We meet Flaire in the room. The wax of her candle is almost finished. She looks at me with solemn eyes.

  "Mm... Decim, how has it been?" she asks shyly.

  "Nothing you have to concern yourself about." I reply sharply.

  Concern is visible on her face as she looks at Ceaser, who holds in his emotions.

  "I heard some commotion, but sorry if I've mistaken." She bows in apology.

  Ceaser walks over and opens the door. The light of the hallway enters the room. Flaire glances back before stepping out. After Ceaser puts down the candles, we take the path of the stairs to go to the other side of the mansion, not too different from the left.

  We pass by the maid we saw when we arrived. She throws us the same empty stare. Ceaser walks as if he doesn't even notice her.

  Soon he stops at a door and opens it, then raises his hand, pointing inside.

  We enter. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling, illuminating the room in a warm tone. Five figures occupy the space.

  Near the window under the early starlight, a woman reclines on a crimson sofa, her posture loose and comfortable. Her red hair cascades in waves, catching the light as she shifts slightly. The black suit she wears contrasts with the vibrant furniture beneath her. She wears a black skirt that leaves her thighs exposed. Her blue eyes drift lazily to meet mine. A faint smile plays on her lips before she closes her eyes again.

  Calli has always been lighthearted.

  Across from her, a man sits upright on a chair, picking up pastries to feed his mouth. His dark hair frames his pale face with a neutral expression. He wears dark clothing. He notices me, swallowing the food before speaking.

  "What took you so long?" Krysei asks, still picking at pastries.

  "I got lost." I reply.

  "Liar. You're the one who sent us here first." Slumped in an ornate chair with tufted red upholstery, Eurenia rests. Her brown hair spills loosely around her shoulders, and her gray eyes fix on Krysei. The black dress she wears is decorated with golden floral patterns. A rose tattoo marks her left thigh.

  "Seems like you made yourself comfortable." I respond.

  Near the table adorned with a vase carrying white and red flowers in front of a painting of a fallen angel, a young woman turns, looking away from it. Her right hand rests on the table's edge. Her dark hair is tied back, and she wears a green-accented outfit that catches the amber light in the room. Her green eyes glance sharply at me.

  "We couldn't hold back. After all, it took our leader a whole day to make it here." Celeris says in an alluring voice.

  Sitting with crossed legs on a chair with a table pushed against the far wall, Bell hunches over a book. His black hair falls forward, his multiple blue-shaded streaks partially obscuring his face as he reads. His right hand traces the text lines while the other props up his chin. The ornate clothing he wears is decorated with patterns of blue roses and geometric designs. He doesn't look up as I approach.

  He closes the book with a clap and gazes at me, arms resting on his knee, still holding the book. "It doesn't look like your threat worked." He says in a calm tone, his eyes blue like the ocean.

  "It indeed didn't work. I underestimated the prey. She was a monster."

  "You can't say that now. I told you Chryselia is most likely the hardest one to intimidate, despite being an outcast to the other symbols. But you only retained the part saying 'outcast' and thought no one would help her." He looks down. "In your opinion, why do you think she hasn't been taken down by the others yet? Because by herself, she's already a menace." He stands up. "Now, don't just stand there. Tell us about the mission she gave us." His face grows ashen.

  "What are you discussing with Bell?" Calli, who has woken up, slides from the chair and walks to us.

  Krysei stops shoving food in his mouth and stands up. Eurenia follows him. Celeris comes close too.

  "I hope you're not frightened, Flaire." Calli enthusiastically taps Flaire's shoulder.

  "No... no, I'm just surprised by all this."

  "Don't be." Calli guides her toward the sofa. "Please sit down while we're having our talk. You must be exhausted after having to deal with Decim for a whole day."

  "Well, okay..." Flaire nods, glancing at me before following.

  Calli sits beside her on the crimson sofa. "I've been meaning to ask. That red scarf you wear, is it new?”

  Flaire touches the scarf gently. "Yes. Master Decim bought it for me after I told him I felt cold.”

  "I see." Calli's usual playful demeanor softens. "Then it must be precious to you huh?”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Eurenia rises from her chair and joins them, settling on Flaire's other side. "Decim isn’t really the type to have this kind of attention."

  Flaire's hands clasp together in her lap. "He doesn’t give me that impression."

  "Poor thing, he has you wrapped around his finger." Eurenia's gray eyes show sympathy.

  Krysei glances over from where he stands. "Hey you, stop making Decim look like a monster, it’s embarrassing."

  Calli laughs softly. "Krysei, you have the social grace of a rock. We’re just joking around… still not good with jokes huh?”

  Krysei turn red. “Nevermind.”

  Flaire manages a small smile. “It’s really thoughtful of him. At least I know master has someone to rely on. When I’m not present.”

  "You're his attendant," Celeris observes as she leans against my shoulder. "That's its own role. Someone has to keep him from walking into walls."

  “You know I can still hear you right?”

  "She's right, though," Eurenia adds. "We handle the missions. You handle him. I'd argue your job is harder."

  Flaire's tension eases slightly. Her shoulders relax. "He can be... difficult sometimes. But I can only follow him around."

  Satisfied that Flaire is comfortable, the women rejoin the group, and we stand in a circle on the other side of the room.

