An Unexpected Kidnapping! / Gloom in the Darkness

"No problem, beautiful lady, please follow me..."

After saying that, he took Suika and they got into the elevator that went straight to the top floor.

"Wow!" Looking at the enormous presidential suite in front of her, Suika couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"I don't remember the Swire family being in the hotel business, right? But the scale of this hotel... tsk tsk," Suika couldn't help but sigh.

"Haha, Miss is right."

Because of its convenient transportation, this place was originally built as a post station for temporary use by the family and their guests.

However, it later grew bigger and bigger thanks to the momentum of the Knight's Tournament. In addition, this place is the largest import and export port in northern Victoria. The Duke Kestrel also paid attention to the development of this place and gave it many benefits and preferential treatment.

Over the years, it transformed from a post station into an inn and finally into a large hotel. Even the family members who initially made the decision never imagined that this unintentional act would eventually become a source of family wealth.

Even so, the hotel still reserved enough space for family members, which can be seen as staying true to its original purpose.

The lobby manager stood to the side, smiling as he explained to Suika.

"We seem so familiar, you're from the same family too!" Suika curiously, because this person was so enthusiastic.

"My name is Thom Swire, and the Marlon you met in Karaton is my brother."

We had corresponded before, and in his letter he said that without your help, it would probably have taken him several more years to make a name for himself in Karaton."

After the lobby manager finished speaking, Suika suddenly realized that they were brothers, which explained their warm hospitality.

"You're welcome. Brother Marlon Long has the ability; even without my intervention, success was only a matter of time."

Suika is quite adept at mutual flattery, and the exchange went well, with both host and guest enjoying themselves.

"Then I won't disturb your rest any longer. Feel free to contact me if you need anything. I'll do my best to help you with anything I can."

After speaking, the lobby manager nodded slightly and left through the door under Suika's watchful gaze.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Suika ate a fruit platter while watching footage of the previous Knight's Tournament on the TV in front of her.

Although it was an exhibition match, the participating knights were all exceptionally skilled, and it was not uncommon for them to give their all to uphold their beliefs and fight against their opponents.

Even though it was an "exhibition game" manipulated by the Commercial Union, it was clear that many riders still chose to stick to their own style, which made the game more exciting and thrilling.

Of course, we must also commend the commentators on the field. Even in the midst of the chaos, their voices remained clear and articulate, imbued with the emotions that accompanied the escalating battle.

Even Suika couldn't help but admire it; she was so excited watching it that she really wanted to go up on stage and compete with someone.

"Knock knock knock..." Just as Suika finished flipping through a highlight reel of a certain Radiant Knight's match and was about to find the Black Knight's to take a look, there was a knock on the door.

"Long time no see, Elisa!" The door opened, and there stood Elisa.

At that moment, she was wearing a women's suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking capable and intellectual.

"It's been so long since I've seen Suika!"

Only after being invited did Elisa enter the house.

"I didn't expect you to be staying in this room," Elisa said with a smile.

"Hmm?" Suika tilted her head in confusion.

Elisa sat down on the sofa. "When I first arrived here, I stayed here for a while because the school's dormitories weren't finished yet."

Here you go!

After fumbling around on the sofa for a while, Elisa opened a hidden compartment, which contained several bags of small snacks called "crispy noodles".

"Try it, it's a new fast food invention from Columbia, it's pretty good."

However, I didn't dare to eat too much, so I hid them in places where they weren't usually visible.

I left these snacks here because I was in a hurry last time.

Oh, and remember not to tell Beatrix when you get back that I hid the snacks in the secret compartment; she'll laugh at me.

Elisa winked playfully, her blonde hair and cat ears, along with the buttons bulging on her chest that looked like they might pop off at any moment, giving her a unique allure.

"Hmm, do I not look good in this?" Elisa asked, puzzled, noticing that Suika had been staring at her ever since she entered the room.

