Ch.121121. Main Scenario – Slaves

Upon hearing that Gilbert had obtained information from Wild Rose, he immediately rushed to Obitus as if flying. There was no issue since he had already received an exit permit from Briana.

Upon arriving at Obitus, Gilbert headed straight for Wild Rose.

His steps naturally quickened, curious about how much information they had gathered on Slaves.

After passing through the familiar back alleys to reach Wild Rose, Gilbert was greeted by the manager.

“Welcome, Sir Gilbert.”

“Skip the pleasantries. Did you get the information on those bastards?”

“To get straight to the point… yes, we did obtain it.”

Indeed, Wild Rose’s intelligence network was impressive.

While the Empress’s direct intelligence unit was taking considerable time to gather information, the fact that Wild Rose had obtained it first was proof of their high-level intelligence capabilities.

Although the Empress’s intelligence unit didn’t represent the entire Empire, the First Empress’s intelligence division, considered among the top echelons of power, possessed abilities superior to those of most minor kingdoms.

The fact that a mere information guild had acquired intelligence faster than the Empress’s unit demonstrated just how capable they were.

“You don’t sound very confident.”

“It’s not complete information. It was quite challenging to obtain intelligence on Slaves, which hurts my pride. It seemed as if someone already knew and was erasing information in advance.”

“Are you saying they’ve already noticed our movements?”

“I cannot confirm that. Our business always requires us to speak only based on accurate information. Speculative statements don’t befit an information merchant.”

Gilbert nodded at the manager’s composed words and fell into thought.

Typically, information guilds try to avoid making speculative statements. Their business deals with information, and speculative remarks are like theories derived merely from listing facts rather than being based on factual evidence.

Naturally, unverified theories cannot be trusted unconditionally, and for information guilds where reliability and accuracy are paramount, if speculative statements prove wrong, they remain as fatal blemishes.

Nevertheless, the fact that Wild Rose’s manager made such a statement to Gilbert meant there was some evidence, albeit slight, and he was suggesting that the information fee would be calculated accordingly.

Gilbert understood the manager’s words precisely and took out his money pouch.

“I’ll make the judgment and take responsibility. Tell me everything you know.”

“I thought you might say that. The information fee is 70 gold.”

Gilbert’s eyebrows twitched.

The fee was double what he had expected.

Combined with the initial 30 gold deposit, it amounted to over 100 gold—a considerable sum.

Gilbert pulled out another pouch containing 30 gold from his chest.

“Verification complete.”

After confirming all 70 gold, the manager bowed and handed him a stack of documents.

The papers were specially enchanted to burn immediately if touched by unauthorized persons.

“You’ll find the details in these. Slaves operates as a cell organization, but with a structured system. We confirmed there’s a central headquarters and seven branches that receive orders from the central office, with numerous slave traders organized in cell formations under these branches.”

The information about Slaves from the manager’s mouth matched what Gilbert already knew.

The existence of a central headquarters, seven subordinate branches, and slave traders scattered beneath them in cell formations.

While it was physically impossible to capture all the slave traders organized in cells, simultaneous annihilation of the central headquarters and the seven branches was feasible if their locations could be identified.

Gilbert’s plan for annihilation also involved simultaneously surrounding and destroying these eight locations. While it would be ideal to eliminate all slave traders involved in human trafficking, that was unrealistic due to information leaks and manpower limitations.

However, by dealing with the leadership, they could make open human trafficking much more difficult. Afterward, by gradually strengthening city security, they could significantly reduce their numbers.

Gilbert preferred this practical and effective approach over idealism. Seraphina the Empress felt the same way, so it seemed this main scenario could be cleared without issues if they could just locate the targets.

However, one thing in the manager’s words bothered Gilbert.

“Do you think information is being leaked to them?”

“I can’t be certain. That’s why the information fee is lower than usual. Whether you believe it or not is your choice, but honestly, I think the accuracy of this information is below 70%.”

It was a subtle figure. If he thought it was around 70%, it meant there was a substantial possibility.

And since they were said to have connections with the Empire’s power structure, the likelihood of the manager’s words being true was practically 90%.

Even if that weren’t the case, given Gilbert’s character of always considering the worst-case scenario, it was difficult to ignore his words.

“You said 70% numerically, but you’re suggesting it could be higher.”

“That’s also why we stopped our investigation. If we dug deeper, we might have aroused unnecessary suspicion. I don’t know what Slaves’ purpose is, but it doesn’t seem like they’re simply amassing money through human trafficking. Their scale is unnecessarily large for that.”

It was an unusually opinionated statement from the manager.

Information merchants typically just sell accurate information to clients without providing analysis. The risk they must bear if the analysis is wrong is significant, and this tendency was particularly pronounced at Wild Rose.

