Calmly walking through the empty town, Deesh used the Detect Life spell to track the assassins while searching for a suitable location that won't drag the others into the conflict. At this point it didn't even feel like the assassins were bothering with hiding their killing intent as the duo finally turned down an isolated alleyway.

It was obvious that this was the alley the enemy wanted them to travel through, especially with the makeshift barricade of crates and boxes. Yuri pulled out his sword, turning back, "Playing hide-and-seek? Why don't you come out already?"

A creaking sound came from the crates, but it was a distraction. Deesh smelled them before the attacker could strike. She threw a dagger, but it was deflected by one of the assassins' blades just as she had expected. "Your plan was admirable, your execution is abysmal." Yuri blocked one of them, managing to punch his lights out.

Deesh drew her sword and slashing one of the would-be killers clean across his chest. Yuri grabbed one of them by his yellow scarf, "How about this!" He threw him against one of his associates hard as they crashed against the wall.

But it would seem the assassins would not let up so easily, as more of them filled the alley. They rushed the duo Yuri blocking the first attacker, and Deesh held two more back with sword and dagger. But they were distractions as two more came from behind.

In a flash, a knight in white armor rushed into the fight, locking his blade with the assassins from behind and pushed them back. "Flynn!"

The two humans were back-to-back as Deesh kicked her assassins away. "Are you all right, Yuri?"

"Hey! That's my line!" Yuri cut down his assassin, ready for the next one.

More assassins joined the fight now as Deesh moved to tackle the two next to the crates as she put the blade to their necks. Flynn and Yuri were now locking blades against two assassins as Flynn turned to Yuri, "I've been looking all over for you."

"That one was mine, too." They engaged the assassins in unison, their form and movements mirroring the other before jumping over the assassins lung attack and launching them into the crates using one of this world's strange magic techniques. The ones that weren't kill had slinked off into the shadows, dragging the rest away with them. "That was about to get ugly." Flynn suddenly turned his blade against Yuri, slashing at him as Yuri blocked and avoided his attacks, "Whoa, hold on! What are you doing?!"

Deesh was about to intervene, but then she noticed something plastered on the wall nearby that Flynn seemed to be pushing Yuri toward. "Yuri, I'm happy to see you're finally seeing the world outside the barrier!"

"Then, be a little more happy! And stop swinging your sword at me!"

Flynn finally stopped his attack, pointing his blade to the paper Deesh thought she saw during the fighting, "Well, I got a little less happy when I saw this!"

With the assault finally over, Yuri got up to his feet as Flynn sheathed his blade, looking at a new wanted poster, "Oh! It went up to 10,000 gald. Nice."

Deesh seemed amused by Yuri's enthusiasm. "I don't think a rise in one's bounty should make one happy."

"I didn't think when you quit the Knights that you'd take up a life of crime."

"A lot of things have happened, Flynn. It's not that simple."

"No matter what had happened, a crime is still a crime!"

Deesh huffed, seeing this wasn't the first time these two argued over semantics. "Arguing now will only lead to one of you getting sick."

Before Flynn could say anything to her, Yuri pointed to the entrance for an unexpected guest, "Wow, perfect timing."

"Yuri! Deesh! I was worried that you got in trouble again since you just suddenly dis…" Estelle fell silent at seeing Flynn's face turn to her. She then rushed over and hugged him, "Flynn! I'm glad that you're safe." She started patting him over, making sure he wasn't hiding any cuts or wounds, "You're not hurt, are you?"

Flynn seemed almost powerless as he let her be, only having enough to grab her attention, "Lady Estellise…umm…"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was so happy to see you that I…"

Flynn suddenly had an idea, "Please, this way," dragging her out of the alley.

Vile got a strong sensation of his prey arriving in town and went to investigate. Luckily with the heavy rain caused by the greedy humans made his ability to observe all the easier.

As memory served, he spotted the human Yuri Lowell that Zagi wanted. Even without Zagi's augments, this was early in their history, the perfect time to eliminate such a nuisance and the assassins of Leviathan's Claw seemed to agree.

It was unfortunate that the lizard and knight were there to beat the assassin numbers. But even without finding them, Vile could tell that X and Zero were nearby. Instead of hunting them down, the humans already created the best scenario for them to find Zagi instead. Even if they are unaware, that little noble boy will be excellent bait to lure them in. Now it's a matter of convincing Zagi to wait, not that Vile could blame him given how they're all clustering nicely in that inn. A rocket or two would kill most of them leaving the Biometal user alone for them to slaughter.