Suika shook her head. "No, but the way you looked in your school teacher's uniform the last time I saw you was very different from how you look today..."

"Which one looks better?" Elisa took off her coat and hung it on the coat rack, leaving only her white shirt underneath. The sweat from the hot weather made the clothes stick slightly to her skin, revealing what was underneath... Goodness, she was wearing nothing underneath.

Suika rubbed her eyes, looked around uncertainly, and couldn't help but give a thumbs up to this Victoria catwoman.

Is this Victoria's Secret...? It's truly captivating.

It's a pity I'm a woman and have no interest in yuri, otherwise I would have already transformed into Vulpo who spilled a paint can under the moonlight.

"They're all nice, but isn't this outfit a bit too daring?" Suika remarked after looking her over.

"So what if I'm bold? I'm the principal of the branch school. Who dares to say anything to me?"

Besides, I'm not going to take off my coat outside.

Elisa laughed and sprawled on the sofa, stretching lazily.

Chapter 221 An Unexpected Incident: Kidnapping!

Elisa's eyes lit up when she saw the Kazimierz Knight Championship highlights on TV.

"Your next target is Kazimierz?"

"That's right, the Autumn Tournament in Kazimierz is about to start, and I'm going to go and check it out!" Suika with a smile as she sat down to the side.

"Tsk, the Knights Tournament, huh? That's quite impressive."

I went to see one before, and the lively scene is still unforgettable.

I remember that year's champion was called 'Black Knight', but then Black Knight suddenly disappeared. Everyone thought she could break through the three-time champion title and achieve a four-time or even five-time champion title!

Elisa sighed.

"The Black Knight? I've heard of her name; I was just about to witness her prowess on the field!"

Suika pointed to the discs not far away and said.

"Those who haven't witnessed the Black Knight's dominance on the field cannot understand the despair of the other knights in those tournaments. There were no draws, no fierce battles, every single one was a direct breakthrough, yet every single one was an easy victory."

Initially, some people clamored for match-fixing, then the Commercial Union allowed them to send their own people into the battlefield to fight the Black Knight, who were also easily destroyed from the front.

Without a doubt, she was the goddess of those competitions.

Unfortunately, she disappeared after that. Some say she was assassinated by the Commercial Union because her dominance in first place reduced the competition's popularity, while others say the Commercial Union promised her a large sum of money and then she took the money and went into hiding.

Regardless of the outcome, there's no doubt that the Black Knight never appeared in the Knight's Tournament again.

Elisa's eyes and words were filled with adoration for the Black Knight.

Suika couldn't help but glance westward, because to the west lay the place where the Black Knight was currently staying— Kjerag.

"What are you looking at?" Noticing Suika's movement Elisa followed her gaze and saw a large wall in front of her.

"Um, I was thinking of going to Kjerag in winter after watching the Knight's Tournament. I heard it's very xenophobic there. I wonder if I'll be kicked out if I go?" Suika replied calmly.

"Probably not, but I've heard that Kjerag is quite primitive, with people living in caves and leading a primitive, unsavory life. Are you sure it'll be fun there?"

Elisa asked uncertainly.

"No way, Kjerag is an officially recognized country by the nations of Terra. Although its sphere of influence is small, it's not as primitive as you say."

Suika said that preconceived notions can be deadly, no wonder SilverAsh is so concerned about opening the gates of Kjerag.

If it were me, after leaving Lungmen, if people thought of the Great Yan as a rural-urban fringe area, I wouldn't be able to stand it either.

After listening, Elisa felt that what Suika said made sense. After all, Kjerag was a country. If it were really as primitive as the legends say, the Duke of Victoria should have taken action to incorporate it into his territory long ago. How could he have allowed Kjerag to remain in Terra for so many years?

"What you've said makes me want to go check out Kjerag, but unfortunately the school here is in complete disrepair, so I can't leave even if I wanted to..."

