Chapter 13: Investigation
The next morning, Mallory left the familia grounds and was met with two burly men.
They were the two mercenaries which had been her first customers and those which were her most loyal followers and customers. "Franco, Swaine.. it seems that most of your bad luck has cleared up. It seems that you have solved your previous problems and are not getting into more troubling situations."
Swaine was the person who purchased her talismans first and he showed a look of worship in his eyes as he greeted her. "Yes, thanks to the talismans and the advice which you had given us, we were able to solve our problems."
With the debts they owed for failing to carry out their mission and to calm down those who issued the task, they had to earn a higher amount so they would escape harm.
Through many twists and turns, they were able to complete the task at a later date and paid off what they needed to.
Although the materials were no longer needed, it showed that they took the mission seriously and were sorry for not completing it as promised.
Their sincerity to pay and provide the materials was enough to make those behind the task forgive their failure and stop their men from causing Franco and Swaine harm.
Mallory, Swaine and Franco were quick to walk away from the familia grounds as they were dressed in less conspicuous clothing.
While Mallory was dressed in light armour, it was hidden underneath her cloak and she had not brought her spear out to avoid looking out of place.
Many kunai were hidden on her body along with many types of different talismans.
Mallory then spoke. "Swaine.. where would be the best place to find bad people?"
Swaine put his hand on his chin. "You would usually find them in the slums but you should know that it is not just the ordinary people that have control over bad practices in the city. It is more difficult to find proof that will incriminate them."
Mallory nodded. "Okay. We will visit a couple of local stores and inns first where people frequently gather or visit then we will go to where you have suggested."
The first couple of stores that she visited were quite normal and she detected no strange auras but then she suddenly stepped into a store which was selling all kinds of potions and medicines. 'This..'
Before her eyes were several clouded figures which had committed many evil deeds on their own or their actions resulted in those evil deeds. 'I will keep note of this store for now. Time to leave.'
After buying a small amount of mana and healing potions, she left and went onto the next location and then the next.
While she was doing so, she began pondering over what her eyes had shown her. 'A cloud of sin and misfortune are different but are connected in a way. A cloud of sin could affect a person's cloud of misfortune if they did not have enough luck, strength, influence or intelligence to help protect them. Some sins can remain on their body but have no affect on their fate because there is no real threat from those connected to those who they have wronged'
She continued to ponder. 'Some can live worry free lives without being punished by what is believed to be karma while others get their comeuppance eventually but by then they have already continued to commit even more evil. So what is it which my eyes see as evil? What is the definition of good and evil in this world? Are monsters purely evil or is it just the result of their instincts or another force?
Are all gods surrounded by a pure aura? Although gods are divine, they cannot be without sin and pure beings like spirits cannot be without faults too. Humans are more complicated too, can a soldier of a country be counted as evil for fighting for their country? Do my eyes show me the correct choice to take as I am acting against evil and protecting the good or will I have to determine that for myself?'
Gradually her complicated thoughts died down as Mallory entered the slums where there were many vigilant eyes on her. 'Indeed they were correct.'
Even the most worn out and fragile person there had committed some form of evil but looking at their conditions, it was most likely done in order to maintain their own lives. 'This really is not so easy to judge.'
Some were living in high places and enjoying their lives in comfort while they ignored the struggles below where many were forced to fight over a hard loaf of bread like animals.
Others resorted to stealing while others got into more illegal dealings so that they could escape from their current lives.
Some chased the dream of escaping the slums and living a better life as they did wrong to so many innocent people just so they could rise up.
Those that were weaker died early or were taken advantage of by those around them, they could be used by those above them, be beaten to death or even sold off.
As someone that had experienced being beaten into submission by a slaver, she had a little sympathy for some of them but it was not enough to let her guard down.
Many raised their hands up as their palms faced upward. "Please.. spare some."
"Anything will do."
"Just a coin."
"Just a piece of something to eat please."
Swaine came closer and whispered. "Do not pay them any attention, if you show weakness here then they will target you."
Mallory nodded as she observed their expressions. "Mm.."
Many looked pitiful and a little vigilant but there were many which looked like hungry beasts which would pounce at a moments notice.
