I Have a Task Log

Chapter 288: Chapter 287: Preliminary Investigation

Colin could actually understand Battier’s feelings.

In this day and age, it was common for two allied families to send a second son to live with the other as a sign of their close bond.

Sending an illegitimate son, however, would be seen as an insult to the allied family. But considering the Morninglord Sect’s awkward position in Rommon, sending an illegitimate son could also be considered a rather subtle gesture of goodwill.

This put the two illegitimate sons in a rather unfortunate position.

The Church would certainly prioritize their safety. For these poor sods with no inheritance rights, this would rob them of any chance to build their own fortunes.

He could understand, but if it threatened the mission, Colin would absolutely not back down.

Fortunately, the man hadn’t done anything to defy orders so far. The most he’d done was grumble a bit.

It was clear he knew his limits. He really did seem like a competitive young man who hadn’t seen much real trouble.

This reminded Colin of the young noble he’d met back in Silverpine Village. That one had been eager to make a name for himself, and he ended up dying a rather miserable death.

The two of them made their way onto a wide trade road.

Along the way, they encountered several large merchant caravans and cargo wagons. Colin and Battier blended in perfectly, and a few of the caravans even asked if they wanted to travel together.

Of course, they weren’t actually here to trade, so Colin came up with various excuses to politely decline the offers.

They walked until nearly dusk.

A massive roadside tavern came into view.

This spot was a crossroads where four roads of various sizes met.

Warm light spilled from the windows onto the uneven dirt ground. Two barmen were busy tossing a thoroughly drunken sot onto the roadside.

The tavern was built on a grand scale.

The largest building was an impressive three-story tavern, surrounded by stables and several other structures. A bathhouse and a blacksmith’s shop were clearly visible, and the other two-story buildings likely provided lodging.

The stables were filled with tethered horses, and many carriages were parked nearby.

The defenses here were quite lax; there were no watchtowers or wooden palisades to speak of.

Since most monasteries were originally founded for seclusion and asceticism, White Dove Monastery was quite remote. Consequently, large taverns like this one took on the role of providing supplies and lodging.

’This place should probably be called an inn or a trading post,’ Colin thought, ’but the local parlance still calls it a tavern.’

To serve such a function, the tavern was naturally situated in the most accessible location.

Peddlers heading to the villages would come here to restock their goods from passing caravans.

Just like any other merchants, the two of them led their horses toward the stables.

As they approached, Colin carefully scanned the area. Next to the stables was a carriage yard filled with parked two- and four-wheeled carriages, attended by two yawning guards.

He soon spotted a four-wheeled carriage bearing the Morninglord’s Holy Emblem. On it were various jars and pots, as well as bales of wool.

"Look at these stables! So bright and clean. Our hay is freshly cut, too. It’ll be about one Silver Coin for the night." A groom with a pitchfork hurried forward and took the reins from Battier.

Colin pulled a Silver Coin from his coin pouch, added two copper pieces, and handed them to the groom. "Have a few extra drinks tonight, my friend. And make sure you keep a close eye on my horse."

A broader smile spread across the groom’s face as he quickly led their horses into the stalls.

Colin stepped forward to unload the "cargo" from their horses.

He then feigned a casual stroll over to the Church’s carriage and took a close look at the bales of wool.

Once everything was arranged, he led Battier into the tavern.

The tavern was bustling. The first two floors were for eating and drinking, while the top floor and the small buildings outside served as lodging. Most merchants traveling between the Holy City and Rommon stayed here overnight.

"Two of your most expensive dinners, and we’ll be needing a room on the top floor for the night," Colin called out to the counter.

The tavern owner behind the counter gave a cold grunt in response, making it unclear whether he had even agreed.

The two of them found an empty table and sat down.

After a moment, a few drunks came over to share their table, raising a ruckus.

A tavern maid carrying their order soon made her way over.

She dodged the groping hands like a butterfly, weaving nimbly between the tables.

"Where are you going?" Battier called out when he saw her wandering about, nimbly snatching the plates of food from her tray as she passed.

"Payment, please!" the maid said.

Without batting an eye, Colin tossed his marked coins onto the tray she held out.

Folk songs characteristic of the Holy City region rang endlessly in his ears. Even though Colin did his best to keep to himself, he was still jostled by the elbows of passing drunks. ’It’s a good thing these guys are too sloshed to think straight,’ he mused. ’Otherwise, my Disguise Technique might actually be seen through.’

In an environment like this, Colin found himself missing Kase and Orelia.

If those two were here, the surrounding drunks definitely wouldn’t be having such a good time.

Amid the tavern’s clamor, Colin continuously scanned his surroundings and soon found a familiar face dressed as a Priest. He seemed to be one of the people in the audience back when Orelia had made her report.

’That must be the person the Monastery sent to pick up the goods,’ Colin thought.

His mind was so preoccupied that by the time he finished eating, Colin hadn’t tasted a single thing.

The two of them sat in the main hall for a while before heading up to their room on the top floor.

It was a two-person room, and being cheap, the soundproofing was terrible. Even in the room, they could hear the drunks singing downstairs.

"So, what do we do now? Keep an eye on that Priest?" Battier asked, rushing over to Colin’s side as soon as he put his things down.

Colin opened the window and looked down at the Church carriage. "We’ll take turns standing watch. Keep an eye on that carriage."

"And then what? Just follow them?" Battier said. "How are we supposed to track a group of Demons when we’re going in blind?"

"I am a Mage."

Colin said coolly, his eyes still fixed on the carriage below.

Several hours passed quickly. There was no movement below, and the noisy tavern hall gradually fell silent. Now it was Battier’s turn to keep watch.

But even after they switched, Colin lay on the bed, unable to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could hear was the frantic pounding of his own heart.

"Hey! The Priest is coming out!"

The moment Battier spoke, Colin shot up and looked out the window.