Inside one of the inn's rooms, Flynn and Estelle continued to speak in private as the others entered. Karol was the only one who had yet to meet Flynn, directly or indirectly, "So that guy is Flynn?"

Rita didn't seem to remember, "Seems so…"

Karol stopped, "Huh? Haven't you already met him once, Rita?"

She bopped him on the head, "I don't remember the face of some random knight."

Yuri finally broke the relative silence between the two sides of the room, "Well? Are you done with your business? And whispering secrets?"

Flynn glanced back, "I've heard your story up until this point, Yuri. And the reason for the bounty on your head." Flynn got out of the chair to bow to Yuri, "First off, I owe you my thanks for protecting her."

Estelle bowed, "Oh, I've been meaning to express my gratitude as well, Yuri."

Yuri waved them both off, "It's nothing. I was already out searching for that core thief."

"And that's where we have a problem." Yuri expected this from Flynn, "Regardless of the circumstances, the imperial law cannot allow the obstruction of officers, jail breaking, and trespassing."

Estelle looked away from Yuri, "I'm sorry. I told him everything."

Yuri just shrugged, "I really did all that, so it can't be helped."

Flynn slowly moved his hand to his sword, "Then I assume you are prepared to receive the punishment your actions deserve."

Aile couldn't help but interject, "I understand that laws need to be upheld, but is this really the time for punishment over trivial matter when the livelihood of an entire city's quarter depends on that stolen blastia core for their survival? I may not understand, or know any of your laws, but as an outsider looking in, this city alone seems to suggest that the system currently in place is broken and corrupt, to an sever extent."

Before Flynn could argue with her, the room's door opened as a female knight and a short mage entered, "Sir Flynn, I have news…" The mage stopped in his tracks when he spotted her, "What is Rita doing here?" He started to wave his finger at her, "I heard you refused an imperial request for assistance! Do you think it's all right for a mage employed by the empire to simply abandon their obligations!?"

Rita, however, had the blankest stare as she looked at the tiny mage, "…Who? Who are you again…?"

The mage turned away, "…Humph, whatever. It's not like I care a whit about you either! I don't!"

Flynn turned to the two, "Let me introduce these two," Flynn showed his arm toward the mage with the apple shaped staff, "This is Witcher, a mage who offered his assistance to us at the laboratory in Aspio." He then turned to the female knight who had a small bit of her hair braided over her right shoulder and a beauty mark below the left corner of her left eye, "And this is my second-in-command, Sodia." Flynn was about to introduce the others to his associates, "This is my…"

"You…!" Sodia's training allowed her to quickly draw out her blade from its scabbard and pointed it at Yuri. However, if Yuri had been serious he could have easily stopped her, "Sir, it's the criminal from the wanted poster!"

Deesh walked in front of Sodia's blade and effortlessly moved it with her fingers, "I'd suggest you be careful where you point that weapon, child. You might end up hurt…" Deesh seemed to remember Sodia from Halure, or at least her scent and was confident she could defeat the little knight solo. The little mage might be a problem depending on his casting speed. She could already see the disgust from Sodia as Deesh felt her struggle to regain control of her weapon.

Flynn stopped things before they escalated any further, "At ease, Sodia…! He is a friend of mine."

"What?! But Sir, he's a wanted man! And this monster is obstructing…"

"I just heard his story. While he is guilty of minor crimes, the warrant for his arrest contains false accusations. Later, I will return him to the capital and explain the situation. And he will receive his due punishment. As for Deesh, she is simply keeping the peace for the moment. Isn't that right?"

Deesh glanced to Flynn while her tail made a few heavy swings, her nostrils flared slightly and a very low rumble bellowed from her neck. When Sodia's stance became less aggressive Deesh finally freed her sword to sheath, "…I see. I apologize for my rudeness."

Flynn returned the conversation before the outbursts, "Witcher, your report."

"Yes, sir. I believe the ongoing rain and wind are being caused by a blastia. The weather in this season is unpredictable, but this does not explain why it worsens whenever boats leave port. There is also a witness that claims to have seen something like a blastia being carried into magistrate Ragou's residence."

Rita seemed skeptical, "I've never heard anything about a blastia that can manipulate the weather. Nothing like that has ever been excavated… Wait! Just maybe…" The aque blastia from the lower quarter, and illegal digging at the ruins…could this be…

Flynn nodded, "Witcher, go and see if we can get the right to search blastia laboratories."

"Yes, sir!" Witcher immediately rushed off to send the request.

Aile didn't like the sound of any of this, "So this magistrate is using a blastia to manipulate the weather?"

