---

In the Bordeaux area, it wasn’t just the Bordeaux Port that existed.

Perhaps because the Garonne River and the Dordogne River meet here? In the Bordeaux region, besides the Bordeaux Port on the Garonne River side, there was also another port on the Dordogne River side.

This port, located in a village called Cavehenne (Cave), was connected to the Dordogne region via the river.

The Dordogne region, traditionally developed in agriculture and culinary culture, unlike the Garonne River, which diagonally crosses Aquitaine from Toulouse through Montauban and Agen, connecting the Tethys Sea coastal area and the Atlas Ocean (the distant sea of Atlas) as a logistics hub, the Dordogne River mainly runs from east to west across Southern Franquia, serving as a gourmet route for the abundant agricultural products and ingredients of Southern Franquia.

Bordeaux, where these two rivers meet, not only brought together the goods of the Garonne River and the culinary culture of the Dordogne River but also functioned as a hub for oceanic trade through the Gironde River connected to the Atlas Ocean. Thus, Bordeaux was truly a natural stronghold destined for prosperity.

The hideout of the human trafficking organization, as guided by Priest Clomang, was located in Saint-Ulalie, situated between Cavehenne Port and Bordeaux Port.

“To think that a human trafficking organization, defying both national law and church doctrine, is located in a place named after Saint Ulalia.”

Sighing at the mismatch between the place name and the current situation, Sophia shook her head repeatedly.

Well, it wasn’t hard to understand. Saint-Ulalie was conveniently located not far from both Cavehenne Port and Bordeaux Port, allowing the organization to utilize the waterways for various benefits.

For a human trafficking organization, the waterways not only made their operations easier but also provided a strategic location to quickly destroy evidence and retreat if their illegal activities were exposed. Saint-Ulalie was just the kind of place that suited their needs.

For some reason, the Hiltman Clan, who also ran a detective agency here, had learned through J. Hiltman (Jochen Hiltman) that these guys, despite being an illegal organization, disguised themselves as a legitimate merchant guild and devout saints of the church, building a decent reputation in the neighborhood through small acts of kindness.

“This is outrageous, Master.”

“That’s just how things work in that world, brother.”

When Conra, who had followed Sophia, spoke in disbelief, Maria, who had also followed, replied as if it were a common occurrence.

The reason for bringing Maria to a place where they were about to clash with a criminal organization was simple. It was just to give her some real combat experience.

The problem was that Maria, who was supposed to gain this experience, had only been training under Sophia for less than a month. The idea of giving her real combat experience wasn’t about her having fully matured in her training and needing a breakthrough.

To be honest, it was like this. Sophia, impressed by Maria’s clever escape act when they first met and her quick thinking and agile movements against Cernunnos Tibićena not long ago, thought, ‘You seem to be the type who thrives in real combat. It might be better to give you more real combat experience to speed up your progress.’ And so, she dragged her along.

In that sense, Conra was like a safety officer, following behind to protect the still fragile and inexperienced Maria.

“Before we move in, let me explain once more. The building they use as a hideout is designed with three floors above ground and two underground. The first floor operates as a tavern, the second and third floors are used as living quarters. Their hideout is underground, with the first basement floor disguised as a storage room and the second as a wine cellar. But according to Mr. Hiltman, the detective agency owner, there are hidden spaces on all five floors. Those hidden spaces are likely their actual hideout.”

Sophia continued explaining the plan, even mentioning the curious detail of how they found out.

“The hidden space on the first floor is probably behind the wall at the back of the bar. Normally, that area should have a kitchen and a lounge, but coincidentally, this tavern has an open kitchen, so the cooking area is fully exposed. That means the space behind the wall is empty. I plan to break through that wall as soon as we enter.”

Starting with a bold statement, Sophia looked at Maria and Conra.

“Once we break the wall and reveal the hidden space, they’ll swarm like bees. Maria and Conra, you’ll find the stairs and take control of the second and third floors in order.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Conra, make sure Maria gets as much varied experience as possible. Of course, if it gets too dangerous, handle it yourself. Understood?”

“Got it, Master.”

After finishing with Maria and Conra, Sophia turned to Priest Clomang and Nun Agnes.

“Priest and junior, come with me to the underground.”

