Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

The best places to gather information were taverns. People loved to gossip over a pint of beer, and often, they ended up revealing more than they intended. Bartenders, always in the loop about the latest rumors, were invaluable sources of information. Victoria knew this and decided to start her search there.

She visited several taverns, each time offering a sum of money in exchange for information. Most bartenders accepted the coins eagerly, but the information they provided was disappointingly vague. It was as if no one knew the recent whereabouts of the slave traders—the very ones who had captured William.

Despite the lack of progress, William remained calm. He still had several days before Jonas left the mansion to meet Father Malakai. There was time, but not much of it.

"Now what?" Victoria asked mentally, frustration creeping into her voice. "None of the taverns have any useful information. I'm starting to think this is a waste of time and money."

She hadn't visited every tavern in the city—there were far too many—but she had covered the majority, from the simplest, dirt-cheap establishments to the mid-range and even the most expensive ones. She had hoped that by covering all social classes, she might stumble upon a lead. But so far, nothing.

"What if you buy a slave?" William suggested.

"What? Hmm… that doesn't sound like a bad plan."

If Victoria pretended to be in the market for a slave, she could potentially meet the slave traders or at least the nobles who frequented such transactions. It was a risky move, but it might be their best shot.

The plan had potential, but there was one problem: Victoria's current attire. While her clothes were decent, they weren't nearly impressive enough to convince anyone she was a wealthy noble looking to purchase slaves. She needed something more elegant, something that screamed wealth and status.

The city, being a popular tourist destination, was home to countless clothing stores, ranging from cheap, hole-in-the-wall shops to luxurious boutiques. Naturally, Victoria headed to one of the most expensive stores.

The moment she stepped inside, an attendant greeted her with a warm smile. "Welcome! What can I assist you with today?"

"I'm looking for a new outfit," Victoria replied, her tone casual but confident. "Something elegant for formal occasions. Traveling through the desert in these rags was… less than ideal."

The attendant nodded sympathetically. It wasn't uncommon for wealthy travelers to arrive in less-than-perfect attire after a grueling journey through the desert. "Of course, miss. Please, come with me and take a look."

What followed was an agonizingly long process of Victoria trying on dress after dress, scrutinizing every detail—the fabric, the fit, the color. William, trapped in the form of a sword, could only watch in silent exasperation.

'How do women take so long to pick an outfit?' he thought, his patience wearing thin. 'I've traveled between worlds, and this is still the same everywhere…'

After what felt like an eternity—an hour and a half, to be precise—Victoria finally settled on a stunning black gown. It was elegant, sophisticated, and, of course, expensive. But since it was her money, William didn't complain. It wasn't coming out of his pocket, after all.

With her new outfit, Victoria looked every bit the part of a wealthy noblewoman. Now, it was time to put the plan into action. Instead of visiting taverns, she headed to places frequented by the city's elite—upscale restaurants, exclusive lounges, and other haunts where nobles gathered.

She found herself in a fancy restaurant located in the upper part of the city. The atmosphere was refined, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the murmur of polite conversation. Everyone there was impeccably dressed, their demeanor radiating power and privilege. It was clear that this was a place for the wealthy and influential.

Victoria sat alone at a table, ordering a glass of wine and a light meal. As she sipped her drink, she discreetly observed the nobles around her, trying to figure out how to approach one of them without drawing suspicion.

"This is so hard," she muttered mentally, her nerves starting to get the better of her.

William, however, remained unfazed. "Just sit there and relax. Sooner or later, some single noble will show up."

"Come on, that's not going to happen," Victoria replied, skeptical.

But, as it turned out, William was right. As Victoria sipped her wine, a young nobleman approached her table.

He was handsome, with sharp features and an air of confidence. He stopped in front of her, smiled charmingly, and said, "What is a beautiful lady like you doing alone on such a lovely evening?"

Victoria resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It was the classic line, the kind she had heard in stories and plays. Still, she played along, extending her hand gracefully. "Just enjoying some wine and waiting for a gentleman to show up for a conversation."

The nobleman took her hand and kissed it—a common greeting among the aristocracy. "How may I assist you, miss?" he asked, his tone smooth and practiced.
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Victoria took a deep breath. This was it.

"I'm looking to buy some slaves," she said, keeping her voice low but confident. "It's the first time my parents have sent me this far to do something like this. Do you know if there are any auctions happening?"

It felt incredibly strange—and deeply unsettling—to discuss buying slaves so casually, as if it were a normal, everyday transaction. Victoria had to remind herself that this was part of the act, a necessary step to uncover the information they needed. Still, the discomfort lingered, a heavy weight in her chest.

The nobleman, however, seemed unfazed by her question. If anything, he was momentarily caught off guard but quickly recovered, leaning back in his seat with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, I believe there's an auction in two days," he said, his tone casual. "I can show you where it's being held, if you'd like."

He then leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "And from what I've heard, the slaves this time will be delivered by those famous slave traders from the region. Whenever they bring slaves, they're always the best—rare and powerful individuals, like skilled mages or warriors. It's quite the event."

William's excitement was palpable, even through their mental connection. "That's exactly what we needed to know," he said. "Those are the traders who captured the demon. This is our chance."

Victoria, however, felt a mix of relief and dread. While the information was invaluable, waiting another two days would delay their plans. Time was already tight, and every day counted. Still, there was no other option. They had to play along.

The price for that information, unfortunately, was paid by Victoria in the form of enduring the nobleman's company for the rest of the evening.

It was a tedious affair, but luckily, nobles in this city seemed to value decorum above all else. The man wasn't pushy or overly forward—no attempts at a first kiss or inappropriate advances. Instead, he spent the night talking, regaling Victoria with stories of his travels, his family's estate, and the latest gossip circulating among the elite.

Victoria played her part well, nodding politely and interjecting with the occasional question or comment to keep the conversation flowing. It was exhausting, but she managed. By the end of the night, the nobleman even insisted on paying for her dinner, which she accepted with a gracious smile.

As they parted ways, the nobleman gave her a charming smile. "In two days, we can meet here again. The auction will take place at night. I'll ensure you have the best seat in the house."

"Understood," Victoria replied, her tone polite but distant. "Thank you very much for your help."

The nobleman bowed slightly before taking his leave, leaving Victoria alone at the table. She let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders relaxing as the weight of the act lifted. "That was… something," she said mentally to William.

"You handled it well," William replied. "And now we have a lead. Two days isn't ideal, but it's better than nothing."

Victoria nodded to herself, her resolve hardening. They were closer than ever to finding the slave traders, and she wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away. As she left the restaurant and stepped into the cool night air, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. The plan was working—now they just had to see it through.

She stayed two days in one of the best taverns in the city. Differently from before, now she had to keep her status because the noble that talked to her could be watching her moves!

It was better to be safe. During the night, she went into the same restaurant, and there she met the noble, who was more than happy to see her.

"It's so nice to see you again, and you look as gorgeous as ever. So, are you up for a dinner before going into the auction? It starts in three hours."

"That would be lovely."