Chapter 39: The Smaller Noble Families

"What about the rest?" Resting these two families in close watch, Leon wanted to know about the other five smaller families.

Pooland nodded his head and said without halting. "The Marwick Family controls most of the textile industry. It is said they have great connection with other races, as their clothes are all unique. They are very approachable and don’t look down upon anyone."

"The Durnhelm family consisted of blacksmiths. Their armors and weapons are supplied directly to the Asterhold District military forces. Their works might not be the finest, but they held a monopoly on all the weapons and armor of ordinary soldiers and guards. They are a bunch of stubborn and honest people."

"Next comes the Rosenthal family. They mostly operate numerous inns, taverns, restaurants, and bathhouses. They have no reputation except for their service being good."

"Then the Bellgrave Family. They are in the transportation industry. They can transport people, food, items, or pets—whatever you need. They will move them to the place you desire."

"Lastly, the Velcrest Family. They do not actually control any business you can speak of. They just own a large amount of farmland, reaching the level of the commanding family of our district. They mostly sell what they get from the farmland, which comes in as rent. They are very arrogant, even looking down upon other smaller families."

Leon descended into even longer silence. He felt all of them were very suspicious even without investigation, except for maybe the Durnhelm family. Blacksmiths wouldn’t get any benefit from kidnapping children, unless the stake was too juicy to ignore.

He understood why Aldric didn’t put these families in the innocent list.

’Ahhh, the less narrow the scope of the target, the harder it is to investigate. This investigation will take a sweet amount of time.’ Leon could only let out a sigh of exhaustion even doing any work. Searching through each family will be an arduous task.

’However, why are the people stronger than us doing anything? I am sure with their strength it would be easy to solve this case?’ Leon frowned when he kept thinking about this issue. This bugged him from time to time.

What Leon didn’t know was the bigger the animal, the louder the noise they make. Anyone from Master-Rank was under the eyes of every party, as Master-Rank powerhouses were completely different from what he could perceive. The clash he saw that night was just a small glimpse. He has not yet witnessed what these beings could accomplish.

So this dangerous and life-threatening task was left to ants like them. After they gathered evidence, it wouldn’t take long to be swarmed.

"So, where do we start with yet?" Pooland asked with a smirk as all the worry was for Leon to do.

Leon contemplated but couldn’t find an answer. So he asked back. "Did the commander say anything about searching beyond the streets under our watch?"

"Uhhh..." Pooland squinted his eyes and answered. "He did not, but I think we should start from the streets under our watch. There are many business establishments of these families in these streets."

"Then let’s start with street 11." Leon agreed with Pooland. They should have their scope small before they could expand to other places. Who knows, the answers might be just under their noise all along.

Street 11, Durnhelm Armory.

As a blacksmith family, they didn’t need many shops. One on each street was enough, as their primary customer was the military, not outsiders.

"What do you two boys want now?" A towering figure with bulging muscles asked, arms crossed. He had a full-grown beard and a rough-looking face. There were many scars on his arms, showcasing the aftermath of smithing.

He was Truden Durnhelm, the manager and the blacksmith of this shop. He had no staff, which he didn’t need to begin with. He was sitting bored in front of the counter when the newly recruited city guards of his street came in. At first he was indifferent to them, but gradually, he began to have a positive view of them.

They would come to his shop, asking if he needed any help or had any kind of problem, which they would try their best to solve. So he thought today was the same.

Unfortunately, it was different today.

"Boss Truden, are you under the Durnhelm Family?" Leon asked, respectfully.

"Huh!?" Truden was left dumbfounded. This was such a stupid question. "Of course, I am. Can’t you see the sign right on the board?"

"Good. Then we have to inspect your shop thoroughly, and this is an order." Leon nodded his head. This confirmation was needed, so they couldn’t deny they were searching in an unknown shop. This was all for the future.

Truden frowned. "What is wrong with you guys today? I know you are from the authorities, but you are just city guards, and you can’t inspect a noble family’s property as you wish."

Pooland interjected and said with bravado in his voice. "Boss Truden, you can’t deny our order, or we have the right to capture you. You don’t want to get on the bad side of the commander."

Truden’s eyes widened in shock. He didn’t expect this order to be from the commander. They might be a noble family, but they were the top ones. They couldn’t afford to be hostile with anyone with the title of commander and above, as they held considerable power socially and in their own self.

"Can I know why?" Truden asked with his face darkened.

"It’s because of the children’s disappearance case." Leon answered with a smile while looking at Truden’s face attentively. Unfortunately, there was no change in the slightest manner.

"Ok then, go." Truden nodded his head and then led them to check the entire shop.

As they explored, they were surprised inwardly. The shop held too much armor and weapons as if it were ready to experience a war.

So, Pooland wanted to know the reason for it. Only then did they understand from Truden that these were all trash unwanted by the military and the family.