Swaine glared at the beggars and scolded. "Stay quiet and do not pull anything funny otherwise… heh heh!"
Many shivered in fear and backed off while others took a few steps back as they kept their eyes on the group of three as they left.
A very small number kept their eyes on Mallory, Swaine and Franco until they left then ran off to tell those they worked for about a group entering the slums.
Some children who were unable to steal or kill were forced to work as informants for the gangs or other influences in the area.
There were people who were forced to commit evil deeds because of their environment but there were also those that chose to commit evil deeds for the sake of justice or the wellbeing of everyone else.
A weapon or potion maker may have made something which would cause harm to others and they knowingly sold them to their customers which committed the evil acts so would they be marked with sin as a result or was it when they made something purposefully to harm an individual at the request of the customer?
As Mallory saw more people her thoughts gradually calmed down. 'I guess that my vision can really be helpful but also confuse me. It would be best to use it as a guide but not follow it blindly. What I need to do is find the sources of the fall of Visa no matter how big or small it may be.'
Mallory's eyes paused at a building which had been guarded by two burly men at the door. "Swaine, what is that place exactly?"
Swaine looked over and frowned. "That is one of those places.. a kid like you should not ask."
Mallory asked calmly in response. "Have you visited such a place? This one in particular?"
Swaine went red in the face and tried to lie. "N..no of course not! Ahem! Okay well, a mercenary who has seen blood needs someone to give him a little warmth every now and again. However a place like this is not so good in reputation and there are less higher quality beauties.. ahem."
Franco turned his head away in embarrassment. "What he says is right. Anyone with a brain would not visit a place like that."
Mallory rolled her eyes as she observed the building. "Hmm.. we need to find a place to stay for now. I need to check something."
As they settled down nearby, Mallory observed the customers entering and leaving as she used her eyes to observe their aura. 'This place is really no good.'
In her vision there were many entering with a clean and healthy aura but as they left, they had become tainted by something.
Some which seemed more comfortable entering already had a faint or stronger tainted aura but it worsened upon exiting after they spent some time in there. 'This has some similarity to the antique shop in the way that it is causing harm so I need to investigate further. It has the potential to affect the city if it is allowed to remain.'
She then turned to Swaine and said. "We should follow the next customer and leave here for now. We need to gather more intel on the business and its dealings.
As they followed the next customer, they were lead to a small house where a man walked into the small yard and was greeted by a woman.
It looked like it was a happy family but in the eyes of Mallory, it was a terrible warning about a potential threat that affected those with less sense and with smaller pockets which had to resort to visiting that building.
Mallory took out and marked the house and the building with red circles and connected them with a thin red line. "I need you both to try to keep track of the customers and find their homes, their personal lives and who they are in relations with."
Swaine suddenly understood the meaning behind her orders. "Do you mean that there is really a big problem with that building?"
Mallory nodded. "Un. I will give you some talismans so that you can protect yourself while carrying out your tasks."
Swaine and Franco let out a relieved sigh as they thought to themselves. 'I am so glad that I decided to pay more and visit the more upper class place.'
As they continued to wander around the city and looked into many places, Mallory found more strange signs which could cause problems to the stability of the city so she kept taking notes.
Soon her list was long enough that she could not act alone to complete everything smoothly. 'I really do have to rely a little more on the familia's influence if I want to do this without obstructions.'
The next couple of days were spent in the same way unless she had to make time to train, study, experiment or sell her talismans.
While she was outside, she spent a lot of time avoiding falling objects and other unfortunate events.
The day came as she made her first move during the gathering of those which wished to purchase her talismans. "Everyone. Today is a day for selling my talismans and granting you protection but I can no longer overlook the problems I have seen within the city. A plague is spreading within our walls! It is slowly corroding the cities foundations and I cannot continue to let this happen. One place exists which is one of those places which needs to be exposed for the harm it continues to do. I ask you all to assist me."
Many people looked towards her filled with doubt but since they had learned about her abilities and had good results from being protected from harm, they quickly understood the meaning behind Mallory's words.
"You mean the city is under threat?"
"How can we do anything about it?"
"How can we help?"
As more were hooked, Mallory showed a grateful smile and had started to explain the situation.
Weekly Power Status
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