"I take it the class idea was created by the prepotents?" I offered some information as a ruminated.

She nodded. "They don't need your support. They just need you to not support the refluents. They will create whatever leverage they can with you. If you hope to accomplish any gain from this country, your best bet is me."

I found myself liking her direct way of speaking far more than Marina, who always spoke with a phony smile and smug superiority. I also already knew what she was saying was true. If I wanted to get the things I needed, my best chance was to depend on the refluents, even if it put my party in the crosshairs of the more powerful prepotents faction.

"I see… then before I tell you what I want, I'd want to know what you'd expect from me," I responded after a bit of careful thinking.

Her face hardened slightly, and she looked in both directions before she lifted her hand and cast a spell. I could see the mana and thanks to my increasing levels and experience, I was pretty sure it was a spell that prevented sound from entering or leaving the barrier. I had seen Celeste use very similar magic, although Celeste had it from having air magic while this woman might have gained it from some political job. I didn't want to suddenly use God and Devil Eye on her though. I had heard that such a thing might be considered an invasion of privacy and rude should someone be caught doing it.

"What I'm about to ask of you is something that could be considered treason if it got out. This is why I haven't chosen to act alone. You can consider this something not connected to the refluents, but me specifically. The others are not involved in this request." Her expression grew serious.

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Although we were still in the hall and could be seen by everyone, I realized that she had guided me to an area that had been set up beforehand. I still hadn't noticed it on my own, but I had asked the girls to keep watch, and it was First who had filled me in.

"There are at least ten people around you who are keeping you apart from other party guests. Anyone who approaches you is immediately intercepted by someone. At the moment, no one can get close to you." First explained through Slave Communication.

"The lords have been watching you out of the corner of their eyes. They pretend like they aren't interested in your discussion, but you've been their main focus." Lydia added.

"I can no longer hear anything coming from Master or that old lady," Celeste complained. "Ah, even your mouth movements seem distorted!"

Thanks to their attentiveness, I had a better idea of the situation I was in. We were making a play publicly, but it was also something that was being kept quiet.

"So, what you're saying is the refluent sent a woman hoping I wouldn't be as ready to turn on you, and should you fail, only you would fall."

"You're more informed than I would have guessed." Her expression turned slightly bitter. "In Jespain, women are excused from the death penalty. I will merely be imprisoned in my manor on house arrest for the rest of my life. This is why I was sent to make a move, rather than my five allies."

Since she decided to put her cards on the table, I decided to indulge her.

"What you ask will be a secret just between you and me." And Alysia… but that was a different topic.

That seemed to relax her slightly. "Very well, then I would request that Deek do a little investigation of his own. You may not realize this, but this entire city sits on top of a dungeon that supports our entire economy!"

"Y-you don't say…"

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