"You're having the same questions that I have… I honestly wish I knew but because of how information goes out, I can't guarantee what I heard is correct from there. And you know I don't like taking wild guesses."
"Then why don't you ask someone from that place?" asked Layla, making the two males jump.
"Layla! I thought you wanted to be alone?" asked Matt as he tried to cover the map.
"I did but then I got bored. This place doesn't exactly have many things to see… Anyways, what are you both talking about? And why are you trying to cover something that is horizontally bigger than you?" questioned the Dragoon, moving towards the Loplin.
"It's fine, let her see…" said Teemo as Layla pouted.
Matt sighed as he moved away, allowing the girl to read the map.
"Why does the entire Six Kingdoms have an increase of death and creatures? And how did you know that Valokia suffered an influx of death?" asked the Dragoon as she glared at the Felidae.
"How did you-"
"Only one group of people would follow this way of map marking, with black crosses and red circles. Teemo, are you from the Syndicate?"
The Loplin shot up and ran towards Layla before Teemo could react. The Dragoon blinked and found herself looking at Teemo's blade clashing with Matt's gun, sparks flying.
"You are more knowledgeable than I thought. Maybe I should be cautious of you after all," said the Felidae as he pushed forward.
"It's common knowledge for me to know about the underground circuit. I knew you could've found that many Dragoon tails without knowing or working with Syndicate."
"But I will say this; I have no intention to rat you out nor do I care. I am here to have fun and fight monsters," explained Layla as she raised both her hands up.
"I don't buy it. Why would a tavern keeper be knowledgeable about the underground circuit?"
"Because I sell alcohol and keep folks' secrets within those walls. Valokia restricts the types of alcohol going through the trade so I get mine from other sources."
"Main priority is to make sure the Royal Guard has their eyes away from my business," replied the Dragoon, swiftly to make the two males stand down from a fight.
"Then will you share those secrets in exchange for your life?" challenged Teemo.
"Yes, provided I know what your topic or request is," answered Layla.
The Felidae sighed as he withdrew his weapon and Matt backed away but still had his gun out.
"You can have your weapon active. Now then, I need information about the deaths that occurred in Valokia. Do you know what caused it?" questioned Teemo as the three of them took a seat.
"The area that has the most deaths is known as Periclum Zone, the place is known for being a criminal-run area. The lives over there are worth nothing as the Royal Guard has used it as a dumping ground for criminals."
"Dragoons who have black hearts would dump their enemies in that hell hole to survive. From what my brother told me, that place is worse than hell."
"I highly doubt that fact but carry on…" muttered the Loplin as he shook his head.
"So you're telling me that the deaths there are just a red herring? Some personnel I have…" grumbled Teemo, wanting to rip the paper.
"Before you go ripping both maps and your messenger's head off, was he the one who came up with the map? In fact, who is he to get this information?"
"That's classified and yes, he came up with it while I helped him. He gave me the documents that I needed to confirm certain sightings."
"Dragoon or not?"
"He is a local to the area, that's how he got so many details there."
"Then those deaths aren't the usual ones. Because whenever a Syndicate notes down deaths in an area, the Periclum zone is always empty because of how frequent death occurs."
"So why would he mark those deaths? What makes them so special?" asked the Loplin as he stared at the map.
"Let's rule out some things. It couldn't be disease, starvation, or dehydration. It definitely won't be citizen against citizen as riots and fights break out there all the time."
"I would say to rule out the Royal Guard because there isn't any patrol or active duty there since the king has changed. Although…"
Layla's voice trailed off as her hand gently hovered over the parchment. The rabbit looked confused while the cat had a blank expression.
"Let's hold on to that information, that the deaths are abnormal. Now then, a week ago I've got these drunkards coming into the bar and demanding a keg full of alcohol. They were wearing cleric clothes, and armed with Magecraft weapons."