Gilbert, well aware of this fact, looked at the manager with puzzled eyes.

“You can disregard my personal opinion. Consider it a bonus from someone who’s shared a duel with you.”

Gilbert understood then.

After all, duelists who have crossed swords often become friends.

***

After returning with the information obtained from the manager, Gilbert secluded himself in his quarters. The volume of information was substantial, requiring considerable time just to read through it all.

After several hours of quietly sitting at his desk reading the stack of papers, Gilbert finally finished and exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair.

His neck had stiffened from concentrating without movement for so long. He massaged his nape with one hand while reorganizing the information.

It doesn’t seem too far off from what I knew.

First, the Third Branch was confirmed to be at the location he already knew. Even Wild Rose couldn’t infiltrate the interior, only confirming the surroundings, but it mostly matched what Gilbert already knew.

This increased the accuracy rating of the information obtained from Wild Rose.

The central headquarters of Slaves was hidden in a place truly unexpected to Gilbert.

It could be considered either bold or a complete blindside.

The central headquarters of Slaves was located in the heart and center of the Infractus Empire—

Byzantium, the imperial capital.

Seeing this, Gilbert couldn’t help but slap his forehead.

The old saying was right—it’s darkest under the lamp.

Who would have thought they’d have the audacity to hide and operate a human trafficking organization in the heart of the Empire?

Thinking about it, to maintain close relationships with the Empire’s power structure, it made sense to be where it was easy to contact those in power. For an organization that regularly bribes officials and supplies slaves to build influence, the imperial capital, teeming with political heavyweights, was the perfect location.

Of course, theoretically, being in Byzantium was advantageous, but common sense dictated that hiding in the imperial capital while engaging in human trafficking—strictly prohibited by the Empire—was nonsensical.

Yet they had done it so brazenly and remained hidden.

Gilbert found this strangely convincing.

Isn’t this common in novels?

A trusted ally turns out to be the mastermind, or the final boss is sealed in an unexpected location.

Anyway, Gilbert tucked the papers into his chest and hurriedly went to find Seraphina. Having located the enemy’s position, it was right to leave further investigation to her.

Especially if it was in the imperial capital, where she had more reach, the authenticity of this information could be quickly determined.

Upon reaching Seraphina, Gilbert gave a brief greeting and immediately handed over the stack of papers. He didn’t forget to request permission for the magic to allow her to view them.

Over a cup of tea, Seraphina’s expression suddenly contorted as she speed-read the information. She had clearly reached the part about Slaves’ central headquarters being in the imperial capital.

“These insolent bastards…!”

After quickly scanning the information Gilbert provided, Seraphina gritted her teeth and emanated a murderous aura. The killing intent released by this skilled knight was so fierce that servants passing by her office shivered with an inexplicable chill.

“Priest. Is this true?”

“It’s information obtained through a request to Wild Rose, so its reliability should be high. I believe it can be quickly verified by cross-checking with your intelligence department.”

“That’s the greater problem. If this is true, I will have to completely overhaul my intelligence department.”

This was unusually aggressive language for Seraphina, who was always composed.

But understandably, for someone who prided herself on having the best intelligence unit, this must have been a significant shock.

While it might be difficult to track all criminal organizations in the Empire, Slaves was an organization so massive it rivaled decent-sized guilds.

The fact that such a criminal organization had hidden in the heart of the Empire without raising any suspicions naturally wounded Seraphina’s pride.

Gilbert silently prayed for the well-being of the intelligence department.

“This is all due to my lack of virtue. Had I been more astute, such vermin would not have been parasitizing the Empire.”

“Your Highness.”

“Enough. I will not permit your statement. This is a time for me to confess my sins.”

Seraphina raised a hand to stop Gilbert’s words. Strict with everyone, Seraphina made no exception for herself.

“I have essentially abandoned what I should have shouldered. I have tarnished my mission to protect the subjects and uphold the glory of the Empire. I find it unbearably shameful that these vermin breathe in the very heart of the Empire.”

Seraphina’s eyes began to blaze with fury. Her gaze was so fierce that if anyone from Slaves were present, she would have torn them apart on the spot.

Gilbert could confidently say he had never seen Seraphina this angry before. The discovery of Slaves hiding in Byzantium had clearly touched her raw nerve.

“Gilbert.”

“I await your command.”

“I will personally verify if these scoundrels are hiding in Byzantium. You are to immediately gather students and form a special task force, ready to deploy at any moment. However, not a word about this operation must escape their lips. If such a leak occurs, you will bear the responsibility.”

“I, Gilbert, humbly receive the command of Your Imperial Highness.”

Gilbert knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

In his mind, the faces of those he had selected for the special task force flashed by.