Sodia asserted the assumption, "…It appears that way, though we can't yet say for certain. The harbor has been closed due to weather. Any ship that leaves is fired on for disobeying the ordinance."

Shadow sneered, "Bastard. Undercutting their livelihood, and for what? To watch them suffer? He losing money by not letting these people work."

Yuri looked upset now. So much for crossing over to Torim…

Flynn also added, "Those aren't the only rumors surrounding the magistrate. He's released a monster known as Rhybgaro into the wild and amuses himself by forcing those who can't pay their taxes to hunt it. He claims he'll pardon their taxes if they managed to capture the beast."

Estelle was appalled, "…That's horrible…"

Rita openly noted, "So that's how that couple we met just now go their wounds."

"I get it now…" Karol looked to Aile, "but what about their child?"

This was news to Flynn, "What? What happened to their child?"

Just as Karol was about to say something, Yuri stopped him by rubbing his hair, "Forget about it. We'll get going then."

"Yuri, stop being so reckless…"

Yuri smirked to his friend, "…I'm not doing anything reckless. All I'm doing is pursuing a core thief. You're the one that should stop trying to do the impossible."

With that, the others followed Yuri out, minus Estelle who lingered behind. Flynn sighed, "I thought leaving the capital would have changed him a little…but it seems like he's even more reckless than before."

"Flynn…?"

Flynn continued to stare at the door, "Yuri's so single-minded when it comes to protecting others. He's willing to sacrifice himself to do it. I envy him for that, but I also worry that he'll take it too far." Flynn then shifted topics, smiling to Estelle, "By the way, Lady Estellise…"

"Yes?"

"…How…how is it, walking around outside, free?"

She smiled to him, "I can't say everything's been perfect… There're times when I'm feeling perplexed but seeing everything in person is just so different from what I read from a book. But as I journeyed on, I came to realize that there're many things I need to do. That makes me really happy. It's been wonderful."

Flynn regained his smile, "…I see. I'm glad to hear that."

Aile poked her head back in, "Estelle, if we don't hurry up Yuri will leave us behind."

"Yes! I'll be right there."

With most of the occupants gone, Sodia moved to speak with Flynn, "Lieutenant Flynn, about a certain 'missing person'…" Estelle glanced back wondering who Sodia was talking about.

Yuri was waiting for them outside before continuing into the city. Estelle had something to ask, "Hey, Rita, what did Flynn mean about search and seizure rights to blastia laboratories?"

"Oh, that. Basically, if you're on an official Imperial blastia investigation, you can go anywhere you want."

Shadow was in disbelief, "Are you serious?!"

Karol also yelled, "Why bust our butts when the Knights can do that?"

Rita quickly shot those hopes down, "I don't think they can. There are plenty of 'exceptions' that can block their authority."

Yuri didn't seem surprised, "That sounds like what I've come to expect from the empire."

Deesh huffed, "Like Aile said, this empire is corrupt. If this magistrate is as powerful as we think, then their efforts will be naught. I see two options for us, though in truth I think it's only one. We try confronting the magistrate in his manor, or we hunt down the Rhybgaro beast."

Aile volunteered, "It probably won't work, but I think I should make an attempt at interacting with the front gate guards. And having someone with a certain level of professionalism should prevent any bruhaha for the Knights."

The others were waiting by the wall as Aile returned. "Ragou certainly didn't hire them for their manners."

"How was it?"

Aile looked back, "The guards aren't complete morons but they also have a supervisor to make sure who is or isn't supposed to get through. The only exception is someone with the Rhybgaro horn. Even then, I think that bureaucrat would make up an excuse to prevent a meeting."

Deesh appeared from the bushes, "I can't seem to find a means for everyone to get in. The walls are too high for everyone to jump and too smooth to climb. Blasting the wall will draw too much attention. And reaching the private dock by sea would be ill-advised for most of you. There's always rushing the gate, but we don't know the enemy's true strength or numbers or how quickly they could respond."

Shadow leaned toward Deesh, "If only we had disposable bodies to throw at the enemy to test that."

Yuri glanced back to the gate, "We'd best leave the frontal assault on the palace to the Imperial Knights."

Aile looked around, "And here I assumed Flynn's bad attitude was related to your bounty."

Estelle wanted a go at the guards, "Maybe if I…"

Aile stopped her, "Your status as a noble would only conflate the issue for everyone. Especially for Flynn."

Yuri agreed, "Looks like we've got no choice. Captain Karol, we'll need your expertise again."

"But why do we have to do it on a rainy day?" Rita yelled as they continued away from the city.

Karol quickly pointed out, "The Rhybgaro will only come out when it's raining. Some monsters only come out during a particular weather."

