477 Not Many Alternatives
Jasmine, as well as Layla and Rory, were currently at the beginning of the 3rd stage, with Low-level Mage magic cultivation.
Shelby and Molly were at level 5 of the Acolyte stage. Still, both were close to advancing to the 3rd stage, which the group expected to happen this month.
Vicente was still a Mid-level Mage, but he felt he would soon become a High-level Mage.
In the meantime, he had finally felt what Newton had told him months ago, as he had perfectly noticed the state of his magical foundation after these months of hard work without external resources.
They were all stronger than before, but Jasmine felt that she wouldn't be able to detect or track the enemy with her skills until she reached at least Mid-level.
The alternative was to use Casey's ability. Unfortunately, the man still hadn't returned, having been missing for over six months.
Vicente's group had been looking for him, and even Jasmine and Layla had been trying to help locate him since Jasmine's pentagram hunt a little over a month ago.
But they still haven't had any results, and Casey's situation remains unknown.
Vicente had planned to leave Millfall to go after Casey on his own, but Sovereign Adams arrived near the town just as he was about to do so.
Since then, he had been living in hiding between the estate and the Fuller residence.
So when he heard Jasmine's comment, he couldn't help but feel a burden on his conscience for not being able to do anything useful for his partner.
"I guess we'll just have to wait for you to move on." He commented as he looked at the pink-haired woman. "Casey's disappearance won't be easy to solve. That's how I feel."
"What could have happened?" Rory asked.
"It's possible he's still looking for a compatible pentagram," Shelby replied. "But anything is possible. Casey's past is as complicated as Vicente's. He has a powerful desire for revenge, so maybe he's in trouble."
Everyone there looked at Vicente as they heard this, aware of Don Mazzanti's intentions in dealing with some powerful groups from outside the kingdom.
After those months, Layla, Jasmine, Sarah, and especially Nova had helped him better understand his targets, from the two Sovereigns who caused Kate's death to the organization that took Lauren.
He now knew the average level of these forces, their location, and what he would need to reach them.
Incredibly, dealing with those responsible for Kate's death would be easier than dealing with Lauren's kidnappers.
Nixlas' Shadows, the force that took Lauren, was a power from the north of the continent and even had Paragons in its ranks!
The sects of the two Sovereigns responsible for Kate's death were powers from a state neighboring the Seidel Kingdom and were said to have 'only' Sovereigns among their strongest elders.
Armed with this information, Vicente planned to go after the two groups responsible for his mother's death. His business with his sister's kidnappers would be resolved later when he could deal with Paragons.
Vicente's associates at this meeting knew so. If Shelby said Casey's case was similar to his, the trouble this guy might have gotten himself into could be worse than they could handle!
"Then it's going to be hard to get him back," Layla commented as she looked at Vicente.
Vicente had already thought of that and said. "There is no easy way out. So, for now, we'll rely on my plan and have Jasmine as plan 'B.' Besides, there's really nothing we can do about the Woodslayer."
Sarah nodded before asking. "What about the actual problem at hand?"
The people there looked at Shelby as if she was the one who could do the most about the soldiers looking for Sarah and Vicente.
She laughed bitterly and said. "As much as I wield considerable power locally, I'm nothing like a Sovereign. Colonel Adams is thirsty for Vicente's blood, so I have no easy solution."
"I can't do anything either, Vicente," Jasmine said as she looked into the young man's eyes. "After everything that happened with The Faceless Ones, I had to work hard to prevent any problems related to that faction from spilling over to us.
Fortunately, I was able to dispel any questions about you among my organization's investigators. But because of that, I'm working beyond my limit, and I don't have time to get involved with the army."
"I know. Don't worry." Vicente smiled at her, aware of how much she had done for him since he had returned from the pentagram hunt with Rory and Layla.
"Besides, I won't be in Millfall for long. With my advancement to the 3rd stage, there's no more room for me in the local temple. Soon, I'll be sent to either Ironcrest or Saltstar City. That is if my father doesn't intervene and send me to the kingdom's capital." She said, not surprising to the group, who already knew that a 3rd-stage Nun wouldn't stay in Millfall for long.
"That's another problem..." Rory said. "If you don't move fast enough, you'll be too far away from us to help."
"Yes, but I'm leaving Layla with you. She'll be able to help you and keep us connected."
Layla and Vicente looked at each other while Sarah saw the look in the eyes of these two, who often got into friction with each other.
"Anyway, if things go wrong, I'll take care of Sovereign Adams. I'm confident I'll survive now." Vicente said confidently, although he would rather not confront Adams as that would only cause him more problems.
Without Torne and Benson to help him in any way, and with the problems of those two on his mind, he preferred not to add to his problems.
Shelby looked at Vicente and said. "I have an alternative for you. If you're willing, you can join my group as a bodyguard. You'll be able to move around the city easily, and if necessary, I'll be able to get you out of town whenever I want."
"Thanks for the offer." Vicente didn't think it was a bad offer. "We'll do that if necessary. But for now, I intend to stay on my property. I'm about to enter the final part of my stage, so I won't be moving anytime soon unless it's necessary."
"Really? I'm glad. Your progress will help us all." Shelby liked that.
Sarah saw this and gave a low 'humph,' not liking such a woman and the things she knew Shelby and Vicente had already done.
Vicente smiled back at Shelby before ending the meeting. "Anyway, Bart will be moving up to the High-level of the 3rd stage soon, so you should take care of your cultivations so you don't get left behind. Otherwise, we'll deal with the problems we discussed as agreed. We'll communicate remotely until our next meeting if anything new comes up."
