I Have a Task Log

Chapter 287: Chapter 286: The Start of the Investigation

"First, I’ll go out and scout alone. I’ll use the [Object Positioning Skill] to pinpoint the exact location of the supplies, then use those Magic Scrolls for a more in-depth reconnaissance. If the amount of stored supplies doesn’t match up, we’ll know there’s a problem."

Colin looked at his teammates and said, "Kase, you take Morne, Battier, and Orelia to scout the surrounding villages. See if you can find anything related to the Lower Realm, like the smell of sulfur.

Check every village carefully, just like our investigation in Three Bays City. But try not to be seen by the villagers, otherwise they might warn the Monastery ahead of time and tip them off."

"I object." Battier crossed his arms over his chest.

Before Colin could speak, Kase snorted.

He looked at Battier and said, "Your head’s not as sharp as my little brother’s here. All you need to do is listen and obey."

Battier didn’t answer, just tilted his chin up defiantly at the Half-Orc.

Even so, the two-meter-tall Half-Orc hulk completely dwarfed him; in front of Kase, he looked like a mere pipsqueak.

’So this guy is determined to cause trouble?’

Colin retorted, "So, what’s your brilliant idea?"

"I want to go with you." Battier crossed his arms.

’That’s it?’

Colin studied the other man’s expression and realized he was being completely sincere.

Morne went over and tugged on his companion’s arm. "Alright, Battier, don’t be a pain. This is serious."

Battier shook his arm off in annoyance. "I’m not being a pain. This is a reasonable request. As reinforcements sent by the Church, we should at least get to see what these Cultists are like. Why should we just wait here?"

"Have either of you investigated Cultists before?" Colin asked.

"No," Morne spoke up before his companion could. "Our fathers just sent us to the Church for training. The Church generally doesn’t assign us anything too difficult."

"So we’re just a couple of useless brutes who only know how to swing our weapons," Battier said, deliberately putting them both down as a jab at his companion.

"I think I understand," Colin nodded. "The one coming with me, get your armor on—just the Armed Clothing and Chain Armor. It’d be best if you carried a pack, too. Then follow me. Don’t say a single word the entire way. Just watch."

Battier added, "If you get into trouble, I’ll be sure to step in."

"Battier," Morne said with an exasperated look.

"Don’t start. Do you want to spend your whole life as a bargaining chip for the Sect? Because I’m seizing this opportunity," Battier said.

He narrowed his eyes, looking like a gambler going all-in.

Colin watched him silently, then spoke in a calm tone. "I need to remind you of something. We’re about to deal with demons—real, actual demons.

The Church sent you here as support, not as the leader. If you sabotage my plan, even if the outcome is good, I will go out of my way to make things very unpleasant for you."

After he finished speaking, Colin could feel the other man scrutinizing him.

After a moment, Battier shrugged.

"That’s assuming your plan works," he said, which was his way of backing down.

"Alright, if you two don’t shut it, you can both get lost," Kase grumbled. "And the one coming with us—don’t wear so much of that clanking metal."

Morne nodded and turned to rummage through his baggage for his armor.

Battier took a deep breath and also began to prepare.

While the two of them got ready, Colin took out a few Copper Coins and, holding a Dagger, began carving marks onto them.

Just then, a tall figure stood before Colin.

Kase said, "If you run into trouble, use the Signal Flare. Don’t worry about your pride, we’ll get there to help you ASAP, little bro."

"Don’t worry so much. I’m definitely more afraid of dying than you are," Colin shrugged.

Kase reached out and clapped him on the shoulder, then turned to get ready himself.

Tucking the coins into his pocket, Colin took out his Spellbook and glanced through it.

Every time he learned new Magic through the system or other means, he would inscribe it in his Spellbook. He carefully reviewed the Spell for the [Disguise Technique].

Seeing that the other two were almost ready, Colin recalled the southern merchants he had met while wandering the markets in Rommon, focusing on their accents.

He spoke aloud, "I’m a merchant, just arrived from Rommon. I’ve come to see if there’s any business to be done here."

Battier and Morne exchanged a look.

"You sound pretty convincing," Morne said. "But the accent needs a bit of fine-tuning."

He gave Colin a few pointers on his speech, helping him align his accent more closely with the southern dialect.

His recently acquired [Street Spy] Specialty, combined with his experience in learning Spells, allowed Colin to pick it up remarkably quickly. In just a short while, he sounded quite convincing.

Once he felt he had it down, Colin led a horse with some baggage strapped to its back to pass as cargo.

When everything was ready, he took a deep breath and recited the Spell.

The [Disguise Technique] took effect again. Just like last time, Colin transformed into a minor merchant, but this time, he was a southerner.

Battier crossed his arms and said, "You actually look the part."

"Thanks for the compliment," Colin said, putting his hands together, fingers touching, and waving them gently in front of him as he spoke, imitating the hand gestures of a southern merchant.

Morne nodded and said, "It probably wouldn’t be enough if you were actually in Rommon, but it should be good enough to fool the people around here."

"Then let’s not waste any more time. This Magic only lasts for an hour, and we have four hours today," Colin said, getting up and heading outside.

Battier, having put on his gear and slung his pack over his shoulder, followed him.

This way, the two of them looked like the classic combination of a traveling merchant and an armed guard. Most small-time merchants who traveled between regions formed similar teams.

Colin said, "Our mission is to investigate where the money and supplies received by the White Dove Monastery have gone. After that, we’ll decide what to do."

Hearing Battier’s footsteps behind him, he casually lifted his hand and passed the horse’s reins over.

Battier froze for a second.

As he took the reins and began leading the horse, he asked, "How are you going to investigate?"

"We’ll just check out the Monastery’s receiving area," Colin replied, pulling out the simple map Orelia had drawn and using it to head toward their destination.

After that, the two exchanged few words, concentrating on their journey.