eyes, you will always be nothing but filth."
As she turned to leave the shed, Guil, Reinhardt, Lea, and the knights burst in. Reinhardt's stern expression was unmistakable as he stepped forward. "Inoue, you are under arrest for trespassing on government property and assault on a prisoner."
Dross, desperate, interposed himself between Reinhardt and Inoue. "Please, let the child go. She's only seeking justice."
Reinhardt ignored Dross's plea and began handcuffing Inoue. Guil and Lea protested, trying to intervene. "She didn't mean any harm! You can't do this!"
But the knights blocked their path, enforcing Reinhardt's orders. Inoue was escorted out of the shed and taken to the Tempest Knights headquarters, where she was confined to a cell. Her heart ached with the knowledge that her quest for justice had led to her own imprisonment, but she remained steadfast, knowing that she had at least taken a step closer to finding Roman.