At this point, she looked at Suika, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Well, just say what you want to say..." Suika happened to turn her head and saw her expression, and sat down next to her without ceremony.

Elisa hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Speaking of the school, I have indeed encountered some trouble."

Matt's message from Londinium has been helpful once again. I shouldn't bother you, but I really can't find anyone else of good quality to help me.

Matt said your Originium Arts are very powerful, so I hope you can do me a favor."

"No need to be so polite. Just tell me what's wrong. I was the one who 'encouraged' you to come here, so I have no reason to stand idly by if you run into trouble."

Suika patted the back of her hand, then looked at her, gesturing for her to state her needs.

"That's right, I brought two assistants with me when I came here, who are also my students, Peter and Parker."

A few days ago, when I arranged for them to go shopping, the two of them disappeared without a trace.

The goods weren't very valuable; the most valuable item was a half-ton box of D32 Alloy, so my two assistants wouldn't betray me for that.

For the past two days I've been trying to find their trail, and this morning I found this in the mailbox by the door... It's Peter's badge, and a blackmail letter.

Make me hand over two million Gold Notes, or both of their lives will be in danger.

To be honest, I would be willing to spend two million to save them, but I'm worried they might already be dead, so giving them more money would just be throwing money down the drain.

If I were to arrange for someone to exchange the hostages, I currently cannot find anyone around me who is both capable and trustworthy..."

Elisa explained the reasons for her hesitation.

"So you want me to go and do it for you!" Suika looked at the other person.

Elisa pursed her lips, looking somewhat conflicted.

"If it's dangerous, you don't have to go. I've already called the police, and the military and police will help look for clues about the two people..."

"I never said I wouldn't go. I've only ever seen this kind of thing in movies before; this is the first time I've actually done it. Don't worry, I'll take care of it!"

Suika, on the other hand, seemed quite excited.

I've never actually encountered kidnapping or extortion in person, except for things I've seen on legal programs and in movies.

Now that a fresh kidnapping case is right in front of her, she's determined not to give up getting involved.

"You... you agreed?" Elisa was somewhat surprised, after all, this kind of thing was thankless and difficult, and many people were unwilling to get involved.

"Of course, kidnapping cases are something new and exciting; you can't stop me from getting involved even if you try."

So your goal is to try your best to save the Spider-Man brothers, and if that fails, keep the money and find the killer, right?

Suika counted Elisa's needs on her fingers.

"That's right. It would be best to save Peter and Parker. If they've already been killed, our priority should be our own safety, then our money, and finally finding the killer."

Elisa nodded.

"Okay, then get the money ready. By the way, where is the handover location?"

What is the secret code for the meeting?

Do you have any suspicions about your competitors?

Suika, who was a little sleepy in the afternoon, is now full of energy.

Seeing Suika so eagerly inquiring about the details of the kidnapping, and not seeming forced or unwilling, Elisa wondered if she had been judging Suika by her own petty standards.

Chapter 222 The Shadows in the Darkness

Elisa quickly shared what she knew with Suika.

Actually, there wasn't much content, because she had only been here for a short time, and many things at the school were still in their infancy.

The school's procurement channels are not yet fully open. For example, the materials she asked her students to bring back this time were all purchased through family connections, which were also her personal connections.

Therefore, the person who knew that the Swire Clan was wealthy and could accurately locate Elisa must have come from a supplier in the surrounding area.

Of course, this doesn't mean the murderers were these suppliers, but it's very likely they leaked information about the Swire Clan, attracting the covetous eyes of outsiders.

"So Suika, what are you planning to do?" Elisa looked at Suika, hoping to get a solution from her.

Suika shook her head

"There is too little information, and much of it is just your speculation. Without solid evidence, it is impossible to draw any conclusions."

However, when you have enough strength, strategy is just icing on the cake.

I will go to ransom you as your representative, and we'll see what happens after that.

In such circumstances, hastily formulated plans can never keep up with changes.