The Mole

"Perhaps we can directly find this traitor. Neeko has mind-reading abilities. We can go directly to Lady Lestara's Mansion and have Neeko screen everyone. We can quickly find and subdue the bandit's mole, then follow the trail to Urda and rescue Lady Lestara. What do you think?"

Jia Ruo said his idea to Lyle.

Lyle pondered for a moment, then nodded. "This plan is feasible. Although Master Percy introduced me to your abilities, I don't fully understand them. But since you said so..."

He turned to the butler.

"Mr. Butler, we'll go back with you now."

"Alright, please get in the carriage quickly."

Placidium had a population of 600,000. Four huge drawbridges led to Placidium's four main gates.

From the South Gate to the North Gate, and from the West Gate to the East Gate, there were direct main roads. They converged in the city center into a giant cross, dividing Placidium into four districts: Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, and Northwest.

The Hall of Tranquility was located in the West District, near the city center, while Lady Lestara's Mansion was in the outer ring of the East District.

Even though the coachman whipped the horses with all his might, it still took them nearly half an hour to arrive at Lady Lestara's Mansion at noon.

"Mr. Butler, how many entrances and exits does Lady Lestara's Mansion have?"

Lyle asked the butler.

"Besides the main entrance, there's also a back door. The courtyard is surrounded by walls five to six meters high."

"Good."

Lyle nodded, having a plan in mind.

"Jia Ruo, Neeko, you two go in through the main entrance with Mr. Butler. I'll go around to the back. Once you're inside, immediately seal the main entrance and start searching for the bandit's mole. Anyone showing signs of escape should be apprehended first."

"Understood."

Jia Ruo had been wondering why there was no beginner training at the Hall of Tranquility.

So, all the newcomers learned directly through practical combat.

However, Lyle seemed very professional and experienced, truly a guide a newcomer needed.

As Jia Ruo was thinking this, Lyle had already jumped out the carriage window. He landed nimbly and disappeared into the street.

The carriage continued for a moment before stopping.

They had arrived.

As soon as he got off the carriage, Jia Ruo saw the conspicuous building. Although it wasn't opulent, the exquisite carved pillars and decent decoration at the entrance showed the family's wealth.

The butler stepped forward and knocked on the door.

With a creak, a manservant pushed open the door.

Seeing it was their own butler, he asked, "Butler, sir, when did you go out?"

"Don't worry about that for now. Call everyone in the house here. Remember, everyone. And invite the young lady too."

Seeing the butler's serious expression, the manservant didn't ask further and headed into the inner rooms according to the butler's instructions.

It seemed the butler hadn't made a fuss. That manservant appeared unaware that Lady Lesthara had been kidnapped.

Jia Ruo closed the main door and observed from the shadows.

Gradually, over a dozen servants gathered in front of the spacious foyer.

Flanked by two maids, Jia Ruo also saw the young lady the butler had mentioned.

She was a beautiful girl with long blue hair tied in twin tails and delicate features.

However, her brows were tightly furrowed, and her eyes were downcast.

But regardless, her demeanor and appearance perfectly matched the ideal first love of countless young men.

Jia Ruo's gaze shifted slightly downward.

The young lady wore a light green off-the-shoulder dress that showcased her beautiful curves, and... the beauty revealed above her chest seemed a bit too abundant.

Jia Ruo felt a bit awkward and immediately averted his gaze.

He stepped forward and asked the only person currently in charge in the house, "Hello, young lady. Have all the people in the household arrived?"

"I apologize, Mr. Jia Ruo. Our young lady is naturally mute."

The butler stepped out from behind Jia Ruo to explain.

"Allow me to answer. Excluding the two servants who accompanied Lady Lesthara, all remaining household servants are present."

"Very good, Neeko, it's your turn."

Jia Ruo gestured to Neeko while he himself adjusted his state, gathered his Mana, and prepared for any sudden developments.

Upon hearing this, Neeko walked into the midst of the servants.

The servants looked at the Vastaya with some curiosity, wondering what had happened.

"It's him!"

Suddenly, Neeko pointed at a manservant and shouted.

Bang!

Jia Ruo responded and pounced, pinning the manservant to the ground.

"What are you doing! Let me go!"

The manservant struggled incessantly.

But unfortunately, he was, after all, just a mortal. In front of Jia Ruo, who had already touched the extraordinary, this was just a futile effort.

Neeko immediately cast Plant Magic. Vines bound the manservant tightly, and also gagged him.

That's right, with Neeko around, there was no need to worry about how to conduct an interrogation—because that step was no longer necessary.

Neeko had already obtained the intelligence they needed.

"Miss lost a necklace, so I invited the Marshal. The thief has been found, so you can all leave now."

The butler casually appeased the servants. This was to prevent a commotion, as the priority was to rescue Lady Lesthara.

The servants withdrew, including the young lady's two personal maids.

Seeing that there were no idlers around, Jia Ruo said to Neeko, "Time is pressing, Neeko, let's talk here."

"Mmm, this person is utterly wicked. It wasn't the bandits who bribed him, but he actively contacted the bandits. As soon as you arrived in Ionia, he secretly contacted the bandits. Once he got the ransom, he would get a large share."

"You... How could you do such a thing? If the lady hadn't taken you in back then, you'd still be a vagrant."

The old butler listened to Neeko's words, his heart filled with grief and indignation.

Lady Lesthara's usual good deeds had borne such bitter fruit.

The manservant had been taken in by Lady Lesthara during her travels in Ionia six or seven years ago.

The war at that time had caused many orphans in Ionia.

Although the council, temples, and monasteries had done their best to accommodate and adopt them, they couldn't be perfect.

This manservant was one of the orphans who hadn't been resettled.

His childhood was spent with a group of unfortunate individuals who had gone through similar experiences. They fished in the river together, picked fruit from trees, and barely scraped by.

When he was sixteen or seventeen, he met Lady Lesthara.

At that time, he was disheveled and kneeling by the roadside, digging for wild vegetables.

Lady Lesthara did not disdain him. She gently squatted beside him and asked if he needed help. If he was willing, he could stay by her side as a servant. Although it wasn't a respectable job, he would have food and clothing.

He was overjoyed and gratefully became one of Lady Lesthara's attendants.

He followed Lady Lesthara, traveling between Demacia and Ionia—this noble lady from Demacia was very enthusiastic about carrying out charitable activities in Ionia.

But Demacia's noble system gave him a question: why was Lady Lesthara a noble?

When he asked Lady Lesthara, Lady Lesthara said she didn't know either; she was born one.

Yeah, born one. But why had he been a wandering orphan since he could remember? Why had he tasted all the bitterness of the world since childhood? It wasn't fair!

Once the seed of distortion was sown, it would take root and sprout in the heart.

When he came to Ionia this time, he received some news: one of his childhood playmates had joined a band of roving bandits.

Sometimes, the evil in human nature grew just like this.

Those who willingly fell would create opportunities even if none were presented.

He thought this was a heaven-sent opportunity that shouldn't be missed.

Even if he only got a quarter of the two thousand gold, it would be equivalent to nearly ten years of his salary.

Lady Lesthara was so wealthy that two thousand gold was insignificant to her. He believed this money would be in his hands soon enough.

He was so foolish, willing to believe the bandits' promise of a later split rather than sincerely repaying his benefactor.

This was the reason this kidnapping case was born.