Chapter 149: Maleficus Dungeon (4)
Sores did, in fact, know about Edia. Contrary to expectations, she was a key target of the Wellad branch.
"So, Edia was the objective from the start? Not the Altas merchant guild?"
"Yes."
Karnak's group had assumed that this kidnapping incident was nothing more than a power struggle between merchant guilds. They had believed that Tecas merchant guild had simply used Owent as a pawn to swallow up a smaller firm. But the situation seemed a bit more complicated than that.
"The first target was Owent Altas. The higher-ups gave strict orders to recruit him into the cult because of his exceptional business acumen."
Karnak frowned and pressed further. "Owent is just a small-time merchant from a traveling trade family. Why would anyone think he's an exceptional businessman?"
"I don't know. It was simply an order from above..."
Karnak and Varos exchanged looks.
—This reeks of...
—Someone who knows the future, doesn't it?
But once they actually brought Owent in, it turned out the man was far more foolish than they had expected. No matter how generously they assessed him, he showed no signs of being a brilliant merchant. Only after further investigation did they realize the truth. Edia was the real brains behind the merchant guild, while Owent was nothing more than a figurehead.
"So you kidnapped Edia instead, after figuring that out?"