Hidden Scheme

Steps

1. 1Investigate the Night Dew Cave• Go to the Night Dew Cave
2. 2Return to Astin• Go to the Mercenaries Base
3. 3Ask where Astin is• Talk to Jade
4. 4Go to the Southern Shugo Station• Talk to Bao
5. 5Retrieve supplies from the Astin Mercenaries• Defeat the mercenary to retrieve the supplies
6. 6Deliver the retrieved supplies to Bao• Talk to Bao

Rewards

Absorption Scroll (Bound) ×20

Story

"We found a document detailing an upcoming trade, so let's ambush them at the scene." According to Baison, Astin never intended to get involved in the power struggle between the Shugo and Aullaeu, and most of the trades took place in the Night Dew Cave. However, all you found in the cave were Shugo corpses, remnants of what appeared to be Aullaeu sorcery, and records of another unknown transaction. Astin was not merely trying to squeeze extra money out of Kochi, he had been conspiring with the Aullaeu on a much deeper scheme. You found a document in the cave suggesting a rendezvous between the Aullaeu and Astin, and an ambush was hastily planned for the appointed time.