  Celeris asks the first question. "Are we stopping with the plan of taking her down? Since you got the mission, that means you agreed to obey her."

  "Not really. I've judged that fighting her at the moment is impossible. Even if we all go together, I have no doubt we'll lose."

  "If you're the one saying that, then it's true. That's at least one thing I can give you." Bell observes.

  "So what's the mission she gave us? Killing? Kidnapping?" Eurenia suggests.

  "No. We're going on a tomb raid. The tomb of Carcis."

  "What is she expecting us to get there?" Celeris thinks for a while.

  Bell decides to reply. "Considering this might be real, I think it's for the treasure."

  We all look at him in confusion.

  I knew there was some sort of treasure, but I put my focus on his remains having some secrets.

  Bell continues. "In ancient periods, the kings of the seven kingdoms used to be buried with their treasure. We work under legal and illegal affairs. Getting some funds would lighten the weight on the symbols and help them recruit even more mercenaries."

  "You mean this is an opportunity for us to threaten them?" I ask.

  "You can see it like that. We can't bring people to the sect with just the name of Nirvain anymore. Nobody believes in him at the moment. Even some members of the sect don't believe in him. It has resulted in a cult based on economy rather than belief."

  "That means if we get the treasure, we can get the people Decim needs, right?" Calli asks.

  "In theory. That's if they let us go with the treasure." Bell looks at me, waiting for a reply.

  "I can't give a definitive answer. We'll have to wait and see."

  "Has Chryselia scared you that much? I still can't believe it." Krysei adds.

  "Don't be so mean to him. I mean, look, there are no guards. Surely she thinks she's the best security for herself." Eurenia says.

  "Well, if that's clear, when are we going?" Celeris asks. "I do remember that nothing comes out of the city at night, so is it tomorrow?"

  I pause, considering. "We'll need supplies first. Since we’re going to do this we’re the one going to do all the man labor."

  Bell nods. "Smart. Rushing in unprepared is how people die in those places. How long?"

  "Two, maybe three days to gather everything discreetly."

  "If the boss said so, then-" Bell is interrupted.

  "No!!! I wanted to go shopping." Calli pouts.

  Everyone looks at her.

  "Now that I think about it, I want to buy some books too." Bell adds.

  "And we want to visit the place." Eurenia raises her hand. "I mean, yeah, we've been traveling nonstop to make it here, and we can't even enjoy it?"

  "But-" As I try to answer, Calli takes my hand, pleading for me to accept.

  I give in. They are really insufferable. Did they planned for things to end up like this?

  "Yeah, fine. We can stay here for three more days if Chryselia accepts."

  "Then she surely will." Bell announces.

  They all cheer before going back to their original seats. Only Calli stays, looking at me.

  Eurenia returns to conversing with Flaire. "You know, if we're staying three days, you should come with us tomorrow. See the city properly."

  Flaire looks surprised. "I... I don't want to impose."

  "You won't be," Celeris says, examining the painting. "Besides, someone should make sure Calli doesn't buy the entire textile district."

  "I have restraint." Calli protests.

  "You bought seven outfits last time. If it wasn’t for Bell’s budget, we would’ve been in big trouble." Krysei mutters, returning to his pastries.

  "And I looked stunning in all of them."

  “Next time I’ll abstain for helping. We don’t make that much as a group already.” Bell returns to his book.

  I notice Flaire watching the group with something like warmth in her eyes. She's not part of the team, but they accept her presence. That's enough.

  "Is something wrong?" I ask Calli, who still stands close.

  "No..." she replies. "I just wanted to know what you thought of my outfit."

  "Hmmm... it suits you well, but not really fitted for the moment. You see, take example from Celeris. You can see she put a lot of thought into what she's going to wear, and her clothes are less revealing."

  After my comment, Calli starts turning red.

  "You could at least appreciate it." She pouts, walking dramatically to her seat.

  Everyone watches her, confused, then watches me. I walk close to Krysei and join him in his eating contest with only a few pastries left.

  I still don't know what to think about Chryselia, but she put me in an advantageous situation. But why?

  In the darkness of Chryselia's room:

  She opens the window, letting the light of the night sky in. She looks down at the garden. She changed from vodka to red wine, sipping from the glass.

  "It's strange. He doesn't have a noble background but can see the contours of spirits. This should be impossible for anybody below commandant rank. Just for that, he scared me."

  She speaks as if there are people present around her, but she's alone in her room.

  "Just for that, I want to know more about him." She takes a final sip, putting the glass on the windowsill. "This garden is sure beautiful at night. A perfect time to destroy the insects lurking. But shouldn't I leave that to mother nature?"

  She closes the curtain of the window.

  Bazef streets:

  The street lights are on and places are animated, crowds agitated. Visitors came the most at this moment because of the recruitment. Commerce goes well.

  In a secluded part of the street, the agitation and the noises have faded. A man crawls on the ground, bleeding. His brown fur collar drags through the pooling blood on the cracked cobblestones, a scenery of battle. His disheveled black hair is matted with red. One arm bends at an unnatural angle.

  Filip looks at the scene, terrified. His hands shake. His glasses slip down his nose. The dark figure before him follows the crawling figure, coming in his direction. Slow, measured steps. Boots clicking against stone. He turns his knife around his finger.

  "If you're going to pry into people's business, then be ready for what comes next. Because now I'm going to kill you."