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

“I’ll follow your lead, senior.”

As Priest Clomang and Nun Agnes responded, Sophia fixed her gaze on the building ahead.

“Then…”

Taking a step forward, Sophia said,

“Let’s go.”

The response didn’t come in words. Instead, from Priest Clomang to Nun Agnes, Maria, and Conra, they all nodded silently in agreement. Finally, the operation was set in motion.

+++++

It was a day like any other. Late winter, but Bordeaux, a land with little acquaintance with cold winds, maintained its usual mild climate, as is typical for western coastal regions of this continent.

The tavern’s patrons were diverse. Some were day laborers from the nearby docks, while others had business in the living quarters on the second and third floors. What they had in common was the desire to ease the day’s fatigue with a drink, sometimes alone, sometimes in small groups, deliberately creating a lively atmosphere.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the horizon, the quiet of the day gave way to the gathering of patrons. Just as the tavern was starting to fill up, a group of individuals entered through the door.

The creak of the door wasn’t enough to draw the attention of those already a drink or two in. Yet, people couldn’t help but glance at the newcomers. Their attire and demeanor didn’t quite fit the tavern’s vibe.

A nun knight, a nun priest, a nun who looked to be in her early to mid-teens, and a pair of even younger-looking boy and girl.

It wasn’t just their attire. The natural, unpretentious air of purity they exuded was something rarely seen in such a place.

‘People like that wouldn’t come here without a reason,’ an unfounded certainty arose, as their appearance and demeanor created a stark contrast to the setting.

But when had the tavern’s patrons ever cared about such things? They quickly lost interest in the new arrivals and went back to their drinks and chatter.

However, not everyone could relax so easily. Some among the patrons and staff, sensing something amiss, subtly tensed up and began to move cautiously, some reaching for their waists, slowly closing the distance around the suspicious group.

Sophia, leading the group, couldn’t have missed these movements. She suddenly stopped and, without changing her expression, spoke in a calm tone.

“Stop right there. If I were you, I wouldn’t move any further.”

Her voice echoed from multiple directions, in various dialects. Her tone carried a clear message: ‘The difference in our abilities is obvious, so just stay put.’

Of course, the ordinary patrons who had already lost interest in Sophia’s group were unaware of what was happening. But those who had caught on to Sophia’s actions and understood her words didn’t heed her warning and continued to move.

“Tsk, so you’re not going to listen to the warning? Then you must be ready to face the consequences. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

With those words, Sophia lifted her foot and stomped it down. In that instant.

Thud! Rumble――.

The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck. The sudden tremor caused the patrons to start murmuring in confusion.

“What, what’s going on?”

“An earthquake?”

“An earthquake? Just like that?”

Some speculated that a spirit was angry, while others blamed a monster. Amidst the nonsensical chatter, Sophia took another step and stomped again.

At that moment, some of those present felt as if the ceiling—or rather, the sky beyond it—was pressing down on them. Others found it hard to breathe, as an unprecedented weight and pressure filled the air. Through this, some realized that the entire area had been subdued by someone.

And then, another stomp echoed. Sophia, with her third stomp, thrust her fist forward.

“Hmph!”

A short exhale accompanied the punch, and the air itself became a medium for the shockwave. The pressure wave reached the wall behind the bar in an instant. With a crack, the wall crumbled into dust, leaving only rubble and wood splinters scattered about.

The shockwave had severed the wall’s bindings.

In the brief moment of stunned silence following the sudden phenomena, Maria, Conra, Priest Clomang, and Nun Agnes seized the opportunity.

“Brother, let’s go!”

“Whoa, don’t rush! It’s dangerous!”

“Priest, I’ll go ahead!”

“Take care, Agnes!”

“Leave it to me!”

Sophia’s group charged past the counter. The frozen crowd finally regained their senses and began to rush at Sophia’s group. Normally, they might have taken their time to assess the situation, but in the rapidly unfolding chaos, no one had the luxury of hesitation.

Amidst the commotion, some patrons froze, some wandered, some hid in corners, and some fled, adding to the confusion.

Sophia glanced at the scene with disinterested eyes, clapped her hands three times in a soul-less applause, and then briskly continued forward.

 

---