"As expected of Karol of the Hunting Blades!" Yuri semi-parsing the guild 'ace' for his knowledge on monsters. "Which means we'll have to hope that the rain doesn't stop."

Rita still didn't like this, "Ugh…I want to return to the inn already!"

Strider and Repede stopped at some of the bushes rustled as something seemed to be nearby. From out of the brush a gold furred Equestrian creature with a large golden horn pointing forward atop its face rushed headlong with the intent to skewer someone. Karol screamed, "There it is…! The Rhybgaro…"

After the first pass through the group, the Rhybgaro swiftly turned about and started pawing its hoof into the road, "Really!?" Estelle then noticed all the cuts, "It's covered in injuries!"

Aile activated her Model LX form, "Here it comes!"

Rhybgaro rushed through the group though this time it was flailing it head about. Deesh was about to strike the creature down but stopped herself and she ended up grabbing the horn to throw Rhybgaro to a different direction.

Aile, I'm detecting two heartbeats within the creature.

"Wha…" Aile shifted over to Model HX now so she could get a more thorough scan. "Poor thing…" She jumped away, avoiding the fight, and grabbing Shadow's weapon before she joined.

"What gives?" Aile didn't respond, simply preventing Shadow from using her weapons against the creature.

The Rhybgaro charged again, its desperation to get them to scatter more apparent as it started shaking its head wildly. Karol dove out of the way causing the Rhybgaro to momentarily hesitate on its direction. Using this moment of distraction, Rita attacked using her scroll like a whip and Yuri managed to punch the Rhybgaro's face while Estelle finished Rhybgaro's ability to fight back with her Pow Hammer spell.

Aile finally let Shadow go, "Don't get why you'd stop me from killing it. Cutting the horn could be a problem if it struggles."

With a moment to breathe, they could see just how many battle scars it had. Estelle's wanted to help after seeing such a sight. Even Yuri couldn't help but feel sorry for this creature. "These wounds…the desperate townspeople must've come to attack it several times."

Rita was trying not to look at Rhybgaro, "…I feel kind of bad about this."

With the Rhybgaro downed, Deesh now moved to its side to confirm something she thought she smelled during the battle. The blood from all its old wounds was obscuring the scent she was after, but Deesh got what she wanted. She let out a roar, slamming her sword into the ground.

"What's wrong, Deesh?"

Deesh knelt to the creature, caressing its stomach, "This Rhybgaro creature is female," lifting her leg to show a slight bulge to everyone, "And she bears foal. I hold myself to a few personal limits on what I kill outside of contracts. Anything pregnant or with brood; that isn't insect, rodent, or fish; is usually among them."

"I can confirm that too. She's close to giving birth…" Aile walked up to the Rhybgaro, calmly rubbing the side of Rhybgaro's face, "It's alright…you won't feel a thing." Aile activated her blade and sliced…

They returned to the city with the horn in hand. Rita had her hands crossed behind her head, "I still can't believe you two let it live. I'd expect one of you to want to finish it."

Deesh snorted, "I may be a trained killer, but I still have principles."

Yuri smirked, "I think she's still angry about what we did back in Aspio."

"Well, you did…"

"Let me go!" a familiar voice yelled out, cutting Deesh off.

It was the married couple from before and the man was holding a sword again as he was trying to leave the city as his wife attempting to stop him. "But your wounds just got healed…"

"…I have to save our son!" suddenly a strange thud noise stopped him in his tracks, and he spotted it. "…This…isn't this Rhybgaro's horn…!?"

His wife rushed to his side, kneeling alongside him as he picked it up, "What? Th-then we…"

"Yeah, our son is saved!" He started looking around for anyone in the area, "…But who would drop this in a place like this…?"

In the shadows of an alley, the group was hiding now as Karol turned to Yuri, "H-hold on! We're just giving it to them?"

Aile smiled, "It's the right thing to do."

Yuri seemed to agree, "It's a small price to pay if it saves their child's life."

Estelle smiled to Yuri, "You were planning on doing this from the beginning, weren't you?"

Yuri wasn't looking to the others, "Nope, it just came to me."

Rita was still shaking from the freezing rain, "You do realize that you just gave away our gift for the magistrate, right? Now, what'll we do?"

Deesh looked to the magistrate's mansion, "We will find a way. We just need time."

Shadow raised her hand, "I still vote for the frontal attack."

"Shall we see how Flynn's doing, then?" Estelle turned to the inn, "Maybe he has it worked out already."

Yuri seemed pessimistic about the idea, "That would be nice…"

Deesh snorted, "And doubtful…"