Meanwhile, the Group was quick on gathering as much evidence as they could, with Solomon and Zazel taking the lead, the latter being more familiar with sigils and seals due to his Demonic Style. Shopkeepers were questioned, tracks were followed, and even having them leave outside of the kingdom in order to investigate the last whereabouts of Envy's escapades. To their disappointment, nothing was found, say only for a few thousand footprints that they'd rather not follow for ease of a headache. The White Rabbit would also keep a lookout on such activity, noting over to the soldiers that hanged around the Castle's sides, keeping up with both their training and mastery with whatever was on their side. The most notable was the recent surplus of soldiers coming over to Calibren, a mental note taken as the group met back up towards the Fountain. "Oh what a lovely mystery! I never thought I'd do these things again! It feels like ages since I had a good methodical time with the lot..." Alice would express, twirling and skipping around as the boys kept their focus.
Well, most of the boys. "Again? You did these things before?" Zazel asked.
"Oh yes! The bizarre. The strange. The adventure! You'd never see anyone look over such clues and create such connections in these days. They'd mostly just solve the whole case in a night's sitting over a cup of cocoa and a roaring fireplace, as if they know the pieces being set before even engaging in the game. Seeing such a lack of clues is refreshing!"
"Refreshing!? We're barely able to move forward with the lack! Doesn't help we don't have all the 'pieces' you're talking about considering he's forced to be muted." Solomon reprimanded, but Alice merely swishes away the complaint.
"Oh, hush you! It's why it is called a 'Mystery!' We don't HAVE all the pieces at the moment. We're picking them up one by one as we go along until we GET all of them! Have you no challenge in your heart?"
"The last time all four of us had a challenge, we nearly DIED. We just want this to be over and done with before we start pulling our tendons apart."
"Hmph! Clearly you are as stubborn as you are prissy. I haven't the faintest thought you'd boys would have an easy route here." A huff and a puff from the Wonder, as Solomon rolled his eyes and continued his pursuit, before noticing the White Rabbit. "Oh there you are! Have you found any clues yet, my faithful friend?" She'd ask.
"A sudden spike of people, I did! The other wonders are already on route to see what lies ahead in those armies, but it shouldn't matter the delay."
"SHOULDN'T MATTER!?" Solomon couldn't help but be shocked at how lax and aloof they were being, as if they didn't know whoever is behind this may end up getting away with sealing their own tongues if they're not careful.
"To be fair, he DID gave us a 'piece.' Do you have any idea what the people even are?" Zazel asked.
"Well, that is the most peculiarest of peculiar..."
"The Faintest of the Familiar...?"
"The Most unorthodox Orthodox-"
"OUT WITH IT!!!" Solomon was wasting no time here, with Stolas patting him on the shoulders and gesturing for the White Rabbit to keep it short and sweet while he calms down his 'brother'.
"Right, right. Apologies. They came from a land among lands known as Conquital. Haven't the foggiest idea what kingdom that looked like..."
"Oh, those poor souls. May the heavens bless them in their passing..." Alice's somber tone brought the boys curiosity, prompting her to pipe up. "Oh! See, recently its residents have been all but slaughtered. Not a single soul remained. It was just off the corner of the Circle too. Oh, the woe..."
"'Off the corner...?' Wait, was that the place Harvard was talking about with the Genoci-" Stolas' words were cut off, much to his annoyance, but the quick gesture between the residents looking over as if he mentioned a blasphemous phrase immediately made him know why such was not usually brought up, or at the very least brought to light. "Got it. Tragedy. Keeping quiet."
"But... yes, that is indeed what it is."
"...So that would mean an opportunity for the Zombie sorcerer to take it." The group immediately widened their eyes as they realized it, with Alice having some recollection regarding the Bounty Hunters. Once Stolas put such a thought, the White Rabbit immediately made a break for the outside walls to track after Ji-Mon's footsteps in order to confirm their suspicions.
"The fact you still remembered that is amazing." Solomon praised, but Stolas merely brushed it away.
"Relaaax. It's not hard to put two and two together when you see the 'pieces' beforehand."
As the group conversed, a noise was quick to catch their attention. A giddy, excited Applin, hopping from roof to roof, two hammers swinging around and elevating her further, whilst Harvard spreads his bones into wings in order to come after. Solomon couldn't believe what he was seeing, whilst Stolas and Alice can't help but laugh at the potential absurdity. "WE JUST HAD THIS PROBLEM A WEEK AGO!" He'd shout, which inevitably made Zazel also break down in laughter as the group followed, with Shady being behind and smiling as the kids were having fun, watching as Zazel and Stolas set up Asmodeus and Draco to fly up and catch the hyper Vampiress as she'd go across Calibren, acting as a mere game of tag once more.
Elsewhere, the eyes left behind would act as an indicator, following along the conversation, reporting it back towards the summoner, as the hooded figure took his own mental note. "Ji-Mon's got reinforcements? Looks like we need our own fighters to come up soon. Can't let them build up anything further..." He'd mumble, far, far outside of the Castle, residing amongst the mountains, his Hieroglyphs quick on focusing back to being artillery fire for the Sniper's entrance.