Tavern

"Another disappearance?" Matthew wanted to chat with him.

Matthew picked up the feather pen and wrote below, "Come to Rest Room 26, Matthew."

After a while, a knock sounded at the door.

Link and Anna arrived together.

"You two really are inseparable; every time we meet, you're together." Matthew said with a smile.

Anna's face flushed slightly; in matters of the heart, she was shy, unlike her somewhat impatient personality.

Today, Link still had his hair tied in a ponytail, looking a bit lazy, and he said casually, "It helps improve our teamwork."

Matthew asked, "Has there been another disappearance in Whitestone Town?"

Link's tone was languid as he spoke slowly:

"Yes, we're investigating it now. The owner of the West Street Tavern has gone missing.

A few days ago, after he closed the tavern, no one saw him again. The Night Watchman and the Gate Guard didn't see him leave Whitestone Town either. I suspect this case is connected to the earlier Night Watchman disappearance."

Link seemed to suddenly remember something and said with interest:

"Are you interested in joining the Court Wizards? With your strength, there's no problem getting in.

Internally, the Court Wizards are divided into two career tracks: Investigators and Staff Members. Investigators mainly handle commissions issued within the Court Wizards and external wizard affairs, while Staff Members deal with Kingdom Affairs and internal Court Wizard matters.

I'm the captain of the Court Wizard Investigator Squad, a Level 7 Investigator, and I have the authority to hire Temporary Investigators."

Internal Court Wizard positions have rank divisions, from 1 to 9:

Levels 7–9 are Investigators, Levels 4–6 are Detectives, and Levels 1–3 are Senior Detectives.

The Staff Member track follows the same system.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. During this time, he had learned that the kingdoms in the Northern Region were all ruled by members of the Northern Wizard Alliance. The Blizzard Kingdom, where Whitestone Town was located, was controlled by its Court Wizards, and the Court Wizard Speaker was also the King of the Blizzard Kingdom.

He was somewhat interested in the Court Wizards. "Are there any restrictions on being a Temporary Investigator? How do I become a full Court Wizard?"

Link explained:

"Temporary Investigators don't have many restrictions. As long as you don't violate the Wizard Regulations issued by the Blizzard Kingdom, you can quit anytime.

Once you've accumulated enough Contribution Points, you can apply for an assessment. Passing it will make you a full Court Wizard.

Investigators have plenty of ways to earn Contribution Points. Completing internal commissions grants them. Within the Court Wizards, we can use Contribution Points to exchange for Wizard Tools, magic, Meditation Methods, Potion Recipes, Alchemy Materials, and other Wizard Supplies. Of course, you can also buy them with money."

Temporary Investigators were a bit like mercenaries paid for their work—few restrictions, quite free.

"I understand. I've decided to join as a Temporary Investigator." Matthew agreed. He wanted to collect more Runic Magic and Meditation Methods, and joining the Court Wizards might be a good choice.

Link shook Matthew's hand and said, "Welcome aboard. Lady Alsha has issued an internal commission for the Whitestone Town disappearance case. You'll investigate it with us. Completing this case will also earn you Contribution Points."

Lady Alsha was a Level 5 Staff Member of the Court Wizards. Whitestone Town was under her jurisdiction, and she had the authority to issue internal commissions.

The next day, West Street Tavern, noon.

Link had arranged to meet Matthew at the tavern. Although the owner was missing, the tavern was still operating as usual, currently managed by the Owner's Son.

Matthew arrived a bit early; Link and Anna hadn't reached the tavern yet.

Business was good today. The place was already packed with people. As soon as Matthew entered, the patrons sized him up with scrutinizing glances. The noisy chatter paused for a moment, then gradually returned to its lively buzz.

Word had it this tavern had been open for decades. On ordinary days, younger folks preferred the new tavern on East Street, while the West Street one catered mostly to regulars who liked to drop by for a few drinks at dinner. Today, the tavern was unusually full of young drinkers.

Matthew listened closely and overheard many people nearby discussing the owner's disappearance.

"Damn it! How did that old bastard go missing! He still owes me money!" a young man at the table near the door said.

A drunken, bearded man slurred, "If you ask me, a bunch of human traffickers have come to Whitestone Town lately. The Night Watchman disappeared not long ago too! I bet they've all been sold to the Royal Capital. I heard they found a Great Mine there and are desperate for miners."

"Looks like a lot of rubberneckers..." Matthew thought to himself, casually picking a table in the corner to sit at.

No sooner had he sat down than he waved toward the door. He spotted Link and Anna arriving.

Link walked over with a grin. "You've got to try the Whitestone Fruit Wine here. It's a Whitestone Town specialty."

The town's name came from the abundance of a plant called the White Stone Fruit, a magical plant that only bloomed and bore fruit after the snow stopped in winter.

Not long after, a server came up and asked, "What would you like to order? Today's meats include... vegetables and fruits include..."

The tavern had no fixed menu, but the drinks were standard, listed on the bar counter.

Link said, "It's the season for White Stone Fruit now. One serving of Cheesy Baked White Stone Fruit, one serving of..."

After listing the dishes, he looked at Matthew, who said:

"Same for me."

After the server left, Link snapped his fingers, and an invisible barrier enveloped them—a Sound Isolation Magic. "We can speak freely now; no sound will get out."

Matthew asked, "Any leads on the tavern owner's disappearance?"

Anna nodded. "The reward posted at Lady Alsha's Exchange Meeting yesterday got a response. Someone provided information that the tavern owner owed a huge debt before he vanished. The lender was Sir Rayne. I think we should start by looking into Sir Rayne."

Matthew's expression shifted. He had just heard someone talking about the owner's debt when he entered, and he relayed this to the two.

Link stroked his chin. "Looks like the tavern owner owed more than just Sir Rayne. Let's go investigate why he racked up so much debt."

At that moment, the server began bringing out the dishes. The Several People dropped the topic and started tasting the food.

Matthew took a bite of the White Stone Fruit. It was slightly sour at first, then turned into a hint of refreshing sweetness, crisp and pleasant. The cheese aroma blended perfectly into it. The Whitestone Fruit Wine also had a unique flavor, though it was low in alcohol—those who liked strong liquor probably wouldn't enjoy it.