Contradiction Investigation Walkthrough in Crimson Desert

The Missing Contract and Chest Full of Gold Coins is another investigation quest in Crimson Desert, which will have you speak with different NPCs to hear their side of the story, to finally piece together who the traitor is, so that you can find and arrest the culprit.

The answers can be confusing when giving the Guard Captain the full picture, which is why we have provided a step-by-step walkthrough of the Contradiction quest in Crimson Desert to ensure that you're finding the right culprit and bringing them to justice.

How to Start The Missing Contract and Chest Full of Gold Coins in Crimson Desert

Head to the Saltroad Trading Post in the Crimson Desert region, which is just to the left of the first "A" in "Urdavah" on the map, and speak to the Guard Captain.

You'll be given the Investigation Log: Truth on the Sands. Once read through, you can begin your investigation by speaking with the suspects, which we'll list below.

Rashim the Branchmaster

• Rashim can be found in the western area of the Salotroad Trading Post in front of a yellow tent.
• Speaking with Rashim will reveal that he suspects Mahmoud, even though he is a trusted friend.

Mahmoud the Keymaster

• Mahmoud can be found to the right of the yellow tent where you spoke to Rashim, and he's sitting on a crate.
• Speaking to Mahmoud will reveal that he stepped away to see some business at dawn.

Shahina the Scribe

• Shahina is found in front of a red tent in the Saltroad Trading Post.
• Shahina reveals that a porter named Paizel asked her where the strongbox was kept.

Kasim the Guard

• Kasim can be found in the north area of Saltroad Trading Post, by the guard tower near the cliff.
• Kasim reveals that nobody left the post the entire day, not a single trade took place, and that everyone knows where the strongbox is kept.

Armin the Apothecary

• Armin is standing in the south district with some other NPCs, and is noted for the flowers in his backpack.
• Armin reveals that Mahmoud is neck-deep in gambling debts.

Paizel the Porter

• Paizel can be found inside the camel pen in the south area of the Saltroad Trading Post.
• Paizel reveals he saw the apothecary at dawn, which is strange, as he's usually gone before sunset.

All Contradiction Answers in Crimson Desert

Once you've spoken to all 6 NPCs, you can return to the Guard Captain and select the following answers to solve the investigation:

1. They were suspicious of Mahmoud, the one with the key.
2. He was away briefly at dawn, but insisted it's not a problem as only Rashim, Shahina, and the guards know of the strongbox's location.
3. Paizel's been poking around, wanting to know where the strongbox is kept.
4. Nobody left the trading post that day, and everyone knew where the strongbox was.
5. They were away on a trade, and heard a rumor that Mahmoud's gotten himself into a gambling debt.
6. They saw a herb merchant at camp at dawn.

Now that you've answered all of the questions correctly, you can head north of the Saltroad Trading Post to find a desert tree, which reveals Armin as the culprit. Confront Armin and take him back to the Guard Captain to complete the quest.