“Figure out what they're doing, and how, right?”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Jason said. “We need to go talk to all the victims, learn as much about what was taken and the thief’s methodology as we can.”

“Are these people going to talk to us?”

Jason chuckled. “These are people used to having the power, not being the victim, and there isn’t anything they can do about it. Don’t underestimate how much that will eat at them. They know that the Adventure Society isn’t letting anyone other than iron-rankers in on this, so a three-star is the best they can hope for. Add in an assist from a Magic Society official and it will seem like a ray of hope. They’ll cooperate.”

“And if they don’t?”

“We’ll talk them into it.”

“You say that like it’s going to be easy.”

* * *

Jason and Clive left the townhouse of Lord Vordis and started heading towards the closest loop line transit station. Lord Vordis was a minor noble, but one known for making useful connections between the upper and lower echelons of society.

“Are you sure you should have done that?” Clive asked, glancing back nervously.

“Done what?” Jason asked innocently.

“Told him the Mercers sent you.”

“I didn’t do that.”

“I was there!”

“But were you really listening? I never said the Mercers sent me. Yes, the conversation happened to go in such a way that certain connections between myself and the Mercer family came to light. And I suppose I can see how that particular topic of conversation, in proximity to other topics, may have led some people to assume that the Mercers sent me, but I made no such assertion. I’m not responsible for other people’s assumptions, Clive.”

“It really seems like you are.”

“We got what we were after, and that’s the important thing.”

“I can’t believe he told you he was smuggling sump coil rods,” Clive said. “They’re restricted by the Adventure Society and the Magic Society, but he told an adventurer and a Magic Society official.”

“Lucky this town’s so corrupt,” Jason said. “He figured there wouldn’t be any major repercussions.”

“Because he thought the Mercer family sent you.”

“I told you that I’m not responsible for the assumptions of others. What are sump coil rods, anyway?”

“They’re used to create very small areas that are invisible to magical senses,” Clive said. “Auras, tracking abilities, seeking rituals. Nothing short of gold-rank ritual or ability stands a chance. Very small spaces, though. About the size of a laundry basket.”

“What are they used for?”

“The big things about them is they don’t trip warnings. A lot of detection magic, be that abilities, rituals or items, give back a negative reading if they hit a zone they can’t penetrate. Use sump coil rods the right way, and most things won’t even register the negative space.”