Motivations Of A Genius Lady - 29 Chalice the Troublemaker

“My lady, here. I thought you might want to see this.”

Chalice took the stack of papers that Levi handed to her. The more she perused it, the deeper the furrows of her brows went.

A few minutes later a lound bang was heard as Chalice slammed her fists on the table. Even Luke’s face turned grim as he read the papers she hurled in a corner.

“It is as you have feared my lady. A syndicate has taken root at Wyndham. We aren’t able to gauge what exactly this organization is. Though, it is pretty much set in stone that they are responsible for the abductions. It is comforting that they have been complacent and slipped up. Giving us a starting clue.”

Luke said as he flipped through the documents. Chalice took in deep breaths to calm herself. Being an agent in her past life enable her to see the horrors that humans are capable of doing. And human traffickers were high up on Chalice’s kill list.

She had seen how these horrible people treated their ‘commodities’. She had seen how vicious the deaths were. She had seen how broken the victims have been, despite being rescued they were never the same again. Who would be able to stay sane being subjected under countless torture and abuse?

It seems that anywhere, no matter what world,humans will always be capable of such macabre deeds. This time, Chalice is taking it personally. No one commits such atrocities in her fief, to her people.

“Janus Street. Hmm. So all the missing people either went to Janus Street once or they were abducted right at that street. Are there any witnesses?”

Levi shook his head. Aside from Janus Street, he hadn’t found any more substantial evidences. Whatever they were up against was rooted quite deep for them to fathom easily.

“I’m afraid none, my lady. It’s either they were paid not to say a word or they are too scared to do so.”

Chalice stood and walked to the little window of the room. It hasn’t been long since she had come to Amaranth as the proxy Fief Lord. Yet, she’s already facing an unexpected quandary. Worse thing was, she had to deal with it elegantly and with every bit of a noble lady’s flair.

Frankly, if Chalice had a choice she’d rather raid those bastards nest, rescue the victims and beat them all up to death. The route to being the ultimate Fief Lord truly isn’t easy. There were a lot of danger flags she had to face. Can’t she just get rewards instead? Possibly another unlimited treasure chest?

She sighed before turning to her two aides.

“We wouldn’t be able conduct an extensive investigation during this time. It will be foolish for us to do so. This incognito situation is truly starting to irritate me. Luke, what do you think we should do?”

“It would be best if we wait and observe for now my lady. Being hasty might just aggravate our enemy. We can’t let them do anymore damage than what they have already done. I’ll send a missive to a few trusted men to search for the missing people. If they had been sold, then we might have a chance on that end. We may be able to rescue them. As for dealing with the syndicate, we will move after the inspection ends and we’re back to Amaranthia.”

Chalice pinched the bridge of her nose. She doesn’t have any choice but go along with Luke’s plan. She is well aware of how sensitive this case was. Their enemy was still cloaked by anonymity.

Although, there was always that other option.

“Alright, we’ll do as you say. Let’s catch up on some rest then, shall we?”

She looked at Levi, cocking an eyebrow at him.

“Oh right, Levi. Thanks for the information. To be able to gather that much in a such a short time, you really are amazing. You have my commendation.”

Levi’s face bloomed an enchanting, self-absorbed smile. His narcissistic tendencies were acting up again. Chalice took it upon herself to immediately take him down a notch.

“You’re still a midget though. I’m surprised there aren’t any uncles mistaking you as a cute loli outside.”

Chalice followed up her compliment with this light teasing. As expected, indignance immediately exploded in the poor, bullied knight’s heart.

Levi was really contemplating why he was serving this ill-mannered princess in the first place. He didn’t mind being called a loli but then he found out what it meant. He nearly lopped her head off. Even now, that foxy smile of hers was ticking him off. Add that to the laughter that Luke was hiding in his light coughs.

Levi concluded that these two really were deserved each other. They make him eat dog food one moment, then they would be making fun of him the next. These two demons were too synchronized. He slammed the door hard at their faces as he left. Though he didn’t immediately leave as he was still trying to calm his angry heart.

“Levi is too precious for his own good. I’m glad he’s with us.”

Chalice said ruefully. Her tone heavy. The previous teasing revealing itself as merely a calculated distraction to the issue they were facing. Levi who was at the door stiffened. Damn it! And he just decided to curse her. Now, he’s obligated to take it back.

—

A few hours past midnight just when people have sunken unto their deepest sleep, a silhouette could be seen leaping from roof to roof. The figure blended well into the night. If Luke and Levi saw this person, they would be astounded beyond words.

Chalice, the wayward daughter of Duke Amaranth was the identity of this leaping silhouette. Cloaked in a black hood, she was wearing tight black trousers which barely reached her ankle and a black shirt. Her boots didn’t even make a single noise as it lightly touched the rooftiles. An occasional silvery glint flashed in her hands. The sharp tip of the dagger was like a melancholic star against the darkness of her cloak.

The slashes of wind felt cold on her face. Chalice relished the feeling. It has been too long since the last time she went on a mission like this. Adrenaline rushed in her veins as the familiar sense of danger blared in her head.

Initially, Chalice did not plan on doing anything of this sort. However, her unceasingly righteous heart couldn’t bear the idleness. So, she decided to allow herself some freedom for a midnight outing. You might wonder where the hell she got her garments and weapon? Or even how she escaped her hawk- eyed nanny in the person of Luke?

Let’s just say that Levi is a really sloppy person, and a bit of a heavy sleeper when exhausted. As for Luke, escaping that guy was tricky. So she made sure he was deeply asleep first before she bailed.

Chalice went straight at Janus Street. The alley, though considerably wide, was dark and gloomy. It gives off a chilling vibe, warning everyone not to come close. She had her usual lazy smile. But Chalice’s emerald eyes right now were frosted over. It rivaled the abyss that she was staring into as it swallowed her form into its clutches.