Even though the secret path was brightly lit, it still felt a little eerie and sinister to Erwin.

A shop with a secret section like this one had to be an illegitimate business that engaged in shady dealings. Back in Sarus, he had never recruited the services of any unscrupulous businesses like this one, but he had heard of their existence.

The main problem was that the wound on his hand still hadn't completely healed, so he wanted to avoid battle if possible at a time like this, and that was why he had asked Lanyon to come along. However, now that Lanyon had been kept out in the legitimate part of the shop, he would be forced to fight if something were to happen.

Having said that, the fact that Christine was leading him into this area so casually indicated that there most likely wasn't going to be any danger here. After all, there was no reason for her to plot against him.

Christine could tell from Erwin's expression that he was a little concerned, so she explained, "Don't worry, Brother Erwin, I only asked you to come with me because Lanyon is a local, and I was worried that if the people we're dealing with recognize him, then it could cause some unnecessary misunderstandings."

"Who exactly are you going to meet?" Erwin asked with a curious expression. "Why is it that the presence of a local could cause a misunderstanding?"

"Have you heard of the Lodais Organization, Brother Erwin?"

Erwin thought...